Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS LH LPB

Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS LH LPB review

Finding a left-handed guitar with an HSS pickup layout can narrow the shopping list fast. The Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS LH LPB addresses that gap with a familiar ST-style body, a bridge humbucker, and two single-coil pickups. Listed at 329, it also brings a roasted, flamed maple neck, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and a Babicz two-point tremolo. Those are substantial specifications for the price, though the owner reports show why setup and inspection still matter.

The guitar has a high-gloss Lake Placid Blue finish over an American alder body, with a three-ply mint-green pickguard. One left-handed owner described the finish and woodwork as exceptionally clean, with no visible blemishes. Another praised the instrument's appearance and overall balance. These are individual impressions, not a guarantee that every example will arrive in identical condition, but they point to a strong first impression when quality control is on target.

Neck, fretwork, and setup

The bolt-on neck is made from roasted, flamed Canadian maple. Its D-shaped profile measures 20.5 mm at the first fret and 22.5 mm at the 22nd. The fingerboard is listed as laurel in the detailed specifications, although another summary field calls it rosewood. Buyers should check the listing for the current material description rather than assume those terms refer to the same wood. The board has dot inlays, fluorescent side markings, rounded edges, and an ergonomic neck-to-body transition.

A compound radius runs from 12 inches to 16 inches, with a 648 mm scale and 42 mm nut width. The guitar has 22 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets with rounded ends, a graphite nut, and a double-action truss rod adjusted with a wheel. One reviewer found the neck straight, smooth, and comfortable across the fingerboard, and reported being able to lower the action without unwanted fret buzz. Another received an instrument with high action and frets that needed leveling before the guitar could make full use of its compound radius. That difference is worth taking seriously: check the action and fret condition on arrival, especially if you prefer a very low setup.

Pickups and controls

The HSS arrangement uses a covered Tesla VR-Nitro Alnico 5 humbucker at the bridge, with Tesla TV-S1M and TV-S1N Alnico 5 single coils in the middle and neck positions. Controls are straightforward: one volume knob, one tone knob with a push-pull coil-split function, and a five-way switch. Pulling the tone control splits the bridge humbucker, adding a single-coil option to the available sounds.

Owners describe the pickups as responsive to playing dynamics, with clear, defined single-coil tones and a bridge humbucker that has useful output for driven sounds. One review characterizes the single coils as bright and transparent, while the humbucker stays controlled at higher gain. The tone control can help tame the treble if you find the overall sound too sharp. As with any pickup assessment, amplifier settings, strings, and playing style will shape the result.

Tremolo and hardware

The Babicz FCH 2-Point Z-Series C full-contact tremolo is a notable part of the specification. A left-handed owner praised its build and the threaded tremolo arm, and reported good tuning stability during heavy use. The bridge uses a different saddle arrangement from some familiar designs, so take a moment to identify the adjustment screws before changing string height or locking the saddles. The guitar also has Sung-Il ML-55 locking tuners with the Harley Benton logo.

There is one small hardware detail to watch. One owner found that the bridge humbucker moved in its mounting and discovered silicone tubing in place of conventional springs. After contacting customer support, they received replacement springs and installed them. The owner was satisfied with the result, but the issue suggests checking pickup stability before a longer session. The same reviewer inspected the wiring beneath the pickguard and found it tidy.

Verdict

The Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS LH LPB makes a compelling case for left-handed players who want an HSS guitar with a tremolo and modern playability features. Its pickup selection, compound-radius fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and roasted maple neck give it a specification sheet that is unusually complete at the listed 329 price. Feedback on the finish, neck feel, pickups, and tremolo is largely positive, while the reports of uneven fret leveling and a loose pickup underline the value of checking the individual instrument and arranging a proper setup if needed.

No case or gig bag is included. If you are shopping specifically for a left-handed HSS guitar, this model deserves a close look, provided you are comfortable inspecting its setup after delivery. Its hardware and tonal range offer plenty to work with, and the owner feedback suggests that a well-adjusted example can feel and sound far beyond its price bracket.