The guitar came almost perfectly in tune in the box, this is although I ordered in beginning of April which is a cold month in Sweden. I was happily surprised by that, knowing that a quality piece of work will hold its tune. The second cool surprise is that the guitar smelled exotic wood, like you would expect an african woodtype to smell, altough this was my first encounter with this kind of aroma. You can tell they are selling you new equipment. I guess this guitar must have been quite recently produced since new wood smells alot. And we're talking sweet exotic stuff, which is like super cool...!!
Now the sound made me fall in love with it instantly. And I'm telling you from the heart that there's only pure joy in my heart after buying this acoustic. What I can tell you is that altough the bridge pins are plastic, the tusq saddle and nut really performs an amazing harmonic richness. Along with this guitar I ordered the Tusq bridge pins 2 mm (for martin guitars), but I only needed to change the low e string bridge pin. The rest sounds amazing already.
This guitar is already a close friend, and will be for many years. What can I say? Its the best guitar I ever played (been playing/owning several & different guitars since the age of 12 years old).
My father has bought me several guitars through the years, acoustic and electric, I also own an acoustic Oscar Smidth which all of them never ever has come close to this Harley Benton guitar. All my other guitars sound like a joke (and frankly horrible) compared to the HB Solid Wood. This is not only a guitar, it's like a family member, seriously. It sings. I've never heard a guitar sound so beautiful in my life. And it's so cool that it's mine.
It holds its tune perfectly, always.
It has a rich, super clear tone.
It smells nice new exotic wood.
It is very comfortable & easy to play.
The action is perfect.
You could believe that this is a Gibson or some world class guitar - because it is. I guess everyone should know that it's not THE BRAND of a guitar that tells if it's good. It's more to it. HB products are engineered the same way Gibsons, Taylors are. I don't think that there is any difference, between a HB and a Gibson in my experiece. The sound tells it all. My brother also tells me that my HB solid wood sounds very beautiful.
By the way the Gator Case for dreadnought fits perfectly.
One little advice: Order Tusq bridge pins (for martin 2mm) along with this guitar, and replace existing pins when it's time for a string change.
Also, super important advice: Keep your acoustic guitar well humidified. I live in Sweden which has a very dry climate in the winter season. In other words, the air indoors becomes very very dry. It's annoying for the nose and lungs but especially for your guitar and furniture. The wood shrinks and hurts your guitar badly, if you don't maintain a humid environment. What I did, is that, directly when I ordered this new guitar I made sure to also order a humidifier (cool steam ultrasonic), along with a guitar humidifier (Planetwaves sponge thingy).
I place the guitar inside the hard case after every playing (this is where I always store the instrument when not in use).
I make sure to place the humidifier inside the sound hole, and I let my humidifier stand puffing cold fume right next to the guitar case continually (all the time) during daytime. They're both standing against the wall, with the case "standing" on it's "long side" against the wall. (away from risk of someone acidentally stepping on it).
This way I keep the guitar in good condition for hopefully many years to come. A hygrometer is also to suggest. It tells me what my room humidity is.
Hope this advice blesses you and your family. Wish you happy times with your instruments.
Blessings from Danny in Sweden, Östersund!
