NGD - Harley Benton Fusion II #3 (scooooore)

[slowhand84]

I know, I know..."c'mon slowhand, how many of these things do you need man?!". Couldn't help myself...because this one came up at GC Used for $150 .

I actually already have 2 of these Fusion Pro II Roasted HSH models, one exactly like this one (same finish and all) and one in bengal burst. Suppose the solution is different tunings...the bengal will stay in standard, the first blue burst one a step down, and this new one will be in Eb.

As I've come to expect from these models, this one is fantastic. No issues to report, fretwork is solid, and it plays great. Still have a few awesome pickups lying around in the parts bin, so Ill get around to swapping out the stock ones soon and it'll be all set. Has a few lil scrapes (courtesy of the previous owner, I figure) but I am finding it really tough to complain about that for $150.

Pics ahoy!

[Rollin Hand]

That's a steal.

We need some kind of deal tracker between you and @toomanycats. Not saying whether it will be for betting purposes....

[slowhand84]

That's a steal.

We need some kind of deal tracker between you and @toomanycats. Not saying whether it will be for betting purposes....

I love our friend @toomanycats but I feel like Id be stiff competition...not cuz I am better at anything but solely because I browse more than most humans do or should

[toomanycats]

That's a whole lotta guitar for $150. The flame on that neck is just insane.

[slowhand84]

That's a whole lotta guitar for $150. The flame on that neck is just insane.

Thanks TMC! It still isn't QUITE as 3D as my Benton Fusion T (first pic below)...I doubt that one will ever be bested. It is however a very close match for the neck on my bengal Fusion (2nd pic below).

There seems to be a LOT of variety in terms of the figure for these necks, but I have never seen one that wasn't beautiful.

[slowhand84]

What is it the kids say these days...twinning?

[slowhand84]

One more attempt at getting this neck to come out properly with a lil flash...just gorgeous.

[solteroblues]

that neck is amazing. I've never seen flamed maple like that on any other Chinese guitar. I wonder if they source it from the US? Doesn't seem possible at these prices, but that's crazy. Even if you look on Ebay at flamed maple offerings from China, none of it is as good as that!

[slowhand84]

that neck is amazing. I've never seen flamed maple like that on any other Chinese guitar. I wonder if they source it from the US? Doesn't seem possible at these prices, but that's crazy. Even if you look on Ebay at flamed maple offerings from China, none of it is as good as that!

It's not Chinese actually, these Fusion models are made in Indonesia (likely in the same factories as stuff like Ibanez Premium)...and these necks are certainly miles above the cheap ones you see from overseas on eBay. Not sure where HB/Thomann gets this wood from, but it sure is spectacular!

[slowhand84]

that neck is amazing. I've never seen flamed maple like that on any other Chinese guitar. I wonder if they source it from the US? Doesn't seem possible at these prices, but that's crazy. Even if you look on Ebay at flamed maple offerings from China, none of it is as good as that!

Also sounds pretty decent...this clip is just the guitar stock into my Spark amp. Sounds better with my Hiwatt of course, but still solid:

[uwmcscott]

Love the neck grain on all these HB's you've been scoring. I wish they made a hardtail version or offered this neck option on a more traditional tele/strat- do you know if they ever did? I basically searched for "roasted" on the Thomann site and the models similar to the ones you've been finding are all that came up.

[peskypesky]

Love the neck grain on all these HB's you've been scoring. I wish they made a hardtail version or offered this neck option on a more traditional tele/strat- do you know if they ever did? I basically searched for "roasted" on the Thomann site and the models similar to the ones you've been finding are all that came up.

I've only seen the roasted maple necks on their Fusion line.

[slowhand84]

Love the neck grain on all these HB's you've been scoring. I wish they made a hardtail version or offered this neck option on a more traditional tele/strat- do you know if they ever did? I basically searched for "roasted" on the Thomann site and the models similar to the ones you've been finding are all that came up.

They have traditional strats/teles with what they refer to as "caramelized" maple necks...this term is often used in marketing interchangeably with roasted but I am guessing the fact that the Fusion and Dullahan models say roasted specifically and these (cheaper) strats/ teles do not likely means its just tinted, and not actually roasted.

They do have hardtail Fusion T models in various colors with the roasted flame neck, as well as Fusion III S and T models with a hardtail, roasted flame neck, and passive EMGs:

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-fbb/

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-sbk/

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-sbk/

[uwmcscott]

Love the neck grain on all these HB's you've been scoring. I wish they made a hardtail version or offered this neck option on a more traditional tele/strat- do you know if they ever did? I basically searched for "roasted" on the Thomann site and the models similar to the ones you've been finding are all that came up.

They have traditional strats/teles with what they refer to as "caramelized" maple necks...this term is often used in marketing interchangeably with roasted but I am guessing the fact that the Fusion and Dullahan models say roasted specifically and these (cheaper) strats/ teles do not likely means its just tinted, and not actually roasted.

They do have hardtail Fusion T models in various colors with the roasted flame neck, as well as Fusion III S and T models with a hardtail, roasted flame neck, and passive EMGs:

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-fbb/

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-sbk/

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-sbk/

Dang, not sure how I missed those hardtails but that burst is eye candy for sure. The black one with the reverse headstock is pretty interesting as well.

[slowhand84]

Love the neck grain on all these HB's you've been scoring. I wish they made a hardtail version or offered this neck option on a more traditional tele/strat- do you know if they ever did? I basically searched for "roasted" on the Thomann site and the models similar to the ones you've been finding are all that came up.

They have traditional strats/teles with what they refer to as "caramelized" maple necks...this term is often used in marketing interchangeably with roasted but I am guessing the fact that the Fusion and Dullahan models say roasted specifically and these (cheaper) strats/ teles do not likely means its just tinted, and not actually roasted.

They do have hardtail Fusion T models in various colors with the roasted flame neck, as well as Fusion III S and T models with a hardtail, roasted flame neck, and passive EMGs:

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-fbb/

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-sbk/

https://harleybenton.com/product/fusion ... asted-sbk/

Dang, not sure how I missed those hardtails but that burst is eye candy for sure. The black one with the reverse headstock is pretty interesting as well.

Yep, that black one is particularly wild because the EMGs in it are like $200 a set by themselves. I firmly believe HB is giving people the best bang for their buck out there right now, really amazing stuff. I have a total of 6 now and play em all the time.

[ILuvTeles]

Yep, that black one is particularly wild because the EMGs in it are like $200 a set by themselves. I firmly believe HB is giving people the best bang for their buck out there right now, really amazing stuff. I have a total of 6 now and play em all the time.

Have you purchased all 6 used?

[slowhand84]

Yep, that black one is particularly wild because the EMGs in it are like $200 a set by themselves. I firmly believe HB is giving people the best bang for their buck out there right now, really amazing stuff. I have a total of 6 now and play em all the time.

Have you purchased all 6 used?

Yep! All used from GC...prefer that to buying new because:

a). I typically save $100-$150 off new price (or in this case, $250),

b). I can see exactly what I am getting (the figure in these necks ranges from pretty to HOLY COW, and I am after the HOLY COW ones),

c). GC has a 45 day no questions asked return policy and I don't have to worry about shipping an HB back internationally in case of any issue.

[redman]

That is a beautiful guitar @slowhand84 congrats on a great score.

[slowhand84]

That is a beautiful guitar @slowhand84 congrats on a great score.

Thank you! I really have to stop buying these but at $150 I was powerless