Harley Benton ST-80FR ASB

Harley Benton ST-80FR ASB review

The Harley Benton ST-80FR ASB makes a strong first impression through a combination of distinctive looks and hardware that is often a priority for players shopping for a tremolo-equipped guitar. Its Amethyst Sparkle Burst finish, gold-plated hardware, roasted flamed maple neck, and Floyd Rose 1000 bridge give it a specific identity. At a listed price of 285, its feature set is notable, though the single bridge pickup means its tonal range is more focused than that of a guitar with multiple pickups.

The guitar has an American basswood body with an ergonomic shape and a high-gloss finish. There is no top layer. The Amethyst Sparkle Burst color and gold hardware set it apart visually, while the roasted Canadian flamed maple neck adds a prominent grain pattern. One owner described the neck as especially striking, and praised the fit and finish overall. Those impressions are subjective, but they point to a guitar whose visual details contribute meaningfully to its appeal.

Neck and fretwork

The bolt-on neck uses an asymmetric C profile, measuring 20.5 mm thick at the first fret and 23.5 mm at the 22nd. The rosewood fingerboard has rolled edges, dot inlays, and glow-in-the-dark side markers. Its compound radius runs from 305 mm to 406 mm, or 12 to 16 inches. That flatter upper-fretboard radius is intended to suit bending and lead playing, while the measured neck thickness and asymmetric shape will determine whether the feel works for an individual player.

There are 22 medium-jumbo stainless-steel frets, each 2.9 mm wide, with rounded edges. The owner feedback specifically highlights the fretwork and the feel of the stainless-steel frets. Stainless steel is also a practical choice for players who want frets designed to resist wear. The 42 mm nut width and 648 mm scale, equivalent to 25.5 inches, place the guitar within familiar dimensions for this style of instrument. A double-action truss rod has an adjustment wheel, making neck relief adjustments accessible without a conventional adjustment nut at the headstock.

Bridge, controls, and pickup

The Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo is a central part of the ST-80FR ASB's specification. It is the feature that initially drew the owner to the guitar, and its inclusion is a persuasive point for players who want a locking tremolo system. The guitar also comes fitted with Elixir coated strings in a.010 to.046 gauge. Its Jinho J-02 tuning machines have a 15:1 ratio and carry the Harley Benton logo.

Electronics are deliberately straightforward: one Tesla Plasma-X1b Alnico V humbucker at the bridge and one volume control. The owner reports that the volume control reduces level without making the sound muddy, a useful quality when shaping output from the guitar itself. The main reservation in the feedback concerns the pickup. That player wanted a higher-output, more aggressive sound for their music, so the stock humbucker did not fully meet their needs. This is a personal preference, but buyers seeking a more forceful bridge sound should take it into account.

Setup notes and practical tradeoffs

The clearest practical complaint in the owner report was a loud creak from the tremolo springs. The springs were replaced to address it. That is a single user's experience, not evidence that every ST-80FR ASB will have the same issue, but it is worth checking the tremolo and spring cavity during setup. As with any guitar using a floating tremolo, setup preferences and maintenance can affect how smoothly the system performs.

The guitar is sold without a bag or case, so buyers should include protection in their plans if they need it for storage or transport. The available information lists the model from March 2026, with item number 594807 and a sales unit of one guitar. Neck shape, fingerboard radius, and pickup output are all matters of playing style and taste. The owner also notes that those preferences can be decisive, even while praising the build.

Verdict

The Harley Benton ST-80FR ASB offers a distinctive finish, a roasted flamed maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, stainless-steel frets, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo at a listed price of 285. Owner feedback is especially positive about the fretwork, neck, and volume control. The likely compromise is the bridge-only pickup, which may not provide the output or aggression every player wants. A spring noise issue was also reported and resolved by replacing the springs. For players drawn to its tremolo and feel, the feature set makes it a compelling guitar to try, with pickup preference and setup quality worth checking before purchase.