Review of the Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M Acoustic guitar. Where to buy it?

I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M guitar. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar items so you can compare.

  • Design: Dreadnought with dovetail construction
  • Top: Solid mahogany
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Pau Ferro
  • Neck profile: Modified Oval C
  • Fretboard inlays: Mother-of-pearl Snowflake
  • Body binding: Wooden
  • Scale: 643 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • 20 Frets
  • Nut: Bone
  • Saddle: Compensated bone
  • Bridge: Pau Ferro
  • Machine heads: Chrome-plated diecast DLX
  • Strings: D’Addario XTAPB1253 Light, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte

review harley-benton-custom-line-cld-15m

This guitar usually has a price around 144.00 €

Now that we’ve seen the features of this guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M watch these related videos to learn more.

Review: Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

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Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:

Comment:

I am very lucky and own a Martin d-15, I was looking for a second guitar to use for open tunings and researched the Martin X series, Sigma, Epiphone and Harley Benton guitars. I didn’t think this could be much good because it was so cheap – but after looking at a lot of reviews and videos, I thought I’d give it a chance. I thought it would be thin and lacking in a quality sound – but it has really knocked me out.

It’s not a Martin D15, but it’s pretty close, considering the price. I’ve also compared his to a Yamaha F310, which is also a great guitar for the money, but while the F310 feels weedy and insubstantial, the CLD-15M feels like a real guitar. Solid, robust, the tone rings out and resonates. It’s louder than the Martin and more "brassy", it lacks some of the subtlety and nuance, but then it’s a lot cheaper!

The bridge pins are pretty horrible, but I think to replace these it’s going to need the holes reaming out as they are a non-standard size. The bridge and nut are good though. The action is great, very solidly playable all the way up the neck, some slight buzzing on fret 3 on the A string when I really hit it hard, but nothing too bad. It feels very solidly put together.

The down side of this guitar is the idea that, if this guitar is so nice at only £150, then maybe all the other Harley Bentons at this price are also nice – I’m going to need more space for guitars!

Edit – 6 months on and I’ve put 13-56 strings on this guitar, adjusted the truss rod for the heavier strings and replaced the bridge pins. I used some graph-tech pins that I already had and sanded them down to fit – it was easier than I had expected. Now it sounds amazing! I recently did an online gig of Roy Harper songs using this guitar in DADGAD and my Martin for standard tuning and the two sit side by side quite comfortably.

Comment:

I have owned two Martin D-15Ms over the years, but ended up selling them due to money troubles. I wanted to add an all mahogany guitar to my collection, but couldn’t afford another Martin. I bought the CLD-15M based purely from the feedback on the Thomann website.

When it arrived, I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. It is so well made, not a flaw to be seen. The set-up was perfect- a nice low action with no buzz and full saddle height. Perfect frets. I would hazard a guess that the guitar has been through a PLEK machine, as it seems almost too good a set-up to have been done by human hands.

The neck is a very slim low profile. I would have preferred it to be slightly chunkier but at this price, I am not complaining. I assumed I would have to change the tuners to Grovers, as cheap guitars almost universally have terrible tuners. The tuners on this guitar are sturdy, smooth and tight. The nut and saddle are bone, so no upgrade needed there either.

The sound? Nice. NICE!! It has a lovely honey sweetness to it. Mellow, rich.

The biggest difference I found compared to a Martin is the weight. It’s not a particularly heavy guitar, but the mahogany Martins are featherweight. For my purposes this is fine, as I wanted it to take out to sessions and busking. This guitar seems incredibly sturdy and well built. I’m confident that it can take a few knocks.

Before buying the CLD-15M, I was seriously considering the all mahogany Sigma guitars. I can’t see how the Sigma could be any better than this. It doesn’t sound as good as the Martin D-15M, but the Martin is ?1290, which is nearly 9 times the price of this guitar. It is not 9 times better in sound.

I am incredibly happy with my purchase and am seriously thinking about buying the CLA-28V when it is back in stock. I am also looking at a T.bone condenser mic, as it seems the own-branded Thomann products are sheer quality.

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M vs Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15MCE

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M is usually 45 € cheaper than Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15MCE, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15MCE
  • Design: Dreadnought with dovetail construction
  • Top: Solid mahogany
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Pau Ferro
  • Neck profile: Modified Oval C
  • Fretboard inlays: Mother-of-pearl Snowflake
  • Body binding: Wooden
  • Scale: 643 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • 20 Frets
  • Nut: Bone
  • Saddle: Compensated bone
  • Bridge: Pau Ferro
  • Machine heads: Chrome-plated diecast DLX
  • Strings: D’Addario XTAPB1253 Light, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Design: Dreadnought with cutaway
  • Dovetail construction
  • Top: Solid mahogany
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Pau Ferro
  • Neck profile: Modified oval C
  • Fretboard inlays: Snowflakes
  • Body binding: Wooden
  • Scale: 643 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • 20 Frets
  • Nut: Bone
  • Compensated saddle
  • Bridge: Pau Ferro
  • Machine heads: Chrome-plated diecast DLX
  • Strings: D’Addario XTAPB1253 Light (Article Nr 471307), .012 – .053
  • Pickup system: Fishman Presys-II preamp system with built-in tuner
  • Colour: Natural matte

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15MCE

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD 15MCE Review

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15MCE review

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M vs Harley Benton D-120CE NT

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M is usually 78 € more expensive than Harley Benton D-120CE NT.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M

Harley Benton D-120CE NT
  • Design: Dreadnought with dovetail construction
  • Top: Solid mahogany
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Pau Ferro
  • Neck profile: Modified Oval C
  • Fretboard inlays: Mother-of-pearl Snowflake
  • Body binding: Wooden
  • Scale: 643 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • 20 Frets
  • Nut: Bone
  • Saddle: Compensated bone
  • Bridge: Pau Ferro
  • Machine heads: Chrome-plated diecast DLX
  • Strings: D’Addario XTAPB1253 Light, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Build type: Dreadnought with cutaway
  • Top: Spruce
  • Back and sides: Mahogany
  • Neck: Mahogany (Sapele / Entandrophragma cylindricum)
  • Neck profile: C
  • Dovetail neck joint
  • Fretboard: Roseacer (thermally treated maple wood)
  • 20 Frets
  • Scale: 650 mm
  • Bridge: Roseacer (thermally treated maple wood)
  • Pickup with preamp with volume knob and 4-band EQ
  • Chrome-plated diecast machine heads
  • Strings: .010 – .047
  • Colour: Natural high-gloss

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton D-120CE NT

€75 Harley Benton D120CE NT Acoustic Guitar Review

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton D-120CE NT review

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M vs Harley Benton D-120CE BK

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M is usually 78 € more expensive than Harley Benton D-120CE BK.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M

Harley Benton D-120CE BK
  • Design: Dreadnought with dovetail construction
  • Top: Solid mahogany
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Pau Ferro
  • Neck profile: Modified Oval C
  • Fretboard inlays: Mother-of-pearl Snowflake
  • Body binding: Wooden
  • Scale: 643 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • 20 Frets
  • Nut: Bone
  • Saddle: Compensated bone
  • Bridge: Pau Ferro
  • Machine heads: Chrome-plated diecast DLX
  • Strings: D’Addario XTAPB1253 Light, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Design: Dreadnought with cutaway
  • Top: Spruce
  • Body: Mahogany (Entandrophragma cylindricum)
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Roseacer (thermally treated maple wood)
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard inlays: Dot
  • Cream-coloured bindings on the body and neck
  • Scale: 650 mm (25.59″)
  • Nut width: 42.5 mm (1.67″)
  • 20 Frets
  • Bridge: Roseacer (thermally treated maple wood)
  • Pickup includes preamp with volume control and 4-band EQ
  • Machine heads: Chrome-plated diecast
  • Strings: .010 – .047
  • Colour: Black, high-gloss

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton D-120CE BK

The Harley Benton D-120CE TB Bundle Unboxing and review

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton D-120CE BK review

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M vs Harley Benton D-120CE TB

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M is usually 78 € more expensive than Harley Benton D-120CE TB.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M

Harley Benton D-120CE TB
  • Design: Dreadnought with dovetail construction
  • Top: Solid mahogany
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Fretboard: Pau Ferro
  • Neck profile: Modified Oval C
  • Fretboard inlays: Mother-of-pearl Snowflake
  • Body binding: Wooden
  • Scale: 643 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • 20 Frets
  • Nut: Bone
  • Saddle: Compensated bone
  • Bridge: Pau Ferro
  • Machine heads: Chrome-plated diecast DLX
  • Strings: D’Addario XTAPB1253 Light, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Body shape: Dreadnought
  • With cutaway
  • Body: Mahogany (Entandrophragma cylindricum)
  • Top: Spruce
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Neck profile: C neck profile
  • Roseacer fretboard
  • Dot fretboard inlays
  • Cream bindings on the body and neck
  • Scale: 650 mm
  • Nut width: 42.5 mm
  • 20 Frets
  • Roseacer bridge
  • Pickup system with pre-amp
  • Controls: Volume and 4-band EQ
  • Chrome die cast machine heads
  • String thicknesses: .010″ – .047″
  • Colour: Translucent blue high gloss

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton D-120CE TB

The Harley Benton D-120CE TB Bundle Unboxing and review

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton D-120CE TB review

Where to buy the guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15M

Thomann

  • Free Shipping.
  • Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
  • 100% reliable payment.
  • Leader in trouble-free shipping.
  • Usually Best price.
  • Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
  • Sometimes better price.
  • He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

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Jaime Echagüe

Hi! I'm Jaime Echagüe, a musician and an authentic fan of musical instruments. With this blog I want to give general information about musical instruments in an easy, direct and honest way. I hope you enjoy my website and that you find it very useful.

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