Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH FBB

Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH FBB review

The Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH FBB is a left-handed, six-string ST-style guitar in the company's Pro Series. It has an American alder body, a flamed maple veneer top, a roasted and flamed Canadian maple neck, and a Canadian maple fingerboard. The high-gloss Flame Bengal Burst finish is a major part of its appeal, though owners report that it looks darker in person than it does in product photos.

At $377, the specification sheet is unusually ambitious for the price. The model has 22 stainless steel medium-jumbo frets with rounded ends, a compound-radius fingerboard, a locking tremolo, and three Tesla pickups. Those parts give it a strong technical case, but the most useful evidence comes from players' experiences with the finish, fretwork, sound, and tuning stability.

Finish and construction

Owners describe the finish and overall presentation as striking, with close attention to the visible details. One reviewer noted a tiny piece of dust beneath the lacquer, but considered it too minor to affect playability or the overall impression. That same owner praised the finish, top, and binding. The Flame Bengal Burst may be less bright than online images suggest, so buyers should account for the darker appearance before ordering.

The neck is a bolt-on design with a D profile. Its stated thickness is 20.5 mm at the first fret and 22.5 mm at the 22nd. The fingerboard edges are rounded, with dot inlays and fluorescent neck markings. Its compound radius runs from 305 mm to 406 mm, or 12 to 16 inches. That gradual change is intended to combine a more curved feel near the nut with a flatter surface higher up the neck.

The 648 mm scale is a standard 25.5 inches, and the graphite nut measures 42 mm across. A double-action truss rod is adjusted with a wheel. The 22 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets have rounded ends, and owner feedback on fretwork is positive: one player found the frets even and well finished, with no buzzing. That is a more useful endorsement than the specification alone, though individual instruments can still vary.

Pickups and controls

The HSS layout uses a Tesla VR-Nitro Alnico 5 humbucker at the bridge, plus Alnico 5 single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. A five-way switch selects the pickup combinations. There is one volume control and one tone control, with a push-pull function that splits the bridge humbucker's coil.

One owner described the pickups as warm in one tone setting and brighter in another, with a useful range of sounds from the tone control. The same review called the pickups good, while stopping short of describing them as exceptional. That balanced assessment fits the available feedback: the electronics appear versatile for the price, but players prioritizing a particular pickup character should try the guitar if possible.

Tremolo and tuning stability

The Babicz FCH 2-Point Z-Series C full-contact tremolo is a notable feature. A left-handed owner reported that the bridge remained stable in tune after heavy tremolo use. They also found it comfortable to play, even preferring its feel to a Floyd Rose. That comparison is personal, but the reported tuning performance is encouraging for players who expect to use the arm.

The guitar also has Sung-Il ML-55 locking tuners with the Harley Benton logo and chrome hardware. It ships with coated.010-.046 strings and is set up for standard tuning. No case or gig bag is included, so buyers should include separate protection in their budget if they need it.

Verdict

The Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH FBB makes a convincing case for left-handed players seeking a feature-rich electric guitar at a moderate price. Its maple construction, stainless steel frets, coil-splitting control, and locking tremolo are backed by favorable reports about fretwork, comfort, sound, and tuning stability. The finish may be darker than expected, and the pickups earn praise as solid rather than outstanding. At $377, those are reasonable qualifications for a guitar that owners describe as carefully finished and enjoyable to play.