Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS MN BM

Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS MN BM review

The Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS MN BM brings together a familiar double-cutaway electric guitar format and a specification list that reaches well beyond the basics. Its HSS pickup layout, compound-radius maple fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and Babicz two-point tremolo make it a feature-rich option at a listed price of $429. The supplied field report praises its finish, materials, and sound, describing them as comparable to those of a high-end guitar. That is a strong impression, though individual setup and playing feel will still matter.

Construction and neck

The body is made from nyatoh and finished in high-gloss Black Metallic. There is no separate top, and natural wood binding outlines the body. Harley Benton pairs it with a bolt-on Canadian flamed maple neck that has been roasted, along with a Canadian maple fingerboard. The black hardware gives the dark finish a consistent look, while circular fingerboard inlays and fluorescent side markers provide position references.

The neck has a Modern C profile, measuring 21 mm thick at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. Its 42 mm nut width and 648 mm scale length follow familiar dimensions for this style of guitar. The fingerboard radius changes from 305 mm near the nut to 406 mm farther up the neck. That compound shape offers a rounder feel in lower positions and a flatter surface higher up, a design intended to accommodate both chord work and bends.

There are 24 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets, each 2.7 mm wide, and a GraphTech TUSQ XL nut. Stainless steel frets are valued for their wear resistance, while the extra fret count extends the available range beyond a typical 22-fret layout. A double-action truss rod is adjusted with a wheel, which makes access straightforward when the neck needs a setup adjustment. The guitar ships with coated.010 to.046 strings tuned to standard E tuning.

Pickups and controls

The HSS configuration combines a Tesla Opus-1B Alnico 5 humbucker at the bridge with two Tesla VR-1BK Alnico 5 single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. This arrangement gives the guitar distinct pickup types within one instrument. The bridge humbucker is suited to a thicker, more forceful response, while the single coils provide the brighter character commonly associated with that pickup design. The supplied report describes the sound positively but does not specify particular settings or musical styles, so a hands-on audition remains the best way to judge the response.

Controls comprise one volume knob, one tone knob, a five-way pickup selector, and a mini-switch for coil splitting. The report also highlights a super-switch and praises the range of sounds available. The listed specifications identify a five-way switch but do not detail its internal wiring or every switching combination. The coil-split switch adds another way to alter the bridge humbucker's output, although the exact tonal change depends on the circuit and amplifier.

Tremolo and hardware

The Babicz FCH two-point Special Z Series C full-contact tremolo is a notable part of the specification. It uses a two-point mounting design, and its full-contact construction is intended to maintain contact between the bridge and body. The guitar also has staggered Jinho JN-07 locking tuners bearing the Harley Benton logo. Together, these parts provide a practical hardware package for players who use the tremolo and want locking tuners for string changes.

The supplied information does not state whether a gig bag or case is included. Neither is listed as part of the package, so buyers should plan to source one separately if they need protection for transport or storage.

Verdict

At $429, the Fusion-IV HSS MN BM stands out on paper for combining a roasted maple neck, compound-radius fingerboard, stainless steel frets, a named set of Tesla pickups, locking tuners, and a Babicz tremolo. The field report's praise for its finish, materials, and sound supports the impression of a guitar that feels more ambitious than its price might suggest. Its HSS layout and coil-split control also offer useful tonal options without adding a complicated control panel.

The main caveat is that a specification sheet cannot confirm fretwork, setup quality, tuning stability, or how the neck feels in a player's hands. Buyers should check the individual instrument and verify the switching behavior they expect, especially since the supplied details do not map out the super-switch functions. For players seeking a versatile, modern-style electric guitar with substantial hardware and fret specifications, the Harley Benton Fusion-IV is a compelling model to try.