Harley Benton CLG Series: New 650SM Models with Vintage Looks!
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Harley Benton CLG Series: New 650SM Models with Vintage Looks! · Source: Harley Benton
[June 2, 2025] The Harley Benton CLG series and CLC series are expanding! Two colors are available for each of the Grand Auditorium and Grand Concert sizes: Black or Vintage Sunburst. And they look very stylish!
All About the CLG Series
CLG-650SM-CE: Two Grand Auditorium models
Two new acoustic guitars join the Harley Benton CLG series: the CLG-650SM-CE Black and the CLG-650SM-CE Vintage Sunburst. As with previous models, the top is solid A-grade Sitka spruce, but the back and sides are now made from African mahogany. The neck is made from Okoumé (C profile) with a fretboard radius of 400 mm and mother-of-pearl inlays with 20 frets.
These models are pretty stylish. They feature closed tuners, an HB-03 pickup system with a tuner, and a bone saddle. The slightly smaller CLC series in Grand Concert format is also available in Black and Vintage Sunburst. In terms of wood, hardware, and electronics, the models are identical to those in the Harley Benton CLG series.
All four acoustic guitars come with 12 strings (Daddario XTAPB1253) and a matching case is available as an option. Each guitar costs €349 at Thomann.
[December 3, 2024] Anyway, here’s Harley Benton. Just in time for Christmas, the new Harley Benton CLG Series includes eight acoustic guitar models. These come in two different body shapes, a Fishman preamp system, and, of course, at a price that’s hard to beat for beginners.
Harley Benton CLG Series: Orchestra vs. Grand Auditorium
The new Harley Benton CLG series, also called the Custom Line Series, aims to be the go-to acoustic guitar series for beginners. It seems to include a lot of what HB is known for these days: high-quality materials at a very enticing price. Generally speaking, there are four models each for the two body shapes Grand Auditorium and Orchestra.
While Grand Auditorium models come with a cutaway and an armrest, the four Orchestra models lack a cutaway. Let’s take a look at the four models in the Grand Auditorium range first:
- Harley Benton CLG-70SR CE NAT*: Natural Satin Finish at 249 euros
- Harley Benton CLG-70SR CE SBK*: Natural Satin Finish with black top at 269 euros
- Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT All Solid*: Natural Satin Finish at 349 euros
- Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK All Solid*: Natural Satin Finish with black top at 369 euros
All four models have tops made of selective Canadian Sitka spruce; however, the all-solid models offer just that: all-solid woods. This means their tonality might be a bit rounder and fuller. The back and sides of each model are made from selected Sonokeling rosewood, adding depth and warmth to the sound. The scalloped X-bracing ensures enhanced projection and stability, making it a versatile instrument for various playing styles.
No Cutaway: The Orchestra Models
The four Orchestra body shape models in the Harley Benton CLG series share the wood types used in the Grand Auditorium models. Here, too, the smooth C-shaped Nato neck is joined to the body at the 14th fret with a dovetail connection. And the fingerboard, also made from selected Sonokeling rosewood, features a 380 mm radius and 3 mm MOP dot inlays, offering a sleek and responsive playing experience. These are the four models:
- Harley Benton CLO-70SR NAT*: Natural Satin Finish at 199 euros
- Harley Benton CLO-70SR SKB*: Natural Satin Finish with Black Top at 219 euros
- Harley Benton CLO-70ASR NAT All Solid*: Natural Satin Finish at 299 euros
- Harley Benton CLO-70ASR SKB All Solid*: Natural Satin Finish with Black Top at 319 euros
With a scale length of 649 mm and a 43 mm bone nut, the Harley Benton CLG series provides a comfortable setup suitable for both beginners and seasoned players. 20 Premium silver-nickel frets, a Sonokeling rosewood bridge, and ebony bridge pins with mahogany dots further add to the guitar’s aesthetics and tonal quality.
HB has also opted for different tuners between the four standard models and the four all-solid models. The standard Harley Benton CLG series models include open chrome tuners with a 16:1 ratio, while the all solid-models come with DLX open black/gold 16:1 ratio tuners. The four acoustic guitars from the CLG series are set up with a Fishman Sonocore pickup and a Fishman Presys II preamp that comes with a dedicated guitar tuner, while the CLO models do not come with any sort of preamp.
More on Harley Benton and the new Acoustic Guitars
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