Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS RW RM

Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS RW RM review

The Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS RW RM is a red, solid-body electric guitar with a mixed pickup layout, a locking tremolo, and a roasted maple neck. Listed at 422, it pairs a nyatoh body with a rosewood fingerboard and 24 stainless steel frets. Its specification points toward a versatile instrument for players who want both humbucker output and single-coil character, with the switching options to move between them.

This review is based on the supplied specifications and customer feedback, not an independent hands-on test. A buyer reported being very satisfied with the guitar's quality, value, and the advice received from the retailer. They also said their daughter enjoys playing it. That is a positive account, though it does not provide details about setup, tuning stability, or performance at rehearsal volume.

Construction and neck

The body is made from nyatoh and has a high-gloss Red Metallic finish. There is no separate top, while natural wood binding outlines the body. The neck is bolt-on roasted Canadian flamed maple, with a rosewood fingerboard. Circular fingerboard inlays and fluorescent side markers provide position references, with the side markers designed to remain visible in low light.

The neck uses a Modern C profile. Its listed depth is 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth, a modest increase toward the body. The compound fingerboard radius changes from 12 inches to 16 inches. This flatter curve higher up the neck is intended to suit bends and lead playing, while the rounder lower section can feel familiar for chord work. These are design characteristics, not a substitute for trying the neck in person.

The 648 mm scale is the familiar 25.5-inch length. A 42 mm nut and GraphTech TUSQ XL nut complete the stated dimensions and hardware at the headstock end. The guitar has a double-action truss rod adjusted by a wheel, rather than requiring access through a conventional adjustment opening. Its 24 Blacksmith medium-jumbo stainless steel frets measure 2.7 mm. Stainless steel is generally chosen for its wear resistance, though fret finish and edge comfort cannot be confirmed from the specification alone.

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. The bridge pickup has a chrome cover. This arrangement gives the player distinct pickup types in one instrument: the bridge humbucker is the higher-output option, while the two single coils offer a different response and tonal character.

Controls include one volume knob and one tone knob, alongside a five-way pickup selector. A mini-switch splits the bridge humbucker's coils. That adds another potential bridge sound without requiring a more involved control layout. The listed specifications do not describe the exact wiring for each switch position, so buyers should check the manufacturer's wiring diagram if they need a particular combination.

Tremolo and hardware

The bridge is a Babicz FCH 2-Point Special Z Series C full-contact tremolo. It uses two pivot points, with the full-contact design intended to maintain broad contact between the bridge and body. The guitar also has staggered Jinho JN-07 locking tuners, chrome hardware, and coated Harley Benton HQS EL strings in.010 to.046 gauge. It is specified for standard E tuning, E-A-D-G-B-E.

Locking tuners can make string changes more straightforward by securing each string at the post. They do not, by themselves, guarantee tuning stability. That depends on setup, string installation, nut condition, and how the tremolo is used. No case or gig bag is included, so players transporting the guitar will need to arrange protection separately.

Verdict

The Fusion-IV HSS RW RM offers a detailed specification for its 422 price: a compound-radius rosewood fingerboard, stainless steel frets, a coil-splittable HSS pickup set, locking tuners, and a two-point Babicz tremolo. Its 24-fret layout and 25.5-inch scale suit players looking for a modern electric guitar with room for both rhythm and lead parts. The supplied customer account is encouraging, particularly on perceived quality and value, but it is a single report rather than a broader reliability record.

Available since April 2026, the model is listed under item number 618009. The red finish and flamed maple neck give it a distinctive appearance, while the control layout and hardware provide practical features for everyday playing. Before buying, confirm the current price, stock status, and setup details with the retailer. Players who need a case should include that additional cost when comparing it with other guitars.