MusicRadar Verdict
The EX-84 Modern EMG is a fine tribute to one of the legendary Explorers, but it’s the eye-wateringly low price that you just can’t ignore, a must for Hetfield fans on a budget
Pros
- +
Great value componentry
- +
A well-built and solid thrash machine
- +
EMG 81/60 pickups at this price?!
Cons
- -
No case
- -
Locking tuners would've been nice
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Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG: What is it?
There are five different Explorer-shaped models available from Harley Benton, all based around the ‘76 and ‘84 originals and all under $400. At the top of the tree is the EX-84 Modern EMG and of course, we wanted to check out the all-bells-and-whistles version of one of our most beloved guitar shapes of all time.
Plenty of well-known guitarists have wielded an Explorer over the years including Jimi, The Edge, and Grohl, but you show any metalhead a white Explorer and there’s only one man who is synonymous with this iconic axe, a certain James Alan Hetfield. Possibly the reason that this particular reviewer fell in love with them in the first place. We defy anyone to not look cool by even just holding one.
The EX-84 Modern EMG is part of the Harley Benton Pro Series, so while the price point might be low, you know you’re getting the best that HB can provide. Much like the original, this model has a set-in mahogany neck, with an ebony fretboard. The body is also mahogany and quite the reassuring chunk it is too, with a small amount of ergonomic carving around the rear.
The 'pro' refinery also includes a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut and a set of active EMG-81 and EMG-60 pickups. All in all, there's a lot of guitar here for the money.
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG: Performance and verdict
Aesthetically, we’re not completely in Gibson/Epiphone territory, down to the usual IP reasons, no doubt. Yes, at the outset, the EX looks like an Explorer copy but on closer inspection, there are plenty of subtle differences in the design. There are a couple of cues to the ESP EX and Snakebyte models. The headstock is far more ESP/LTD EX than it is your classic hockey stick headstock and the small cutaway at the lower strap button looks quite Snakebyte-esque. One aspect that slightly irked us initially with the design was the size of the lower horn/cutaway. Proportionally, it looks too stubby. It’s certainly sharper than the originals and many other models out there but doesn’t look as balanced to our eye. A minor quibble though.
Another departure from the original Gibson/Epiphone models is the controls, dropping from 2x volume and 1x tone to just 1x volume and 1x tone – more akin to the ESP/LTD EX models. The 3-way toggle pickup selector is annoyingly, nowhere near the other controls, which isn’t exactly ergonomic. We much prefer everything in one place, but that’s just us.
The paint finish is solid and no accidental overlaps here and there that we’ve encountered on other Benton models. We’ve seen paint overlapping neck binding before, but no such mistakes here. Speaking of the neck, it feels on the large size despite being a slim taper C, but the profile and extra jumbo frets make for a very smooth and fast ride.
Most guitarists will be guilty of tinkering with setting up a guitar, especially on purchase. Most of us who’ve been doing it long enough will no what we like. So how has the Benton faired in this department? Well, we’ve had mixed fortunes with the quality control and set-up on Harley Benton guitars in the past. Not sure if that has anything to do with whichever factory that particular range comes out of, but this Pro Series model arrived finished to a high standard. The action is a little on the high side, but we’ve seen far higher. Truth be told, our playing style suits a higher action when attempting to play Golden Era Metallica anyway, so we've not needed to make any changes there.
Loaded with an EMG-81 in the bridge and an EMG-60 in the neck delivers the familiar precision at high gain, but comes off slightly thin in the clean zone. You'll want to switch more towards the 60 to add some girth to the tone, but let's face it, that's not why you're here. It's the face-melting clarity that these pickups deliver which will keep you coming back for more Bay Area thrash antics, time and time again.
The one thing missing from this Pro-Series model is locking tuners. Ok, so at this price point, it might sound a little trite to request even more bang for your buck, but we would prefer to pay a little extra to have locking tuners included. For those of you who love to mod your guitars, then this will undoubtedly be your first port of call. But we’re splitting hairs here really, if you’re looking for an EMG 81/64-loaded guitar this one outstrips all of the competition in terms of price.
The Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG is best slung low and set to chug – just get that down-picking arm all warmed up first. The 81/60 EMGs are a classic pairing and the chosen set-up for Hetfield right up until the introduction of the EMG Het Set. As soon as you pick it up you’re instantly thrashing out Master of Puppets without even knowing.
MusicRadar verdict: The EX-84 Modern EMG is a fine tribute to one of the legendary Explorers, but it’s the eye-wateringly low price that you just can’t ignore, a must for Hetfield fans on a budget.
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG: Hands-on demos
Jamie Slays
Wesley Webb
Appetite for Guitar
megahurtz30
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG: Specifications
- Body: Mahogany
- Set-in mahogany neck
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Fretboard inlays: White dots
- Neck profile: Slim Taper C
- Neck thickness: 1st fret: 22.5 mm - 12th fret: 25 mm
- Fretboard radius: 305 mm (12")
- Scale: 628 mm (24.72")
- Nut width: 42 mm (1.65")
- Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut
- 22 Extra jumbo frets
- Pickup: Active EMG81 (bridge) and EMG60 (neck) humbuckers
- Controls: 1 Master volume, 1 master tone, 3-way pickup selector
- Bridge: WSC Tune-O-Matic
- Tuners: HB by Jinho J-03
- Strings: .010 - .046
- Colours: Vintage White Gloss, Black
- Contact: Thomann
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