Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple Burst

Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple Burst review

The Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple Burst is a left-handed, six-string electric guitar in an ST-style shape, offered in the brand's Deluxe Series. At a listed price of $255, it brings together a flamed maple top, a set-in meranti neck, two Alnico-5 humbuckers, and a Wilkinson tremolo. Its specification sheet is ambitious for the price, and owner reports suggest that the finish and setup often make a strong first impression.

There is a practical reason this model stands out: left-handed players have fewer choices when it comes to finishes and affordable guitars. One owner bought the Purple Burst after spotting it among newly available left-handed color options. The instrument arrived six days after ordering, and the reviewer, who already owned another CST-24T, said the build met expectations. That is useful context, though individual examples can vary.

Build, finish, and setup

The body and set-in neck are made from meranti, with a flamed maple top. The fingerboard is listed in the detailed specifications as roasted jatoba, although a separate summary names rosewood. Buyers should check the current listing if the fingerboard wood is a deciding factor. The neck has a C profile, a 350 mm fingerboard radius, and a 42 mm graphite nut. Pearloid dot inlays and binding on the neck and body add visual detail.

Owners repeatedly praise the finish and overall workmanship. Several describe the paint and binding as clean, with no obvious flaws on their examples. One professional musician and teacher called the guitar well finished and comfortable to play, while another reported a good factory setup and an instrument that was ready to use with little adjustment. A separate buyer noted a few slightly sharp fret ends, a minor issue that can be addressed, but worth checking when the guitar arrives.

The Purple Burst appearance is a matter of taste, and customer reports point to some variation between the product photos and the instrument in hand. One buyer found the actual color less vivid than expected and considered that a positive. If matching the online image matters, keep in mind that finishes can look different under varying light and on different screens.

Playability and hardware

The 635 mm scale and 24 Blacksmith stainless steel frets give the CST-24T a familiar, full-length feel with access to the upper frets. Players describe the neck as comfortable, though one owner found it a little thicker than their usual preference. The higher frets were still easy to reach. That combination should suit players who want broad fret access, while neck feel remains personal and is best assessed in person when possible.

The graphite nut and DLX tuning machines receive positive comments from owners. One left-handed player reported that the guitar stayed in tune well, including with moderate tremolo use. Another buyer said the instrument arrived close to being in tune. Those experiences are encouraging, but a new guitar may still need a setup for its player, string choice, and preferred action.

The Wilkinson WVPC tremolo is included, but not every owner had tested it. One reviewer specifically noted they could not yet comment on its performance. Another found the tremolo sitting flush against the body, a setup preference that can be adjusted. The guitar ships without a case or gig bag, so plan for a separate purchase if you need protection for transport.

Pickup sounds and controls

Two Roswell HAF Alnico-5 humbuckers provide the main voice. The controls include a three-way pickup selector, one volume control, and one tone control with a push-pull coil-splitting function. Owners describe the humbuckers as clear and strong in output, with the split setting adding useful tonal variety. One player was especially pleased with the push-pull control and said the guitar offered a broad range of sounds.

There is a small difference of opinion about the pickup positions. One reviewer felt the bridge and neck sounds were not dramatically different, while other comments praised the overall sound and versatility. The coil split broadens the available options, but it does not turn the instrument into a dedicated single-coil guitar. As with any pickup system, the final sound depends on the amplifier and settings used.

Verdict

At $255, the CST-24T LH Purple Burst offers left-handed players a feature-rich guitar with a set-in neck, stainless steel frets, a tremolo, and coil-splitting humbuckers. Feedback is strongest on finish quality, comfortable playability, tuning stability, and value. A few caveats remain: the fingerboard material is inconsistent across the supplied listings, color may differ from photos, and some examples may need small setup or fret-end adjustments. For a budget-conscious player seeking a versatile left-handed instrument, it is a compelling option, with a careful inspection and setup check still worthwhile.