Harley Benton Unveils the ST-modern Plus HH: A New Era for S-Style Guitars
NAMM 2025: Harley Benton, the budget-pleasant brand under Thomann, has introduced an innovative S-style electric guitar featuring dual humbuckers, drawing inspiration from Tom DeLonge’s iconic signature model.
In 2023, Fender and Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge brought back the coveted Fender Tom DeLonge signature Stratocaster, which was soon followed by the prosperous Starcaster model. both guitars have seen tremendous popularity among fans and musicians alike.
building on the success of thier sub-$400 HHS Strat models released last June, Harley Benton is now launching a fresh design that combines a new pickup configuration with eye-catching aesthetics reminiscent of DeLonge’s style.
While DeLonge’s signature Stratocaster is known for it’s single Seymour Duncan Invader pickup in the bridge position,Harley Benton’s new model stands out with its dual humbucker setup. despite this key difference, the overall appearance remains strikingly similar, tho the price point is notably more accessible.
The design even includes a playful nod to DeLonge’s To The Stars initiative, showcasing the brand’s creativity.
“This guitar is far from being a one-dimensional instrument,” Harley Benton states.“With master volume and tone controls, plus the ability to split the pickups, the ST-Modern Plus HH is not just versatile but also ‘otherworldly’ in its capabilities!”
Replacing the Duncan pickup, the guitar is equipped with twin Tesla CROW-i6 ferrite pickups, designed for “powerful riffs” while also offering the adaptability to excel in various musical styles beyond just heavy genres. The coil-splitting feature and a unique single Tone knob set it apart from traditional Stratocasters.
Tesla describes these humbuckers as delivering a “bright, aggressive, and cutting tone,” thanks to their ceramic magnet construction. Many premium features from its HSS counterpart are retained, including 22 stainless steel frets, a bolt-on Canadian flame maple neck, and ergonomic body contours with smooth edges.
Notably, the guitar’s body is crafted from American alder, a step up from the more common poplar, and it features glow-in-the-dark side dots—a rarity in budget guitars.
The instrument is designed with a 12″-16″ radius laurel fretboard, complemented by a Babicz FCH Z fixed hardtail string-thru body bridge and locking tuners, all finished in chrome for a sleek look.
Additionally, the guitar features three-ply pearloid pickguards, adding to its DeLonge-inspired flair. It is available in five striking finishes: Silver Sparkle, Yellow, Black, Daphne Blue, and Seafoam Green, with a left-handed option also offered in Seafoam Green.
As of now, the price for the ST-Modern Plus HH Series has not been disclosed, but considering that its HSS variants retail for under $400, a similar price range is anticipated.
For more details, visit Harley Benton’s official website.
