And here's the timestamps for you people on phones: 00:00 Hello! 00:11 Intro and what we’re doing today 01:11 HB-35 Plus specs/info 03:05 Ibanez specs/info 05:45 Today’s video plan and my rig Clean Sounds 06:24 Clean tone reference chords on all pickups 07:28 Poppy arpeggios and strummed chords 08:12 Picked pop rock arpeggios 08:34 Strummed country pop chords 09:14 Country ballad arpeggios 09:42 Blues progression 10:09 Ascending droning indie chords Crunch Sounds (Clean Channel w/Greer Lightspeed) 10:37 AC/DC inspired classic rock riff 11:10 Hendrix inspired classic rock riff 11:43 Groovy classic rock riff 12:36 Airbourne inspired classic rock riff 12:59 Indie octave chords riff 13:49 Indie rock rhythm tone 14:22 Upbeat indie barre chords Lead Channel Sounds 14:48 Classic hard rock riff 15:23 Hard rock riff 15:57 Glam rock riff 16:25 Foo Fighters inspired modern rock riff 17:00 Alternative rock riff 17:26 Green Day inspired punk riff 17:55 Punk rock power chords 18:24 Progressive rock riff (Drop D tuning) 18:54 Rage Against The Machine inspired groovy riff (Drop D tuning) Clean Channel w/Revv G3 Distortion Pedal (all in Drop D tuning) 19:27 Metal chugging riff 19:58 Hardcore punk riff 20:45 Thrash metal riff 21:07 Lead sounds 21:31 Classic heavy metal/sludge riff 22:05 My thoughts and the versatility of these guitars 22:53 Build quality and hardware 24:58 Weights 25:32 Playability and necks 27:00 Sounds and pickups 30:24 Which guitar is best… 33:26 … and which would I buy? 34:59 Final conclusion and goodbye
@@joerusso8950 A flat neck finish? I'm not sure what one of those is. There's two kind I know: satin and gloss! If I said flat by mistake in this video, I do apologize - I didn't mean to!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and it helped you decide! Ibanez guitars (especially the non-metal and pointy ones) are criminally underrated, I find. Enjoy yours!
Another thorough throw down, now between the HB-35 vs the AS73FM. The blue Ibanez Artcore sure looks great alright, but then all their semi hollow finishes are appealing to me. The Sire Larry Carlton H7 seems to be a popular competitor to these models, priced close to the Artcore. More traditional finishes on those Sires though. It's a great era of mid priced awesomeness.
Oh yes, so many great choices out there... I've heard a lot of good things about the Sires, may have to try them soon! They'll have to be very good to win out over the Artcore and the HB-35 though.
I like them both but I believe the Ibanez pickups sound a little clearer than the HB"s. Those Roswell's get kinda muddy at times. Really can't go wrong with the HB for the money. You can up grade a few things and still have a great value instrument !
That's probably where I am in my thoughts about these two at the moment. The Ibanez just shades it in terms of clarity, but it's close. And they're both excellent value for money, but the HB is on another level in terms of value. You can stick in new pickups, tuners and hardware and still be under €500... crazy!
Another great review! I have two older burgundy Ibanez AS-73 guitars (as well as two mid-90s Ibanez ArtSTAR AS-120) and really do like them a lot, esp after pickup upgrades on the AS-73s. I recently got a Harley Benton hollowbody, larger like an ES-175, with the intention of reselling it for a profit. While not premium it actually played and sounded far better than I expected. Now I'm on the fence about keeping vs selling it.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed this one! The pickups are the one thing I might change on the Ibanez... what did you put on yours? And yes, that's often the thing with HB guitars for me too. Keep it ;) The vast majority of HBs I've played have surprised me so much I've ended up keeping them, and many of them I often pick up over way more expensive guitars! Great that we have so many affordable options like that out there :)
People always focus on replacing the electronics and hardware of the bargain guitars like Harley Benton's. I don't really understand that at all. The biggest priority for me is how well a guitar can be intonated. I know that no guitar can be perfectly intonated, but some can be done better than others. I had to do quite a bit of work on the nut slots and experimentation with different string types and gauges on my Musoo 335 copy, but with patience and determination I was able to get it intonated better than the average guitar I hear on RU-vid. Not going to bother with hardware or electronics at all. I can hear the tuning on the HB is a bit more dissonant than the Ibanez. Other than that, I think the pickups sound perfectly fine.
Good points, and you're right. How well a guitar plays will ultimately decide if someone keeps picking it up to play it! But many people focus on replacing pickups and hardware because it also helps make the overall experience better - or at least, they think it will. Sometimes a better nut (cut right!) can help. A well-cut nut is crucial to tuning, more so than tuners themselves. However, new tuners can make restringing easier as well as making the guitar easier to tune up. New pickups can make the guitar sound better - subjectively, of course - and improved electronics can prevent unwanted noise and also improve tone. The bigger question there is... why not simply purchase a 'better' guitar to begin with, one with higher quality parts? Well, that's just part of the tonal quest, and for many I think the quest itself is more fun than actually reaching the end and finding the perfect guitar!
@@RichWordsMusic Your last question brings up an interesting point. It really depends on the guitar you're after. I typically go for the middle price/ quality range options. Case in point, my Classic Vibe Telecaster - At $550 CAD, not as bottom end as an Affinity, but not breaking my bank like a Fender. But my ES-335 style options were limited. The cheapest Epiphone version is around $700 here in Canada, which falls beyond what i consider mid-price. The next options downward in price for 335 copies were pretty much all the uber-cheap Harley Bentons and Fireflys, etc., which are like that Squier Affinity level. Not really any options for something priced equivalent to the $550 Classic Vibe Squiers, so I went for what seemed like the nicest Chinese budget variant, which here in Canada was the Musoo for $399.
@@darwinsaye Interesting. I think we're shopping at similar price points when it comes to guitars. I also like to go slightly above the cheapest of the cheap when I can (although I do go there too sometimes!) and I've never purchased a guitar for over €1000. I have a Classic Vibe Esquire which I think mirrors your CV Tele quite well - it's an excellent guitar at what it does, and beat out the cheaper models I tried. I feel lucky to have bought my Mexican Fender Tele in 2014 new, when they were still around €450. I've modded that guitar a bit, and I'm yet to play a more expensive USA-built Fender I prefer. It does seem to be slightly more limited when it comes to hollow bodies. I like the look of the Epis too, but new ones are expensive, and used ones don't come up that often here. I'd like to try an Epi 339 too, for the more manageable body size. Do you have Vintage guitars over there? They're another brand I'd recommend you check out if you can - they sit in the right budget point and make some very nice instruments. For my part, I need to check out Musoo if I ever get the chance!
Rich. Words. Music. I’m not sure if Vintage guitars are available here or not; the brand has only come to my attention very recently via RU-vid. I’ll give them a look if they are. It’s kind of odd here in Canada - prices for music gear are kind of bad compared to the US and Europe. If I see people online reviewing some interesting $250 guitar from one of these fairly new Chinese companies, it will actually cost about $400 here, and so typically I will just go to something trusted like Squier instead at a comparable price point. Also, for whatever reason, there seem to be no dealers for brands like Harley Benton or Firefly that I constantly see being reviewed on RU-vid.. I would have to get one direct from China or from one of those online dealers like Aliexpress or Wish, and I try to avoid that. I stick to what Canadian stores like Long and McQuade carry, or, for online purchasing, Amazon.ca, which does not carry the same goods as Amazon.com, which is one of the reasons I bought the Musoo rather than a Harley Benton or Firefly that the rest of the world seems to be discussing. As far as price points in general, I’m retired so I’ve really put the reins on my gear purchasing, but I did have a wide variety a few years ago. My most expensive guitars I used to have were, a 1991 PRS Custom 24 (bought for $1800 in 2005), a 1982 Yamaha SG1000 ($1500 at the same time) and a now rare California Series Strat ( a US/ Mexican hybrid) bought new in the late 90s for $800. Nowadays though I stick to the $500 range new, but I do have my vintage guitars, which I managed to afford by going for off brands; a 1968 Silvertone (fully hollow 339 size), 1972 Harmony (hollow Rickenbacker style), and my 70’s Kay Les Paul copy. So I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got now, even though there are no “high end” guitars in the collection anymore. :)
@@darwinsaye I've heard that Canadian prices can be somewhat higher. That's bad luck - you share that with our friends in Australia too. And it totally makes sense to go with more established brands if you're buying in that context. I'm sure Thomann have plans to offer Harley Benton in the USA and Canada in a better way soon - they've had a North American office for quite a while, and I do feel they will distribute from there at some point. Sounds like you've had some great guitars over the years, and your collection sounds great. You do see the odd Silvertone over here, and I would also be interested to try those out, but I know next to nothing about what to look for when buying vintage, so I'd need help! Harmony too, although I've only played a couple of their newer guitars, both of which were lovely. Kay, Greco and Burny guitars are also common here, and I do have a hankering for a Les Paul Custom, so maybe one of those is in the offing too. Ultimately though, I think that the vast majority of the affordable guitars being built today are extremely playable. There's so much choice too (maybe slightly less where you are!) and so it gives everyone a chance to buy what works for them.
Have you tried the latest Epiphone es335 dude? I am really hankering after one ... I preferred it to the Gibson version! Be interested to hear what you thought, compared to these two. 👍🙂
I haven't, but I would love to! There just aren't any anywhere near me to test. Will give one a try as soon as I can though - you've got me really wanting to, with that feedback! (By the way, I prefer my 2020 Epi SG Classic Worn to the recent Gibsons I've tried!)
I got my HB35+ back in 2017. Pre-Roswell Wilkinson pickups; a little duller than the Roswells . Although quite playable out-of-the-box, I did a fret leveling and gained a 1/64th lower action for my efforts . I also tidied up the fret ends. Four years later I fitted Irongear Blues Engine pickups, locking tuners and 22nf caps (50s wiring). I wanted more brightness and clarity. The transformation is a significant improvement on what was already a nice guitar. The split coil sound is more useable too.
Interesting, and also cool to hear from someone who's had one of these for five years! That's cool feedback. I actually really like Wilkinson pickups too, but I'm not surprised you're now getting even better performance with the Irongears and other upgrades. That's one great thing about Harley Benton guitars - they make for great project instruments! Are there any sound or video clips of yours? I'd be interested to hear how it's sounding nowadays...
@@RichWordsMusic I'll have a look. I've used it on a couple of tracks. I'll see if I can dig out the stems. No videos so far. I've got a set of the equivalent Roswells in a LP type, they're a bit brighter than the wilkos . The Irongear Blues Engines are more like the 490s in my SG. Slightly hotter than PAFs but not a lot.
Hey, could you add a sample of these unplugged. I'm really loving the Idea of a semi hollow or hollow but I want to know what it will sound like when I'm unplugged and strumming. I'm hoping it will give me a much better sound than a typical electric, but far less volume that an acoustic. I can't seem to find one around that I can play to hear myself. These are two of my top 5 to buy as my next guitar. Also the Gretsch G2420 streamliner hardtail, the Ibanez AF55, and the Squire Starcaster. But I'm looking for how do they sound practicing unplugged piece
Good video! I thought they sounded very similar, almost no difference, but the Ibanez is just a more appealing guitar. I've been tempted by a few different Harley Benton models but I never pulled the trigger because there's always a bit too much concern that it might be terrible. Of course I'll never know if I don't try one, I just always seem to convince myself it's worth spending a bit more.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Yep, they're surprisingly alike, these two. The Ibanez definitely has a touch more elegance about it though! Totally understand on the HB ordering front. I've been able to try plenty out on trips to Thomann, and of course there's loads on the used market here too. But ordering one new is still something I have reservations about, because you still don't know! Buying unseen and online is always a leap of faith. That said, of all the HBs I've had now, I've never seen a big problem or had to return anything. Give one a try one day, and you never know, you might like it!
PS I like where the HB selector switch is way better than the Ibanez. You done have to worry about accidentally hitting a volume or tone knob with the HB !
That's an interesting point too, and I'm with you there. I wonder why Ibanez made that decision, as it' s not like they were doing it to avoid having to add another rear cavity on the guitar...
@@RichWordsMusic j'ai posé la question chez thom. très récemment : ce n'est pas dans les projets actuels. Dommage.... C'est vrai que ça intéresserait du monde, avec des versions P90, humbucker, voire en mini humbucker comme la ES390 😋
Thanks for the review, enjoyed that! I've had my HB35+ for just over a year and used it more than expected! It lends itself to lots of styles and tones Here is a 'playlist' of various licks n riffs on an HB35+ b stock bought in 2022. As b stock I asked hb to ensure it was QA again and set intonation..they did a good job..minor adjustment on bass E saddle is all I have done to it..enjoy! ru-vid.com/group/PLMPxgXYprkyZ_ZgWI98sRWoiV_GuGTtJ-
I wouldn't say the Ibanez is brighter than the HB, but what's sure is the HB has more bass on the neck PUP. Green might not be the sexiest color for a guitar, but the single-coil option makes the HB more interesting to me ; had it been the HB35 instead of the HB35+, I would have voted Ibanez, but it's not the case so ...
Just bought a used AS73 on Reverb for the same price as a new HB so I’m pretty stoked about that 😊
2 года назад
I just subscribed. You do great reviews! Can you please do an Eastman T486 review? It's an ES Semi-Hollow style. Looking forward to more great reviews! Greetings from hot and always sunny Hollywood California.
Many thanks for the sub José! Happy to have you on board, and there are plenty more videos like this to come. I have heard a lot about Eastman, and the T486 does look extremely impressive! I will see what I can do :) I'd love to take a look at one if I can!
2 года назад
@@RichWordsMusic Yes please do! If you can it would help me and many others to perhaps purchase the Eastman T486! Keep up the great work!
Interesting video, i definitely prefer the sound and look of the Ibanez. As an aside, the Linden wood of the Ibanez is what used to be called Linwood and comes from the family of trees most people in the UK know as common limes , you know, the deciduous tree with the heart shaped leaves you find at the roadside in our cities. Apparently the same tree as Basswood. I guess Ibanez are trying to avoid the "cheap" stigma that comes with the Basswood name these days.
Interesting, thanks for the info! You're totally right that basswood has now come to be known as a "cheap" wood - which is totally unfair, of course, but that's just the way the industry and market seem to work. Looking back at this video, I actually think I made a mistake there when I called linden a cheap type of cherry - I think I must have wanted to say either maple or mahogany! But yes, overall - and whatever it is going for wood-wise - the Ibanez has the looks and in some cases the tones to just win this battle for me. It's a really excellent guitar, especially at the price point. The HB is fantastic too, but there's just something that draws me back to the Ibanez over the HB-35 Plus.
Hi thanks I enjoyed this! funny thing ive noticed alot of cheaper brands using rosewood, [ jet guitars, even glarry ] whether its real rosewood i dont know for sure, cheers.
Cheers Mark! Yeah, I do wonder about things like that. Lots of brands dye the fretboard woods anyway, and there are so many different subspecies of rosewood that you never know! I do need to check those Jet Guitars out by the way, some of them look lovely :)
it is strange my hb35 sounds more like i expected and i love it to play oldies as Freddy king 's blues. I recognise on a another hand that this As73 sounds incredible for indie rock/ rock.
Yep, it would be cool to have some more unusual options for left-handed players for sure. I always feel sorry for you guys when I see new guitar lines and it's only the more standard, traditional colors - or nothing at all. Write Harley Benton and enough lefties do they'll have to build some!
@@RichWordsMusic Guitar manufactures are convinced Lefty are in love with Black. Best option is to save up for a custom build with a small manufacturer. That's what I did.
I think they actually do! OK, they're not metal guitars, but if you listen to the 'chug' type riffs, they will do it! Guitars like this are just so versatile.
I took delivery today of a HB35plus. The guitar is a disaster. First thing I noticed was the strings were almost 7.5 millimetres above the neck just above the neck pickup. Close inspection explained this...the neck joint had a gap in it and was crooked and flexible - shocking. It also looked like there was a piece of wood in the joint that was not attached to the neck. The stop tailpiece was a disaster too. The studs weren't straight because the mountings were fitted crooked. The guitar is a piece of absolute junk , fit only to be binned. It cannot have been inspected by anyone who knew what they were doing. It was the first and last time that I will buy a Harley Benton.
Michael, I am so sorry to hear that you had this bad experience. I would totally agree with you if I received a guitar like that, and it's hard to imagine how that one could have left the factory. It shouldn't even have been sold as B-stock! Sounds like someone had tried to make the neck straighter and had put a shim in to help the height/angle... not what you want to see when you open your new guitar! I can totally see how this would tarnish the brand for you, and I hope that if you ever do change your mind in future and try another that you get a decent one! All the best, Rich
@@RichWordsMusic an update. Thomann sent a replacement even before the original guitar was received back by them. I have to say the replacement was excellent. I could not find any fault with it. Frets were good - no rough edges, smooth surfaces, no strings buzz. Perfect intonation. Finish excellent, no visible flaws. Excellent for the price. They redeemed themselves - but they need to be consistent with their quality control.
@@michaelketley876 Well, that is at least good to hear, and HB have redeemed themselves in that way. The QC thing is something I think a lot of the more affordable brands live and die by. I'm sure Thomann/HB don't check every guitar that goes out (although you can be sure someone looked at the second one they sent you!) because generally the majority are decent, and you were one of the unlucky exceptions last time around. It's something that would add more to the price of each guitar, and I think they don't see that as a necessary expense. It's a tough one - I'd personally be happy to pay a bit more to be assured of a good setup (and I actually think you can choose that option at Thomann when you buy a guitar), but then again you never know what night happen during postage! In any case, I hope you can enjoy your new HB-35 Plus, as they're excellent guitars indeed when set up right!
@@mrhingland6206 Well, yes - or simply return it and get a replacement sent, assuming you bought it new (although the OP did mention dollars, so maybe they're in North America. Makes returns more difficult).
I've seen this comment on another channel and I believe you're trolling ( not that there's anything wrong with it ). As current prices go two Harley Bentons cost 496 €.
You think? Personally I think it sounds really decent and I like the fact that the option is there. It's not a genuine single coil sound, of course, but more than does the job if you need that for a quick song or a different sound or whatever. The guitar is still worth it even if you don't want the coil split, I believe.
