This is my fourth Harley Benton since April and, although the cheapest (least expensive), it really is wonderfully playable.
I cannot find even the slightest niggle to mention with this R-446. No sharp fret ends, no fretboard blemishes, the knobs move freely and the neck binding and general finish superb. OK, perhaps I’ll polish the frets when I change strings. And the intonation is spot on. In fact I’ve found nothing worrying enough to mention in any of the other three.
I must stress that I am reviewing this R-446 on the basis of being a home player and recorder now. The Artec Ceramic pickups with the 5 way settings switch provide a good range tones at my lower volumes which can obviously be enhanced by using the myriad pedals and effects now available.
Given the way I use my guitars (many) my overriding requirement for any guitar is playability. How it feels in my hands, balance, degree of resonance from the neck and especially its action. This guitar has all these qualities in abundance. I have other big name guitars that are not as player friendly as this R-446. This guitar is a pleasure to play.
Some lefties will say that there are makers who don’t seem to have left handed quality checkers. Harley Benton obviously do! Congratulations to checker 2562 whoever he or she may be. It was ready straight out of the box after tuning.
And lastly we’ll done to Thomann for speedy delivery to the UK every time so far. And very safely packaged. Since buying the R-446 my SC -Junior has arrived and I’m looking forward to receiving an Amarok 6 LH on order soon.
