Review of the Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-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 CLP-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.

  • 00-12 Design with dovetail construction
  • Solid mahogany top
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Modified oval C neck profile
  • Snowflakes mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays
  • Wooden body binding
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 45 mm
  • 18 Frets
  • Bone nut and saddle
  • Compensated saddle
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • D’Addario XTAPB Light strings, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Matching case avaialble under Article Nr 122211 (not included)

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

This guitar usually has a price around 155.00 €

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

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M - Sound Demo (no talking)

Post you may be interested in

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

Comment:

I ordered this guitar based on the reviews on YouTube. Generally the people reviewing it are very impressed. I have to say I was surprised, but not impressed. But in all honesty I also have an Eastman acoustic and Eastmans just beats ALL acoustic guitars out there in terms of qc, playability and sound. Honest comparison could be Recording King. I’ve had a Recording King before and that one needed a lot more work as opposed to the HB in order to make it playable!

Truth be told: if you buy this guitar, just know it needs a bit of TLC.

1) the frets are not polished. This is an easy task you just use 0000 steel wool. Kudos to Thomann regarding the fret ends. These are nicely dressed, not sharp just a bit rough, but this you can solve this using the steel wool I just mentioned.

2) string height at 12th fret. There is a qc card which says 2.5mm at 6th string 12th fret. This wasn’t the case, it was 3mm. The relief is good and the action at the first fret is about 0.6mm which is fine, especially since this is a short scale guitar (easier to fret).
I have to see if I’m going to sand the saddle down, there is a bit of saddle height you can work with, but it’s not a lot. Maybe there are some shims underneath but I don’t know yet.

3) the frets are pretty much even! I have a fret rocker and it didn’t rock, only at the 14th fret or so. No one cares about that ;).

Overall it is a nice guitar for the money. If you know your way with setting up guitars yourself you can’t go wrong. The price doesn’t justify going to a luthier which is a shame really, but I do think that if you work a bit on this guitar you have an absolute belter. I’m not sure I will keep it though. I will decide within a week or so.

EDIT: So after 3 months of owning this guitar, I decided it needed a new owner. It still was amazing for the price but a parlor guitar isn’t for me. I bought a harley benton st-90 in return 😀

Comment:

After strumming an old cheap laminated Jumbo acoustic guitar for a couple of months, I decided to buy something decent to learn on, I didn’t want to spent too much money in case I lost interest, or failed to learn.
I ordered the guitar on Monday, it arrived UK early on Thursday, well packaged.
First thing that hits you is the lovely smell of mahogany wood, then the solid build as you lift it,, man, I was already impressed, I tuned it up and played a few simple chords, lovely rich tone and well balanced sound, lovely action, and just enough base, and clear ringing bottom strings without any harshness. I strummed and picked until my fingers were sore. Picked it up after breakfast on Friday and already learnt my first ever song The Beatles "And I love her" simple note picking and the guitar does it’s job beautifully, with clear ringing 10th fret to take you back up the neck for the finishing touches on the base notes .
No set up needed, frets are fine, good overall construction, lovely Matt finish, great value for money.

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

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M is usually 34 € 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 CLP-15M

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-15MCE
  • 00-12 Design with dovetail construction
  • Solid mahogany top
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Modified oval C neck profile
  • Snowflakes mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays
  • Wooden body binding
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 45 mm
  • 18 Frets
  • Bone nut and saddle
  • Compensated saddle
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • D’Addario XTAPB Light strings, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Matching case avaialble under Article Nr 122211 (not included)
  • 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 CLP-15M vs Harley Benton D-120CE NT

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M is usually 89 € more expensive than Harley Benton D-120CE NT.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M

Harley Benton D-120CE NT
  • 00-12 Design with dovetail construction
  • Solid mahogany top
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Modified oval C neck profile
  • Snowflakes mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays
  • Wooden body binding
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 45 mm
  • 18 Frets
  • Bone nut and saddle
  • Compensated saddle
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • D’Addario XTAPB Light strings, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Matching case avaialble under Article Nr 122211 (not included)
  • 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 CLP-15M vs Harley Benton D-120CE BK

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M is usually 89 € more expensive than Harley Benton D-120CE BK.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M

Harley Benton D-120CE BK
  • 00-12 Design with dovetail construction
  • Solid mahogany top
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Modified oval C neck profile
  • Snowflakes mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays
  • Wooden body binding
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 45 mm
  • 18 Frets
  • Bone nut and saddle
  • Compensated saddle
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • D’Addario XTAPB Light strings, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Matching case avaialble under Article Nr 122211 (not included)
  • 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 CLP-15M vs Harley Benton D-120CE TB

The guitar Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M is usually 89 € more expensive than Harley Benton D-120CE TB.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15M

Harley Benton D-120CE TB
  • 00-12 Design with dovetail construction
  • Solid mahogany top
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Modified oval C neck profile
  • Snowflakes mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays
  • Wooden body binding
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 45 mm
  • 18 Frets
  • Bone nut and saddle
  • Compensated saddle
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • D’Addario XTAPB Light strings, .012 – .053 (Article Nr 471307)
  • Colour: Natural matte
  • Matching case avaialble under Article Nr 122211 (not included)
  • 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 CLP-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.

Also look at these models with a similar price and features:

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.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below