Harley Benton Amarok BT LH BKNT Flame Burst

Harley Benton Amarok BT LH BKNT Flame Burst review

Finding an affordable left-handed baritone with six strings and metal-focused hardware can be difficult. The Harley Benton Amarok BT LH BKNT Flame Burst addresses that gap with a 27-inch scale, a neck-through construction, and a pair of EMG humbuckers. At a listed price of 518, its specification is unusually ambitious for the category. Buyer feedback is strongly positive about its playability and sound, but reports of setup and quality-control problems make inspection after delivery important.

Construction and feel

The guitar has a carved, comfort-contoured body and a five-piece maple-and-mahogany neck running through the body. The supplied specifications describe the body wood inconsistently: one entry lists nyatoh, while the detailed construction description calls it mahogany. The top is described as a flamed maple veneer. Its Black Natural Flame Burst Satin finish has drawn praise from owners, although one reviewer felt the flame pattern was less striking in person than in product photos. Another noticed subtle blue tones in the finish.

The neck profile is a slim Modern C, measuring 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. A Macassar ebony fingerboard, 24 jumbo stainless steel frets, and rounded fret ends contribute to a comfortable playing surface. Several owners describe the neck as especially pleasant and fast, with useful access to the upper frets. The 355.6 mm fingerboard radius and 42 mm nut width round out the main dimensions. Glow-in-the-dark side markers help show fret positions in dim conditions.

At 686 mm, or 27 inches, the scale is the central feature. It gives the heavier factory string set,.013 to.062, more tension than a standard-scale guitar would provide at low tunings. Owners report that the instrument holds tunings such as Drop A and Drop A-sharp well after an appropriate setup. That tension can make low riffs feel controlled without adding a seventh string. The tradeoff is a longer reach and a firmer feel than many players will be used to.

Sound and controls

The pickup set consists of an EMG Retro Active Hot 70 ceramic humbucker at the bridge and an Alnico 5 humbucker at the neck. Controls are straightforward: master volume, master tone, and a three-way selector. Reviewers generally praise the pickups for clear clean sounds and a thick response with overdrive or distortion. Their high-output character suits metal and other heavy styles, though some players find the bridge pickup bright or the overall voice less versatile for softer genres.

One owner preferred powering the pickups at 24 volts, reporting a more open sound. That is an individual observation, not a required setup, and the listed specifications do not describe a 24-volt power system. Other owners were happy with the stock pickups, while at least one later replaced them to better match personal taste. The sound is therefore a strong selling point for players who like this active EMG character, rather than a guarantee of universal tonal preference.

Hardware and setup

The Amarok uses a fixed WSC HPS-6 bridge, so there is no tremolo system. Jinho locking tuners and a graphite nut complete the main tuning hardware. Stainless steel frets and locking tuners are notable inclusions at this price, and owners commonly report clean fretwork. The guitar does not include a case or gig bag.

Setup reports vary. Some buyers received an instrument that was well adjusted and ready to play; others needed to correct intonation, change strings, or set it up for baritone tuning. Several comments mention tuner action that feels stiff or inexpensive. A few owners also reported cosmetic finish marks, a rough nut, a loose or faulty output jack, or problems with electronics. One particularly serious account described intonation that could not be corrected using the bridge adjustment. These reports do not mean every instrument has defects, but they make a careful check of tuning, intonation, jack stability, and electronics worthwhile as soon as the guitar arrives.

Verdict

The Harley Benton Amarok BT LH BKNT Flame Burst offers left-handed players a rare combination: a six-string baritone, long scale, neck-through construction, stainless steel frets, and active EMG pickups. Its strongest qualities are the comfortable slim neck, dependable low-tuning feel when properly set up, and a focused, powerful sound for heavy music. The main reservation is inconsistent quality control, alongside hardware and setup complaints in some owner reports. For a player specifically seeking an affordable left-handed baritone, the specification and favorable playing impressions are compelling. Budget time to inspect and adjust the instrument, and consider the return policy before buying.