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Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
VS
Playability
78
Sound
77
Build
69
Value
85
Score
75
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Playability
82
Sound
77
Build
79
Value
79
Score
79
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Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted vs Chapman ML3 Pro Modern

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

Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
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 79
Better price/quality relationship

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

Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
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
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
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 Pro Modern

Bridge Pickup
EMG Retro Active Hot 70 vs Seymour Duncan Pegasus
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
EMG Retro Active Hot 70 vs Seymour Duncan Sentient
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Nyatoh vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

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

Neck Wood
Roasted Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
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
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Expensive Wood
  • 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 Chapman ML3 Pro Modern is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's 75 score, although not by a lot.

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

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted is easier to play.

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 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 Pro 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 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 Pro Modern Overview

  • From Chapman's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour neck
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Chapman String Through hardtail bridge
  • C Shape Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (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 Both

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple

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.

Woods Used in the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted

Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
Nyatoh

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 Pro Modern

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

Winner: Tie.

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.

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

We found the same or similar pickups to the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's online:

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted's pickups are Active while the Chapman ML3 Pro 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: 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

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern gives you 5 switch options while the Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted gives you 3. This means that the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

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

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 Pro Modern pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Chapman ML3 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro Modern
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77

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 Pro Modern.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted is built in Indonesia while the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern is made in South Korea.

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.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

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 Pro 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.

Both in this comparison come with 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: 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.

The Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted has 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.

On the other hand, the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern comes with Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

Winner: Chapman ML3 Pro Modern.

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 Pro Modern
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Strap Lock
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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 Pro Modern
Quality of materials 81
Features 80
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 79

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 Pro 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 Pro Modern Neck Profile
Chapman ML3 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro Modern Fingerboard Radius
Chapman ML3 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro Modern:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted and Chapman ML3 Pro 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 Pro Modern
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 100
Playability 82

Specs Side-by-Side

Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted vs Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
General Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
Brand: Harley Benton Chapman
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: Pro Pro
Colors: Black White, Black, Blue
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Nyatoh Basswood
Bridge: WSC Hipshot style hardtail Chapman String Through hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Neck-Through
Tuners: WSC staggered locking die-cast Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing)
Fretboard: Roasted Maple Roasted Maple – Dark Colour
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Roasted Maple – Dark Colour
Decoration: 12 X 6mm black dots Glow-in-the-Dark Side Dots with Black 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 Stainless Steel
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) Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker / Active) Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1