Inexpensive electro-acoustic needed - anyone tried Harley Benton

[pete.young]

So, I have a new gig playing a bit of upright bass and a bit of acoustic guitar in an old-time band.

We had a festival gig last weekend and I took my guitar. It's a Fylde that I bought in 1977, and it's more important to me than any of my other instruments. It doesn't have a pickup, and I spent most of the time crapping myself worrying about it getting damaged, overheated in the sun, tripped over by drunks etc.

I'm now thinking that I need something less expensive, more disposable and with electronics built-in. Thoman have a Harley Benton model, solid spruce top, rosewood back, sides and fingerboard, mahogany neck, Fishman electronics for £180, which is the same price that Wunjo's quoted to fit a pickup to my Fylde.

Anyone have any experience of the more expensive end of the Harley Benton guitar range? I guess it's pretty low risk with their returns policy, I can send it back at not much cost if it turns out to be a dog.

[jgmh315]

http://www.guitarbitz.com/guitars-c48/electro-acoustic-guitars-c82/ashton-acb100ceq-electro-acoustic-bass-p1982

No idea what it's like of course but I know the shop well and they're a nice lot.

Sorry, just noticed its out of stock.

Edited June 9, 2014 by jgmh315

[Evil Undead]

For a few quid more, the Ibanez Talman range is amazing. Worth a look.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/ag_series14.php?series_id=91&area_id=3&year=2014&cat_id=3

[pete.young]

[quote name='jgmh315' timestamp='1402337914' post='2472412']
[url="http://www.guitarbitz.com/guitars-c48/electro-acoustic-guitars-c82/ashton-acb100ceq-electro-acoustic-bass-p1982"]http://www.guitarbit...stic-bass-p1982[/url]

[/quote]

That appears to be a link to an acoustic bass. I'm looking for a guitar.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1402346960' post='2472560']
For a few quid more, the Ibanez Talman range is amazing. Worth a look.

[url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/ag_series14.php?series_id=91&area_id=3&year=2014&cat_id=3"]http://www.ibanez.co...r=2014&cat_id=3[/url]
[/quote]

Nice idea, but I need something that looks a bit more traditional.

[Matt P]

I'd recommend a freshman, really good for the money and available in shops so you can try before you buy, I have a friend who's main guitar is a 70's fylde but his 12 string is a freshman, the quality is stunning, the last one I tried didn't have a price on and after playing it I guessed at about 400, the actual price was about 180, and it was a full electro with a good preamp.

Another option might be an aria sandpiper but these are quite a bit more expensive, as are Mayson, both around the 400 mark but excellent guitars.


Matt

[pete.young]

Thanks Matt, I will see if any of the local 'stockists' have any in stock.

[tom1946]

Until I retired I was a Freshman dealer and while the expensive ones were quite good and well made, the cheaper end of the market were a bit 'hard' sounding. You have to work hardto get a good tone imo so choose with care and make sure you try first.

[pete.young]

I ended up with a Vintage VE300: solid spruce top, Fishman electrics, nicely finished and a nice clear bright acoustic sound. £189 from a local dealer who also has an internet business and was happy to price match himself!