Harley Benton CG-45 Vintage Sunburst

Quality control must not exist on the cheaper HB range. Buy it by all means but have your Files, Straight Edge, Fret Rocker & Allen Key at the ready. I've sorted it but shouldn't have too! The fret ends are really a cause for concern. They are razor sharp and should be gradually sanded with 320, 800, 1500 grit paper/files at the very least. If you took this of a Music Shop wall you wouldn't buy it. It's just not finished for any player beginner or pro. This is the second one i've bought as the guitar is great for the money. The last one I turned into Left-Handed with a NUT & SADDLE for someone. The frets were as bad as the previous one so a lot of work on them again. It's great now i've sorted it. It's gone to a good home as a gift. Just keep all this in mind and do the work yourself or ask around. Have it! ViC

My last guitar purchase was the GS Mini which really surprised me. My daughter wanted something to learn on so I came across this one and decided to give it a try - at this price what could go wrong?
Well, a few things.
Out of the box this guitar tunes up fine, the finish is okay and it sounds pretty good, but it's not without its issues. The main problem is the fret edges - they're ridiculously bad and will need sanding down. The machine heads are pretty nasty and noisy, but that said, so far I haven't had any major tuning issues. I was more than a little amused to find a self-adhesive pick guard in the box. The guitar will need a lot of adjustments though, so if you're a novice it might be worth spending a little more on something a little better quality. The difference in quality between this guitar and the HB GS Mini is huge for the sake of forty bucks, plus you get a gig bag with the Mini.

The main thing is that this guitar sounds and sounds really great for it's price! I didn't expect such sound for < 100$ instrument.
Guitar is comfortable to play, but there is something with tuners plastic quality - there are some sharpness, but I think this is very minor issue, and actually the only one issue I found.
I can say that it's a good option for beginners or for those who's main guitar is far away and cheap alternative is needed.

Preinstalled strings are surprisingly durable. I'm not playing often, but they still sound good after several months, so Martin set is waiting for it's time.

Got this guitar as I had a close call with my more expensive guitar and so needed a guitar I could afford to borrow to friends and family. I was expecting a low quality guitar that would need lots of adjusting reg. intonation, action, etc the usual. I imagine this is the case for most people looking at this guitar.

However, since I have received it I have not had to do a single adjustment - action is good, intonation is good, and it stays in tune well.

The only niggle I have with is it that there are very, very minor imperfections like a slight dent in the back of the guitar (not visible unless you shine a light straight on it) and other smaller details.

Being a total novice & never playing a guitar, this is my first venture into having a go, I have had this Harley Benton CG-45 Vintage Sunburst for a couple of weeks now & its really quite stunning, all those over critical people that go on about action, sharp frets etc, well I think are way to picky, this guitar I keep going to to pick up & play, its a joy to hold, stunningly beautiful & sounds super, for the price & shipping to the UK in less than 5 days is absolutely super service.
I am of course a complete novice but in the hands of an experienced player I was left amazed by the sound and tone of this guitar, as too was the player who made it sound so stunning.
Absolute joy of an instrument & it has me enthused to pick it up & just pluck away, after all - that is what any one would want from a guitar, the want to pick it up & enjoy.
This is a gem of a guitar !!!!