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Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern
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Playability
80
Sound
77
Build
64
Value
84
Score
74
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Playability
80
Sound
76
Build
62
Value
83
Score
73
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Harley Benton EX-76 Classic vs EX-84 Modern

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic over EX-84 Modern

Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Value Score
84 vs 83
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern over EX-76 Classic

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them

Other Key Differences
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic vs EX-84 Modern

Bridge Pickup
Roswell LAF Alnico-5 vs Roswell LZ51
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Roswell LAF Alnico-5 vs Roswell LZ56
Different Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Purpleheart vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic vs EX-84 Modern

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.886'' (22.5mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.984'' (25mm)
Same neck comfortability
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
15'' (381mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

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

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Harley Benton EX-76 Classic is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the Harley Benton EX-84 Modern's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Harley Benton EX-76 Classic wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Harley Benton EX-84 Modern has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Harley Benton EX-84 Modern
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Tribute series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
  • Harley Benton Slim Taper C Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Machine Heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Harley Benton EX-84 Modern Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Tribute series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Roswell LZ51 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Roswell LZ56 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
  • Harley Benton Slim Taper C Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Machine Heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

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 Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Harley Benton EX-76 Classic

Purpleheart wood pattern used for guitar building
Purpleheart

Purpleheart (also known as Amaranth) is a hard, dense wood with a brilliant tone. As its name suggests, the purple color makes this wood look exotic.

Woods Used in the Harley Benton EX-84 Modern

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

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.

Winner: Harley Benton EX-84 Modern.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. 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.

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.

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: Tie.

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

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic and Harley Benton EX-84 Modern pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic and Harley Benton EX-84 Modern's switch options

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 EX-76 Classic.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern
Pickups 90
Sustain 90
Versatility 44
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 76

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 Harley Benton EX-76 Classic compares to the Harley Benton EX-84 Modern.

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.

In this case, both have Ivory Tusq nuts. 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.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

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: Tie.

Tuners

They both have 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.

Winner: Tie.

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 Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
Quality of materials 66
Features 60
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 64
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern
Quality of materials 61
Features 60
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 62

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

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42mm (1.654'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic and Harley Benton EX-84 Modern'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 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

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

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same 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 Harley Benton EX-76 Classic and the Harley Benton EX-84 Modern 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

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard 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.

Both the Harley Benton EX-76 Classic and the Harley Benton EX-84 Modern have the same fretboard radius of 15". This radius y closer to the 12'' that most Les Paul guitars have, but a bit flatter. It'll make it easier to play single notes than chords, but it's still comfortable for playing chords without muting strings.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

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

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic Frets Size
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic's Frets Size
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern Frets Size
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern's Frets Size

The Harley Benton EX-84 Modern has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton EX-76 Classic's 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

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80

Specs Side-by-Side

Harley Benton EX-76 Classic vs EX-84 Modern
General Harley Benton EX-76 Classic EX-84 Modern
Brand: Harley Benton Harley Benton
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Tribute Tribute
Colors: Natural White, Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Locking Machine Heads Grover Locking Machine Heads
Fretboard: Purpleheart Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Decoration: White Dot Fretboard Inlays White Dot Fretboard Inlays
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: Harley Benton Slim Taper C Harley Benton Slim Taper C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.984'' (25mm) 1st Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.984'' (25mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 15" 15"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) Roswell LZ51 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) Roswell LZ56 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 1 1