i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a way to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost my account password. I would love any tips you can give me
@Legend Westin I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and I'm in the hacking process now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.
That's solid quality content, dude! You put a lot of effort in making this... that's borderline professional work! I'm shocked your video hasn't more views... kudos!
500k pots with active pickups: "If it looks stupid but it works, it ain't stupid"... or is it ? :) Also the amount of details in this review is mindblowing, gj !
Thanks :) Well, I was thinking, shall we try to swap those to 25K pots in the part 2 of this video and check if that's gonna make any difference? 500K pots with actives is odd
@@MaxSoloMusic i would swap them for sure, maybe they wont affect the sound, but the taper feel will be better for sure. Its up to you anyway, considering that resoldering pots takes a while.
Are they truly active though or is there just a boost circuit or an active EQ? My Les Paul has a 490R and a BurstBucker pro which are both passives. But there is a 9v battery to activate a 10dB boost circuit via push/push and a preamp installed. I’ve heard removing battery from HB - the pickups will still work? Doesn’t sound like truly active pickups.
thanks, great review. i got myself a b-stock (A6-BKNT): finish - very good (minor imperfection at fretboard-corpus-joint) neck - perfect alignement - perfect intonation - perfect electrics - switch and pots not properly tightened, known output-jack issue (first batch model?) electrics issues fixed within a few minutes, include fixing that awkward toggle switch alignment. basic string setup was quite good actually, just optimized a few bridge settings to meet individual preferences. the amarok's playability is very good. intonation is razor sharp way up to 24th fret. fretboard, frets and neck finish are a charm to play on. headstock design and mechanics allow for a "tune once and forget" kind of handling. what really had me fall in love with this instrument however is her sound. the unplugged instrument's sound already oozes loads of warm and dry wood with a rich voice. now pair that with the EMG hot 70s precision and devastating power. it was already beautiful in standard E, got a little extra punch in D, but when I slapped on .52s and dropped it to C, it just made me want to pull down my panties immediately. those pickups are beautiful beasts, the instrument tames them where required and let's them run wild when desired. maybe i've had exceptional luck with my individual guitar. after all, choosing an instrument is a matter of personal preferences. the amarok's sound, playability and finish make her an exceptionally valuable instrument for me.
Got the Amarok and like it a lot. My B-Stock-Model was a bit misaligned concerning the graph tech saddle, so that the high e-string ran quite close to the edge of the fretboard. On the other hand I had no issues with the noise or the heigth of the pots. So I think - as you said it in the video - there might be some reported issues which don't occur in your buy but with some of the guitars. I consider my Amarok as a good bang for the buck and like especially the warm tone of the EMGs. Keep on the good work, I like it.
Thanks ksmichel! Yeah, people reported a couple of common flaws in the first batch. Most of which i believe must be resolved by now. But there are also random unpredictable little things that just happen
Wow you actually cover everything I wanted and then some. Thank you for being so thorough. Your processes are so clear and very effective. Thank you for all you do for us out here.
Ó'Beolan. Pennsylvania. I am considering buying one. Found you while looking for info. Would consider one. I have am 59 strat. I built. I could could go with more of a name brand. However I want something different and your Review ease's my concerns somewhat. Seems a good value with more guitar for the $$$
Hello ... good review!! i would like to have an opinion .... i have wandered to bougth this brand Harley Benton and i have saw Fusion III EMG HT Roasted SBK too ( are similar specs, not then same but similar) ... what is your opinion ... what is better between this one in your rewiew or Fusion III EMG HT Roasted SBK? thanks!!
I’m Nick, from Virginia, USA. I’m a lefty and planning to get this guitar very soon. The penalty points are very minor for me, so this review helped a lot! Thank you for all of your hard work putting this together!!!
Ever since i played the Amarok at Hennings place i've been a huge fan! Great video Max! Just found out i wasn't subscribed to you from this channel haha! Hope you are doing great mate!
Hi from Spain.I have one question:I just started playing guitar and I can't decide between these two guitars:Hb Amarok or Ibanez S621QM-DEB.Could you help me? Thank you very much!
Wow! This is by far the most thorough review I've ever watched. Insane quality, attention to details. The definition of getting more than you pay for :)) also it was the first video of yours that I've watched. +1 Subscriber. Greetings from The land of Dracula!
Hello. I saw what you are reviewing, and got nosey. I ordered the baritone version of this guitar today. As of now, my favorite guitar is my Fender limited custom Telecaster FMT HH. I was looking for a traditional Telecaster workhorse, and discovered the limited custom edition. I couldn't pass it up. I bought it, and no regrets. Love it! I have another Fender and an Ibanez. I have four HBs. I am intrigued with what a quality guitar they can make at a working man's price. Two of them had minor problems, but i love tinkering, so not a problem. Thanks for the review.
Great vid and greetings from Rio Grande City in south Texas, USA! I'm glad i came across your channel as im looking into purchasing my first HB guitar. I purchased the 2x12 HB cab with vintage celestions and was so impressed with it, ive decided to give their guitars a chance! Great channel you have and i will subscribe!
I am about the buy this guitar but i really have so,e QC concerns. I had to send the EX84 I bought back as it arrived with a warped neck and just tool marks everywhere. very torn.
Awesome review. I thought I saw a sharp fret end, but in different views, they looked quite smooth. To me, frets are really maybe the most important, since a lot of the other issues can be fixed. Those pots are just nuts - although I am not an expert on EMG pickups.
Dude, your reviews are the best out there! So much technical informations, you are kind of like gamer nexus but for guitar related stuff, but i think the noise thingy you should cancel sanctioning guitars on that topic cause there will always be noise because of that 'harp' on any guitar with a proper headstock or floyd, its like complaining about a combustion engine making noises when you drive your car
Thanks for your feedback. About the harp thing, well yeah, most guitars will have that. But why don't some guitar brand invent something to prevent that already and make it a standard thing on all guitars? Something like that is long overdue. Many guitarists use different tricks to mute strings at the headstock. It's time to for the guitar industry to react. I'm just bringing this to everyone's attention :)
Thanks a lot :) Meanwhile, the part 2 of this video is now public. There's some more stuff in it that is good to know before pulling the trigger on this one.
I was checking reviews for this guitar because it looked really interesting but it seems on thomann this model doesn't have the grover lockin tuners anymore
Its mind boggling to me that these things have the same necks as the Fusion models and are not closer to Wizard style necks. like... what were they thinking...
How did you get rid of the noise issue? I seem to have seen at some point at the beginning of the video that you were using some gadjet over the strings past the nut point... Also, is it safe to assume that these issues would bleed over to the other models as well? I have been thinking about getting myself a baritone or a 7-stringer for a while now, so here be my questions.
Ah, I am pretty sure that the transition between the neck and the guitar body is not due to the paint, but to the fact those are actually different pieces of wood?
Amarok is not the best choice for cleans. It has a very specific sound of those EMG Retro Active pickups. Single coil pickups usually sound better on clean
Hi, I'm watching from Hungary, my favorite guitars are the Solars and I discussed your chanel by your very usful tip videos and gun harley benton builds and demos. I'm really enjoying it thus far, keep it up. 🤘
@@MaxSoloMusic A Solar would be my dream guitar but I haven't played one, I don't know if I should get a Solar maybe or an Amarok one day, a comparison would be amazing.
@@davidtobis3614 well, if it gets to that, it totally makes sense to compare the two! Noted :) And Hungary is awesome! I had some good time in Budapest a couple of years ago
@@davidtobis3614 Save the extra cash and get yourself a Solar :) it's definitely worth it. I've tested them and am currently waiting for an AB1.6 model to come in january.
Not a bad looking guitar at all kinda weird the fretboard radius being off from the spec lol wish they could have a thomann in America lol but were blessed with that trusty old mom and pop shop center and the rest of the inflation priced brick stores still don’t know how thomann can produce some of the things they do for the price glad they do it tho and hell of a good review video man honestly one of the most informative and comprehensive videos I’ve seen glad I found your channel today be looking forward to seeing more thanks
My buddy and I are really curious about these new HB guitars. We both have plenty of ESP, Ibanez, Fender, as well as custom luthier guitars, but we just need to test these HB's out! My friend went for the Les Paul style, and I was hesitating about ordering an Amarok 6. Well, thanks to your complete and very detailed review video, I'm off to order one right now! Thank you for this nice video, this is how guitar reviews should be :) Keep up the godo work pal!! Nass
Thanks for the great informative and helpful video on the Amarok-6 from Harley Benton. It's on my list for final purchase decision so this video was great. Prescott Valley, AZ
Real nice job reviewing the Amarok . . . I'm not use to such professionalism . . . .you do a thorough job at keeping the prospective customer informed . . .really nice channel . . .I needed info on how the Amarok 6 looked and performed and this channel stepped up to the plate . . .I'm from Rockville Maryland . . .and I own one LTD and one Harley Benton . . . thinking about the Amarok for heavy metal or an Ibanez for jazz . . .not sure yet . . .anyway . . .take care . . . .
Great, comprehensive review of these Harley Benton guitars. Actually thinking of purchasing one and your breakdown of this and the Fusion II were really helpful. Appreciate your hard work on these videos. Looking at Harley Benton rather than dropping twice the money into an Ibanez or Charvel. I love the Ibanez RG Premiums, but I could get two HBs for the price of one.
@@MaxSoloMusic I watched your comparison for the Fusion II HSH and HH (w/Flyod Rose). Now, I can't decide which I want to pull the trigger on. You are right that HB missed the boat by not offering the HSH with a Floyd Rose. If they did, I would definitely pick that one. Just not sure which way to go now. Decisions, decisions.
Hi Max! Do you have a musical project? The track you played on this video have an amazing production! Do you recommend this guitar for music production? Best Regards from Chile (South Amarica)
Hey. Thanks! I don't really record my own music nowadays. The track in this video was inspired by this guitar and composed with this guitar in mind. This Harley Benton is a good choice if you want to make heavy music. However, if you produce music in different styles, like pop or country, a more versatile guitar would win
@@MaxSoloMusic Thank you very much! I Hope one day hear this track in its definitive version... With this amazing production. If one day could be possible I hope you can review the Cort x700 mutility. Finally, thanks for your flawless review of every product here!
One of the best reviews I have ever seen. All the specifications are really checked by you. Great job. I see first time that some one checking stainless frets - amazing. All measurements including weight. And the best on the end comperation to similar guitar.
Hey Max what's up? This is Mike from Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. I didn't even know about "Harley Benton" until just a few month's ago and after watching your video's on "You Tube" I've decided to purchase the Fusion - ll !!! It looks like you just cant go wrong considering the price !!! I would definate'ly consider this a fine higher end guitar and can't wait till it arrives !!!! Thank You for your video's my friend, you certain'ly were influential in my decision to purchase this guitar, Thanks Bro !!!! 😁😉👌✌
Just got mine today. Not a fan of the quality or sound. In all the demo's I see the guitar comes almost perfectly in tune and ready to play. Mine was far from it and needed a total setup. Also they sound good in the demo's(here not that great) but mine sounds like a cheap guitar with too much output. Quality 6/10 - Mine has a lot of overspray on the paint job - The quilt looks like it was painted on(really flat) - Nut separated from neck - Fretboard chipped near truss rod adjustment - Not all pores from the wood not filled so they look like small holes/dents in some place - Pots touch the wood, you have to lift them a bit to not constantly scratch the wood underneath - Super high action: 6mm above 15th fret. Bridge saddle were at max - Was probably never tuned. Tuning was no were near any sane note - Totally not intonated - Neck was perfectly straight Sound 5/10 - Clean with treble rolled off sounds good. Ambient/post-rock cleans are pretty nice - Anything with gain sounds harsh, like using a cheap distortion pedal on an amp with an 8" speaker - Used a Line6 Helix Floor, Orange Dark Terror and H&K tubemeister for sound tests - The amount of output drives the tube amps a lot so need to back down the gain - Cannot use same amp settings between this guitar and an passive high output guitar - Especially the helix, most presets are unusable if you do not turn down the gain - Taking the battery out seems like only the output level drops and little less treble - Might even prefer to run it inactive - In the demo of this video you hear the trouble a bit but sound a lot better then mine - Lot of treble - He said clean channel and you hear it breaking up, don't know if that is intentionally set or because of the output.
Hey Benjamin. Thanks for detailed feedback. Knobs were touching the body on mine as well. On all 3 Amaroks I have actually. I was hoping that issue was solved by now. The pickups are very high output. All Retro Actives are. The Amarok and Cort KX300 - both are very hard to make sound clean as they tend to overdrive pretty much any amp's input. The only way to fight that is to set the pickups as far away from the strings as possible. Mine sounded fine with crunch or high gain though, so your settings must be causing problems. I'm surprised yours worked without a battery, I'll try that in the part two of this video.
@@MaxSoloMusic I just unplugged the battery and still got high output. Most EMGs can be used passive. Good review btw, especially comparing neck profiles. I am going to ship it back, Thomann requested a lot of pictures. Think they could not believe the issues with quality I mentioned. I was especially surprised as I had to wait a week for them to ship as they were doing QC in house on the batch that came in. Never had any problems with Thomann or Harley Benton besides this guitar.
@@BenjaminSibbald the QC can never be too good I guess. But these axes are the top of the line. They definitely require more thorough checks than they're getting now!
Looking for review of this guitar, have no chance for me to try before buying. Some are bias but i have no choice. Thanks for this video. My only concern is the neck. How can you compare it with Ibanez Wizard neck? I love wizard neck.
Hey. The neck on this one is very different to Wizard. It's a very round C shape compared to what looks like a U on Ibbies. It's actually in the video, I compare all profiles at 6:38
Hi , here in the UK, enjoyed your video very much, my go to guitar is an ESP LTD AS1 FR Alex Skolnik signature with a Floyd Rose 1000, basically a Les Paul with a Floyd. Knocks my Gibson Les Paul Standard for six for quality of construction, playability, tone, finish and craftsmanship hands down and a lot cheaper than a Les Paul Axxcess, plays like a dream. Came with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge which until recently has been my favorite pickup, but got put onto the Pariah Blackheart which is just like a JB but with a bit more, only other mod is a push push tone control coil split pot which is so much easier to use than a push pull.
Hey Steve! Thanks. I've been to the UK a couple of times and hopefully will be able to visit again as it was great. Floyd is a must, right? :) I have a couple of push push pots somewhere which I ordered by mistake. Gotta use them for something good, just waiting for a suitable project.
Thanks Stephane, really appreciate that. I've just double checked and nope, it's not a compound radius. It's somewhere between 12 and 14 throughout all Amarok and Dullahan models. All received penalties for that. Must be the same CNC settings or whatever tool they use at the factory which is a bit off
Fantastic work. Quick question. I've turned my switch around so it matches the angle you have yours. But I'm convinced it's the wrong way around. Since the guitar is new I cant totally tell what the bridge and neck pickups sound like. Is there a way for me to tell? Could mine be wired the other way around? On the off chance (but not likely) did you do yours wrong and then turn it around later?
So I just recieved and opened box with this guitar in black finish and first impression is really good. Very nice guitar, feels great, sounds great. Action is very high, but i set it up with no problem, without adjusting trussrod. Tuners are great, hold firmly. Few things i dont like that much. There is very little hole on the fretboard, no big deal, its right under the string Pickup switch is just pure sh*t. But I use only bridge pickup so no big deal, maybe change it later. Main thing is finish. Lower half of guitar is a lot of lighter than upper half and with diferent stripes, so it look pretty bad, but i think it is just as it is, i have to live with it, coz overal Im happy af 🖤
Hey, it's good to hear you're happy wit the guitar! Yeah, the veneer may be completely random. I once had two Ibanez Premiums of the same model. One was beautiful, another one was boring. And those are like 1400EUR I think
Hey man, absolutely stelar review quality. Instantly subbed. Quick question: did you find any trouble with playability on this guitar seeing as it's a little neck-heavy. It's the only thing putting me off as I hate neck-heavy guitars.
