Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MS w/Bag
At a listed price of $198, the Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MS offers left-handed players an affordable entry to an eight-string, multi-scale guitar. The specifications list a gig bag as not included, so verify the bundle before ordering.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MS w/Bag review
The Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MS w/Bag is a left-handed, eight-string electric guitar with a white high-gloss finish and an ST-style body. Its listed price is 198, and the model has been available since February 2026. The specifications describe a poplar body, a bolt-on maple neck, and a maple fingerboard. With 24 frets, a multiscale layout, and two humbuckers, its design is aimed at players looking for an extended-range instrument in a left-handed format.
There are no customer reviews available, so this assessment is limited to the supplied specifications. Those details make it possible to evaluate the layout and hardware on paper, but they do not establish how the guitar sounds, feels, or performs in use.
Neck, scale, and playing layout
The guitar has eight strings and 24 medium-jumbo frets. Its Speed-D neck profile is paired with a 350 mm fingerboard radius. The fingerboard also has recessed side-dot inlays, which keep the position markers set into the edge rather than raised above it. The nut is made from Nubone, and its listed width is 54 mm.
The multiscale specification gives individual scale lengths of 692 mm to 650 mm. A separate general specification lists the scale as 686 mm. These figures describe the instrument differently, so the detailed multiscale range is the more useful reference for understanding its layout. The supplied tuning is F sharp, B, E, A, D, G, B, and E, with string gauges ranging from.009 to.065. That combination places the instrument in an extended-range setup, though the listing does not explain the intended string tension or recommend alternate tunings.
The left-handed designation is an important practical detail. Buyers should check that the model's controls and string arrangement match their needs, particularly when comparing it with right-handed versions or other guitars in the same series.
Pickups and controls
The pickup system consists of two high-output humbuckers, with one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way selector switch. The listing does not provide pickup output measurements, magnet type, wiring options, or switching diagrams. It is therefore possible to describe the basic configuration, but not to make a reliable claim about its tonal range or output character.
There is no tremolo system. The fixed bridge arrangement implied by that specification avoids a tremolo arm and its related hardware, although the provided information does not identify the bridge design or explain its adjustment range. The machine heads are described as deluxe die-cast units, and the hardware is black against the white body finish.
Body and finish
The poplar body and maple neck and fingerboard are clearly specified, while no top is listed. The white high-gloss finish gives the model a straightforward visual contrast with its black hardware. No body dimensions, weight, neck measurements beyond the nut width and radius, or finish construction details are supplied. Those omissions matter to players comparing comfort, balance, or fit with a particular case.
Overall, the listed construction establishes a conventional bolt-on design with an extended-range neck and left-handed orientation. The specifications do not include a factory setup description or details about fret finishing, so those aspects cannot be assessed from the product data.
Bag availability and buying considerations
The product name includes "w/Bag," but the specifications state that no case is included and that a gig bag is not included. A suitable bag is identified separately as Art. 142777, which should be treated as an additional purchase rather than part of the listed guitar package. The bag information describes 20 mm expanded polyethylene padding, heavy-duty industrial material, padded 5 cm carrying straps, two outside pockets, two additional accessory pockets, and a name badge compartment. Its stated internal dimensions are approximately 112 x 40 x 8 cm.
Those dimensions are useful when checking fit, but the listing does not confirm that the bag is bundled with this guitar. Buyers should verify the package contents with the retailer before ordering, especially because the product name and inclusion details conflict.
Verdict
The Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MS w/Bag offers a defined specification set for a left-handed player seeking an eight-string guitar: a multiscale neck, 24 frets, dual humbuckers, simple controls, and a white high-gloss finish. Its listed price is 198. The main points to confirm before purchase are the distinction between the listed 686 mm scale and the detailed 692-to-650 mm range, and whether the separately specified gig bag is actually included. With no customer feedback or hands-on test data available, claims about sound, setup quality, and playing comfort would go beyond the evidence provided.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Left-handed eight-string design with a 24-fret range and multi-scale length of 692 to 650 mm.
- Two high-gain humbuckers, a three-way switch, and separate volume and tone controls.
- Maple neck and fingerboard, a Speed-D neck profile, and 350 mm fingerboard radius.
What bugged me
- The listed specifications say a gig bag is not included, despite the product name; confirm the package contents before buying.
- The eight-string layout and multi-scale feel may take adjustment for players used to conventional six-string guitars.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for left-handed players seeking an affordable eight-string guitar, players exploring multi-scale layouts, and musicians who want high-gain humbuckers with simple controls.Look elsewhere if
Not a good fit for players seeking a conventional six-string setup or a guitar with a confirmed included bag. Players unfamiliar with eight-string instruments may prefer to try the layout before buying.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Shape, design
- ST-Style
- Color
- White
- Body
- Poplar
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Maple
- Number of strings
- 8
- Frets
- 24
- Scale
- 686 mm
- Pickup system
- HH
- Tremolo
- No
- Including case
- No
- Incl. gigbag
- No
- Top
- None
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Is this guitar left-handed?
Yes. The specifications identify it as a left-handed model.
Does it include a gig bag?
The specifications state that a gig bag is not included, although the product name says "w/Bag." A compatible bag is listed separately, so confirm the package contents with the seller before ordering.
What makes this an eight-string, multi-scale guitar?
It has eight strings and a scale range of 692 to 650 mm, with different scale lengths across the strings.
What pickups and controls does it have?
It has two high-gain humbuckers, one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way switch.
What tuning and strings are specified?
The listed tuning is F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, E. The supplied string gauges are.009,.011,.016,.024,.032,.042,.054, and.065.
The last word from the bench
This model pairs an eight-string layout and 24 frets with a multi-scale design, two high-gain humbuckers, and straightforward controls. Its maple neck and fingerboard, die-cast tuning machines, and recessed side markers provide a practical feature set at the listed price. The scale range and wider string layout are best suited to players who specifically want extended-range guitar features. Confirm whether a bag is included, since the product name and listed package details conflict.
Hanging next to it
Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MS w/Bag
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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