Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS RW FNT

Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS RW FNT review

The Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS RW FNT is a bolt-on electric guitar with a nyatoh body, a laminated flamed maple top, and a roasted flamed maple neck. Its natural, high-gloss finish puts the figured top on display, while natural wood binding traces the body edge. The model has been available since April 2026, with a listed price of $399.

Its specification sheet is unusually detailed for this price range. It includes a compound-radius rosewood fingerboard, 24 stainless steel frets, locking tuners, a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut, and a Babicz full-contact two-point tremolo. Those parts make the Fusion-IV an appealing option for players who want a versatile HSS guitar with modern hardware. Owner reports, however, show that setup quality can vary, so a careful inspection after unpacking is worthwhile.

Construction and playing feel

The neck uses roasted Canadian flamed maple and a Modern C profile. Harley Benton lists its thickness as 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. The 648 mm scale length is the familiar 25.5-inch format, and the nut measures 42 mm across. Circular fingerboard inlays mark the frets, with glow-in-the-dark markers along the side for visibility on a dim stage.

The compound fingerboard radius changes from 305 mm to 406 mm, or 12 to 16 inches. That flatter upper section is intended to make bends and higher-register playing more comfortable, while the more rounded lower section suits chord work. The 24 medium-jumbo frets are made from stainless steel and measure 2.7 mm wide. One owner reported that the guitar arrived well set up, with a measured neck relief of 0.15 mm and easy access to the upper frets. That player still polished the frets and conditioned the fingerboard as part of routine setup work.

Feedback on fret buzz is mixed. One buyer returned the guitar after persistent buzzing, especially on the low E and A strings, despite attempts to resolve it. Another reported no buzz or dead spots and praised the factory setup. These experiences do not establish a general defect, but they do make the setup worth checking rather than assuming every instrument will arrive in identical condition.

HSS electronics and tremolo

The pickup layout combines a Tesla Opus-1B Alnico 5 zebra humbucker at the bridge with Tesla VR-1BK M Alnico 5 single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. A five-way switch selects the standard pickup combinations, and the controls consist of one volume knob and one tone knob. A mini switch changes the humbucker to series mode, expanding the available sounds. The HSS arrangement gives the guitar a practical range for players moving between brighter single-coil tones and a fuller bridge sound.

The Babicz FCH 2-Point Special Z-Series C bridge uses a full-contact tremolo design. One owner said the bridge worked very well and noted that the guitar stayed properly set up, while another praised the instrument's broad tonal range. The guitar also has chrome-plated hardware and staggered Jinho JN-07 locking tuners bearing the Harley Benton logo. One report mentioned needing to improve how the strings were secured in the locking tuners, a small adjustment to check during setup.

Finish, setup, and value

Owner impressions of the finish and overall build are mostly positive. Buyers described the instrument as attractive, comfortable to play, and carefully finished, with one calling out its relatively light weight. The coated Harley Benton strings received mixed but generally mild comments: one owner found them acceptable, while another thought they felt somewhat dull. Strings are consumable, so this is an easy change if their feel or response does not suit you.

The guitar ships without a gig bag or hard case. Its listed factory strings are coated Harley Benton HQS in a.010 to.046 gauge. At $399, the combination of a flamed maple top, roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and the Babicz tremolo makes the specification compelling. Reports also point to meaningful differences in individual setup, particularly around fret buzz and tuner stringing. Buyers should inspect the frets, neck relief, action, and tuning stability on arrival, or have a technician check them.

The Fusion-IV HSS RW FNT is a strong candidate for players who want an adaptable, modern-style guitar and value upgraded hardware at a modest price. Its construction and pickup selection earn positive feedback, but the conflicting setup experiences keep this from being a recommendation without qualification. A well-adjusted example offers a lot to work with, and the core specification leaves room for future changes without making modifications a requirement.