Boutique Beater

Harley Benton is celebrating its 25th with a slew of high-spec, lowly priced Anniversary models. We take one for a spin

-  Dave Burrluck

Some 25 years in the music instrument business deserves a bit of a celebration, and although Harley Benton seems considerably younger, owner Thomann did kick off the brand in 1998. Time flies! While the majority of its guitars are lookalikes (the 25th series boasts an S-style, T-style, JM-style and LP-style, for example), the pair of Fusion models, an S-style double-cut and our T-style here, at least show off a more contemporary style seemingly inspired by the likes of Charvel and Suhr. Each 25th Anniversary model comes in a Firemist satin metallic finish that's more copper than gold, only slightly lighter-hued than the roasted maple neck and fingerboard.

The 45mm thick black-edge bound slab body is made from something called nyatoh, a'utility' wood apparently used for making furniture and plywood, and it certainly contributes to a boutique-like light weight of 3.16kg (6.95lb). Along with a ribcage cut on the back, the heel is tastefully chamfered to reduce bulk - the neck screws sit in recessed washers so there's no neckplate. It's all crisply machined: a very tidy job.