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Solar T1.6Vinter
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
70
Value
75
Score
75
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Playability
70
Sound
77
Build
69
Value
82
Score
72
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Solar T1.6Vinter vs Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB

Reasons to Get
Solar T1.6Vinter over Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB

Release Year
2022 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs Coil Split
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.807'' (20.5mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.886'' (22.5mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Evertune vs Tremolo
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB over Solar T1.6Vinter

Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Graphite
Resistant, good tuning stability and rich tone
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs Multi-Voicing
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.807'' (20.5mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.886'' (22.5mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Evertune
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
82 vs 75
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Solar T1.6Vinter vs Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern vs Roswell LAF-B-CR Alnico-5
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern vs Roswell LAF-N-CR Alnico-5
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Sapele
Different Body Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar T1.6Vinter vs Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
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
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 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 Solar T1.6Vinter is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The Solar T1.6Vinter wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB 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 HH EB is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

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

The Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Solar T1.6Vinter 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

Solar T1.6Vinter
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB
  • 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.

Solar T1.6Vinter Overview

  • From Solar's 2022 Type T series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune F-Type bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Pro series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Sapele body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Roswell LAF-B-CR Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Roswell LAF-N-CR Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Wilkinson Tremolo bridge
  • Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • WSC staggered locking die-cast 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

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

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.

Woods Used in the Solar T1.6Vinter

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB

Sapele wood pattern used for guitar building
Sapele

It's similar to Mahogany in both color and tone. It can produce warm tones, and it's known for its beautiful figured grain patterns. Find out more about Sapele.

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.

However, the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Solar T1.6Vinter's and use them on any guitar:

The Solar T1.6Vinter's pickups are Active while the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB'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 HH EB.

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.

Both give you different pickup mod options.

The Solar T1.6Vinter offers Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

On the other hand, the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB comes with the following: 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.

Solar T1.6Vinter pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Solar T1.6Vinter's switch options
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB'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 Fusion-T HH EB.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Solar T1.6Vinter
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 81
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 75
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 Solar T1.6Vinter compares to the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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 Solar T1.6Vinter has a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

On the other hand, the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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: Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB.

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.

The Solar T1.6Vinter's brige is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

On the other hand, the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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: Solar T1.6Vinter.

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 Solar T1.6Vinter has 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.

On the other hand, the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB comes with 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: Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar T1.6Vinter
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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

Solar T1.6Vinter
Quality of materials 66
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 70
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB
Quality of materials 71
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

Solar T1.6Vinter Nut Width
Solar T1.6Vinter Nut Width
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB Nut Width
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar T1.6Vinter has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Solar T1.6Vinter, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Solar T1.6Vinter and Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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

Solar T1.6Vinter Neck Profile
Solar T1.6Vinter's neck profile
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB Neck Profile
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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 Solar T1.6Vinter and the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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

Solar T1.6Vinter Fingerboard Radius
Solar T1.6Vinter's Fingerboard radius
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB Fingerboard Radius
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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 Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Solar T1.6Vinter'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 Solar T1.6Vinter.

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 Solar T1.6Vinter favors large hands more than the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Solar T1.6Vinter:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar T1.6Vinter Frets Size
Solar T1.6Vinter's Frets Size
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB Frets Size
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB's Frets Size

The Solar T1.6Vinter has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH 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

Solar T1.6Vinter
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar T1.6Vinter vs Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB
General Solar T1.6Vinter Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB
Brand: Solar Harley Benton
Year: 2022 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Type T Pro
Colors: White Matte Black, Blue
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Sapele
Bridge: Evertune F-Type Wilkinson Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Locking Type WSC staggered locking die-cast
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Solar C Shape Harley Benton Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12"
Nut: Graphite Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Roswell LAF-B-CR Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Roswell LAF-N-CR Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1