Product: Bently 5146
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
05/26/2008
at
01:02am
by
T
Email: palmer_21 at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:
7
No idea on type of wood. Binding on top and back, neck and headstock. Two back to back Bs for the headstock logo. Same logo on paper sticker in the soundhole, with model # and "Made in Korea" on it. Far as I can tell this is a laminated top, but its heavily stained and lacqured and hard to tell. Has a built in pickup at the 19th fret, with six phillips screws imbedded in the fingerboard. Volume and tone knob on side above the neck. Input jack in bottom of body where you normally see a strap lock. Brass nut and bridge. Dark mahogany looking finish.
Sound
:
10
This guitar sounds absolutely amazing. Ive been playing 20+ years, Ive played a LOT of guitars in my day, and to me and so far everyone who plays this guitar, its a pure gem. I stumbled on this guitar by pure chance. At the time I owned a $1300 Taylor (314CE) This guitar put the Taylor to shame. Its full, musical, and articulate. The soundboard resonates with life and tone. Only when I get into the 2K range do I find guitars that respond and resonate as well. Really an amazing guitar, Korean made, laminated top, cheap tuners... so what... this thing is a beautiful sounding instrument. I feel lukcy to have it.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
Typical Korean quality, mines pretty old and well used so its tough to tell, but it doesnt strike me as anything other than a cheap Korean made guitar.... the sound would have you believe otherwise though.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
Heavily used, cracked, pieces of binding missing. More from neglect im guessing that cheap manufacturing. The fact that its still together and sounds so sweet, id say its a durable guitar.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never been able to find out anything about Bently really. Other than it being a St Louis Music company. Seem pretty rare.
Overall Rating
:
10
From what I have found this was about a $150 to $250 guitar from the 80s. For that kind of money, and even for a LOT more... this guitar is amazing. Maybe I just got one of those gems that do sneak through with any guitar line, but if you find one buy it. Like I said above, compares VERY favorably to 2K Gibsons, Martins and the like.
