Harley Benton Fusion-IV marks the launch of a new generation of its modern Pro Series guitars. Following Fusion-III and Fusion-T, the new series of Superstrats comes with improved pickups and hardware. And it proves just how serious HB is about making a significant impact in the mid-range market.
This is Fusion-IV:Harley Benton Fusion-IV: A Worthy Upgrade to Fusion-III?Common features of the seriesAfter Roswell comes TeslaHSS, HSH, and HHHSS for the Widest Tonal TangeHSH Configurations for a Modern SoundHarley Benton Fusion-IV HH for a powerful sound
Harley Benton Fusion-IV: A Worthy Upgrade to Fusion-III?
The new series Harley Benton Fusion-IV brings loads of high-quality Superstrats. These are extremly versatile guitars that are home in just about every genre, whether rock, metal, fusion, pop, prog, or funk. So, if you find Les Pauls a bit too heavy or classic single-coil Stratocasters too limited in terms of sound, these Fusion-IV models will give you the best of both worlds.
Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH Dusk Glow · Source: Harley Benton
You get the sleek, direct feel of a Strat combined with the power and creamy alternative-rock sound of humbuckers, which already won loads of players over with the Fusion III. Here, HB takes things up a notch in several key areas. And in terms of new colors, the series strikes a balance between minimalist finishes and a few very extravagant models. So there’s a guitar for everyone!
Common features of the series
Harley Benton Fusion IV models now feature a Nyatoh body with an ergonomically shaped back instead of Sapele (as in the Fusion-III). In terms of sound, this should result in a slightly warmer and mid-range-heavy tone compared to the previous series. You still get roasted, flamed Canadian maple necks with a Modern C profile. A design we’re already familiar with from the Fusion III and these still look stunning!
Fusion-IV Floyd Rose HH Black Burst · Source: Harley Benton
When it comes to the fretboard, you have the choice between maple or rosewood. There are two camps in the Strat world when it comes to appearance and, above all, playing feel for fretboard woods: a snappier, more direct sound (maple) or a darker, softer, and warmer tone (rosewood).
What all models have in common: Blacksmith stainless-steel frets, a double-action truss rod with a sprocket wheel, glow-in-the-dark side dots, classic 25.5-inch scale length, and a 12–16-inch compound fretboard radius.
After Roswell comes Tesla
Where the Fusion-III featured Roswell pickups, the manufacturer has equipped the Harley Benton Fusion-IV series with the newer, even better-sounding Tesla pickups, which we’ve seen and heard in the ST Modern Plus series. There are also two models featuring EMG Custom Retro Active Hot 70 humbuckers, 22 frets, and a hardtail bridge for the metal crowd, in black* and as a left-handed model*.
Harley Benton Fusion-IV EMG Lefthand · Source: Harley benton
The release is divided into three typical Superstrat configurations: HH, HSH, and HSS. Before we get to these, there are also three models featuring a Floyd Rose bridge and FR locking nut:
Fusion-IV HH FR Black Metallic Gloss*
Fusion-IV HH FR White Metallic Gloss*
Fusion-IV HH FR White Metallic Gloss LH*
Fusion-IV HH FR Quilt Black Burst Gloss*
All other models in the Harley Benton Fusion-IV series come with a Babicz FCH 2-Point Special Z-Series Tremolo Bridge and 24 frets.
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Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH LH MN HT EMG Satin Black Pro Serie
€479 at
Harley Benton Fusion-IV MN HT EMG Satin Black Pro Serie
€499 at
Harley Benton Fusion-IV RW FR Pro Serie
Floyd-Rose at
HSS, HSH, and HH
HSS for the Widest Tonal Tange
The series’ HSS models* are the tonal all-rounders of Harley Benton Fusion-IV. You get a Tesla VR-Nitro B Alnico-5 humbucker at the bridge, and two Tesla VR-1 single-coils in the middle and at the neck.
Fusion-IV HSS Ocean Rosewood · Source: Harley Benton
Equipped with a five-way switch and a mini-switch as an alternate switch, these models are best suited to fulfill the classic “one guitar for everything” role: a bridge humbucker for rock and leads, and single-coil sounds for clean tones, funk, pop, and crunchy rhythm parts.
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Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSS Pro Series
HSS Models at
HSH Configurations for a Modern Sound
The HSH configurations* in the Harley Benton Fusion-IV series are better suited to modern lead and fusion guitar styles. For these, Harley Benton includes two humbuckers (Tesla Opus-1B and Opus-1N) and a single-coil (Tesla VR-1) in the middle.
HB Fusion-IV HSH Flame Bengal · Source: Harley Benton
Here, the mini-switch is acts a coil-splitter. If you’re looking for more gain, more sustain, and more neck-humbucker tones, this model is likely a better fit for you than the HSS versions.
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Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSH Pro Series
HSH Models at
Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH for a powerful sound
The HH models* from Harley Benton Fusion-IV are the “most metal” Superstrats in the lineup, sonically speaking. Two Tesla humbuckers, volume and tone controls, a mini-switch (alter switch), and a five-way switch make these high-gain beasts appealing to anyone who is looking a more screeching, brutal, and dynamic sound
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Harley Benton Fusion-IV HSH Pro Series
HH Models at
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