Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH LH MN HT EMG SBK

Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH LH MN HT EMG SBK review

The Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH LH MN HT EMG SBK is a left-handed, six-string, ST-style electric guitar with a fixed bridge and two EMG humbuckers. Listed at $471, it is aimed at players who want a direct control layout and a stable bridge for recording or regular playing. Its satin black finish keeps the look understated, while the roasted maple neck and fingerboard give the design a distinctive natural appearance.

Buyer feedback points to two features that stand out in use: the neck feel and the manageable weight. One player who usually favors Strat-style guitars said the Fusion's neck profile and low weight won them over quickly. Another bought it as a straightforward recording instrument, praising its finish, hardware, and generally good setup. Those reports are individual experiences, not a guarantee that every example will arrive with identical action or tuning.

Construction and neck feel

The body is made from nyatoh, with natural wood binding around its edge. A bolt-on neck is made from roasted Canadian flamed maple, and the fingerboard is Canadian maple. The neck has a smooth C profile, measuring 21 mm thick at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. One reviewer found the profile particularly comfortable, while another would have preferred it slightly thinner. That difference is worth keeping in mind if neck depth is a major factor in your choice.

The fingerboard uses a compound radius of 305 to 406 mm, or 12 to 16 inches. Its flatter upper section is suited to bending and lower action, while the rounder lower section retains a familiar feel for chords. The guitar has 24 medium-jumbo stainless-steel frets, each 2.7 mm wide, plus circular inlays and fluorescent side markers. A double-action adjustment wheel provides access to the truss rod. The Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut measures 42 mm across, and the scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches.

One buyer reported clean fretwork without sharp edges and described the finish as flawless. The same account noted that the instrument needed a small tune-up but arrived generally well set up. This is a useful distinction: a solid initial setup can still need adjustment to suit a player's preferred string height, tuning, or touch.

Pickups, controls, and bridge

The pickup system consists of two EMG Custom Retro Active Hot 70 humbuckers with black pole pieces. A three-way switch selects pickup combinations, with one volume and one tone control. There are no coil-split controls or extra switching options. For players who favor a simpler layout, that keeps operation direct; anyone looking for a wide range of single-coil tones will need to look elsewhere.

A reviewer comparing the Hot 70 pickups with EMG 81 and 60 models described them as less harsh in the upper frequencies, while still providing ample output. Another owner characterized the sound as relatively neutral but powerful, and found it a good fit for Iron Maiden material. These are subjective impressions, but they suggest a high-output humbucker voice that can work for heavier parts without demanding the same treble reduction some players apply to brighter pickups.

The Babicz Z-Series FCH bridge is a fixed design, with no tremolo. That suits players who prefer a simpler setup and do not need vibrato-arm effects. Staggered Jinho JN-07 locking tuners are fitted at the headstock, alongside chrome hardware. The supplied strings are coated DR Strings Dragon Skin sets in medium.010 to.046 gauges. No case or gig bag is included.

Who should consider it?

The Fusion-IV is a focused option for left-handed players who want a humbucker-equipped guitar with a fixed bridge, locking tuners, and a 25.5-inch scale. Its 24 stainless-steel frets, compound-radius fingerboard, and C-shaped neck give the specification a modern slant, while the single volume and tone controls keep the front panel uncomplicated. The satin black finish is understated rather than flashy, and buyer feedback describes the instrument as light and comfortable to play.

At $471, the main trade-offs are clear. The pickup configuration offers no coil splitting, the controls are limited to a single volume and tone knob, and there is no included case. The neck's dimensions may feel ideal to some players and a little thick to others. If those points fit your preferences, the combination of EMG Hot 70 humbuckers, a fixed Babicz bridge, locking tuners, and a roasted maple neck makes this a compelling left-handed workhorse on paper, with owner reports that back up its comfortable feel and strong output.