Harley Benton MultiScale-7 BBB

I got this guitar to test my reaction to multi scale fret board...to anybody wondering, it is a non event. I thought it would be something to have to adjust to but...seems to be just the same as an orthodox one.
The guitar...my first HB; we must put into a context what one gets with this guitar and its price. It came to me in good shape, action for me was ok...just tuned up and played it. The finish is good all over and the fretwork is very, very good for the price of the instrument; the burl is not, of course, grade A but still looks very decent and the axe has a lot of character. I changed strings and gave some tlc to fret board - strings are the only thing that seemed grubby and knackered - with a set of Elixir, drop A tuning, the guitar started to come to life. What can I say....? I cannot fault this guitar, it plays real good, the neck seems a sort of D shape, but very comfy...considering it is pretty wide. I played through a Precision Drive (HD devices) and also tried a metal zone waza, then into a katana head mk2 100W. I can agree that pick ups aren't the best -but check the price of the guitar, as much as pair of fishman so - I could dial in a very decent heavy, full tone with loads of very healthy chugging.
Ah! the cleans are actually fantastic for those who care!
I think this guitar is real great value for money and would smoke many others with a much higher price tag , and I mean that...my standard axe is more than six times the costs of this one but....this is real nice to play and I am plying it.
Does not get 5 stars because...well, this has to be the perfect base for modding...but there is not battery cavity so...that makes it a lot more complex. I think that predisposition would have made all the difference, same for the type of PUs.
Having said that HB might not be interested in that sort of thing...speaking of HB...they should really tackle a proper headless monster, I mean a proper one not those already on sale...I am sure they would make a great job of it...maybe a 7 strings!?!
So. if you are curious this guitar is really worthy it...and, of course, it will have a lifespan but it will still look absolutely great on your guitar wall.
Moi!

PROS:
- looks beautiful
- plays smooth, good neck and fretboard
- 27" scale
- good quality hardware (more on this further)
CONS:
- I don't like the bridge pickup for metal; they are nice and clear for cleans or distorted chords, but high-gain "chugging" doesn't sound good
- mine came with a pretty high action, could have been serviced better before shipping
- also, the locking tuners on mine don't seem to do the job properly; some strings don't lock (it was my first guitar with the system so I didn't know what to make of it, otherwise I would have returned the guitar, but I reckon it's a rare problem)
All in all, I recommend the guitar, but not so much if you can't service it (action and intonation adjustment, etc). The pickups are ok for home practice but I would change them for playing in a band/recording.