Test/demo of the inexpensive semi hollow body Harley Benton hb 35

**greveost** · 08-08-2019, 03:58 AM

Did a test/demo of the inexpensive semi hollow body Harley Benton hb 35 side by side with the classic Gibson ES335, first I play some rock/bluesy thing, Then I play some jazz.

**Rob MacKillop** · 08-08-2019, 05:50 AM

Well, I guessed right, but it was a close thing. How did you find playing both?

**greveost** · 08-08-2019, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Well, I guessed right, but it was a close thing. How did you find playing both?

Great job! You have good ears! Yes it might not be as obvious as one think at a first glance.

I think some of the tone is definitely in the hands/fingers as well.

It is very obvious when you spend some time playing it, the Gibson definitely feels more expensive and high quality in every way possible. Having said that, the inexpensive Harley Benton does feel and sound good for it's price. And I was a little surprised myself at the results as well.

**GNAPPI** · 08-08-2019, 08:35 AM

Try playing the same passages without the OD.

**greveost** · 08-08-2019, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Try playing the same passages without the OD.

Without the OD, as in Overdrive? Or what do you mean?

**Wildcat** · 08-08-2019, 09:46 AM

OD Overdrive Yes without the distortion and playing it "clean".
Great playing !

Originally Posted by greveost

Without the OD, as in Overdrive? Or what do you mean?

**GNAPPI** · 08-08-2019, 10:41 AM

Overdrive, distortion. Call it what you want, a cigar box git can sound good with it.

**Pierrot** · 08-08-2019, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Overdrive, distortion. Call it what you want, a cigar box git can sound good with it.

Did you listen the whole video? The test includes some contemporary smooth jazz played with clean sound, and I must say that both guitars sound very well. But evidently, one of them costs more than ten times the price of the other one. Makes you think, no?

**greveost** · 08-08-2019, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Overdrive, distortion. Call it what you want, a cigar box git can sound good with it.

Yes, I played jazz with a clean tone later in the video!

**greveost** · 08-08-2019, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Wildcat

OD Overdrive Yes without the distortion and playing it "clean".
Great playing !

Thanks man!

**GNAPPI** · 08-08-2019, 01:17 PM

Sorry, I don't get past the initial impression with distortion in vids, I don't have the time. Maybe start with clean allowing the target audience to not be forced to wade through it?

**greveost** · 08-08-2019, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Sorry, I don't get past the initial impression with distortion in vids, I don't have the time. Maybe start with clean allowing the target audience to not be forced to wade through it?

No problem man!

**greveost** · 08-08-2019, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Pierrot

Did you listen the whole video? The test includes some contemporary smooth jazz played with clean sound, and I must say that both guitars sound very well. But evidently, one of them costs more than ten times the price of the other one. Makes you think, no?

Yes absolutely. It is interesting how our brain works, and how we perceive value.