Harley Benton Enters the Relic Game with Affordable Hand-Aged guitars
Harley Benton has embraced the relic trend with its new Aged Series, featuring hand-aged electric guitars and basses starting at just $238. This move taps into the growing demand for vintage aesthetics in modern instruments.
The Rise of Relic Guitars
Whether you love them or loathe them, the popularity of artificially aged guitars has surged in recent years. Major brands like Gibson have introduced thier Murphy Lab, while Fender has rolled out its Heirloom treatment. Brands such as Charvel, EVH, and Solar Guitars are also jumping on the bandwagon, showcasing a collective shift towards relic finishes. Interestingly, there are even stickers available that can give your brand-new guitar a faux-worn look.
Balancing Aesthetics and Affordability
Today’s musicians are seeking the best of both worlds: the vintage look of a well-loved instrument combined with the reliability of a new one. Though, many relic guitars come with hefty price tags. For instance, Fender’s American Ultra Luxe Vintage models start at $2,849, while Gibson’s murphy lab Ultra Heavy Aged 1959 les Paul commands a staggering $10,699.
Harley Benton’s Affordable Solution
enter Harley Benton, the go-to brand for budget-conscious musicians. Their Aged Series features a variety of classic designs, including double-cut, single-cut, and offset shapes, all boasting a hand-aged finish. The best part? Each model is priced under $250, making them accessible to a wider audience.
Craftsmanship Meets Value
The Aged series has been two years in the making, with careful attention to detail in both design and finish. Each guitar is available in Light Aged and Heavy Aged versions, with color options like Olympic White, Sunburst, Seafoam Green, Shell Pink, and Black.
What truly sets these guitars apart is the hand-aging process, which offers a level of craftsmanship typically reserved for custom shop instruments, all while maintaining an entry-level price point. While the aging effect will need to be evaluated up close, they certainly appear authentic from a distance. Harley Benton has even gone the extra mile by aging the hardware, enhancing the overall vintage appeal.
Specifications and Features
The Aged Series includes S-type,T-type,and offset electric guitars,along with a P Bass-inspired four-string model. Common specifications across the range feature alder bodies, caramelized Canadian maple necks, laurel fretboards, and ISOLA alnico 5 pickups, ensuring quality sound and playability.
final thoughts
“At Harley Benton, we’ve always aimed high,” the company states. ”The Aged Series is a vision that has taken years to realize. We’ve dedicated ourselves to creating a durable finish that captures the character and patina that make these guitars so captivating.”
“The outcome? Authentic, hand-aged instruments, each uniquely styled, all at an incredible value. We are truly passionate about this series.”
For more details, visit Harley benton’s official site.
