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EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
VS
Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
63
Value
77
Score
72
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Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
69
Value
84
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote vs Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB Specs Comparison
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
General
Brand: EVH Harley Benton
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HSH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Wolfgang Standard Pro
Colors: Natural Purple, Green Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Nyatoh
Bridge: EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Special Locking Tremolo Wilkinson Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: EVH-Branded WSC staggered locking die-cast
Fretboard: Baked Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Baked Maple Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Clay Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Wolfgang Backshape Harley Benton Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12"
Nut: Locking Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Roswell S74-C BK Alnico-5 (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Roswell HAF-N Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote pickups switch and push knobs diagram
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote's switch options
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB's switch options

Reasons to Get
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote over Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB

Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickups
HH vs HSH
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.807'' (20.5mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.88'' (22.4mm) vs 0.886'' (22.5mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Tremolo
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB over EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSH vs HH
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.807'' (20.5mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.886'' (22.5mm) vs 0.88'' (22.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Tremolo vs Floyd Rose
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Value Score
84 vs 77
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote vs Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB

Bridge Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking vs Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking vs Roswell HAF-N Alnico-5
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Nyatoh
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote vs Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Bocote vs Ultra Flame Maple Veneer
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

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    Hand Size Comfortability

    After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both favor small hands .

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

    New Player Friendliness

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable shape
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners
    • Easy-to-use bridge

    New Player Friendliness

    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Locking tuners
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale

    Sound Quality Comparison

    The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

    Woods Used in the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote

    Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Roasted Maple
    Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
    Basswood

    Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

    Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

    Woods Used in the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB

    Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Maple
    Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
    Ebony
    Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
    Nyatoh

    Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

    Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

    Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

    Winner: Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB.

    Pickup Configuration

    The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote has an HH configuration while the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB has HSH pickups.

    Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

    On the other hand, HSH is a versatile pickup configuration that will give you the high output, full tone, and quiet sound of humbucker pickups, but with the possibility of using a single coil for cleaner tones. The disadvantage is that the middle single-coil pickup will have a noticeable lower volume, so you might want to adjust the height of the pickups. Another problem is that if you set the middle pickup too high, it might interfere with your picking hand.

    Pickups Quality

    Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

    However, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

    Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

    Winner: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote.

    Versatility Comparison

    Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

    Switch Options

    The Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB gives you 5 switch options while the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote gives you 3. This means that the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

    Only the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

    Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

    When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

    Winner: Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote
    Pickups 90
    Sustain 80
    Versatility 64
    Tuning Stability 85
    Sound 80
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
    Pickups 85
    Sustain 70
    Versatility 85
    Tuning Stability 75
    Sound 79

    Build Quality Comparison

    When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote compares to the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

    Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

    Winner: Tie

    Nut Material

    If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

    The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote has a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

    On the other hand, the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB comes with a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

    Winner: Tie.

    Fret Material

    Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

    In this comparison, the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

    Winner: Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB.

    Bridge

    The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

    The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote's brige is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

    On the other hand, the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB's is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

    Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

    Winner: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote.

    Tuners

    The Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

    Nevertheless, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

    Winner: Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB.

    Neck Joint

    Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

    Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

    Winner: Tie.

    Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote
    • Locking Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Tremolo
    • Compound Radius Fretboard
    • Retainer Bar
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Expensive Woods
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
    • Stainless Steel Frets
    • Locking Tuners
    • Expensive Wood
    • Ivory Tusq Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Coil Split Pickups
    • Tremolo
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    Final Build Quality Scores

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote
    Quality of materials 45
    Features 75
    Quality Control 70
    Build Quality 63
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
    Quality of materials 73
    Features 70
    Quality Control 65
    Build Quality 69

    Playability Comparison

    Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

    Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

    Nut Width

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote Nut Width
    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote Nut Width
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB Nut Width
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 0.7mm (0.029'') difference

    This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

    Scale Length

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote and Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB's Scale Length
    Both have the same scale length

    The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

    In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

    This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

    However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

    Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

    Neck Profile

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote Neck Profile
    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote's neck profile
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB Neck Profile
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB's neck profile

    No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

    Both the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote and the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

    Fretboard Radius

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote Fretboard Compound Radius
    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote's Compound Fretboard Radius
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB Fingerboard Radius
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB's Fingerboard radius

    Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

    In this case, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

    Fret Size

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote Frets Size
    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote's Frets Size
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB Frets Size
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB's Frets Size

    The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB's Medium Jumbo frets.

    Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

    Final Playability Scores

    EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Bocote
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
    Chord Playability 70
    Solo Playability 80
    Playability 73
    Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
    Chord Playability 70
    Solo Playability 80
    Playability 73