Harley Benton has unveiled a new signature guitar for YouTuber Carlos Asensio and, well, it really is quite something. Available in Cactus Green Ice Blue or Metallic gloss finishes, this is as high-end as the brand gets.
Okay, in a sense, it is a typical Harley Benton guitar, a lot of spec for the price, and all that chat. There are Tesla HSS pickups, a toggle switch for tapping the coil on its bridge OPUS-X humbucker.
It has a roasted Canadian maple neck – shaped into a “Smooth D” profile, bolted to the body, it has deep caramel colour, and judging by the press shots, that roasted maple is generously flamed, too.
There are locking tuners with vintage-style buttons. That 3-ply parchment ‘guard gives this hotrodded S-style a more classic Stratocaster vibe.
From a more fundamental perspective, it is just nice to have an alder body here, too, and while it largely conforms to the doublecut paradigm there are generous cuts to the back of the body and neck heel to enhance comfort and upper-fret access respectively. Hey, it’s a ‘superstrat’.
But here’s the best bit; it has a Vega-Trem VT1 Ultratrem vibrato unit on an electric guitar that retails for around $700. Sold separately, this is a $289 unit that you’d typically see on guitars such as Alex Lifeson’s Godin-built Lerxst Hentor Sportscaster replicas. It is a serious bit of gear. No wonder Asensio is proud of this ST-Modern.
“I truly believe this is one of the best guitars ever made when we talk about quality for the price,” he says. “I couldn’t be more proud of this instrument… I am pretty sure this is the first mass-produced guitar that comes with a Vega-Trem.”
Some of the details here are comparable with Charvel’s Pro Mod series, i.e. the 12” to 16” compound radius rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges and glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side markers, stainless steel frets, the dual-action spoke wheel at the top of the fretboard.
It will be similarly versatile two, pairing that high-output humbucker with the spanky Tesla Time Machine 57s at the middle and neck positions.
When you consider the five-way blade-style pickup selector, the coil-tap switch, plus volume and tone controls, you’ve got tones to play with before you touch your guitar amp or pedalboard.
As per its siblings in the ST-Modern series, Asensio’s model has a Fender-esque 25.5” scale length. It has a 42mm graphite nut, chrome hardware. Guitar case is sold separately.
The ST-Modern Carlos Asensio is available now via Thomann, priced £527/approx $704, or via the Harley Benton Official Shop on Reverb. For more details, head over to Harley Benton.
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