Harley Benton debuts new sub-$500 semi-hollow single-cut, the Aeolus

Harley Benton Aeolus single-cut semi-hollow electric guitar
(Image credit: Harley Benton)

Harley Benton has expanded its lineup of semi-hollow cheap electric guitars under $500 with the all-new single-cut Aeolus.

Said to be suitable for a broad range of genres, the Aeolus arrives in a choice of Bengal Flame or Frost Flame colorways, and serves up a series of stylish appointments in a bid to create “an exciting playing experience”.

In terms of construction, the Aeolus boasts a mahogany body with a flame AAA maple veneer, as well as a roasted maple neck and 22 stainless-steel-fret fingerboard. Other technical appointments include a C-shape neck profile, 25” scale radius and 13.78” radius.

In the hardware department, the new offering comes equipped with a WSC tune-o-matic-style bridge and stopbar tailpiece, with Grover locking tuners and a Graph Tech TUSQ Black nut at the other end of the guitar.

Under the hood, the six-string sports a set of Tesla VR-2 Alnico 5 pickups, controlled via a three-way toggle switch, as well as master volume and tone knobs.

Aside from sculpting the sound, the tone knob doubles as a push-pull coil-splitting toggle, which squeezes even more sonic variety out of the Tesla humbuckers by offering up single-coil sounds.

The Harley Benton Aeolus is available now for $407.

For more information, head over to Harley Benton.

Matt Owen
News Editor, GuitarWorld.com

Matt is the GuitarWorld.com News Editor, and has been writing and editing for the site for almost five years. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 19 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. During his GW career, he’s interviewed Peter Frampton, Zakk Wylde, Tosin Abasi, Matteo Mancuso and more, and has profiled the CEOs of Guitar Center and Fender.

When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt performs with indie rock duo Esme Emerson, and has previously opened for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Keane, Japanese House and Good Neighbours.