TEST: Harley Benton CLD 15-CE

 Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic. Anyone who has placed an order from Thomann in their life knows the Harley Benton house brand. What was sometimes mentioned behind closed doors in its early days has now developed into one of THE money makers for the music store due to the consistently good to very good quality. OEM contracts in almost all music sectors ensure an extensive range and direct purchasing also means good batches are achieved at a comparatively low retail price. However, where the brand is comparatively less visible to the musician is in the area of the western guitar (as if a “real” cow driver could ever have played the guitar :-), or in other words, a fully acoustic acoustic guitar. In order to further reduce this lack of attention, Thomann has brought the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic onto the market, which we have available for testing.

The construction of the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic

Although not as common as it was a few decades ago, the predominant color of the swinging ceilings is usually the classic light spruce. Always popular because they are available in large quantities, very light and therefore very easy to vibrate and, with appropriate bracing, also stable enough to counteract the tensile forces of the strings. Here the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic takes a completely different approach. All types of wood used in this instrument are in a darker tone. As the type name suggests, the top was made of Hawaiian Riegelkoa wood, the neck, back and sides are made of mahogany, and the fingerboard is made of the now popular rosewood alternative Pao Ferro. The fingerboard has the 20 frets often used on acoustic guitars, which have normal height and width dimensions. Due to these different source materials, a different basic sound can definitely be expected in advance.

The general workmanship of the instrument is carried out very cleanly; nowhere could the well-known points of uncleanliness such as streaks of paint or glue, sharp edges or excessive gaps be found. A look inside the body is also convincing. The Scalloed X-Bracing sits perfectly, glue residue has been completely removed, and the overall appearance offers no reason to complain. The neck/body transition was designed as a dovetail, which is probably the most stable wood/wood connection when properly executed. The Venetian version is used as a cutaway, in which the tip is rounded, in contrast to the pointed Florentine version.

The unusual dimension of 643 mm was chosen as the scale length, a dimension which is between the long scale length of 648 mm and the “medium” scale length (established at the time by Paul Reed Smith) of approx. 635 mm. However, in order to prepare the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic for playing while standing, the buyer must do it themselves or have it done by a specialist. If you don't want to go to war in the best Salvation Army look with a cord on the headstock, you need to set two strap pins accordingly, as the individually pre-installed button on the lower part of the frame is also very small and only made of plastic. But be careful, always do a quick check in advance to see whether the instrument tends to be extremely top-heavy when it comes to two practical points. In contrast to the solid body, in which the body makes up a large part of the total weight and therefore ensures a completely different balance, the body tilts significantly faster when the strap pins are placed in the same place as with a solid wood guitar. A hole can be drilled quickly, but it takes a lot of effort to close it again in an optically acceptable way.

So-called “snowflakes” made of acrylic were used as fingerboard inlays, but only with a lot of imagination can they be considered snowflakes and could just as easily represent medieval knight’s crosses. On the back of the headstock there is the mandatory information “Made In China” in the form of a sticker, which can be removed, not without ulterior motives, but very easily and without leaving any adhesive residue. The built-in no-name mechanics are a little stiff, but still offer a consistent control path and do their job perfectly. As expected, the bronze strings from Daddario fit very well with the general appearance of the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic due to their red-brown color. The guitar is not lacquered to a high gloss, but rather the lacquering was done in a natural matt finish. In order to allow the individual body components to be discreetly separated visually, a black binding was used, which was also given a white “eyeliner” on the top side. The rosette is quite simple in terms of its visual decoration and only consists of 2 circles, one of which has wider lines, the other with 2 fine lines.

The Fishman Presys II Preamp is used as a preamp for the instrument, a cheaper version of the Presys+, which, in contrast to the four-band tone control version of its big brother, only has a two-band version in the form of treble and bass. The advantage of the Presys II, however, is its very small dimensions, not least due to the fact that the 9V battery, which supplies the necessary operating voltage, was placed on a small base plate, which also contains the cable socket and is located on the lower outer part of an electric guitar Frame was installed. The Presys II preamp also has a phase switch to counteract possible phase cancellations, such as those that can occur when monitoring via wedges etc.


In practice

As expected, with this choice of wood, the basic tonal tone of the instrument is positioned differently than is generally expected from an acoustic guitar. The user can expect a very “lively” basic tone from the first notes, which means that the instrument has a slightly harder tone than the major spruce top competitors, along with a very fast attack behavior. The advantage of this sound character is the greater assertiveness within the band context, if you play in the context of a band at all. The disadvantage is a reduced “depth” of the sound, which makes it easier for both the player and the listener to immerse themselves in the sound. This sound description is not to be understood as a rating, it only serves as a guide. To what extent this basic tone of the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic meets the customer's preference, everyone has to decide for themselves.

In terms of playability, the instrument also leaves a good impression, not least because the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic was set up very well at the factory. The action of the strings is comparatively low, but still high enough to withstand corresponding fortissimo passages without rattling or buzzing. Thanks to the compensated bridge inlay, the octave purity is also comparatively good, although of course you always have to turn a blind eye/ear when you start playing chords beyond the ninth fret.

In principle, it is only the combination of the Sonicore pickup and the Fishman Presys II preamp that reminds us of the price category we are still in. The preamp is indeed easy to use and extremely clearly structured, but in direct comparison to higher quality products it sounds a bit “flat”, which means that the transmission of the guitar tone is slightly sterile and does not quite convey the dynamics of the instrument Validity as offered by the purely acoustic area. For the live area, the whole thing can still be easily optimized with appropriate peripherals such as a compressor and EQ, but in the studio area I would definitely work with high-quality microphones.

Due to the fact that the preamp only has a two-band tone control, the very important treble range cannot be drawn quite as finely as one would like. Of course it is nicer to have a separate presence control, but this is the next higher price level. I therefore recommend processing the treble range of the instrument again with an additional semi- or fully parametric EQ when recording the guitar; it's worth it.

Conclusion

With the Harley Benton CLD-15CE Flame Koa Exotic, Thomann has a visually high-quality and good-sounding acoustic guitar in the €500 league in its portfolio. The instrument is impeccably crafted, has a lively basic sound and offers a lot of quality for the money. If you can live with the spartan tone control of the Fishman Presys II Preamp, you should definitely give the instrument a try.

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Additional Informations:

In the world of musical instruments, Harley Benton stands out as a brand that has carved its own unique path, offering quality products at affordable prices. The story of Harley Benton is one of innovation, perseverance, and a deep understanding of musicians' needs. From humble beginnings to becoming a household name among musicians worldwide, the journey of Harley Benton is a fascinating tale worth exploring.

### Origins:

Harley Benton was founded by Hans Thomann Sr. in 1997, as part of Thomann GmbH, a family-owned music retailer based in Burgebrach, Germany. Thomann GmbH had been in the music business since 1954, initially specializing in harmonicas and later expanding its product range to include guitars and other instruments. Recognizing the demand for affordable yet reliable instruments, the idea for Harley Benton was born.

### Early Challenges and Innovation:

In its early years, Harley Benton faced the challenge of establishing itself in a market dominated by well-established brands. However, the company took a unique approach by focusing on direct sales through its online platform, bypassing traditional distribution channels. This allowed Harley Benton to offer its products at significantly lower prices compared to its competitors, without compromising on quality.

Another key factor in Harley Benton's success was its commitment to innovation. The company constantly sought feedback from musicians and used it to improve its products. This iterative process led to the development of instruments that not only met but often exceeded the expectations of their customers.

### Expansion and Diversification:

As Harley Benton gained traction in the market, it gradually expanded its product range to include a wide variety of instruments and accessories. From electric and acoustic guitars to basses, ukuleles, and even amplifiers, Harley Benton aimed to cater to the diverse needs of musicians across genres and skill levels.

Furthermore, the company diversified its offerings to include accessories such as strings, picks, cables, and cases, further establishing itself as a one-stop shop for musicians. This strategic expansion helped Harley Benton solidify its position in the industry and attract an even broader customer base.

### Quality Control and Assurance:

Despite its focus on affordability, Harley Benton never compromised on quality. The company implemented stringent quality control measures at every stage of production, ensuring that each instrument met its high standards before reaching the hands of customers. This commitment to quality earned Harley Benton the trust and loyalty of musicians worldwide, further fueling its growth.

### Global Reach and Community Building:

Over the years, Harley Benton's reach extended far beyond its home country of Germany. Through its online platform and strategic partnerships with distributors worldwide, the company made its products accessible to musicians in every corner of the globe. Additionally, Harley Benton actively engaged with its customer community through social media, forums, and events, fostering a sense of belonging among musicians and enthusiasts.

### Ongoing Innovation and Adaptation:

In the rapidly evolving music industry, staying ahead of the curve is essential, and Harley Benton understood this well. The company continued to innovate and adapt to changing trends and technologies, introducing new features and designs to meet the evolving needs of musicians.

For example, Harley Benton embraced advancements in digital technology by incorporating features such as built-in effects and USB connectivity into its amplifiers and recording equipment. This forward-thinking approach not only kept Harley Benton relevant but also positioned it as a leader in innovation within the industry.

### Conclusion:

The journey of Harley Benton is a testament to the power of innovation, quality, and customer-centricity in building a successful brand. From its humble beginnings as a small subsidiary of Thomann GmbH to becoming a global powerhouse in the music industry, Harley Benton has defied expectations and redefined the notion of affordability without compromise.

As the company continues to evolve and grow, one thing remains constant: its unwavering commitment to providing musicians with high-quality instruments and accessories at prices that won't break the bank. With its finger on the pulse of the industry and a passion for music at its core, Harley Benton looks set to continue shaping the future of music for years to come.