Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley: Is It Worth It?

Hey guitar lovers! Today, we're diving deep into the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley to see if this eye-catching axe lives up to the hype. If you're looking for a guitar that combines vintage aesthetics with modern playability, and does not break your bank, then keep reading. We’ll explore everything from its design and build quality to its sound and overall value.

First Impressions: A Paisley Dream

Okay, let's be real – the first thing that grabs your attention is that stunning black paisley finish. It’s not every day you see a guitar decked out in such a unique and bold pattern. The Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley definitely stands out from the crowd. The finish is smooth and glossy, giving the guitar a premium look that you wouldn't necessarily expect at this price point. The black paisley design is intricate and detailed, and it catches the light beautifully, making it a real head-turner on stage or in your living room. Beyond the aesthetics, the guitar feels solid and well-built right out of the box. The body is made of basswood, which is a lightweight wood that provides a balanced tonal foundation. This makes the guitar comfortable to play for extended periods, whether you're practicing for hours or performing live. The neck is made of maple, which is known for its bright and snappy tone, and it has a smooth satin finish that feels great in your hand. The combination of the basswood body and maple neck gives the guitar a versatile sound that can handle a variety of musical styles. The overall fit and finish of the guitar are impressive, with no noticeable flaws or imperfections. The hardware, including the tuners, bridge, and pickups, all appear to be of decent quality and are well-installed. This attention to detail is a testament to Harley Benton's commitment to providing quality instruments at affordable prices. So, from the initial impression, the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley scores high marks for its striking design and solid build quality. It's a guitar that looks and feels more expensive than it actually is, making it an attractive option for beginners and experienced players alike. The guitar’s visual appeal is undeniable, and it’s sure to spark conversations and turn heads wherever you go.

Features and Specs: What's Under the Hood?

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty and explore the features and specs of the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley. Knowing what's under the hood will help you understand what makes this guitar tick and whether it's the right fit for your playing style.

Body and Neck

As we mentioned earlier, the body is made of basswood, known for its lightweight and balanced tonal properties. This makes the guitar comfortable to play for long periods without causing fatigue. The neck is crafted from maple, providing a bright and snappy tone. The neck profile is a modern "C" shape, which is comfortable and easy to grip for most players. The fretboard is made of roseacer, a thermally treated maple that resembles rosewood in appearance and feel. It has 22 frets, which are well-finished and smooth, allowing for comfortable bending and vibrato. The neck also features a vintage-style truss rod, which allows you to adjust the neck's curvature to suit your playing preferences. This is a crucial feature for maintaining optimal playability, especially in varying climates. The scale length of the guitar is 25.5 inches, which is the standard for Stratocaster-style guitars. This scale length provides a comfortable string tension and contributes to the guitar's bright and articulate tone.

Pickups and Electronics

The Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley comes equipped with three Roswell STA alnico-5 single-coil pickups. Alnico-5 magnets are known for their balanced and versatile tone, making them suitable for a wide range of musical styles. The pickups deliver a classic Stratocaster sound, with a bright and clear tone that's perfect for blues, rock, and pop. The guitar has a standard Stratocaster-style control layout, with a five-way pickup selector switch, a master volume control, and two tone controls. The five-way switch allows you to select different pickup combinations, giving you a variety of tonal options. The master volume control allows you to adjust the overall output of the guitar, while the two tone controls allow you to shape the high and low frequencies of the neck and middle pickups, respectively. The electronics are well-shielded, which helps to reduce unwanted noise and interference. This is an important consideration for live performance and recording situations, where a clean and quiet signal is essential.

Hardware

The hardware on the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley is functional and reliable. The guitar features a vintage-style tremolo bridge, which allows you to add vibrato and other effects to your playing. The tremolo arm is comfortable to hold and easy to use, and the bridge provides decent sustain and tuning stability. The tuners are Kluson-style, which are known for their smooth and accurate tuning. They hold the strings in tune well, even with heavy use of the tremolo arm. The nut is made of synthetic bone, which is a durable and resonant material that helps to improve the guitar's sustain and tone. The hardware is finished in chrome, which complements the black paisley finish and gives the guitar a sleek and modern look.

Sound Quality: Does It Deliver?

Now, let's talk about the sound. The Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley aims for that classic Stratocaster vibe, and for the most part, it nails it. The Roswell STA alnico-5 single-coil pickups provide a bright, articulate tone with plenty of clarity. In the bridge position, you get that classic spanky sound that's perfect for funk, rock, and blues. The middle position offers a more rounded tone that's great for rhythm playing and clean chords. And the neck position delivers a warm, mellow tone that's ideal for lead playing and jazz. The five-way pickup selector switch gives you access to a variety of tonal options, allowing you to dial in the perfect sound for any musical style. The in-between positions (neck/middle and bridge/middle) offer a scooped, quacky tone that's perfect for rhythm playing and clean arpeggios. Overall, the sound quality of the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley is impressive for a guitar in this price range. The pickups are responsive and dynamic, and they capture the nuances of your playing. The guitar has plenty of sustain and resonance, and it sounds great through a variety of amplifiers and effects.

Clean Tones

When it comes to clean tones, the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley really shines. The single-coil pickups deliver a clear and articulate tone that's perfect for a variety of musical styles. The neck pickup provides a warm and mellow tone that's ideal for jazz and blues, while the middle pickup offers a more balanced and versatile tone that's great for rhythm playing and clean chords. The bridge pickup delivers a bright and spanky tone that's perfect for funk and country. The in-between positions (neck/middle and bridge/middle) offer a scooped, quacky tone that's perfect for clean arpeggios and rhythm playing.

Overdrive and Distortion

With overdrive and distortion, the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley can hold its own. The single-coil pickups provide plenty of bite and aggression, making it suitable for rock, blues, and even metal. The bridge pickup delivers a searing, high-gain tone that's perfect for lead playing, while the neck pickup offers a warmer, more rounded tone that's great for rhythm playing. The middle pickup provides a balanced and versatile tone that can handle a variety of overdrive and distortion levels. The guitar responds well to different types of overdrive and distortion pedals, allowing you to dial in the perfect sound for your playing style.

Playability: How Does It Feel?

Playability is key, right? No matter how good a guitar sounds, if it's uncomfortable to play, you won't want to pick it up. Thankfully, the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley scores well in this department. The maple neck with its modern "C" shape is comfortable and easy to grip. It feels smooth in your hand, allowing for effortless movement up and down the fretboard. The roseacer fretboard is also smooth and well-finished, providing a comfortable playing surface. The 22 frets are well-seated and level, allowing for comfortable bending and vibrato. The action (the height of the strings above the frets) is set low from the factory, making it easy to play chords and solos. The guitar is also lightweight, which makes it comfortable to play for extended periods. Overall, the playability of the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley is excellent for a guitar in this price range. It's a comfortable and easy-to-play instrument that will inspire you to pick it up and play more often.

Value for Money: Is It Worth the Investment?

Okay, let's get down to brass tacks: Is the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley worth your hard-earned cash? In my opinion, absolutely. For the price, you're getting a guitar that looks great, sounds good, and plays well. It's an excellent option for beginners who are looking for an affordable and versatile instrument, as well as experienced players who want a fun and unique guitar to add to their collection. The Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley offers incredible value for money. It's a well-built and versatile instrument that's perfect for a variety of musical styles. The guitar's striking design and solid build quality make it an attractive option for both beginners and experienced players. The guitar's sound quality is impressive for a guitar in this price range, and its comfortable playability makes it a joy to play.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Stunning black paisley finish
• Comfortable neck and playability
• Versatile sound with alnico-5 pickups
• Excellent value for money

Cons:

• Some may prefer different pickups
• Hardware is functional but not top-of-the-line

Final Verdict: A Paisley Powerhouse?

So, there you have it. The Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley is a guitar that offers a lot for the money. Its unique aesthetics, solid build quality, and versatile sound make it a great choice for players of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, this guitar is sure to impress. If you're looking for a guitar that stands out from the crowd and delivers great performance without breaking the bank, the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley is definitely worth considering. It's a paisley powerhouse that's sure to inspire you to pick it up and play more often. So go ahead and give it a try – you might just fall in love with its unique charm and versatile sound.