Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS OW

The neck is every bit as beautiful as you hope it will be! Really stunning, seen nothing like it in this price range.
Came set up nearly perfectly, just some scratchy frets to sort out. Elixir strings as standard is SUCH a good decision. The tremelo is a bit unusual but feels solid (comes screwed in tight for 1 way action, not floating).
Pickups are fine, I think I like the neck single coil best, and the coil split works nicely. The humbucker is very loose and does wobble when you shake the guitar.
The neck is undoubtedly the star of the show though.
One thing I'm not sure about is the 2nd string tree. It's creating points of friction which will hinder tuning stability. Staggered tuners would have been better I reckon. It's also a tad on the heavy side when I compare it to my other strats.
For context, I've been playing about 40 years and this is my 3rd HB. It's my 2nd good one (DC dlx in pink had paint coming off in my hands!).
This guitar reminds me a lot of my Schecter Nick Johnson in feel, but the HB has better frets (hate the XL Jumbo's) and the amazing flame maple.

Firstly, let me say this as an owner of 4 ( it was 6 at one stage) Harley Benton guitars. The difference between a €250 and a €350/399 Harley Benton is pretty big on overall quality and playability.
I've had 2 cheaper kit guitars from them @ €114 including delivery. Good fun and a bargain but really only suitable for home use.
Then a CST24 and an RB600... Both @€249 really nicely finished but still not ideal for live gigging.
A Fusion III with the HSH configuration and flame finish. @€399.
And this one, ST Modern plus @€349
Pretty much the same neck on the ST Modern and Fusion. Both are really excellent!
But for me, the Fusion is the best guitar. The Wilkinson tremolo system is just absolutely astounding! You can go nuts with it if that's your thing and it still keeps perfect tuning.
The Babicz tremolo system on the ST Modern plus is very good but the Wilkinson is just insanely good.
Something else I think Thomann should look at on the OW colour of the ST Modern is that it's a slightly soft white but the single coil pickups are a brilliant white and it just doesn't work so good. They should have went for a brilliant white on the guitar itself. Also the tone knob is difficult to pull up for the split coil function. It's just the wrong type.
Other than that. Both the Fussion III and ST Modern Plus are both definitely 100% live gig worthy and a steal at those prices.
So in conclusion. Pay the extra and get yourself an immensely better guitar from Harley Benton than anything that's down in that €249 price range. You won't regret it.
I'm absolutely going to buy another of the better specs Harley Benton. They play like a dream!