TEST: Harley Benton R-446

 Let's play a little game. I say two words and you tell me which term comes to mind first. So then, let's go. Harley Benton? Price-performance ratio! Or am I wrong? Hardly any other manufacturer has been introduced so often with the words “It is a mystery to me how you can deliver such quality at this price”. So today, let's take a look at whether the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic can also meet this requirement.

The construction of the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic

€149! This is the price that the Thomann music store charges for the instrument, including VAT, shipping, import, customs, import sales tax, Thomann margin, manufacturer margin, labor and additional costs and, last but not least, the individual components of the instrument. I really don't want to repeat this sentence for the umpteenth time, but at first impression I also ask myself how one can still make a profit at such a retail price. The answer is to look for direct import without a local distributor. Without bypassing the middleman, these prices would definitely not be feasible. But what use is the lowest price if the purchased item does not meet expectations? So let’s take a look at the instrument in detail.

All readers probably know that an instrument in this price range can only be manufactured in Asia, but unfortunately the exact place of manufacture of the instrument could not be determined because I could not find a corresponding note anywhere. There is only a somewhat hectic sticker on the back of the headstock, which is partly stuck over the mechanics and only provides information about the EU standards. I would guess Vietnam because as far as I know, manufacturing costs there are currently the lowest, but this is purely a guess.

The Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic is available in several finishes. In addition to the blue metallic we have, the instrument is also available in red, “plum”, graphite, green and as a left-handed version. The instrument can be more or less assigned to the Powerstrat department, i.e. we have a Stratocaster body shape with humbucker pickup equipment. Later more.

The body of the instrument is made of poplar, a wood that is rarely used in instrument making due to its comparatively soft structure. This would also explain the very low weight of only 2.9 kg. The body has several shapings to make playing easier, such as an all-encompassing shaping on the front and back edges of the frame, as well as a single shaping in the upper cutaway and a double shaping in the lower cutaway, which is intended to make it easier to play in the high registers . The transition to the base of the neck has also been subtly rounded off to make it more comfortable to play from around the 15th fret due to the lower pressure on the palm of the hand.

The neck of the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic is made of maple, the fingerboard is made of amaranth according to the manufacturer. This is notable because amaranth is generally reddish to purple in color (also known as violetwood), which is not the case here. The neck is framed with white plastic and has so-called offset dot inlays on the outside and as fingerboard markings, which are located up to the 12th fret on the top and from the 12th to the 24th fret on the underside of the fingerboard. The neck profile is a moderate “D” and should not cause any problems for most players. The long scale length of 648 mm should also be familiar to most users, as it is by far the most frequently used scale length apart from the Gibson stock.

The hardware, which is completely black, is simple but very functional. The nameless tuners run smoothly and, together with the neatly filed ABS saddle, offer a good basis for clean intonation. A vibrato system was omitted, instead a solid hardtail is used, with the strings being guided through the body.

Two splittable ceramic humbuckers from the Korean company Artec were installed as pickups, which are particularly popular on very affordable guitars. The most important humbucker and single coil settings can be selected using a very clean 5-way switch. Two relatively stiff master controls for volume and treble blend round off the instrument's electrical system.

Overall, at first glance you have to attest that the instrument has very clean workmanship. All painting work was carried out flawlessly and the factory settings will already be sufficient for many areas of use. This is all the more astonishing since manual work such as neck adjustment, string position or octave clarity can only be carried out by hand and these labor costs make up the majority of the production costs. I guess a good average is determined and all instruments are then adjusted to this, so every user should adjust their instrument to their personal requirements again after delivery.

The Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic in practice

Let's not kid ourselves, in the professional sector, beyond the full playback folk music rip-off, you will rarely see a €149 guitar on stage, which is not least due to the last 10 - 20% that turns a "good" guitar into one makes a “great” guitar. As expected, the claim of the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic lies in a completely different segment, with the “beginner” aspect primarily being in the foreground here. In addition to the fact that “The Next Generation” primarily wants to own a “cool” guitar, the instrument does not have to put any tactile obstacles in the way of the next generation.

And here the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic leaves a really good figure in its unreinforced state, even if you ignore the “for the price” phrase. The entire construction of the instrument is simple but highly functional and offers a good basis for almost anything you want to do musically on the electric guitar. Certainly, the vibration behavior is comparatively unspectacular and the fret wire could have been sanded down a little more elegantly for soft bends and intense vibrati due to the scratching noises that occur, but I couldn't find any dead spots or other dropouts on the instrument.

However, the picture changes somewhat when you connect the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic to the amplifier. Here you can hear that the retail price of the instrument is extremely cheap, especially in the form of the pickups. The Artec pickups copy the well-known EMG pickups in their visual appearance, but unfortunately they couldn't be further away from them in terms of sound. Unfortunately, the sound is very low-pitched, lacks detail and is undynamic, so that the instrument's good playability is somewhat lost due to this weak point.

Despite a very high-quality test setup in the form of a Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKIII, Marshall 412 cabinet with Celestion G12-75T speakers and 2 Shure SM57s, I couldn't get a really convincing tone from the pickups. What may have been quite ok in the clean area lost more and more quality as the gain factor increased and sounded more like a plug-in solution than a high-quality analog recording. It would definitely be worth investing in a few replacement pickups. However, in this case you would have the problem that 2 high-quality pickups would exceed the total retail price of the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic and the unique selling point of the instrument would be reduced to absurdity.

To be clear, for a beginner who wants to take his first steps on the instrument, the sound quality of the pickups is completely sufficient, but I wouldn't want to do a show or even a studio stay with these pickups. It's actually a shame, because the rest of the instrument is convincing in many respects, especially in relation to the retail price (there it is again, the classic sentence ;-))

In conclusion, you still have to give the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic a good rating because, despite the total sound failure of the pickups, the rest of the instrument is of a good standard and it is really difficult to recognize any real defects at a retail price of 149 euros .

Conclusion

With the Harley Benton R-446 Blue Metallic, the Thomann house brand has a high-quality beginner's guitar in its portfolio. The instrument is well made, easy to play and very easy to handle due to its very low weight.

Anyone who is comfortable with the mediocre-sounding pickups can, in return, look forward to a very user-friendly price/performance ratio with a large selection of finishes.

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Additional Informations:


In the realm of guitars, Harley Benton has emerged as a beacon of quality, affordability, and innovation. Since its inception, the brand has garnered a loyal following among musicians of all levels, offering a diverse range of instruments that meet the demands of players across genres. Delving into the world of Harley Benton guitars unveils a tapestry woven with craftsmanship, ingenuity, and a deep appreciation for music.

### Crafting Excellence:

At the heart of every Harley Benton guitar lies a dedication to craftsmanship and quality. From the selection of tonewoods to the intricate detailing of components, each instrument undergoes meticulous scrutiny to ensure superior playability and tone. Whether it's the warmth of a mahogany body or the resonance of a spruce top, Harley Benton guitars are crafted with an unwavering commitment to sonic excellence.

### Affordability without Compromise:

One of the hallmarks of Harley Benton guitars is their affordability. Despite their modest price tags, these instruments deliver performance and reliability that rival those of much more expensive counterparts. This affordability stems from the brand's unique business model, which prioritizes direct sales and streamlined production processes. By cutting out middlemen and unnecessary overheads, Harley Benton is able to offer high-quality guitars at prices accessible to musicians of all budgets.

### Versatility Across Genres:

Whether you're a blues aficionado, a metal shredder, or an acoustic troubadour, Harley Benton has a guitar to suit your style. The brand's extensive lineup includes electric guitars ranging from classic single-cut designs to modern superstrats, each equipped with versatile pickups and hardware to accommodate a wide range of tones. Similarly, Harley Benton's acoustic guitars come in various body shapes and wood combinations, catering to different playing styles and sonic preferences.

### Innovation in Design:

Harley Benton guitars are not just about replicating established designs; they're about pushing the boundaries of innovation. The brand continuously explores new materials, construction techniques, and features to enhance the playing experience. From ergonomic neck profiles to innovative pickup configurations, Harley Benton guitars incorporate cutting-edge design elements that set them apart from the crowd.

### Community Engagement and Feedback:

Central to Harley Benton's success is its close engagement with the musician community. The brand actively solicits feedback from players of all levels, incorporating their suggestions and insights into the development of new models. This collaborative approach not only fosters a sense of ownership among customers but also ensures that Harley Benton guitars reflect the evolving needs and preferences of musicians worldwide.

### Global Presence, Local Service:

While Harley Benton guitars are available to musicians around the globe through online channels, the brand also places a strong emphasis on local service and support. Authorized dealers and service centers in various regions ensure that customers receive prompt assistance and personalized attention when needed. This commitment to customer satisfaction further solidifies Harley Benton's reputation as a trusted ally for musicians everywhere.

### Conclusion:

In the vast landscape of guitar brands, Harley Benton stands out as a beacon of accessibility, quality, and innovation. From humble beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon, the brand's journey is a testament to its unwavering commitment to musicians and their craft. With a diverse lineup of instruments that combine affordability with uncompromising performance, Harley Benton continues to inspire players of all levels to unleash their musical potential.