All user reviews for the Harley Benton Manhattan Standard

Thomann had it made in China under the brand name Harley Benton, but this model has no longer been produced since September 2015 as far as I know. I bought the last model, a b-stock guitar, and I don’t believe that many were produced.
I’ve used it with tube amps to play Jazz exclusively. I have other guitars for other genres. I have been playing for over 50 years now.

Workmanship is perfect, the (very straight) mahogany neck is lightning-fast once the truss rod and bridge (for intonation) are set correctly. Its fretboard is made of rosewood and features thin, well-polished frets. Arched top, very basic rosewood bridge that requires either replacement by a tune-o-matic or adapting the saddle to the neck’s curve. The tuners do their job in the softest manner. The body is purely hollow, without a central block. Of course, it features flatwound 12/56 strings, very close to the neck except for the outer strings due to the non-rounded nut.

The guitar was originally equipped with a floating humbucker pickup and two basic potentiometers, almost a make or break. It will require being upgraded to a Classic 57-type pickup and good pots.

This is a quality pickup provided you upgrade it for approximately 250 euros – including your repairman’s work! You can find a Youtube video of Jean-Luc LACHENAUD playing AUTUMN LEAVES on this guitar equipped with a Classic 57: what a sound! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd7wCKSvzEA

If you manage to fin dit used for 120 to 150 euros, go for it provided you can afford a total upgrade. For a total 400 euros (much less provided you can service it yourself and gat a cheaper, used pickup), you couldn’t dream better. Or perhaps after spending twice as much?

Mine is still as i twas when shipped, except for the usual settings. I take my time to upgrade it, as I have other works in progress.

EDIT1: I've changed the pickup for a Wilkinson humbucker that I found on a Harley Benton Les Paul-type guitar – of course, the body had to be drilled. They come together fine, but the next step would be upgrading to a Gibson Classic 57. I’ve also changed the bridge for a Goldo Tune O’Matic, with a result close to what you can hear on Jean-Luc LACHENAUD’s video. I did it all myself for under the 300€ mark.

The good news is, Thomann now offers this model again.

EDIT2 : I got a used Classic 57 from AudioFanzine’s classified ads section and put it on the guitar straight away. I now have the exact sound I was after!