Harley Benton CLD-65S NT

The Build & Aesthetics

​For a guitar in this price range, the specs on the CLD-65S NT are almost hard to believe. Having a solid spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides gives it a premium look and feel right out of the box. The natural satin finish is smooth and doesn't show fingerprints easily, and the abalone rosette adds just the right amount of "class" without being too flashy.

​Sound & Tone

​The sound is where this guitar truly shines. Because of the solid top, the projection is impressive. It has that classic dreadnought "growl" on the low end, but the spruce keeps the highs crisp and clear. It’s perfect for heavy strumming, but surprisingly responsive to light fingerpicking as well.

​Playability

​The C-shape nato neck is very comfortable. It isn't too chunky, which makes long practice sessions easy on the hands. The factory setup needed a slight adjustment, and the fretwork was clean with no sharp edges. The tuning stability is solid—I’m not reaching for the tuner every five minutes, which is a huge plus.

​Pros:
​Solid Spruce Top: Unbeatable value for the price.
​Bone Nut/Saddle: Usually found on guitars twice this price.
​Comfortable Neck: Great for both beginners and experienced players.

​Cons:
​The factory strings are okay, but I’d recommend swapping them for some D'Addarios or Elixirs to really make the solid top sing.

​Final Verdict
​If you are looking for a reliable dreadnought that sounds like it costs €400+ but only costs a fraction of that, the CLD-65S NT is a no-brainer. Harley Benton has really nailed the balance between affordability and professional specs here.