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I really wanted to like this guitar, but I do not...
Let me start off by saying that I ordered this guitar for a second time to give it another chance, because I am looking for a parlor guitar for playing (fingerstyle) blues. The first time I ordered together with the Framus Legacy Series FP 14 M Parlor, which is 389 Euro. Compared to the Framus Parlor, I surprisingly found the Harley Benton definitely playing and sounding better but still not good enough to keep. So I sent it back, with great thanks to Thomann for this excellent service! After that (all in a month time) I ordered (and kept) 2 HB GS Travel guitars (Mahogany and Spruce, 89 Euros each :-) and the Harley Benton CLA-15M, which in my view is a fantastic guitar and the main reason I do not like the Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M. The 3 fore mentioned Harley Bentons are so easy and fun to play that, again, it was a disappointment to play this little parlor with high action (2,5+ mm, low E, 12th fret) and wider nut width (45 mm). I tried to lower the action a little bit by adjusting the truss rod but I immediately felt so much resistance that I stopped. I don't feel like filing down the bridge and/or nut.
But like I said earlier: the Harley Benton CLA-15M is the main reason that I sent this guitar back. The slightly bigger CLA-15M has the same bluesy mahogany sound but deeper and fuller. The neck is more comfortable, the action is much better and if not, easily adjustable with the truss rod (I have it down to 2mm, low E, 12th fret). Against the CLA-15M and the 2 GS Travel guitars (which play like butter), for me the Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M Parlor doesn't stand a chance. That's all personal, I know. On the upside: the guitar is beautiful and very well build. The sound is full and not as 'boxy' as you would expect, not really Delta Blues sounding...
One little side note: I received this guitar with damaged inside packaging (the white foam bag was torn and taped), the labels not attached to the neck, Allen wrench somewhere in the box and stains on the guitar, especially on the back where it looked like someone ate his/her breakfast over it. This is definitely B-stock for the full price, maybe punishment for sending back so many guitars during the last couple of weeks :-) I think you can say that the disappointment started during and shortly after unpacking and my mood was not very positive to begin with.
As usual, great service from Thomann but I am sorry to say that this order was disappointing in more than one way.
But like I said earlier: the Harley Benton CLA-15M is the main reason that I sent this guitar back. The slightly bigger CLA-15M has the same bluesy mahogany sound but deeper and fuller. The neck is more comfortable, the action is much better and if not, easily adjustable with the truss rod (I have it down to 2mm, low E, 12th fret). Against the CLA-15M and the 2 GS Travel guitars (which play like butter), for me the Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M Parlor doesn't stand a chance. That's all personal, I know. On the upside: the guitar is beautiful and very well build. The sound is full and not as 'boxy' as you would expect, not really Delta Blues sounding...
One little side note: I received this guitar with damaged inside packaging (the white foam bag was torn and taped), the labels not attached to the neck, Allen wrench somewhere in the box and stains on the guitar, especially on the back where it looked like someone ate his/her breakfast over it. This is definitely B-stock for the full price, maybe punishment for sending back so many guitars during the last couple of weeks :-) I think you can say that the disappointment started during and shortly after unpacking and my mood was not very positive to begin with.
As usual, great service from Thomann but I am sorry to say that this order was disappointing in more than one way.
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