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Rhysyrhys

Who actually believes the spiele? According to GFS they bought a factory and are trying to get rid of these, I feel like having a punt on a new guitar. Cherry Red ES-33x style guitar for 159.

I'm nervous but excited! Worst that could happen is that it's not that great and then I have a project guitar to work on.
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Fakir Mustache · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 4124

Meh, it's the same goofily placed f-holes as the Harley Benton.

Would much rather have one of those P90 Casino types with the centre bock. Cheaper too.
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Nick · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 11:50 am Post subject:

It looks identical to the Harley Benton

Since I don't think HB is out of business the story is more likely that they bought a bunch of them at wholesale, sprayed the headstocks and are selling them at the same MAP price.

Rhysyrhys · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 12:15 pm Post subject:

Yeah tuners and everything by the looks of it! Ok well would be nice if I got the extras too, I wonder if I can know for certain when I get it?
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Bacchus · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 12:40 pm Post subject:

Any Harley Benton's I've played have been excellent. Not just for the price, but generally good guitars.

I think this is a much better idea than the Fano.

Or, if you wanted something in between, Ibanez do a great line in this sort of thing and they're not hard to find second hand.
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Rhysyrhys · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 4:33 pm Post subject:

Definitely already more fun the Fano!

I've only every bought a new posh guitar once, Gibson LP and it was the worst.

Been on the watchlists for something neat and old or some cheap underdog guitar I can grow with. My thinking is that I've been able to do most guitar work now for years, as long as the next shoots straight I've got a 150 buck (+30 ground shipping to SF, mind) platform for something cool.

Might get some GFS goldfoils or toasters for it, go full 70s.
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paul_ · . Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 9797

Serious-shaped Epiphone
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Doog · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:44 am Post subject:

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andrew floss musics

kingkiller · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 8:47 am Post subject:

I keep forgetting that they moved distribution to FL (Sarasota I think) so I could order one of these and have it in like a day. Very tempted but hollow bodies donâ€™t really gel with me
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jcyphe · . Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 16825

mkt3000 · . Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Posts: 2836 Location: Miami

kingkiller · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 3:06 am Post subject:

sunshiner · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 4:34 am Post subject:

I think these same guitars are sold on Amazon under the brand Firefly. The 60 cycle hum dude did a review of one of these. Also there is like a killer $150 copy of Gibson ES125 under the brand Grote
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dots · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 3:06 pm Post subject:

under $250 w/ a tweed case? it's tempting...
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Nick · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 4:06 pm Post subject:

paul_ · . Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 9797

Pic of the supposed Harley Benton from earlier in the thread is actually branded "best choice products" and available on Amazon with the other stuff in the pic for $160, there's a sunburst one too.

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products-Semi-Hollow-Electronic/dp/B08CS2TWLY/ref=pd_sbs_267_1/137-0913401-1142804?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B08CS2TWLY&pd_rd_r=96e5149c-d88e-4094-a0d7-7b6fa4a3f4ea&pd_rd_w=NsZmi&pd_rd_wg=Bkijn&pf_rd_p=703f3758-d945-4136-8df6-a43d19d750d1&pf_rd_r=40AFSS2AFXMNTDYR0F83&psc=1&refRID=40AFSS2AFXMNTDYR0F83
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Nick · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:05 am Post subject:

Darn I somehow missed that, it was the first image that came up when I searched Harley Benton Semi Hollow but youâ€™re right itâ€™s a â€œBest Choiceâ€.

Curious how this turns out.

Rhysyrhys · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:57 am Post subject:

Rhysyrhys · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2020 12:44 am Post subject:

Rhysyrhys · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2020 2:37 am Post subject:

Wow guys. It's really fucking nice. It's a real looker in the flesh too.

My immediate impression is that the finish is gorgeous, the fret work is frighteningly good - there's not a sharp edge or dodgy feeling bit of the 'board anywhere and the action is really, really nice, low and no string buzz.

I cut it out of the box with my toolkit open ready to adjust the action and anything so I could give myself a better first impression out of the box. Not necessary for the first play at all, I could demo it like it is now and be happy that I demo'd it in a decent and very playable light.

Downsides on first impression are:

1) Tuners are a mixed bag, big E is looser than the rest. Guitar holds tune but they will be swapped out on this guitar for definite.
2) TOM just looks and feels a bit shit, the saddles look sharp, it feels very light compared to the other TOMs I have in my kit boxes and so that'll be getting a swap too.
3) Nut looks absolutely garbage also. In spite of both bridge and nut feeling a iffy, still plays great. So this is me being quite picky I think..
3) Swarf. I had to clean mixed wood/metal swarf off the guitar's headstock, back and pickguard. Never seen that on a straight from the factory model but the whole guitar needed a bit of a clean and there are some paint artifacts left on the back of the headstock.
4) Few small nicks and dings, big enough for me to denote if I was selling it here or evilbay.
5) I haven't plugged it in yet but it's pretty obvious by just looking into the F-hole that the wiring is all over the fucking shop and I won't be happy with it until I've got in there and tidied it up some.

All in all I'm fuckkking stoked, man. Not a waste of money at all, I reckon about 100 more bucks for some good parts and this is a absolute beast.

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