Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH DPS

Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH DPS review

The Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH DPS is a left-handed, six-string electric guitar with an ST-style body, an HSS pickup layout, and a high-gloss Dark Purple Sparkle finish. Listed at 329, it combines a familiar double-cutaway format with a roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets, a compound-radius fingerboard, and a two-point tremolo. The specification sheet makes a strong case for its hardware and neck appointments. Owner feedback, however, points to two personal factors worth considering before ordering: the substantial purple finish and the feel of the neck.

Construction and neck feel

The body is American alder, paired with a bolt-on neck made from roasted Canadian flamed maple and a Canadian maple fingerboard. Harley Benton specifies a smooth D-shaped neck profile, measuring 20.5 mm at the first fret and 22.5 mm at the twelfth. Those figures give a more useful sense of the neck's shape than a profile label alone, though comfort remains a matter of hand size and playing preference. One owner praised the neck, while another found it too thick compared with an Ibanez RG. That difference is a clear reminder to treat neck impressions as subjective rather than universal.

The fingerboard has a compound radius of 305 to 406 mm, or 12 to 16 inches, and rounded edges. Its 22 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets are 2.7 mm wide. The supplied feedback describes the fretwork as beautiful, a welcome report alongside the durable fret material listed in the specifications. Dot inlays mark the face, with glow-in-the-dark markers along the side. A double-action truss rod is adjusted by a wheel, and the nut is graphite, with a width of 42 mm.

Scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches. The guitar ships with coated.010 to.046 strings and standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning. It has no included case or gig bag, so buyers should account for a separate carrying solution if they need one.

HSS pickups and controls

The pickup arrangement pairs a Tesla VR-Nitro Alnico 5 open-coil humbucker at the bridge with two Tesla TV-S1 Alnico 5 single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. A five-way switch selects the pickup combinations. The single volume control is joined by a tone control with a push-pull coil-split function, giving the bridge humbucker an additional wiring option.

One owner called the pickups excellent and reported that the guitar sounded great. Another felt the sound became muddy and picked up noise when using effects or distortion, comparing it unfavorably with a different guitar. These accounts do not establish how the pickups perform across every amplifier or setup, but they show how strongly results can depend on gain, effects, and individual expectations. Players who want an HSS layout will find the specified configuration here, though anyone especially sensitive to noise or high-gain clarity may want to audition it with their own rig.

Tremolo, hardware, and finish

The Babicz FCH 2-point Z-Series C full-contact tremolo is a prominent part of the hardware specification. Staggered tuning machines and chrome hardware complete the setup, while a three-ply black pickguard contrasts with the sparkle finish. The listed color is Dark Purple Sparkle, applied in a high-gloss finish.

That description may sound restrained, but the owner feedback suggests the actual visual impact can be much bolder. One player expected a sophisticated deep purple and instead found the finish closer to glam rock or disco styling. The same reviewer liked the guitar overall but returned it because of the color and neck preference. Another response described the instrument as attractive and well-made. The practical takeaway is to look for current photographs or view one in person if a vivid purple finish is a concern. Color preference is personal, and the sparkle may be exactly what some buyers want.

Verdict

At a listed price of 329, the ST-Modern Plus offers a detailed feature set: a roasted maple bolt-on neck, compound-radius maple fingerboard, stainless steel frets, an HSS pickup system, and a two-point tremolo. Feedback on build quality and sound is positive in some cases, while other comments raise valid questions about neck thickness, pickup behavior with distortion, and the intensity of the purple finish.

This left-handed model is most appealing to players who want an ST-style guitar with a bright finish and an HSS layout, and who are comfortable with the stated neck dimensions. The technical specification is promising, but the conflicting personal impressions make a hands-on comparison especially useful. Check the color under real lighting, try the neck if possible, and test the pickups through the effects and gain levels you normally use.