Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH MN SGD

Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH MN SGD review

The Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH MN SGD makes a strong first impression. Its satin gold finish, figured roasted maple neck, and black hardware give it a distinctive look, while the smooth neck and solid-feeling bridge suggest a guitar built above its $399 price point. In a hands-on assessment of two examples, though, that promise came with some important caveats. Both guitars had dead spots on certain frets, and the pickups drew substantial criticism for their sound and noise.

The model has a nyatoh body with no top, a bolt-on Canadian roasted flamed maple neck, and a Canadian maple fingerboard. Natural wood binding outlines the body. The satin gold finish is less slick than the finishes on other Fusion-IV models: the surface felt slightly coarse and had some friction. That is a minor drawback, but worth considering if you prefer a smooth, glossy feel. Visually, the flamed maple is a highlight, and the overall finish was reported to be close to flawless.

Neck and playing feel

The neck was the most immediately appealing part of the guitar. It felt exceptionally smooth, and the fingerboard was described as smooth and attractive. The neck has a Modern C profile, measuring 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the 12th. Its compound fingerboard radius runs from 12 to 16 inches, with a 42 mm nut width and a 648 mm scale length. There are 24 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets, circular fingerboard inlays, and fluorescent side markers.

That neck profile will not suit every player. Despite its comfortable surface, the neck felt too thick to the reviewer, with a slightly fuller feel along the top than the bottom. The reported two examples also had frets that felt rough, even though they appeared even in height. Their surfaces seemed insufficiently polished. More concerning, both guitars had dead spots on some frets. Those issues make it important to check an individual instrument rather than assuming the strong general build impression guarantees consistent fretwork.

Controls, pickups, and tremolo

The Fusion-IV uses a pair of Tesla Opus-1 humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets. The bridge pickup is the zebra-finished Opus-1B, and the neck pickup is the black open-faced Opus-1N. Controls include one volume knob, one tone knob, a five-way pickup selector, and a mini switch described as an alternate switch for ghost-coil operation.

On the reviewed guitars, the pickups were the clearest weakness. The sound was judged very poor, even against inexpensive alternatives, and the pickups were also noisy. The mini switch did not improve the experience for the reviewer, who felt it added little useful value and might contribute further noise. The five-way selector also felt loose and low-quality. In contrast, the volume and tone controls felt well made. These observations apply to the two tested examples, but they are significant enough to warrant a thorough playing test before purchase.

The bridge is a Babicz FCH two-point Special Z Series C full-contact tremolo. The guitar also has black hardware, staggered Jinho JN-07 locking tuners bearing the Harley Benton logo, and a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut. The bridge and tuners both received positive comments, as did the general feel of the hardware. Factory strings are coated Harley Benton HQS in.010 to.046 gauge. No gig bag or case is included.

Verdict

There is plenty to like in the Fusion-IV HH MN SGD's construction and presentation. The figured roasted maple looks excellent, the neck feels smooth, and the bridge, tuners, and main control knobs give a more premium impression than the price might suggest. Its 24 stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and full-contact tremolo also make for an appealing specification on paper.

The tested guitars did not fully deliver on that promise. Rough-feeling frets and dead spots raise concerns about setup and fret finishing, while the noisy, disappointing pickups and loose selector undermine the playing experience. The neck may also feel too substantial for players who prefer a slimmer profile, and the satin gold surface has a slightly grippy texture. At $399, this model could appeal to someone drawn to its looks and hardware, especially if they can inspect it in person. A careful fret check and an amp test are advisable before committing.