Harley Benton
Since 1997
Harley Benton was founded in 1997 as the exclusive house brand of Thomann, Europe's largest musical instrument retailer based in Treppendorf, Germany. Disrupting the traditional guitar industry through a direct-to-consumer model, Harley Benton eliminated distributor markups to deliver professional-tier specifications—such as roasted maple necks, stainless steel frets, EMG/Fishman active pickups, Graphtech nuts, and Wilkinson hardware—at unprecedented $120 to $550 price points. From the flagship Fusion and Amarok series to vintage-correct Single Cut, Double Cut, and T-style instruments, Harley Benton has become a global phenomenon embraced by gigging pros, studio producers, and the modding community.
29
Years in Business
3M+
Guitars Sold
$35M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Harley Benton Guitar Guide
Comprehensive buying guide, price analysis, model comparisons, and expert insights to help you understand everything about Harley Benton guitars.
Harley Benton Price Overview
Harley Benton covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$240
+4.5% vs last year
eBay Listings
1,850
Active listings
Sold This Month
420
+6.8% vs last month
Price Range
$75-$650
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Harley Benton Timeline
Harley Benton Brand Inception
Hans Thomann founded Harley Benton to offer high-quality entry-level musical instruments direct to European players.
European Catalog Dominance
Expanded beyond starter packs to dedicated vintage and modern electric guitar lineups manufactured in China, Korea, and Indonesia.
Direct USA & Worldwide Shipping
Thomann launched flat-rate transatlantic shipping, triggering an explosion of interest and viral reviews across North America.
Launch of Fusion Series
Introduced the breakthrough Fusion series featuring roasted maple necks, stainless steel frets, and Wilkinson 50IIK trems at under $400.
Amarok & Pro Series Expansion
Debuted the Amarok series featuring neck-through construction and active EMG pickups, competing with $1,000+ metal guitars.
SC-550 II & Modernized QC
Upgraded classic single-cut lines with chambered mahogany bodies, AAA flamed maple veneers, and stainless steel frets across the board.
Fusion-IV & 25th Anniversary
Launched the refined Fusion-IV line and limited firemist anniversary editions, cementing its reputation among touring guitarists.
Complete Harley Benton Product Lineup
Harley Benton: Premium specs, direct-to-consumer pricing, and pure musical freedom since 1997.
Pro & Modern Series (Fusion / Amarok / ST-Modern)
High-performance instruments with boutique-grade specs
Roasted maple neck, stainless frets, Wilkinson/Floyd Rose (~$280–$440)
Neck-thru, EMG Retro Active pickups, reverse headstock (~$360–$490)
Modern S-style with compound radius & Babicz bridge (~$350–$480)
Vintage & Single Cut Series (SC / DC / HB-35)
Timeless rock and blues shapes with upgraded appointments
AAA flamed maple veneer, chambered body, stainless frets (~$240–$380)
Solid mahogany double-cut with single P90/humbucker (~$160–$250)
Semi-hollow 335-style with coil-split vintage humbuckers (~$190–$290)
Double-cut archtop tribute with Wilkinson vibrato (~$180–$270)
T-Style & S-Style Vintage (TE / ST Series)
Classic vintage twang and chime with roasted maple options
Solid ash body, roasted maple neck, Alnico 5 single-coils (~$130–$210)
Custom color double-bound T-style with roasted neck (~$140–$220)
Classic 60s Strat-style with mint guard and Alnico pickups (~$120–$190)
Satin black dual-humbucker heavy metal T-style (~$85–$130)
Acoustic, Bass & Specialty Instruments
Solid-top acoustics, extended range, and bass guitars
Active/passive PJ bass with Roswell pickups (~$280–$390)
Solid mahogany acoustic flat-top (~$150–$260)
Fanned-fret progressive metal guitars (~$220–$350)
"Harley Benton: Premium specs, direct-to-consumer pricing, and pure musical freedom since 1997."
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
Fusion & Amarok Pro Series Guide
Unmatched Spec-to-Price Ratio
The Fusion and Amarok lines offer features typically reserved for $1,200+ guitars: roasted Canadian maple necks, 24 stainless steel frets, Graphtech TUSQ nuts, and locking tuners for under $450 new ($280-$380 used)
Floyd Rose vs Wilkinson Trems
Fusion models with genuine Floyd Rose 1000 double-locking systems require proper setup patience, while Wilkinson 50IIK two-point trems offer smooth, trouble-free vibrato for rock and fusion
Active EMG vs Roswell Pickups
Amarok models feature EMG Retro Active Hot 70 active pickups tailored for tight high-gain clarity, whereas Fusion Roswell pickups provide versatile modern PAF-to-single-coil split tones
SC-550 II, DC-Junior & Vintage Series Guide
SC-550 II Upgraded Chambering
The newer SC-550 II features weight-relieved chambered mahogany to solve the heavy weight issues of older 2016-2018 SC models, while upgrading to stainless steel frets and Tesla humbuckers
DC-Junior Cult Following
The DC-Junior at ~$160-$220 used is a celebrated punk/garage machine. Its single Roswell P90 delivers immediate bite, dynamic volume cleanup, and resonance through a simple wraparound bridge
Roasted Maple Across Budget Models
Even entry-level TE-52 and TE-62CC models feature heat-treated roasted maple necks, providing outstanding climate stability and smooth satin playability rarely seen under $200
Used Harley Benton & Mod Platform Guide
High Liquidity & Low Depreciation
Because new prices are already low, used Harley Bentons hold 65-80% of their retail value on Reverb and eBay, selling much faster than other entry-level brands
The Ultimate Modding Platform
Upgrading pickups (to Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, or Fishman) and electronics turns an affordable $150-$300 Harley Benton into a pro-touring-ready stage weapon
Post-2020 QC Excellence
Harley Benton made dramatic manufacturing and QC leaps in 2020. Post-2020 models with stainless steel frets are consistently superior in fretwork and finish to pre-2019 early iterations