Harley Benton has just disrupted the “Superstrat” market with the release of the ST-Modern Carlos Asensio Signature. Featuring a premium Vega-Trem and high-end specs for roughly $700, it challenges the dominance of brands like Charvel and Fender.
Harley Benton has long been known for punching above its weight class, but their latest collaboration with YouTuber Carlos Asensio might be its most ambitious move yet. Priced at approximately $704 (£527), the new ST-Modern Carlos Asensio Signature offers a spec sheet typically reserved for instruments triple its price.
“I truly believe this is one of the best guitars ever made when we talk about quality for the price,” Asensio stated during the launch. “I am pretty sure this is the first mass-produced guitar that comes with a Vega-Trem.”
The Showstopper: A Factory-Installed Vega-Trem
The headline feature is undoubtedly the Vega-Trem VT1 Ultratrem. Usually found as a high-end aftermarket upgrade or on boutique builds (like Alex Lifeson’s Lerxst models), the bridge alone retails for nearly $300. By including it on a $700 guitar, Harley Benton is offering a level of tuning stability and vibrato smoothness rarely seen at this price point.
Premium Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
| Body | Solid Alder |
| Neck | Roasted Canadian Flame Maple (Smooth D Profile) |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood with 12”-16” Compound Radius |
| Bridge | Vega-Trem VT1 Ultratrem |
| Pickups | Tesla HSS (Opus-X Humbucker & Time Machine 57 Singles) |
| Extras | Stainless Steel Frets, Luminlay Side Markers, Locking Tuners |
High-Performance Hardware
Beyond the tremolo, the guitar is built for modern playability. It features an alder body with deep contours and a sculpted neck heel for effortless upper-fret access. The neck is a standout—roasted Canadian maple with visible flaming, paired with a rosewood fingerboard featuring rolled edges and stainless steel frets.
For the gigging musician, the inclusion of Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side markers and a dual-action spoke wheel truss rod adjustment makes this a road-ready “Superstrat” that rivals the Charvel Pro-Mod series.
Versatile Tones: Tesla HSS Configuration
The electronics are designed for maximum versatility. It utilizes a Tesla HSS setup:
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Bridge: OPUS-X Humbucker (with a dedicated coil-split toggle switch).
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Middle/Neck: Tesla Time Machine 57 single-coils for classic “spanky” S-style tones.
This configuration, managed by a five-way blade switch, allows the guitar to pivot from high-gain lead work to vintage blues glassiness without missing a beat.
Availability and Pricing
The ST-Modern Carlos Asensio is available now in two striking finishes: Cactus Green and Ice Blue Metallic. Both models feature a 3-ply parchment pickguard and chrome hardware, maintaining a classic aesthetic despite the modern performance upgrades.
The guitar is available exclusively from Thomann for $704 / £ 527/ €599 (case sold separately).
Available in Ice Blue Metallic Gloss and Cactus Green Metallic from Thomann
#Harley Benton #ST-Modern Carlos Asensio
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