Best Electric Guitars Under $400 in 2026
Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $400. Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $400.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: V (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (3 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton EX-76 Classic | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Tribute | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Locking Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Purpleheart | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | White Dot Fretboard Inlays | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Slim Taper C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.984'' (25mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
2. Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (63 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (62 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (27 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (16 votes)
Show All Specs
| Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Jackson | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | JS | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Gray | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Jackson Sealed Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Amaranth | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Sharkfin | |
| Scale Size: | 22.5" | |
| Shape: | Speed | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" to 16" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X
Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in China
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
3. Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (6 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (8 votes)
Show All Specs
| Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Squier | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Beginner Electric Guitars & Basses | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle Hardtail | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Standard Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Indian Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 22.75" | |
| Shape: | C | |
| Frets: | 20 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 40.6mm (1.6'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster
Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Top Brand Pickups
- 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
All Prices
4. Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (11 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Cutlass Short Scale | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass | |
| Colors: | Green, Pink | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Fulcrum Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 24" | |
| Shape: | Cutlass | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
- Compensated Nut
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (3 votes)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (3 votes)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (13 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (17 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gretsch | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Streamliner | |
| Colors: | Gold, White, Blue, Brown | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Nato | |
| Bridge: | Wrap-Around | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Nato | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42.8mm (1.685'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- 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
All Prices
6. Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (69 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (54 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (26 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (25 votes)
Show All Specs
| Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Schecter | |
| Year: | 2015 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | C-6 Plus/Deluxe | |
| Colors: | White, Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Basswood | |
| Bridge: | SGR by Floyd Rose | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Schecter | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | 4mm Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 14" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Schecter Diamond Plus (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Schecter Diamond Plus (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe
Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Ibanez GRGM21M
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (16 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (19 votes)
Show All Specs
| Ibanez GRGM21M | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Ibanez | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | miKro | |
| Colors: | White, Black, Red, Purple | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | F106 | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Ibanez | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black dot inlay | |
| Scale Size: | 22.2" | |
| Shape: | GRGM | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.768'' (19.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.846'' (21.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.748" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 41mm (1.614'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Infinity R (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Infinity R (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez GRGM21M
Ibanez GRGM21M
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- 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
All Prices
8. ESP LTD Viper-10
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Hard (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
- Weight: Slightly heavy (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: D (41 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (51 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (6 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (6 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP LTD Viper-10 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP LTD | |
| Year: | 2015 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Viper | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Basswood | |
| Bridge: | TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | LTD | |
| Fretboard: | Engineered Hardwood | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | ESP Designed LH-100B (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | ESP Designed LH-100N (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-10
ESP LTD Viper-10
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- 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
All Prices
9. Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: V (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (3 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Tribute | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Wsc Tune-O-Matic | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Locking Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Purpleheart | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | White Dot Fretboard Inlays | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Slim Taper C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.984'' (25mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (22 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noisy (3 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (5 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Pro | |
| Colors: | Brown Burst, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Flame Maple Veneer | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Nyatoh | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Grover GH305 6L | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Clay Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Modern C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Roswell HAF-N Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- No Locking Tuners
- 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
