Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FBB

Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FBB review

The Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FBB is a left-handed, ST-style electric guitar with a feature set that stands out at its listed price of 282. Its combination of a figured maple veneer top, Macassar ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and three-pickup layout gives it an ambitious specification sheet. Player feedback suggests the instrument can deliver a convincing playing experience straight out of the box, though a little setup work may still be needed.

This model has been available since November 2022. Its body is made from nyatoh, shaped for ergonomic support, and finished in Gloss Trans Flamed Bengal Burst. A matching headstock completes the look. The guitar weighs more than one reviewer expected, which is worth considering if you prefer a lighter instrument or spend long sessions standing. No case or gig bag is included.

Neck, fingerboard, and fretwork

The bolt-on neck is made from Canadian maple and uses a Modern C profile. One owner, accustomed to thinner, faster necks, found this profile a little thicker than preferred and needed time to adjust. That response is subjective, but it gives a useful sense of the neck's feel for players who are used to slim profiles. The 648 mm scale length is the familiar 25.5-inch format, paired with a 42 mm nut width and a 305 mm fingerboard radius.

The Macassar ebony fingerboard has clay dot inlays and carries 24 medium jumbo stainless steel frets. In owner feedback, the fretwork was a particular strength: the fret ends were smooth, with no sharp edges, and the binding was reported as cleanly finished. Stainless steel frets are an appealing inclusion at this price, especially for players who value durability and a polished feel under the fingers.

A Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut is fitted at the headstock. The included HB JN-07 locking tuners have staggered posts. One owner praised the locking tuners as a notable feature for a guitar in this price range. The instrument arrived needing tuning, but otherwise one reviewer found its initial setup acceptable. Another made a few adjustments, including changing the strings, cleaning the fingerboard, and tweaking the tremolo saddles.

Pickups and controls

The HSH pickup arrangement combines two Alnico 5 humbuckers with a single-coil pickup in the middle position. The bridge humbucker is a Roswell HAF-B, the neck humbucker is a Roswell HAF-N, and the middle pickup is a Roswell S74-C BK. A five-way switch selects the available pickup combinations. The control layout consists of a master volume and a master tone control with a push-pull coil-split function.

Owner impressions of the Roswell pickups were better than expected. One player described their sound as well defined and said they suited their needs. Another did not see a reason to replace them in the foreseeable future. Those comments point to a useful stock setup for players who want to explore different pickup combinations without immediately budgeting for replacements. The reports do not establish a single ideal sound, so players should still judge the pickup voicing against their own amp and musical style.

Tremolo and hardware

The guitar uses a Wilkinson 50IIK two-point tremolo and chrome hardware. The bridge gives players a vibrato option, while the two-point design keeps the hardware specification in line with the guitar's modern feature set. One reviewer needed to adjust the tremolo saddles after delivery, so it is sensible to check the setup rather than assume every instrument will be perfectly dialed in. The supplied strings are.010 to.046 gauge.

Verdict

The Fusion-III LH HSH EB FBB offers left-handed players a strong collection of features for 282. Its ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, coil-splitting control, and HSH pickup layout are substantial inclusions for the price. Feedback from owners also highlights clean fretwork, a sound finish, and pickups that proved more capable than expected.

There are practical caveats. The guitar is heavier than at least one player anticipated, and its Modern C neck may feel substantial if you usually play a thin profile. A basic setup check is worthwhile, particularly around tuning and tremolo adjustment. Taken together, the specifications and reported build quality make this Harley Benton a compelling option for left-handed players seeking a versatile practice or everyday guitar without a high initial outlay.