Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSH RW SGR

Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSH RW SGR review

The Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSH RW SGR is a modern electric guitar with a gray matte finish, a nyatoh body, and a bolt-on roasted Canadian flamed maple neck. Its listed price is 429, and it has been available since April 2026. The combination of a dual-humbucker and single-coil pickup layout, 24 stainless steel frets, and a two-point tremolo gives the instrument a broad feature set for its price.

That feature list is backed up by positive owner feedback about the guitar's setup and feel. One player reported that the fret leveling and neck setup were excellent straight out of the box, requiring only a quick adjustment before the guitar played comfortably. Another described it as light, comfortable, and easy to play. Those experiences are individual reports, but they suggest that the Fusion-IV can arrive ready for use rather than needing extensive corrective work.

Neck and playing feel

The neck has a Modern C profile, measuring 21 mm thick at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. Its roasted flamed maple construction is paired with a rosewood fingerboard and a compound radius that runs from 305 mm to 406 mm, or 12 to 16 inches. This flatter radius toward the upper frets is suited to lead playing and lower action, while the rounder feel near the nut can make chord work comfortable.

The 648 mm scale length is the familiar 25.5-inch format. At the nut, the width is 42 mm, and the Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut is matched with staggered Jinho JN-07 locking tuners. Together, those details make a practical tuning and string-change setup, especially for players who use the tremolo. The neck also has a double-action adjustment wheel for truss rod access.

There are 24 Blacksmith stainless steel medium-jumbo frets, each measuring 2.7 mm. Stainless steel is generally valued for its wear resistance, while the fret count gives players access to the upper register. Circular fingerboard inlays mark the positions, with glow-in-the-dark side markers intended to remain visible in dim conditions. Natural wood binding adds a contrasting edge to the body.

HSH pickups and switching

The pickup configuration combines two Alnico 5 humbuckers with a middle single-coil pickup. At the bridge is a Tesla Opus-1B humbucker with a gold cover. The middle position uses a Tesla VR-1WH M single-coil, and the neck position has a gold-covered Tesla Opus-1N humbucker. This HSH arrangement gives the guitar access to fuller humbucker sounds as well as the more defined character associated with a single-coil in the middle.

Controls include one volume knob, one tone knob, a mini switch for coil splitting, and a 10-way selector. The available switching combinations give players options beyond the standard pickup positions, though the supplied specifications do not detail every selector position. Owners describe the HSH setup as versatile, with sounds that can cover both substantial tones and cleaner, more clearly defined parts. That makes the guitar suitable for players who want several tonal options without changing instruments.

Babicz tremolo and hardware

The bridge is a Babicz FCH 2-Point Special Z-Series C Full Contact tremolo. One owner reported that it returned to pitch well, an important point for players who use the arm regularly. The same feedback noted that the bridge did not feel as premium as higher-end alternatives. That is a useful distinction: its reported tuning performance is positive, but the tactile impression may not match more expensive hardware.

The hardware is black, and the guitar ships with coated Harley Benton HQS EL strings in.010 to.046 gauges. Neither a bag nor a case is included, so players should account for a separate purchase if they need protection for transport or storage.

Verdict

The Fusion-IV HSH RW SGR makes a strong case for players seeking a comfortable, modern guitar with a wide range of sounds. Its compound-radius rosewood fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, coil-splitting control, and Babicz tremolo provide plenty to work with. Feedback from owners is especially encouraging on setup quality and playability, while the bridge's less luxurious feel is the clearest reported compromise.

At a listed price of 429, it offers a substantial specification set and favorable early impressions. The gray matte finish was also chosen by one owner to avoid a sticky feel against the arm, and that player reported being very satisfied with the instrument. With no case included, it is worth budgeting for one separately. For a player who values versatility and a comfortable neck, the Harley Benton Fusion-IV is a compelling option to try.