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Harley Benton D-200CE-12NT - Intial review
First of all, thank you Thomann for your quick and safe delivery, as always!
Now, let's see the guitar. It's my first touch with a 12-string guitar so many points maybe not very objective.
As a general feel, taking into account the price, is indeed a good value for money instrument.
Build: The wood is not of high quality and inside you can see the glue is a little bit scattered. It really looks like a super quick production model. The neck is sturdy to withstand the string tension and it takes a while to get used to since it's wider than a classical guitar. You need to adjust your hands better. The bridge wood is low quality and can be easily scratched and damaged, so be careful when removing the pins.
Strings: Change them at once! If you don't, they will break, as the other users already have mentioned. So, it's good to add a new set of strings to your basket. Personally, I put elixirs so that I won't have to worry about changing strings for a long time, as changing strings in a 12-string guitar takes time!
Fretboard: New material for me. It does not feel or sound like rosewood. There were some scratches on the fretboard but at an accepted level for me. Also, be a little careful when oiling it. I noticed it does some stains when it is absorbed, so apply very very little oil. Some sharp frets but I was expecting it.
Tuners: They do what they have to do. Decent.
Nut: Nothing special. Just put some graphite with your pencil when you change your strings.
Pins: Really bad for me but ok for the price!
Electronics: Pretty basic but not bad. Also, the battery is included!
Sound: I like it! I don't know how it can be when I compare it with a more expensive instrument but it gives a nice full sound! I was impressed!
My overall experience so far is that it's worth to give it a try to enrich your sound and also to learn a new instrument, as it really feels different than a 6-string guitar! If you want, you can try a 12-string guitar in a local shop before ordering because you might feel strange the first time you get it in your hands!
Enjoy the music and happy playing!
Now, let's see the guitar. It's my first touch with a 12-string guitar so many points maybe not very objective.
As a general feel, taking into account the price, is indeed a good value for money instrument.
Build: The wood is not of high quality and inside you can see the glue is a little bit scattered. It really looks like a super quick production model. The neck is sturdy to withstand the string tension and it takes a while to get used to since it's wider than a classical guitar. You need to adjust your hands better. The bridge wood is low quality and can be easily scratched and damaged, so be careful when removing the pins.
Strings: Change them at once! If you don't, they will break, as the other users already have mentioned. So, it's good to add a new set of strings to your basket. Personally, I put elixirs so that I won't have to worry about changing strings for a long time, as changing strings in a 12-string guitar takes time!
Fretboard: New material for me. It does not feel or sound like rosewood. There were some scratches on the fretboard but at an accepted level for me. Also, be a little careful when oiling it. I noticed it does some stains when it is absorbed, so apply very very little oil. Some sharp frets but I was expecting it.
Tuners: They do what they have to do. Decent.
Nut: Nothing special. Just put some graphite with your pencil when you change your strings.
Pins: Really bad for me but ok for the price!
Electronics: Pretty basic but not bad. Also, the battery is included!
Sound: I like it! I don't know how it can be when I compare it with a more expensive instrument but it gives a nice full sound! I was impressed!
My overall experience so far is that it's worth to give it a try to enrich your sound and also to learn a new instrument, as it really feels different than a 6-string guitar! If you want, you can try a 12-string guitar in a local shop before ordering because you might feel strange the first time you get it in your hands!
Enjoy the music and happy playing!
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P
Good value 22 string accoustic
I ordered this guitar to add a 12 string accoustic to my collection. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a guitar I was not going to use a lot so decided on the HB D 200CE 12 NT. knowing it was in the budget price range I was not expecting perfection but I was pleasantly surprised with it when it arrived. There were no blemishes and it looked good. However the strings were nowhere near tuned up, so the first thing was to tune it. The g string snapped before reaching the correct pitch so I had to get a fine g string from a spare set I had to finish it off with. I then strummed the guitar and I have to say that it sounded good. Better than I expected. However, on the downside, the fret ends were very sharp and definitely need smoothing off, plus the pickup wiring inside the body is loose a rattles when the guitar is moved. Despite these two issues, the guitar is very good value for money.and I would recommend it for a player who doesn’t want to splash out a lot more. I think it would mean splashing out a lot more money to get a noticeable difference.
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A
Good sound, but bad intonation ant soft metal frets
Sound is very good for such a price. Gluing well done. But.... Very bad frets from soft bronze like metal. Metal scraped out of frets with any slight bend of strings. Intonation of strings very bad.... And tune holding is nightmare. Any change of humidity with 1..2% - immediately change tune about 8..18 cents ...
And even after playing for 20..30 minutes - some strings already slightly out of tune. With 12 strings - that is very noticeable. So much of rich harmonics, that any single string slightly out tune - create awful ugly dissonance.
Fretboard slightly narrow. 48 mm nut width is too small for 12 strings. Should be about 52..53 mm.
Frets also not fully levelled. Some spots with buzz sound at beginning, and 3..4 last frets.
With standard E tuning - top start to bend near bridge. After lowering tuning to standard C - all returned to straight flat surface. C standard is lowest achievable tuning. With B -strings start to buzz and very unplayable.
Most annoying - tuning stability and intonation. Every time spent 10..15 minutes before can start to play. Second annoying - soft frets ))
Third annoying - 48 mm nut instead of 53 mm.
But sound good, and responsive. Can play very very dynamically, from almost whispering slight touch sensitive to full strong controlled pronounced power sound - and all this together at same time (strong base line with gentle dynamic touch melody line)
And even after playing for 20..30 minutes - some strings already slightly out of tune. With 12 strings - that is very noticeable. So much of rich harmonics, that any single string slightly out tune - create awful ugly dissonance.
Fretboard slightly narrow. 48 mm nut width is too small for 12 strings. Should be about 52..53 mm.
Frets also not fully levelled. Some spots with buzz sound at beginning, and 3..4 last frets.
With standard E tuning - top start to bend near bridge. After lowering tuning to standard C - all returned to straight flat surface. C standard is lowest achievable tuning. With B -strings start to buzz and very unplayable.
Most annoying - tuning stability and intonation. Every time spent 10..15 minutes before can start to play. Second annoying - soft frets ))
Third annoying - 48 mm nut instead of 53 mm.
But sound good, and responsive. Can play very very dynamically, from almost whispering slight touch sensitive to full strong controlled pronounced power sound - and all this together at same time (strong base line with gentle dynamic touch melody line)
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CM
Very happy but...
I like everything about it except one thing. The first impression that it gave me was not very promising. Why? The fretboard looked like someone spilled white chalk all over it. It was easily resolved with a soft cloth but it's not the first thing you want to see when you unwrap a new instrument. Someone should be tuning and inspecting the product before it is packed in the box for shipment.
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P
Surprised by how good for price
Like other reviews I was looking for a 12 string that wouldn't break the bank due to maybe only using in a few songs. This guitar is beyond expectations.
Light but solid feeling to the guitar, lovely finish back, sides and spruce front.
Took time to tune but that's normal for a 12.
The strings need changing as are not good at all so will see what she's really like when I do that. There are sharp fret ends all along neck which will need sorting.
Other than that very happy and recommend. Will get frets done and set up later
Thanks again thomann for another quick delivery no hassle purchase.
Light but solid feeling to the guitar, lovely finish back, sides and spruce front.
Took time to tune but that's normal for a 12.
The strings need changing as are not good at all so will see what she's really like when I do that. There are sharp fret ends all along neck which will need sorting.
Other than that very happy and recommend. Will get frets done and set up later
Thanks again thomann for another quick delivery no hassle purchase.
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ND
Great for the money
Great guitar. The only downside for me is the pins at the bottom that keep the strings in. They appear to be countersunk, so I had to loosen all the strings and push the pins from the back (inside the sound hole) to change a string and not damage the front, but for the money and the fact you've got an option to go electric with a graphic equalizer it's incredible quality.
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TM
Nice Acoustic
The only reason I gave this four stars is because of the tuners. I just don't care for them-they don't have a tight feel to them. That is the only thing I would or will change. I would buy this guitar again.
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IT
Würde ich gleich wieder kaufen...
Diese Gitarre hab ich für meinen Sohn als Geburtstagsgeschenk geordert - weil er sehr am Gitarrenspiel interessiert war (und ist) und sich eine 12-saitige gewünscht hat. Der Sound ist gut - Qualität und Verarbeitung ohne Makel.
Die Saitenlage ist o.k. und das Instrument ist bundrein und (fuer eine 12-Saiter) gut zu greifen. Die dünne D-Saite reisst sehr leicht - man kann da eventuell mit einem anderen Saitensatz Abhilfe schaffen. Ist wohl sowieso angesagt...
Die Mechanik ist leichtgängig und der Pickup funktioniert gut - er hat schon bei zahlreichen Gigs gute Dienste geleistet (die Regelung ist recht komfortabel).
Die Gitarre ist im regelmäßigen Einsatz "and never let us down".
Fazit (wie die Überschrift schon sagt): Würde ich sofort wieder kaufen - und bei dem Preis gleich zweimal...
Die Saitenlage ist o.k. und das Instrument ist bundrein und (fuer eine 12-Saiter) gut zu greifen. Die dünne D-Saite reisst sehr leicht - man kann da eventuell mit einem anderen Saitensatz Abhilfe schaffen. Ist wohl sowieso angesagt...
Die Mechanik ist leichtgängig und der Pickup funktioniert gut - er hat schon bei zahlreichen Gigs gute Dienste geleistet (die Regelung ist recht komfortabel).
Die Gitarre ist im regelmäßigen Einsatz "and never let us down".
Fazit (wie die Überschrift schon sagt): Würde ich sofort wieder kaufen - und bei dem Preis gleich zweimal...
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a
good but
the sound is very good, excellent playability but the strings are very high out of the box, you have to file the fretboard and bridge holder, the even neck allows you to make a low pitch, after finishing everything is fine
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JM
It's an ok guitar
It's sounds ok and it plays ok. I bought a cheap string set and the high G broke after 2 days... I don't like to record it directly with the jack, I just use a mic
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