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Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
Chapman ML3 Modern
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Playability
78
Sound
77
Build
69
Value
85
Score
75
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Playability
78
Sound
70
Build
59
Value
74
Score
69
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Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted vs Chapman ML3 Modern

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted over Chapman ML3 Modern

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Pickups Brand
EMG vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.807'' (20.5mm) vs 0.905'' (23mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.886'' (22.5mm) vs 0.944'' (24mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
85 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Chapman ML3 Modern over Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted

Decorative Top
Flame Maple Veneer On Flat Top with Gloss Finish vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.905'' (23mm) vs 0.807'' (20.5mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.944'' (24mm) vs 0.886'' (22.5mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Other Key Differences
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted vs Chapman ML3 Modern

Bridge Pickup
EMG Retro Active Hot 70 vs Chapman Sonorous Zerø Humbucker
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
EMG Retro Active Hot 70 vs Chapman Sonorous Zerø Humbucker
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Nyatoh vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted vs Chapman ML3 Modern

Headstock
R6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
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
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

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

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the Chapman ML3 Modern's 69 score, although not by a lot.

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Chapman ML3 Modern has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted is the better choice.

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Chapman ML3 Modern meets only 5. 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

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Chapman ML3 Modern
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2022 Pro series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Nyatoh body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • WSC Hipshot style hardtail bridge
  • Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Chapman ML3 Modern Overview

  • From Chapman's 2021 Standard series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer On Flat Top with Gloss Finish top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Chapman Sonorous Zerø Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Chapman Sonorous Zerø Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Chapman String-Through Hardtail bridge
  • C Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Chapman Classic Closed (18:1 Gearing) 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 the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted

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

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.

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

Woods Used in the Chapman ML3 Modern

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

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.

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.

Winner: Chapman ML3 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

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Chapman ML3 Modern. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Heavy Metal and similar genres.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's and use them on any guitar:

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's pickups are Active while the Chapman ML3 Modern's are Passive.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted.

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.

Only the Chapman ML3 Modern 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.

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's switch options
Chapman ML3 Modern pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Chapman ML3 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: Chapman ML3 Modern.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
Chapman ML3 Modern
Pickups 55
Sustain 85
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 70

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 Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted compares to the Chapman ML3 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.

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted has 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.

On the other hand, the Chapman ML3 Modern comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

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-T EMG HT Roasted 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-T EMG HT Roasted.

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

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted 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.

Winner: Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted.

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
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • 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
Chapman ML3 Modern
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • 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 Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
Quality of materials 81
Features 60
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 69
Chapman ML3 Modern
Quality of materials 53
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 59

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 Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted 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 Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted and Chapman ML3 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 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

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted Neck Profile
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's neck profile
Chapman ML3 Modern Neck Profile
Chapman ML3 Modern'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 Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted and the Chapman ML3 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 Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted Fingerboard Radius
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's Fingerboard radius
Chapman ML3 Modern Fingerboard Radius
Chapman ML3 Modern'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 Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Chapman ML3 Modern's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Chapman ML3 Modern.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Chapman ML3 Modern favors large hands more than the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Chapman ML3 Modern:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted and Chapman ML3 Modern Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78
Chapman ML3 Modern
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted vs Chapman ML3 Modern
General Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted Chapman ML3 Modern
Brand: Harley Benton Chapman
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Pro Standard
Colors: Black Blue, Orange, Red, Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Nyatoh Mahogany
Bridge: WSC Hipshot style hardtail Chapman String-Through Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: WSC staggered locking die-cast Chapman Classic Closed (18:1 Gearing)
Fretboard: Roasted Maple Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Maple
Decoration: 12 X 6mm black dots Pearl Side Dots and Pearl Front Dot Inlays with Pearl Infinity
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Harley Benton Modern C C Shape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) 1st Fret: 0.905'' (23mm) - 12th Fret: 0.944'' (24mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 13.78"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker / Active) Chapman Sonorous Zerø Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker / Active) Chapman Sonorous Zerø Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1