Join the Harley Benton MR-65SB P90 Vintage Series Fans Community
Use the tabs below to see what music people who love this gear like, explore its tech specs and read reviews by other members. Stay tuned, more community features are coming up!
1 verified review from our community
Read our unbiased and authentic community-contributed reviews
"I love This guitar and I love nirvana..."
I love This guitar and I love nirvana and Kurt cobain
Reviewed May 12, 2025
3 reasons why people want to buy it
Actual feedback of people who want to buy Harley Benton MR-65SB P90 Vintage Series
- "It's like a univox/mosrite"A 17 y.o. or younger male fan of Radiohead from Australia
- "P90"A 55 y.o. or older male fan of Muddy Waters from Iceland
- "It looks like a mosrite"A 18-24 y.o. male fan of David Bowie from Germany
People that took the "IS IT GOOD FOR ME?" test said they wanted to buy Harley Benton MR-65SB P90 Vintage Series for the above 3 reasons. Their opinion is based on their own independent research and should help in your own purchase decision.
Still undecided? Take the "IS IT GOOD FOR ME?" test
Related reviews
We also recommend the following reviews for gear related to Harley Benton MR-65SB P90 Vintage Series
"A surprisingly versatile mahogany double-cut with 24 frets and classic single-coil sparkle at a very accessible price."
Review of Harley Benton BM-75 Trans Red B-Stock
I spent several weeks playing the Harley Benton BM-75 Trans Red across practice, small rehearsals, and a couple of recording passes to see where it sits in the real world. I came to it as a player who likes mid-weight mahogany-bodied guitars that can cover jangly indie tones as well as snappy cleans and biting rock – and I wanted to know if this model could be a daily player rather than just an occasional fun instrument.
First Impressions
The moment I unwrapped it I noticed the finish - the Trans Red high-gloss looks deeper in person than photos suggested, and the contours on the double-cut body make it feel familiar in the hands while still being a bit different. The set-in mahogany neck and 24-fret amaranth fingerboard gave immediate confidence - the neck felt solid and warm rather than thin or plasticky, and the satin back allowed quick position shifts with minimal friction.
Build Quality & Design
Construction is straightforward but well executed - mahogany body, set-in mahogany neck, and an amaranth fingerboard with 24 frets feel like thoughtful choices for the tone profile Harley Benton was aiming at. The nut width is 42 mm and the scale is the slightly longer 635 mm (25"), which gives a touch more string tension and a roomy feel for stretches; the fretwork out of the box was usable, though I did the usual minor setup tweaks. Hardware is chrome-plated with a floating tremolo and HB Jinho JN-03 mini tuners; everything felt robust for the price point, and the factory DR Dragon Skin 10-46 strings made the guitar sound fairly balanced straight away.
Playability & Setup
Because of the 635 mm scale and the 24 frets, the BM-75 sits between traditional 25.5" and 24.75" builds - I found bends require a touch more force than a standard 25.5" but that added tension also tightened up low-end clarity. The action was reasonable from the factory, but I lowered the bridge slightly and eased the nut slots for smoother open-string response. Neck profile is comfortable for chording and lead work; I had no trouble with access to the upper frets thanks to the double cutaway and the slim heel area.
Sound & Electronics
The three vintage-style AlNiCo single coils deliver the expected tonal palette - glassy, articulate cleans; a sweet midrange for rhythm; and a singing top end when pushed. The guitar has a master volume and tone with a 5-way selector and an extra 3-phase switch that lets you flip pickup phase combinations for quacky and thinner sounds - I relied on that switch a lot while tracking to get those hollow, scooped tones without changing amps. Through a clean amp the neck pickup is warm and full, middle and bridge give more bite and clarity, and in-humbucker-esque combos (via the phase options) produced some nice out-of-phase textures for funk and jangly parts.
Real-World Experience
I used the BM-75 for a week of home-recording and a couple of short rehearsal runs - it tracked cleanly and sat well in mixes, particularly when I needed sparkle without harshness. The floating tremolo responded predictably for gentle dive-bombs and subtle vibrato, though I would not rely on it for extreme tremolo-heavy dive routines without a full setup and a locking system. Tuning stability was acceptable for rehearsals after a standard setup; I did a few small tuning tweaks after heavier tremolo use but nothing out of the ordinary for a non-locking tremolo system.
The Trade-Offs
You get a lot for the price, but it's not perfect - the floating tremolo and non-locking tuners mean heavy-handed whammy use will require extra setup attention if you need rock-solid tuning under abuse. Also, while the fretwork was good for the money, I noticed a small high fret that a meticulous player might want leveled for completely buzz-free high-register bends. Finally, the pickups are characterful but not boutique-grade - if you want a specific vintage or hot output voice you may want to swap pickups later.
Final Verdict
Overall the BM-75 Trans Red is an impressive package for players who want a mahogany-bodied, 24-fret guitar with versatile single-coil tones and a lot of personality for the money. I would recommend it to gigging hobbyists, home recordists, and players who like to mod - it’s an excellent platform to make your own while being immediately usable right out of the box with a modest setup. If you prize absolute boutique fit-and-finish and hardware for extreme tremolo use, there are higher-priced options, but for the value here I found it hard to fault as a main-stash working instrument.
by Musicngear Verified Community ReviewsHelpful Tips & Answers
- What is the neck scale and how does it feel under the fingers?
- The guitar uses a 635 mm (25") scale which I found gives a slightly firmer string tension and a roomy feel for stretches; it took a little adjustment but felt great for both rhythm and lead work.
- Do the pickups work well for both clean and overdriven tones?
- Yes - the vintage-style AlNiCo single coils are clear and articulate on cleans and take overdrive nicely without turning harsh; they are versatile rather than extreme-sounding.
- Was much setup required out of the box?
- Out of the box it was playable, but I did a modest setup - lowering the bridge a touch and filing the nut slots for better open-string response, which is typical for most new guitars I use regularly.
- How stable is the tuning with the floating tremolo?
- Tuning stability was fine for rehearsal and light trem use, but heavy dive-bombs required a bit of retuning afterward; a more extreme tremolo user should plan a more thorough setup or hardware swap.
- Is the guitar heavy to carry for gigging?
- It’s a mid-weight mahogany instrument - noticeably substantial but not burdensome; I had no problems carrying it to rehearsals for short sets.
- Would you change anything immediately?
- I left the pickups stock for a while because they are very usable, but if I wanted a specific tonal signature I would consider replacing the bridge pickup or upgrading saddles to compensated brass for better intonation.
- Does it come ready with strings and what gauge?
- It ships with DR Dragon Skin coated DSE-10 .010-.046, which are comfortable and gave the guitar a balanced tone right away.
"In my experience, this guitar has been..."
Review of Harley Benton HB JA-60SB Vintage Series In my experience, this guitar has been a good instrument right out of the box; none of the "cheap guitar" issues cropped out or were apparent (sharp fret edges, scratchy frets, bad intonation, finish defects etc. but I do have a stripped screw somewhere at the pickguard), even after shipping for a week and having to go through Romanian customs. It's a really capable guitar in spite of its 2xJM pup configuration (which IMO are actually really versatile) and with even the most basic of setups, it's even better; the default tuners are okay but it could really use some locking tuners in my case. Definitely a great beginner-intermediate guitar;
I can see a pro modding this to their heart's desire: a 22-fret neck on this would KILL competition in the 'other offset replica' market, and a humbucker in the bridge for crunchier tones would make it a PERFECT metal machine (the neck pup covers all clean tone needs); they could do some crazy stuff with 2xP90 series wiring if they don't want to change pups, or maybe a side-facing output jack etc etc.
All in all, a perfect first guitar for anyone, from future jazz nerds to blues lawyers. If you have a one, maybe don't sell it right away."A surprisingly capable, characterful homage with real value for players after a vintage-style SSS with a heavier, warmer vibe."
Review of Harley Benton BM-75 Trans Red Deluxe Series
I picked up the Harley Benton BM-75 Trans Red Deluxe Series to see if a modern, budget-minded take on a classic three-single-coil layout could actually deliver usable tones and playability without breaking the bank. My background is a mix of club gigging and home recording, so I was testing it as a daily player for cleans, driven lead parts, and some quirky tonal experiments that the BM-75 promises with its 5-way plus phase-switching layout.
First Impressions
Out of the (shipping) bag the Trans Red finish looked very clean and glossy, and the mahogany body paired with a set-in mahogany neck gave it a noticeably solid, slightly weighty feel compared with typical alder or basswood entry-level SSS guitars. The fretboard was smooth and the action was playable, though I did spend a short session getting the setup where I like it - the factory setup is reasonable, but a quick fret polish and truss rod tweak made it sing.
Design & Features
The BM-75 ships with a mahogany body and set-in mahogany neck, an amaranth fingerboard with 24 frets, and a 635 mm scale length - so it sits closer to a 25-inch feel than a typical 25.5 or 24-inch scale. The SSS pickup layout uses vintage-style AlNiCo single coils, and the control layout includes a master volume, master tone, a 5-way pickup selector and a 3-way phase control that opens up a surprising range of out-of-phase colors. Hardware is chrome-plated and it has a floating tremolo and HB Jinho JN-03 mini tuners, with DR Dragon Skin strings fitted from the factory.
Build Quality & Construction
The construction feels robust for the price - multi-piece mahogany body joins are tidy and the set neck is secure, which helps the guitar sustain and gives it a warmer low-mid character. Frets were dressed adequately but not immaculate; I found a couple of high spots that settled with a light polish. The floating tremolo worked smoothly, though mine benefited from a little setup attention to improve tuning stability during heavier use.
Playability & Ergonomics
The 42 mm nut width and the neck profile felt chunky in a reassuring way without being clumsy - it gives you a sturdy grip for vibrato and string bending. The 24 frets extend the upper range neatly and the 350 mm radius is comfortable for both rhythm strumming and lead work. I found the controls ergonomically placed, with the 5-way selector giving quick access to classic single-coil combinations and the phase switch sitting where I could flick it with my palm when experimenting live.
Sound & Versatility
Tone-wise the mahogany body plus the pickup voicing leans warmer and thicker than many Strat-like SSS instruments - you get a meatier midrange that works well with overdrive and makes single-coil leads feel more substantial. Clean tones are glassy but with a touch more body than a typical alder-bodied SSS, and the phase combinations deliver usable, slightly nasal out-of-phase tones that are great for accents and unique textures. With dirt and amp drive the pickups respond well, delivering a creamy break-up that sits nicely in a band mix.
Real-World Experience
I used the BM-75 in small rehearsal rooms and home-recording sessions and it handled everything from jangly clean parts to saturated rhythm work without sounding thin or shouty. The floating tremolo was fun for subtle vibrato and expressive bits, though I did notice tuning drift under heavy whammy use until I tightened the bridge and adjusted the nut action. Overall I considered it a reliable studio and practice instrument after a short setup session.
The Trade-Offs
You can find things to nitpick - the tuners are compact mini machines rather than higher-end locking types, and the tremolo/tuning setup requires a small investment of time to stabilize if you want aggressive divebomb-style use. Also, if you prefer extremely bright, glassy single-coil tones you may find the mahogany body colors the sound toward warmth - which is great for some styles, less ideal for others.
Final Verdict
After several weeks playing the BM-75 Trans Red Deluxe I came away impressed - it packs a lot of desirable features and tonal variety into a surprisingly affordable package. It needs only light setup work to reach its potential and then becomes a versatile, characterful instrument best suited to players who want the SSS layout with a thicker, more vintage-voiced twist and lots of tonal options via phase switching.
by Musicngear Verified Community ReviewsHelpful Tips & Answers
- Will this guitar stay in tune with regular trem use?
- In my experience it holds tuning fine for moderate tremolo use after a careful setup; heavy whammy tricks required additional nut and bridge tweaks to stabilize fully.
- Is the neck bulky or thin - how comfortable is it?
- I found the neck pleasantly substantial without being clumsy; it gives a secure feel for bends and vibrato while remaining comfortable for chord work.
- Do the pickups need upgrading to sound good?
- The stock vintage-style AlNiCo single coils are usable and warm; I would only swap them if I needed a very specific boutique tone or higher output for heavy genres.
- How important is a professional setup out of the box?
- A brief setup - light fret polishing, truss rod check, and intonation - makes a big difference and is worth doing to get the best out of the instrument.
- Is this a good guitar for recording?
- Yes - its warmer SSS voicing sits well in mixes and the phase options add useful textures for arranging and layering in the studio.
- Does it come with a case or gigbag?
- Bundled options vary by retailer; my review unit did not include a hard case, so plan to buy a gigbag or case separately if you transport it frequently.
- Who is this guitar best for?
- Players who want a versatile, characterful SSS instrument with vintage flavor and modern features at a very accessible price will get the most from it.
"the price, the quality, the right tool..."
Review of Harley Benton DC-Custom 612 Cherry the price, the quality, the right tool for the right job
"no"
Review of Harley Benton BM-70 Trans Red no