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Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
Harley Benton MR-Modern
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Playability
78
Sound
82
Build
69
Value
71
Score
76
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Playability
70
Sound
77
Build
74
Value
84
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Harley Benton MR-Modern Specs Comparison
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Harley Benton MR-Modern
General
Brand: Strandberg Harley Benton
Year: 2022 2022
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Boden Standard Vintage
Colors: Green, Yellow White, Sunburst, Black, Blue, Red
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: American Basswood Alder
Bridge: Strandberg EGS Rev 7 fixed & string locks Wilkinson VS-50 II Precision Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: At bridge Kluson-style Wilkinson locking
Fretboard: Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Offset Luminlay Dots White Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" to 25" 25.5"
Shape: EndurNeck Harley Benton C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 1.2'' (30.5mm) - 12th Fret: 1.1'' (27.9mm) 1st Fret: 0.898'' (22.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.931'' (23.6mm)
Frets: 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Medium Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 20" 12"
Nut: Locking Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 36mm (1.417'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Strandberg custom OEM bridge humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Artec AHC-90 Soapbar (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Strandberg custom OEM neck humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Artec AHC-90 Soapbar (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Speed
Pickup Mods: Series Split Coil Tap
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Harley Benton MR-Modern pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton MR-Modern's switch options

Reasons to Get
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber over Harley Benton MR-Modern

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Scale Length
25.5" to 25" vs 25.5"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Pickup Mods
Series Split vs Coil Tap
Connects pickups in series to imitate a humbucker
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
1.2'' (30.5mm) vs 0.898'' (22.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
1.1'' (27.9mm) vs 0.931'' (23.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.417'' (36mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
20'' (508mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton MR-Modern over Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber

Scale Length
25.5" vs 25.5" to 25"
Easier to adapt to
Pickup Mods
Coil Tap vs Series Split
Lowers output of humbucker coil to create a single coil sound
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.898'' (22.8mm) vs 1.2'' (30.5mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.931'' (23.6mm) vs 1.1'' (27.9mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.417'' (36mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 20'' (508mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
84 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Harley Benton MR-Modern

Bridge Pickup
Strandberg custom OEM bridge humbucker vs Artec AHC-90 Soapbar
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Strandberg custom OEM neck humbucker vs Artec AHC-90 Soapbar
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
Headless vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Harley Benton MR-Modern

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
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
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
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
Medium Jumbo vs Medium
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

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

Price History Comparison

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    Harley Benton MR-Modern Prices

      SET PRICE ALERT

      These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

      Hand Size Comfortability

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

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands
      Harley Benton MR-Modern:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands

      Beginner Friendliness

      The Harley Benton MR-Modern meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber 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

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
      • Comfortable shape
      • Easy-to-use bridge
      • Tall frets
      • Narrow nut
      • Comfortable neck
      • Comfortable fretboard
      • Short scale
      • Locking tuners

      New Player Friendliness

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

      Sound Quality Comparison

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

      Woods Used in Both

      Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
      Maple

      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.

      Woods Used in the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber

      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.

      Woods Used in the Harley Benton MR-Modern

      Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
      Ebony
      Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
      Alder

      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.

      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.

      Winner: Harley Benton MR-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.

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

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

      Winner: Harley Benton MR-Modern.

      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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber gives you 5 switch options while the Harley Benton MR-Modern gives you 3. This means that the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

      Both give you different pickup mod options.

      The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber offers Series Split.

      The Series Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in series. When wired in series, the resulting tone is similar to a Humbucker's. The pickups will work together and produce a fuller tone with more output than single-coils, but less than Humbuckers.

      On the other hand, the Harley Benton MR-Modern comes with the following: Coil Tap.

      Coil Tap is similar to Coil Split but it works a bit differently. Instead of completely cancelling one of the coils of the humbucker, it only cuts part of the output once activated. Some people believe this gives the split pickups a more real single-coil sound.

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

      Winner: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

      Final Sound Quality Scores

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
      Pickups 85
      Sustain 75
      Versatility 82
      Tuning Stability 85
      Sound 82
      Harley Benton MR-Modern
      Pickups 100
      Sustain 60
      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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber compares to the Harley Benton MR-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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

      On the other hand, the Harley Benton MR-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.

      The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's brige is a 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.

      On the other hand, the Harley Benton MR-Modern'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: Tie.

      Tuners

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

      Nevertheless, the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

      Winner: Harley Benton MR-Modern.

      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
      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
      • Stainless Steel Frets
      • Locking Nut
      • Top Brand Pickups
      • Series Split Pickups
      • Luminescent Inlay
      • Made in Indonesia
      • No Expensive Woods
      • 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 MR-Modern
      • Stainless Steel Frets
      • Locking Tuners
      • Expensive Wood
      • Black Tusq XL Nut
      • Top Brand Pickups
      • Coil Tap 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

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
      Quality of materials 61
      Features 65
      Quality Control 80
      Build Quality 69
      Harley Benton MR-Modern
      Quality of materials 86
      Features 70
      Quality Control 65
      Build Quality 74

      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

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Nut Width
      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Nut Width
      Harley Benton MR-Modern Nut Width
      Harley Benton MR-Modern Nut Width

      The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Harley Benton MR-Modern has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 36mm (1.417''). This is a 6mm (0.237'') difference

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

      Scale Length

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Scale Length
      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Scale Length
      Harley Benton MR-Modern's Scale Length
      Harley Benton MR-Modern's 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, the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber features a multi-scale of 25.5" to 25" while the Harley Benton MR-Modern has a regular scale of 25.5".

      A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

      It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

      On the other hand, the Harley Benton MR-Modern's 25.5" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.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

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Neck Profile
      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's neck profile
      Harley Benton MR-Modern Neck Profile
      Harley Benton MR-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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber and the Harley Benton MR-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

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Fingerboard Radius
      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Fingerboard radius
      Harley Benton MR-Modern Fingerboard Radius
      Harley Benton MR-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 MR-Modern's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber'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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

      Fret Size

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Frets Size
      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Frets Size
      Harley Benton MR-Modern Frets Size
      Harley Benton MR-Modern's Frets Size

      The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has Medium Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton MR-Modern's Medium 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

      Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
      Chord Playability 75
      Solo Playability 80
      Playability 78
      Harley Benton MR-Modern
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
      Chord Playability 70
      Solo Playability 70
      Playability 70