For less than 100 bucks, this guitar is amazing. I own the same, the main issue are the frets which are not thick enough so you can't put high gauge strings on it for drop C or drop B, pick ups are not bad but can be improved a lot, needs insulation too
If you like tinkering with these guitars, and have some tools and experience, you could change the frets to jumbo. If something goes wrong, change the whole neck.... this is the fun part of these budget friendly guitars, not a big risk if you ruin something.
@@jukka9333 I think there's also a bottom threshold though - once it gets cheap enough and I have to replace or fix enough things, it's no longer worth it. Might as well just get blanks and make a brand new one yourself. I'd rather spend $2-300 and get a good base to mess with. If I'm gonna get a sub 100 guitar I'm not changing anything beyond basic setup.
@@wordsmith451 I totally agree, that there is a limit to what you want to do with upgrading the bottom feeder guitars. I take them as a challenge and try to make them good players with spare parts that I have laying around. Or trade with my other guitars...
Having owned and owning many American and Asian guitars I'm blown away with the quality of this guitar. I've had it for about two months now and paid less than $200 for the axe,bag, and cable (the shipping was $50 but is included in the $200 total). I've replaced the tuners and am about to replace the pickups, although they aren't terrible. Just not great. HB is a better buy than entry Epi's or Fender IMO. Very solid.
I ordered one today. I kinda like the reddish tortoise shell contrast but that flat black pickguard looks very nice. Do you think the paint will scratch off exposing the original?
Congrats, hope you will get a good one. The paint will stick if you sand the pickguard lightly, clean the surface well and use multiple light layers of proper paint (for plastic material).
Nice guitar - and totally agree - the black pickguard looks way better than the turtois that was on it.... tnx for the video -KK - Btw: how do you record video with sound from BIAS FX? I'd never figured that out.
Thank you for your feedback! Those sound sample videos I record with Mixcraft 9 playing through the Bias plugin, while shooting the video with my phone, then combine them in Windows Moviemaker. That's it.
Have had mine a couple of months, the black pickguard is a great idea, might just do that with mine. Typical setup issues out of the box for me too, I replaced my pickups with a set of Bill Lawrence USA ones I had, night and day difference. My string trees are aligned, thats an unfortunate thing. All in all, a fun guitar to play and get your twang on.
Hi Bill R! Great to hear that you enjoy your HB like I do. Pickup change makes a big difference, I'm thinking that I might return the Kramer pickup back to where it came from and put that Dimarzio Transition to Tele...
Great video, I like how you put it together! I have a few HB's and I really enjoy playing them. Most of the inexpensive guitars will have minor issues. That doesn't bother me at all. Even my sub $200 Kramer Barretta Special needed work. It's satisfying to make your own mods to them too.
Thank you RBarbo! Good to hear you enjoy fixing issues with these guitars, like I do. It is satisfying, and very useful to learn to take care of your instruments.
What kind of paint did you use on the pickguard? Sounds pretty damn good for a budget guitar. I have the Ash version in semi-transparent white (Like a Mary Kaye) with single coils that I just swapped out for some higher quality A-5 wax potted Korean make pups, and a 4 way switch, CTS pots, shielded cavities, and compensated brass saddles. Just bolted the neck back on last night and fit a bone nut. Letting it settle in, and have only played it unplugged, so in a couple day's I'll let er rip! A/C died in the house last week and just had it replaced, the humidity was all over the map! (hence letting things acclimate)
It is a car paint for bumpers, wings and other parts. Sticks really well on the pickguard and doesn't peel off as easily as some other rattlecan paints. You have a good Tele there! And it gets even better with the Alnico 5 pickups. I like A2 and A5 and have changed those in my low end pickups, improves sound drastically to my ears.
Great guitar and great job 🙂🙂 I'm thinking about getting one for me... May I ask which grit sandpaper you used to sand the pickguard ? The end result really looks great...
Unbeatable for the price! Got one when it came out. The stock pickups are dark in their voicing for my tastes. Maybe if you drop tune it's better suited but I play standard. Be aware that the paint job is fairly thin. Be careful when you're restringing that you don't scratch it. Also the brige/string setup is s little fiddly to get in. I got black fingers from the "burnt" maple fretboard, sharp fret ends that needed a little filing and a slight crackle on the bridge pickup. But I replaced the pickups anyway with DiMarzios and it sounds great. Most important, it feels fun to play! It's not heavy and it doesn't feel like it's trying to get in your way.
Good to hear you enjoy your guitar! I played a Harley sc custom yesterday in our rehearsals for a gig. It is quite a lot heavier than Tele, so I'm going to take the Tele next time and test if it feels better, it too has Dimarzios also and the pickups are great.
just some unsolicited fyi, downtuning requires brighter pickups, on 7/8/9/n strings guitars with distortion you need to cut a lot of bass before the amp or it turns into a mud fest
@@christiaandemarezoyens4720 I think I've only every changed pots once going from singles to HBs. I just tend to leave the originals in provided if they are the right rating for the pickup.
Good stuff! The pick gaurd was indeed a deal breaker colour. I recently bought a stagg ses-30bk at a pawnshop (with free crappy amp) and I'm flipping it to something I want. I bought this one, because it comes factory fitted with a bone nut, but I reshaped the head in to something more graceful. Next step is to replace all the white parts with shiny black parts, and paint everything else matt black with a satin finish (it plays better/faster). After that I will attack the more costly hardware, after I figure out which parts I want. I didn't paint my pick guard, because I'm afraid it will peal off. However, the 5 week delivery time on my new pick gaurd (and the fact you did it) is making me reconsider it 😂 Judging by some similarities in parts, I think Harley Benton uses the same Korean factory as Stagg does. Not sure.
@@victorribeiro2431 I had to check the Jim Root, and lo and behold, these look quite similar! You are right, all Jim Root fans get your Harleys and MOD!
Exactly, no matter what the value, the instrument needs a proper setup to you liking first. Then you can say if it is a keeper or not. Many budget guitars turn from total crap to nicely playing instruments after a setup.
@@alkyhauler8185 I have the same guitar, I haven't modded it much only did a string change and adjustment to the saddles and action. I have it setup in Drop B and I used custom strings ordered from Stringjoy, they are 11 - 58 (11, 15, 18, 26, 38, 58). I use it to mainly play stuff from Slipknot but dabble in other stuff here and there. It is a truly solid guitar for its price.
@@jukka9333 Welp, it sure looks red on the site and in your video! Or kinda like reddish orange lava thing! I dunno who dat dude or his guitar is, but I googled and u are right, very similar! Except the Wilko geetar is rather ugly, but this HB version is fine and actually the ONLY telecaster I've ever seen that looks decent!
@@MaximusAdonicus it is tortoise shell, looks more like brownish to my eye, but anyway, these are a matter of taste. This Tele sure looks good in a different way than the traditional telecaster.
Typical Harley Benton, damaged finish on the back, poor setup, cheap electronics. This sample would be going back asap if i received it like this. I like Harley Benton's but the entry level models suffer from far too many bad samples and need too much upgrading. I now only buy the Fusion models, they are well worth the extra outlay.
I don't mind the aesthetic defects, but you shouldn't have to pay full price if there are flaws. That is why informed Thomann about the flaws and I got this with discount...
I received 2k guitar from ESP in worst condition, it also had a black satin finish similar to the one right here. Buckle mark on the back, sand paper mark on the front, even had a ding in the paint. was supposed to be brand new but looked like it had been played quite a few time.
Okay there, Mr super elite. How many cars did you send back after they're not driving condition straight out of the factory? Everything that leaves the factory needs to be made use ready (check the car invoice, you paid for it). Given, most guitar players don't know how to do this (as with most drivers), but you can learn, or send it to a luthier. Your complaint is utterly irrelevant, as you basicly said you're willing to pay for the setup if you don't know you're paying for it 😐
For less than 100 bucks, this guitar is amazing. I own the same, the main issue are the frets which are not thick enough so you can't put high gauge strings on it for drop C or drop B, pick ups are not bad but can be improved a lot, needs insulation too
If you like tinkering with these guitars, and have some tools and experience, you could change the frets to jumbo. If something goes wrong, change the whole neck.... this is the fun part of these budget friendly guitars, not a big risk if you ruin something.
@@jukka9333 I think there's also a bottom threshold though - once it gets cheap enough and I have to replace or fix enough things, it's no longer worth it. Might as well just get blanks and make a brand new one yourself. I'd rather spend $2-300 and get a good base to mess with. If I'm gonna get a sub 100 guitar I'm not changing anything beyond basic setup.
@@wordsmith451 I totally agree, that there is a limit to what you want to do with upgrading the bottom feeder guitars. I take them as a challenge and try to make them good players with spare parts that I have laying around. Or trade with my other guitars...
@@jukka9333 have you checked out the new r-446 HBs? Metallic superstrats for 150. They look like fun.
@@wordsmith451 Yes, that model sure is interesting.
Having owned and owning many American and Asian guitars I'm blown away with the quality of this guitar. I've had it for about two months now and paid less than $200 for the axe,bag, and cable (the shipping was $50 but is included in the $200 total). I've replaced the tuners and am about to replace the pickups, although they aren't terrible. Just not great. HB is a better buy than entry Epi's or Fender IMO. Very solid.
I ordered one today. I kinda like the reddish tortoise shell contrast but that flat black pickguard looks very nice. Do you think the paint will scratch off exposing the original?
Congrats, hope you will get a good one. The paint will stick if you sand the pickguard lightly, clean the surface well and use multiple light layers of proper paint (for plastic material).
Nice guitar - and totally agree - the black pickguard looks way better than the turtois that was on it.... tnx for the video -KK - Btw: how do you record video with sound from BIAS FX? I'd never figured that out.
Thank you for your feedback! Those sound sample videos I record with Mixcraft 9 playing through the Bias plugin, while shooting the video with my phone, then combine them in Windows Moviemaker. That's it.
Have had mine a couple of months, the black pickguard is a great idea, might just do that with mine. Typical setup issues out of the box for me too, I replaced my pickups with a set of Bill Lawrence USA ones I had, night and day difference. My string trees are aligned, thats an unfortunate thing. All in all, a fun guitar to play and get your twang on.
Hi Bill R! Great to hear that you enjoy your HB like I do. Pickup change makes a big difference, I'm thinking that I might return the Kramer pickup back to where it came from and put that Dimarzio Transition to Tele...
Great video, I like how you put it together! I have a few HB's and I really enjoy playing them. Most of the inexpensive guitars will have minor issues. That doesn't bother me at all. Even my sub $200 Kramer Barretta Special needed work. It's satisfying to make your own mods to them too.
Thank you RBarbo! Good to hear you enjoy fixing issues with these guitars, like I do. It is satisfying, and very useful to learn to take care of your instruments.
What kind of paint did you use on the pickguard?
Sounds pretty damn good for a budget guitar. I have the Ash version in semi-transparent white (Like a Mary Kaye) with single coils that I just swapped out for some higher quality A-5 wax potted Korean make pups, and a 4 way switch, CTS pots, shielded cavities, and compensated brass saddles. Just bolted the neck back on last night and fit a bone nut. Letting it settle in, and have only played it unplugged, so in a couple day's I'll let er rip!
A/C died in the house last week and just had it replaced, the humidity was all over the map! (hence letting things acclimate)
It is a car paint for bumpers, wings and other parts. Sticks really well on the pickguard and doesn't peel off as easily as some other rattlecan paints. You have a good Tele there! And it gets even better with the Alnico 5 pickups. I like A2 and A5 and have changed those in my low end pickups, improves sound drastically to my ears.
I got lucky, my one arrived just needing the string adjustment. Like the colour change to the pickguard looks good.
Congrats Rory! Enjoy your guitar!
I got the black HSS and it was almost flawless! In fact I love the tortoise pickguard.
Great! I'm the opposite, don't like tortoise but hey, that's just me.
Much better with the black pickguard!
Great guitar and great job 🙂🙂
I'm thinking about getting one for me...
May I ask which grit sandpaper you used to sand the pickguard ?
The end result really looks great...
Thanks! I don't remember what grit it was, probably 600 or 800...
Unbeatable for the price!
Got one when it came out. The stock pickups are dark in their voicing for my tastes. Maybe if you drop tune it's better suited but I play standard.
Be aware that the paint job is fairly thin. Be careful when you're restringing that you don't scratch it. Also the brige/string setup is s little fiddly to get in.
I got black fingers from the "burnt" maple fretboard, sharp fret ends that needed a little filing and a slight crackle on the bridge pickup. But I replaced the pickups anyway with DiMarzios and it sounds great. Most important, it feels fun to play! It's not heavy and it doesn't feel like it's trying to get in your way.
Good to hear you enjoy your guitar! I played a Harley sc custom yesterday in our rehearsals for a gig. It is quite a lot heavier than Tele, so I'm going to take the Tele next time and test if it feels better, it too has Dimarzios also and the pickups are great.
just some unsolicited fyi, downtuning requires brighter pickups, on 7/8/9/n strings guitars with distortion you need to cut a lot of bass before the amp or it turns into a mud fest
@@escalator9734 makes sense, thanks for the tip!
Great feedback on the guitar, thanks. Can I ask why you decided to only exchange the pups and not the pots?
@@christiaandemarezoyens4720 I think I've only every changed pots once going from singles to HBs. I just tend to leave the originals in provided if they are the right rating for the pickup.
sky high action and it has a QC passed sticker. I wonder what they actually checked during the QC.
Add the buckle rash to it too! 😁
awww little baby doesn't know how to adjust action.... go buy a 400 dll guitar buddy
Peel the plastic of the pickguard so you can enjoy your plastic pickguard 😃
Funny isn't it...
don't worry about the wrinkles my friend! awesome video
Thank you 🙂
Seems like a really nice budget guitar to mod (:
Yes it is!
Yes : I'm considering swapping maybe the neck pick up for a humbucker size P90 to fit in the space and real tuners.
@@simoneric8183 go for it!
Black pickguard.
Dude thats one mean t-style
Mean Machine! And it plays so well that I am going to take it to our next gig.
Good stuff! The pick gaurd was indeed a deal breaker colour.
I recently bought a stagg ses-30bk at a pawnshop (with free crappy amp) and I'm flipping it to something I want. I bought this one, because it comes factory fitted with a bone nut, but I reshaped the head in to something more graceful. Next step is to replace all the white parts with shiny black parts, and paint everything else matt black with a satin finish (it plays better/faster). After that I will attack the more costly hardware, after I figure out which parts I want.
I didn't paint my pick guard, because I'm afraid it will peal off. However, the 5 week delivery time on my new pick gaurd (and the fact you did it) is making me reconsider it 😂
Judging by some similarities in parts, I think Harley Benton uses the same Korean factory as Stagg does. Not sure.
Nice! Have fun with your project!
i got this guitar, stuck some spare EMG 81 and 85s in and some new locking tuners, sounds lovely now
Yes, these are great for modding. This guitar definitely needs new tuners, the ones it has have a horrible turning ratio.
How to make an Jim Root Signature and spare thousand dollars.
@@victorribeiro2431 I had to check the Jim Root, and lo and behold, these look quite similar! You are right, all Jim Root fans get your Harleys and MOD!
@@jukka9333 yeah Jim Roots sig was my inspiration. Mind you, had to file out the bridge pickup hole as it doesn't fit pickups or emgs with covers.
@@SleepscapeSerenity I had to shorten the neck pickup screws to make it fit 😁
Painting the pickguard really made it better.
Yep, same kind of matte finish than on the body.
@@jukka9333 how did you find the right paint?
@@metalsalvo Happened to have a can of paint and tested that.. and it was just right for the job.
@@jukka9333 that was lucky. 🤣
Would you use the same on the body if needed?
@@metalsalvo Maybe, although it is meant for plastic parts. Don´t know how it would hold up on the body...
some white pickups or pickup covers would make that guitar pop! great job on the mod!
You may have a point there, Shafaet! I changed the pickups today, now the bridge pup is zebra...
@@jukka9333 That's cool!
03:14 wtf dude...
😁 The Brutal Way!
Looks dope ^^
KILLER
I have a strat for 70 bucks and its amazing the brand is clifton but like any guitar you need setup
Exactly, no matter what the value, the instrument needs a proper setup to you liking first. Then you can say if it is a keeper or not. Many budget guitars turn from total crap to nicely playing instruments after a setup.
@@jukka9333 yeah and for effects i use my phone
👍🏻👍🏻
Dang ! 2 layers of plastic ? Insane. I've never seen that before.😲
And all that protection for nothing
#120_Noooo_buttEyeHere_hansonsMMMMM_bop⚠️
the price is worth it
Latest stab at Black Sabbath Supernaut
Harley Benton ST-20hh active SBK
Mods:
1. Locking tuners
2. Bone nut
3. Roller string-trees
4. Speed knob (vol)
5. Full set-up (action, intonation, etc)
6. 11-52 NYXL's
7. Fretwrap
8. Perri's leather strap
9. Dunlop strap-locks
ruclips.net/video/1LQuoQORmeE/видео.html
Great, you really put some effort to that guitar.
@@jukka9333 It's an absolute weapon now lol, thanks!
@@alkyhauler8185 I have the same guitar, I haven't modded it much only did a string change and adjustment to the saddles and action. I have it setup in Drop B and I used custom strings ordered from Stringjoy, they are 11 - 58 (11, 15, 18, 26, 38, 58). I use it to mainly play stuff from Slipknot but dabble in other stuff here and there. It is a truly solid guitar for its price.
They have to do a tele version of it.
@@katolecho They did.
Damn, that red pick-guard was the whole identity of this guitar and a cool/only little distinctive detail! 😭
If it would have been red, it would have reminded me of Wilko Johnson Tele and this ruining would not have been happened at all! 😁
@@jukka9333 Welp, it sure looks red on the site and in your video! Or kinda like reddish orange lava thing! I dunno who dat dude or his guitar is, but I googled and u are right, very similar! Except the Wilko geetar is rather ugly, but this HB version is fine and actually the ONLY telecaster I've ever seen that looks decent!
@@MaximusAdonicus it is tortoise shell, looks more like brownish to my eye, but anyway, these are a matter of taste. This Tele sure looks good in a different way than the traditional telecaster.
@@jukka9333 Yes, tastes differ like flavors in a wine.
First, it's more brown than red and second, the black looked 100 times better.
HB Man
Yes sir!
Black pickguard. How creative.
Like your comment... Fool
Can do same for mine
Yes, you can do the same, it is not hard.
Typical Harley Benton, damaged finish on the back, poor setup, cheap electronics.
This sample would be going back asap if i received it like this.
I like Harley Benton's but the entry level models suffer from far too many bad samples
and need too much upgrading.
I now only buy the Fusion models, they are well worth the extra outlay.
I don't mind the aesthetic defects, but you shouldn't have to pay full price if there are flaws. That is why informed Thomann about the flaws and I got this with discount...
I received 2k guitar from ESP in worst condition, it also had a black satin finish similar to the one right here.
Buckle mark on the back, sand paper mark on the front, even had a ding in the paint. was supposed to be brand new but looked like it had been played quite a few time.
@@claire6650 that is bad for a 2K guitar. Did you send it back?
Okay there, Mr super elite. How many cars did you send back after they're not driving condition straight out of the factory? Everything that leaves the factory needs to be made use ready (check the car invoice, you paid for it).
Given, most guitar players don't know how to do this (as with most drivers), but you can learn, or send it to a luthier.
Your complaint is utterly irrelevant, as you basicly said you're willing to pay for the setup if you don't know you're paying for it 😐
Cheap guitars do NOT come with all the details done by a luthier or good setup guy. They are cheap factory guitars.. see?
Couldn't watch because of the wrinkles in your shirt.
😁
fuck that guitars !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, boomer