Their brutal honesty when it comes to their own Harley Benton products is refreshing. I'm not used to being told the truth by a salesperson, I don't even know how to react to it.
shout out to thomann: i have a SC 450 GT, it used to not stay in tune at all. i was willing to pay 50€+ for some decent tuners, wrote a mail to thomann asking which might fit.... they pointed out i actually only need to change the nut for 10 bucks. i did. it stayed in tune ever since. thanks for being honest, competent and not ripping me off :) (fucking music store would have sold me tuners + a nut)
@@JSBroadcast wtf i havent been locked in this account for weeks, randomly logged in today and your question is from yesterday. i guess the universe wants me to give you an answer: TUSQ. It is a tusq nut.
Thanks, guys, but a bit too much focus on the "You should go pay a luthier for this," type answers. People are clicking on this video to learn "How Can I Upgrade My Harley Benton," not how can I spend more money than the guitar costs on a luthier. - Thomann Customer
Fretwork in particular requires extreme precision. It also requires special tools, and hard-won experience. Even with the benefit of teaching videos, most people botch multiple fret jobs before they learn how to do it well. Why is Thomas going to encourage you to potentially butcher your instrument when they are on the hook for the warranty? If you want to experiment in safety, buy some junk guitars to practice on- don't ruin a nice Harley Benton...
I think they are basically saying you can't upgrade one easily, which is actually good to know. It's odd that they wouldn't make them as upgradable as possible, given some of the quality control issues.
I think GFS even has upgrades for squires, which also purposely use different measurements from Fender. If Rondo makes guitar with bridge route for a squire, why doesn't Harley Benton? Or maybe they do?
I think more HB guitars could use better description of what sizes their installed parts come in. Everything you've said in this video should be mentioned in HB item descriptions on the website. I've got the JA60 and tried replacing the bridge... however the installed bridge is just over 1mm smaller than standard bridges. So I had to fill and redrill. I was prepared for the task, but it's a bit sad to have to find these things out. For people who start out on hb guitars and want to upgrade them along the way, this might become a tedious task.
I love that he said you won't want to change anything on the fusion....Totally agree...love mine to death. I build guitars as a hobby...and I cannot compete, for the price, with this monster. Good job guys!!
Vess, I am receiving my FUSION ll HSH LH FNT ROE, with the toasted maple neck, and the other goodies on it, tomorrow!!!!! My only gripe is the volume and tone knobs, I think that's the only thing I would change. Basically a fender and L.P. guy, but geez, I was dying to try out the FUSION!!
Harley Benton Single Cut upgrades: Pickups, Bridge/tailpiece, Electrics (all), Tuners and Nut. The more you spend the better the result. If you are patient and source good used (you know the brand) parts you can get something that sounds as good as what HB is copying for a lot less money, the bonus is that you can gig it without cringing every time someone walks by too close. Also, don't get the most expensive model, get the cheapest one that has a mahogany body and neck and a maple top, the bones are all you need. Another nice bonus is that you can take your time upgrading 1 component at a time as you find upgrades or money for them. It makes for a great gigging/practice guitar and it doesn't leave you trying to explain to the wife/husband why you spent $2000+ on a guitar. To me, this is the appeal of Harley Benton guitars, they are cheap enough that you don't feel bad turning them into projects and good enough that you don't need to upgrade them to make them playable if you are just starting out. My first guitar was a train wreck and cost more than double a baseline HB (ST, T-type or SC model) used. The truss rod was junk, body was plywood, the action was so bad you could fit your little finger under all the strings at the 22nd fret and it STILL had fret buzz. I almost gave up learning because of that thing, I eventually managed to get the neck straighter and filed down the offensive frets enough to lower the action to almost playable and plodded on. I guess the bonus is I have very strong fingers today :P
By the time you spend all the hours shopping for parts, then doing all the work, replacing this, replacing that, plus the cost of the parts, you could have bought a used Gibson LP Studio, and not had to do a thing. Plus you'd have something that holds value. Not that buying for value is my main focus, it just happens to be a benefit. I enjoy modding guitars and building them as much or more than the next guy. Plus it's fun and relaxing, but there comes a point when you get to what is referred as polishing a turd. No matter what you do, how much money you throw at it, it's only ever gonna be what it is. You'll NEVER recoup the amount of money, effort and time you're sinking into it. At some point you have to ask yourself is it worth the time and effort to do this or should you just get what you REALLY want in the first place.
@@rrolf71 yeah, so I don't live in the EU, so I can't comment on pricing on that side of the pond. We can get Studios on the used market here in the $500 range. Even buying a new Gibson, you can get into a new LP for well under $900. So, going your route is more trying to make something into something that it isn't. Just get the something you REALLY want. For me it doesn't make sense to spend $1000 for a $300 guitar no matter how you slice it. Spend $1000 for a $1000 guitar. You can try to justify your opinion any way you want. At the end of the day, you're spending $300 or more for a $150 guitar no matter which way you want to paint it (this is turd polishing 101). Just buy a better guitar then you don't have to spend more on that it will ever be worth.
@@PicksPaints i got the sc 450 for $190, refinished it to look like what i wanted spent $100 on Stewart Macdonald Parson Street Pafs ,relic'd it and now have a true lemon drop guitar(without the hideous orange border)looks better and sounds much fuller than my thin sounding 2010 Gibson std. that was $1500 at Guitar Center.I also bought a new tribute for $1100 and sent it back because the frets felt awful and that too wasnt as nice as my HB..so there is a reason its worth modding these inexpensive platforms because sometimes having the original isnt as good.
@@PicksPaints I only wish that were true in Europe. A basic LP Studio here will run you a minimum of 600 euros and that is used. I believe Thomann had a hotrod Gibson LP for around 600 euro but it was single humbucker, 1 volume and 1 tone. I wouldn't waste my money or time on the Gibson "budget" models with the flat top, pick guards and narrow headstock. For what they are, they sound decent but for 300 euro+ they are not a good deal at all compared to other brands. Where it comes to guitars there is a rift between the US and the rest of the world. People outside the US see $1200 for a decent Gibson and think "what a waste of money", they say things like "Gibson is a ripoff" because we are used to instruments from Asia that cost a fraction of the big G. Gibson is made in the USA, that comes with much higher labor costs and overheads hence higher pricing. That sucks for us outside the US but for people inside the US it isn't as big a deal because that $1200 is equivalent to about 500 euro for us taking into account local economy. Things cost more there but you also earn more. A struggling musician in Europe, at least where I live, is lucky to make 500 euro a month (gross) and that is having a (very decent) job not relying on gig money. So the prospect of saving up 100 euro for a decent Harley Benton then spending money on it over an extended period works a hell of a lot better here. Resale value is far less important to a musician that would spend the money and time on upgrades than it would be in the US. Often times these upgraded instruments are passed on to a friend/band mate either free or for a very low price. If I ever sell my upgraded guitars you can be sure I will pull my expensive components and replace them with decent low cost alternatives or the stock ones if I still have them. They will then go into my next project.
@@PicksPaints Harley Bentons aren't turds though. Thanks to CNC machines they punch WAY above their price point. As much as I like Gibsons they are riddled with badly designed parts like the easily breakable headstock. You're paying mostly for the name. Apart from that there are people that WANT to tinker.
I have three Harley Benton Guitars and one bass. I have modified all of them. I do not change the pickups. I think the Roswell pickups the guitars ship with sound excellent. All the guitars now have Vanson locking tuners and I have changed the knobs for Epiphone style fluted speed knobs. My most recent purchase is a B stock TE-90FLT VW Deluxe Series. The mods are Vanson Locking tuners, Graph Tech string trees, a cheap set of Chinese solid brass block saddles, a Cabronita replacement pick guard attached with black screws, two transparent 'speed' knobs, new large diameter pots and a Switchcraft output jack. I glued in the rear string ferrules because they are 6.25mm ferrules in 7mm holes. With the strings removed the ferrules would fall out. The result is an absolutely incredible guitar for the money, even including the cost of the parts for the modifications. The pickguard thing is a little odd, the first issue of these HB guitars had a correctly shaped Cabronita style guard. The more recent versions have a really ugly, poorly shaped guard that is attached by four small screws through holes drilled right on the very edge of the pick guard. It looks really nasty and because the fixing screws were right on the edge it could not be re-shaped into a more pleasing outline . You can easily buy correctly shaped Cabronita guards, which I did, but like Chris says, they won't fit because the TE-90FLT has 'smugglers' weight relief, a cavity routed out under the pick guard. This means that two of the screw holes in a Cabronita correct guard are over empty space. The solution I adopted in the end was to cut and shape wood blocks to match the corners of the smugglers route, and then glue them in with epoxy glue. These then provided support to screw in to.
Making Fusion guitars with universal pickup routing and selling direct fit pickguards in various pickup configurations would help people make them exactly how they want without raising production costs
Love the idea for this vid. Probly not what a lot of companies would consider a "necessary" type vid. But that's where they're wrong, the players and tinkerers appreciate this (hopefully)!
I've changed tuning machines on my CST-24 to Kluson MLS33C (they just fit) which was really wort every cent! So much that right after it I did also swap out the tuners of my GS-Travel for Kluson MLG33B (you gotta drill screw holes in that case (1.5mm or so). Yes the tuners are almost half the price of guitar, but still very much worth it! I think that in general on budget guitars new tuners are almost always really worth it. The cheaper Klusons are still way better then anything you'll get on a sub 200€ Guitar. Actually the two sets of Klusons I got are really great. Another Tip: If you plan on Modding your guitar a bit more, Locking Tuners and Harley Benton Strings are great. You can always go back to your favorite set of Expensive Brand Strings once your "finished" doing your mods! (Locking Tuners are always great, but even better when you change strings a lot)
I just got my SC500WH on Christmas Eve and it is a beast. It's solid, and it plays great, but the pickups are horrible. Really low output and the bridge pickup was not potted properly so it was very microphonic and squealed even with minimum overdrive. I have it with my guitar tech buddy and I'm having him totally gut it and install new pickups, volume and tone controls, input jack and toggle switch. I can't wait to get it back.
Please tell us something about different pickup wirings (50s wiring for example) and how we can install a treble bleed ( and what parts are needed ). Or removing pots from the guitar, because the person XY don't need two tone knobs ..
I really like the looks of the seven string fanned frets. Unfortunately i dont like to play 7 strings nor fanned frets. I really hope to see this guitar as a normal 6 string. I really love the design
I would like to know if for the ST style the neck slot is a standard measure (I guess if I buy a replacement neck I would need to buy it with no holes drilled, but its better to know beforehand)
I bought a HB st-62 just for learning to setup, mod and minor repairs,,, its my best playing guitar just laying around now 👍 it realy payd off in no more bring my guitars to a shop for changing nut , proper setup or change pups, etc
I actually upgraded my Epiphone Les Paul special II with Kluson locking tuners and a new Graphtech nut. Probably gonna try my hand on fixing some high frets too. Maybe I am crazy to do all this on my own but I love doing things myself. I really hope Thomann will expande its luthier supplies a lot and I would love some high end Harley Benton guitar build kits. Oh and you might wanna go into customizing a guitar visually to make it your own.
Guys it should be possible to customize your HB guitars, can you think about this option? I’d like to order a Harley Benton thin line with a P90 in the neck, with the tone and volume pots in the same position as a strat and the selector switch in the same position as a Les Paul! Let’s have some Harley Benton custom shop options!
Coincidentally, I just replaced the pickups and pots on my hb sc550 to thornbuckers and cts pots this week. What a huge difference and upgrade in tone. Also replaced the nut on my cst24t to graph tech a little while ago.
i guess its time to do a custom shop for harley bentons. where u can pick your body model and then a bunch of different hardware to your liking. will cost a bit more for sure but wont bust your bank forsure
Well you get what you pay for. Having the te-70 paisley and only have a few tuning issues. Some say it may be the nut or the tuners. But i am doing ok with the same tricks for my strat
I found on my HB SC Custom the Wilkinson bridge was great but the neck was a bit muddy so in the neck went a mid 90s Epiphone alnico.... On my HB SC450 i sanded off all the color and refinished it to a true Lemon Drop color scheme (lemon drops shouldnt have bright orange on them in my opinion) then relic'd it, added Stewart Macdonalds Parson Street PAFS....KILLER sound and looks..What also works well is the Iron Gear "Blues Engine", "Rolling Mill" or the "Hot Slag pups at $35 ea are a steal!!!
Perfect page to ask this question on.... how do I remove the pickguard on the RB 414 bass? Would I be better off taking it to a tech, or is it something that the standard user/player can do?
Zen, and the art of the luthier. Major point well made, that all clones are not equal. Glad they showed that slanted Gibson-like up close as it plays optical tricks and looks twisted on a vertical stand.
Andy: I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who’s had problems with pots. I felt a right fool the first time I bought pots too deep for the cavity of my guitar.
I'd suggest to have at least to lines of ST, TE, LP, etc. types, a cheaper one for people who like to mod , but also a line with better hardware for those who can't do mods. For a decent guitar that doesn't need any mod I'd pay even as a hobby player 450 -500 Euros.
I am wondering about something else Do not make a potentiometer. First I was thinking about 2 tone and 2 volume Now after efficiency rationalization and information gathering It turns out that 1 tone and 2 volume is enough for two coils separately. What do you think about it ?????
high friends of thomann,s guitar and basses !!! my question is , what choice for a bridge upgrade for my Victory plus black and gold , which is by the way a realy realy outstanding guitar souds amazing whith a personal sert up ! thank you !
I have used quite a variety of spares from Thomann for my Bentons and other guitars. For the most part the spares have been very good, fitted easily and worked well. One area where there is considerable doubt is with Machine heads, what style and what size will fit in particular Harley Benton guitar models? I have a HB Mandolin and the tuners are so bad, so stiff and at the same time so vague in operation that I would like to break the damn thing in frustration when attempting to tune it! Surely it is possible for tuners to be sold in packs for particular models of instruments in the Harley Benton own rage of instruments. labelled for those models and described as such? I have bought from Thomann, several replacement pick guards for my ST62 guitars, I hate with a serious passion the fake tortoise shell guards, none of them fitted without adjustment by file or Dremmel and only a few of the mounting holes aligned with the originals. That is to be expected with so many models being manufactured in different factories around the world so be prepared to do some tricky work to get them to fit well. Lastly, nutts, these really vary a great deal, it is a precision fit part and it will be a minor miracle if the nut you order fits your instrument perfectly without considerable delicate work.
Great conversation! Thank you! but so distracting for me... :( Focus focus... just get them in focus and then put the lens on manual, lock it off or get a new camera with eye tracking.
I have a "vintage" HB Strat (ST20) from 2004 the honest reply to my inquiry which/how for the tremelo bar was not helpful. Essentially, I was told upgrade the guitar. Impossible to determine what would fit or likely etc. What is the softer metal.. is the bridge stripped, or is the tremelo stripped? Tremelo long gone, guitar still there.. I would like it to be complete...though I hardly play guitar let alone use tremelo .
How about the Harley Benton DC-600? I'd like to know what my options are for upgrading. Also, for guitars like the Harley Benton SC-1000, can the active pickups be easily switched with EMG or Fishman active pickups?
Emg or seymour duncan quick connect yes. The fishmans can also be connect via quick connect, BUT only one voice will be active and can't be switched. So... the full features of the fishmans would require soldering.
What do you mean with "options"? Your options are always unlimited. You want to refret the dc600, sand it down to refinish it with a satin oil finish and completely change the electronics for some vintage boutique new old stock 60s wiring with bee stripe condensors, worth alone more than the guitar was? Go for it! Is it worth it? No idea. About the actives in the SC1000 - the Roswell actives are soldered and don't have any kind of quick connect so you'd have to solder in every case, and probably go for the whole electronics to change out as well, if you want to switch to the quick connect stuff. Might actually be easier to just install the whole set with the quick connectors after desoldering the old stuff, anyways.
Hi Kris, hi Andy. Interest talking. Directly to the point: mods for HB! First: does a V5 Vibramate + B5 Bigsby Vibrato kit match correclty in the standard housings of a HB DC Custom guitar?Second: more or less the same question... does a Fender's HiMass bridge fit correclty in the standard housings of a HB JB-75 bass? For both questions, I'm referring about any issues with pitch holes, screws, general measures, height, low action settings, tuning, etc.... I would like to buy the two new instruments (above) using upgraded components I already own. Thanx! Andy
Does an ObsidianWire HSS fit an Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK? It has an Humbucker and 2 Single Coil microphones, and it fits an standard US Fender and in this video it's stated that any part that fits an standard US Fender fits an Harley Benton. Does this also include ObsidianWire part?
I bought the RB600BK last December. I noticed one of the poles is not connected, won’t screw in, and probably never was screwed in. What replacement pickups should I get? I have lost confidence in these cheap Artec pickups.
Hi great video! I was wondering, what about the compatibility with your DIY kits? I’m building an St model and want to change the parts (pickguard, tuners ecc but also pickups)…I was planning on getting all HB parts off of Thomann but now I’m scared that it won’t work! Please help 😅
Question: I'm looking for a good vintage tuners for my sc-550. In the catalogue of Thomann are there a set that directly fits without modification? Maybe the Grover 135n? Gotoh? Gibson? Thanks!
I remark this is an old posting. I don't know but.. I bought a sc Harley Benton which is another guitar more rock'ńˇroll machine., Les Paul Junior style.but I went in the other direction .. people treat hb instruments like shit.. and polish their expensive guitars.,making good set ups. I went in the direction that I set up my Hb perfect, I changed to locking tuners which i can recommend for any brand , you win 20-50 percent tuning stability..but this is something which also more expensive brands need. I made the dry fretboard up Wirth lemon oil, but this is something which also more expensive brands @t strings which more expensive guitars also need. the activation clarity I made, the neck bend, the low action.. the news strings!! I play this monster , every day.. its a chesap guitar but I'm in love with her for 222euros incl. shipment. I bought for my HB a nice Case... I treat it With the tease like others do with their custom gear. now Its played for 6 months.. the next thing I buy is a HB Shirt. I don't need another guitar..
Great tip document disassembly to make reassembly possible! Be prepared to ruin your guitar while trying to make it better ... that's how you learn what not to do :D why don't they use the metric system in the US ???? laziness, stubbornness ,igroance or all of the above LOL
Hi guys. I'm looking to buy a 450sc P90 GT. I'd like to drop Lollars in it along with the prewired kit (cts 500k pots.) Can I drop the Emerson kit in as a direct replacement or would it require a little carving out to fit the USA pots? I'm aware I'll have to drill the holes for volume and tone knobs to fit the shaft and buy USA knobs. Thanks!
I recently purchased a new Harley Benton RB-612Classic Series Sunburst.. The guitar is amazing. My only wish is that the strings were setup in the traditional 12 string order.. Is it possible to special order a different bridge and nut for this guitar that has the octave string first or above the wound string?
Just bought an HB-60 from Thomann but the bridge pickup is wonky and sounds shorted. Saw some other video that mentioned that too. Is that a common issue for that model?
Dont know if anyone can help me i have 2 Harley Benton L-1000 guitars and would love to replace the 3x3 tuners on it but everytime i look i find from grover or hipshot not really sure on what other good brands i find that the screw locations is straight off the tuner where mine are down at bottom off center. Is there a standard for this tuner that i can buy dont want to have exposed holes if i get ones that dont match.
Whats worth prioritizing for upgrade on the SC-450Plus? The pickups seem fine, but the bridge and the tuning machines are a little shaky, and the nut is plastic. How easy is it to find replacements for these, particularly the metal hardware (machines and bridge)?
I've changed the nut on mine with a bone nut. Had to file it myself. It was my first time and it went perfect. Now I've got a brass nut waiting for to be filed too, just to try and see how it sounds. The rest of the guitar is fine. Next change will be the pots. They feel no progressive at all. From 0 to 8 it's equal to 0. I'll change pots and capacitors.
so what can i do when i want to fit kluson style tuners on my guitar which currently has grovers installed, which means that the holes have a larger diameter than is necessary for the klusons? is there like an extra part i need to get so that the klusons will fit nicely?
Point to remember: 1: not all HB parts will fit the instruments they were designed for............um ok. 2: Go pay someone else to do it or just fuck it up yourself . 3:thingy is a technical term
Why wouldn't you have a pickguard replacement for the Harley Benton, you already get them with the guitars? And if you made a slide in replacement for the Squiers, you can tap into a big market of people how have to drill new holes.
From my experience, there isnt a huge demand for slide in replacement pickup sets/kits for guitars. I think EMG and Seymour Duncan had a few products like those that were all pre-wired as part of a kit but I never heard of anyone buying them or dont know of anyone that used a set like that. Its always been picking whatever pickup you want and either having someone solder it in for you or you do your own soldering. Pickguards is a different story. Im sure those might sell a few because not everyone has access to a 3D printer to make their own. I think people like the freedom of picking whatever pickup combinations they want apart from whats straight up available on the shelf. Now If Thomann would allow you to customise what sort of pickups you wanted and have them build it for you then that might get a bit of interest,
@@Rose.Of.Hizaki There are a couple of specialist companies in America who do this and they seem to be doing very well. They buy pickups in bulk and it is often cheaper to buy a complete drop in pick guard from them (even shipped to the UK) than to buy the same brand name pickups and either build a new pick guard - wired and loaded with pickups, or replace the pickups in your existing guard. Then if you don't like your pickup change you can easily switch back to the old loaded pick guard. The reason you might want to replace a Harley Benton pick guard is, as I mention in my post on the TE-90FLT, because the factory fitted guard looks horrible.
Great stuff! :) I'm awaiting delivery of my HB TE-52 and I'm sure, at some point, I'll want to swap the bridge saddles for brass. How awkward would this be? I had been (up until now) thinking that it'd just be a matter of taking the original saddles off and bunging new ones on but now I'm not so sure. Any advice gratefully accepted :)
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Thanks Andy. I'm a wee bit confused though as I'd heard that HB replacement bits don't fit due to being produced by different manufacturers (and for some reason the parts don't gel). I wonder if the brass saddles from the HB TE-70 would fit.
Yeah its a pretty close copy, I've got one in Honey burst. I swapped out the pots all the wiring to the 50s Style braided 18 mm length pot shafts. I will say I have the Roswell pickups in there and they're pretty good I think they're going to stay inside the damn guitar.
I just bought the DC junior double cut single dogear do those have any dramas I have a Tyson tone labs dog ear to drop in if the standard Rosewell disappoints I really need no more guitar'sI bought this out of sheer curiosity just to see what one can achieve at this price point the guitars look to come from the same people who do the vintage brand headstock the top is a dead giveaway or so it seems
Hi there. Please watch my review on the Harley Benton, Fusion III, Run 2, HH FR EB FCH. The first youtube review on Run#2 of the Fusion III. Many thanks
I have the Harley Benton te 20 hh. I love this guitar I want to make the best upgrades possible on it but I can find no information on which pickups and such to buy or upgrades needed. money is not important I want this guitar to be all I can make it to be. please anyone in the comments or HB can you help me. i play a blues style and love it for Albert Collins style playing. I asked my guitar tech and he said it was fine way it was he was not trying to sell me stuff I did not need which was no help at all. any ideas would be so appreciated . he did do a setup and evened the frets out etc for me which did improve it a lot but still something is missing I need help thanks! should I email Thomann and ask them I buy all my guitars from them now.
dear Thomann : here is a scenario : a guy purchased a strato and wants to change parts on it such as the tremolo and the electgronics and use for example a tremolo made by dander hhh or one made by shebaneze. of course you cannot tell what part would fit but you can give the dimensions of those parts made by them which would fit with your product! 😊look up the law again! all you are prohobited to do is terll as the name of tremolo so and so but there is no copyright on dimensions ! a screwdriver made by the brothers mamamsmam hahaha and one made by boshus have the same dimensions ! if i want to sell bits that shall fit in a screwdriver made by mamasmamm into one made by boshus , all i need are only the dimensions and period i did not know this but one time i had to change some bits and asked the gy who wokrs for toomato " do bits made by mamasmamm fit in that " and he said " all i can tell you is that the dimensions are the same " ( reason is those originals were not avaleble there and i did not want to leave without any because i needed them ). well i was sort of curiouse why he did not name the kid and he told me again " well i cant tell you legaly if those do fit but i can say that those whom you want have the same dimensions " and ge laughed and i laughed because i have now bits enough for my woodwork allthough not the originals made by boshus 😁
Hey guys! What would be a good and affordable trem system for upgrading a Harley Benton ST-62, particularly with the purpose of having a thicker block for more sustain? No Floyd Rose. And would these tuners be a compatible replacement for the stock ones on an HB ST-62: www.thomann.de/es/harley_benton_parts_locking_tuners_6l_chrome.htm Thanks!
Their brutal honesty when it comes to their own Harley Benton products is refreshing. I'm not used to being told the truth by a salesperson, I don't even know how to react to it.
shout out to thomann: i have a SC 450 GT, it used to not stay in tune at all. i was willing to pay 50€+ for some decent tuners, wrote a mail to thomann asking which might fit.... they pointed out i actually only need to change the nut for 10 bucks. i did. it stayed in tune ever since.
thanks for being honest, competent and not ripping me off :) (fucking music store would have sold me tuners + a nut)
Amen I Just found out about Harley Benton Guitars and love them and Thomann customer Service, playing guitars 45 years.
@@JSBroadcast wtf i havent been locked in this account for weeks, randomly logged in today and your question is from yesterday. i guess the universe wants me to give you an answer:
TUSQ. It is a tusq nut.
Please someone make sure that known incompatibilities of Harley Benton parts to Harley Benton guitars are clearly stated in the product description.
Thanks, guys, but a bit too much focus on the "You should go pay a luthier for this," type answers. People are clicking on this video to learn "How Can I Upgrade My Harley Benton," not how can I spend more money than the guitar costs on a luthier.
- Thomann Customer
Fretwork in particular requires extreme precision. It also requires special tools, and hard-won experience. Even with the benefit of teaching videos, most people botch multiple fret jobs before they learn how to do it well. Why is Thomas going to encourage you to potentially butcher your instrument when they are on the hook for the warranty? If you want to experiment in safety, buy some junk guitars to practice on- don't ruin a nice Harley Benton...
He saying get a professional for SOME things.
I think they are basically saying you can't upgrade one easily, which is actually good to know. It's odd that they wouldn't make them as upgradable as possible, given some of the quality control issues.
@yeti goosecreature I think that's actually a better idea if you want a modding platform, without the hassle of doing too much woodworking
I think GFS even has upgrades for squires, which also purposely use different measurements from Fender. If Rondo makes guitar with bridge route for a squire, why doesn't Harley Benton? Or maybe they do?
I think more HB guitars could use better description of what sizes their installed parts come in. Everything you've said in this video should be mentioned in HB item descriptions on the website.
I've got the JA60 and tried replacing the bridge... however the installed bridge is just over 1mm smaller than standard bridges. So I had to fill and redrill. I was prepared for the task, but it's a bit sad to have to find these things out. For people who start out on hb guitars and want to upgrade them along the way, this might become a tedious task.
Why redrill? Shouldn't a 1mm shim or plug in the drill hole suffice?
I love that he said you won't want to change anything on the fusion....Totally agree...love mine to death. I build guitars as a hobby...and I cannot compete, for the price, with this monster. Good job guys!!
Vess, I am receiving my FUSION ll HSH LH FNT ROE, with the toasted maple neck, and the other goodies on it, tomorrow!!!!!
My only gripe is the volume and tone knobs, I think that's the only thing I would change.
Basically a fender and L.P. guy, but geez, I was dying to try out the FUSION!!
Appreciate this level of honesty and doesn't put me off from buying a HB.
Harley Benton Single Cut upgrades: Pickups, Bridge/tailpiece, Electrics (all), Tuners and Nut. The more you spend the better the result. If you are patient and source good used (you know the brand) parts you can get something that sounds as good as what HB is copying for a lot less money, the bonus is that you can gig it without cringing every time someone walks by too close. Also, don't get the most expensive model, get the cheapest one that has a mahogany body and neck and a maple top, the bones are all you need. Another nice bonus is that you can take your time upgrading 1 component at a time as you find upgrades or money for them. It makes for a great gigging/practice guitar and it doesn't leave you trying to explain to the wife/husband why you spent $2000+ on a guitar. To me, this is the appeal of Harley Benton guitars, they are cheap enough that you don't feel bad turning them into projects and good enough that you don't need to upgrade them to make them playable if you are just starting out. My first guitar was a train wreck and cost more than double a baseline HB (ST, T-type or SC model) used. The truss rod was junk, body was plywood, the action was so bad you could fit your little finger under all the strings at the 22nd fret and it STILL had fret buzz. I almost gave up learning because of that thing, I eventually managed to get the neck straighter and filed down the offensive frets enough to lower the action to almost playable and plodded on. I guess the bonus is I have very strong fingers today :P
By the time you spend all the hours shopping for parts, then doing all the work, replacing this, replacing that, plus the cost of the parts, you could have bought a used Gibson LP Studio, and not had to do a thing. Plus you'd have something that holds value. Not that buying for value is my main focus, it just happens to be a benefit. I enjoy modding guitars and building them as much or more than the next guy. Plus it's fun and relaxing, but there comes a point when you get to what is referred as polishing a turd. No matter what you do, how much money you throw at it, it's only ever gonna be what it is. You'll NEVER recoup the amount of money, effort and time you're sinking into it. At some point you have to ask yourself is it worth the time and effort to do this or should you just get what you REALLY want in the first place.
@@rrolf71 yeah, so I don't live in the EU, so I can't comment on pricing on that side of the pond. We can get Studios on the used market here in the $500 range. Even buying a new Gibson, you can get into a new LP for well under $900. So, going your route is more trying to make something into something that it isn't. Just get the something you REALLY want. For me it doesn't make sense to spend $1000 for a $300 guitar no matter how you slice it. Spend $1000 for a $1000 guitar. You can try to justify your opinion any way you want. At the end of the day, you're spending $300 or more for a $150 guitar no matter which way you want to paint it (this is turd polishing 101). Just buy a better guitar then you don't have to spend more on that it will ever be worth.
@@PicksPaints i got the sc 450 for $190, refinished it to look like what i wanted spent $100 on Stewart Macdonald Parson Street Pafs ,relic'd it and now have a true lemon drop guitar(without the hideous orange border)looks better and sounds much fuller than my thin sounding 2010 Gibson std. that was $1500 at Guitar Center.I also bought a new tribute for $1100 and sent it back because the frets felt awful and that too wasnt as nice as my HB..so there is a reason its worth modding these inexpensive platforms because sometimes having the original isnt as good.
@@PicksPaints I only wish that were true in Europe. A basic LP Studio here will run you a minimum of 600 euros and that is used. I believe Thomann had a hotrod Gibson LP for around 600 euro but it was single humbucker, 1 volume and 1 tone. I wouldn't waste my money or time on the Gibson "budget" models with the flat top, pick guards and narrow headstock. For what they are, they sound decent but for 300 euro+ they are not a good deal at all compared to other brands.
Where it comes to guitars there is a rift between the US and the rest of the world. People outside the US see $1200 for a decent Gibson and think "what a waste of money", they say things like "Gibson is a ripoff" because we are used to instruments from Asia that cost a fraction of the big G. Gibson is made in the USA, that comes with much higher labor costs and overheads hence higher pricing. That sucks for us outside the US but for people inside the US it isn't as big a deal because that $1200 is equivalent to about 500 euro for us taking into account local economy. Things cost more there but you also earn more. A struggling musician in Europe, at least where I live, is lucky to make 500 euro a month (gross) and that is having a (very decent) job not relying on gig money. So the prospect of saving up 100 euro for a decent Harley Benton then spending money on it over an extended period works a hell of a lot better here. Resale value is far less important to a musician that would spend the money and time on upgrades than it would be in the US. Often times these upgraded instruments are passed on to a friend/band mate either free or for a very low price. If I ever sell my upgraded guitars you can be sure I will pull my expensive components and replace them with decent low cost alternatives or the stock ones if I still have them. They will then go into my next project.
@@PicksPaints Harley Bentons aren't turds though. Thanks to CNC machines they punch WAY above their price point. As much as I like Gibsons they are riddled with badly designed parts like the easily breakable headstock. You're paying mostly for the name. Apart from that there are people that WANT to tinker.
I have three Harley Benton Guitars and one bass. I have modified all of them. I do not change the pickups. I think the Roswell pickups the guitars ship with sound excellent. All the guitars now have Vanson locking tuners and I have changed the knobs for Epiphone style fluted speed knobs. My most recent purchase is a B stock TE-90FLT VW Deluxe Series. The mods are Vanson Locking tuners, Graph Tech string trees, a cheap set of Chinese solid brass block saddles, a Cabronita replacement pick guard attached with black screws, two transparent 'speed' knobs, new large diameter pots and a Switchcraft output jack. I glued in the rear string ferrules because they are 6.25mm ferrules in 7mm holes. With the strings removed the ferrules would fall out. The result is an absolutely incredible guitar for the money, even including the cost of the parts for the modifications.
The pickguard thing is a little odd, the first issue of these HB guitars had a correctly shaped Cabronita style guard. The more recent versions have a really ugly, poorly shaped guard that is attached by four small screws through holes drilled right on the very edge of the pick guard. It looks really nasty and because the fixing screws were right on the edge it could not be re-shaped into a more pleasing outline . You can easily buy correctly shaped Cabronita guards, which I did, but like Chris says, they won't fit because the TE-90FLT has 'smugglers' weight relief, a cavity routed out under the pick guard. This means that two of the screw holes in a Cabronita correct guard are over empty space. The solution I adopted in the end was to cut and shape wood blocks to match the corners of the smugglers route, and then glue them in with epoxy glue. These then provided support to screw in to.
Making Fusion guitars with universal pickup routing and selling direct fit pickguards in various pickup configurations would help people make them exactly how they want without raising production costs
Great video but the camera person is drunk
It made it very difficult to watch.
That's how they did it on MTV in the 90's.
@@endezeichengrimm don't remind me lol
I just got drunk to compensate.... no issues...
Whiskey in the jar
More videos like this! So when are you guys gonna Fusion up the HB single cuts ?
Love the idea for this vid. Probly not what a lot of companies would consider a "necessary" type vid. But that's where they're wrong, the players and tinkerers appreciate this (hopefully)!
I've changed tuning machines on my CST-24 to Kluson MLS33C (they just fit) which was really wort every cent! So much that right after it I did also swap out the tuners of my GS-Travel for Kluson MLG33B (you gotta drill screw holes in that case (1.5mm or so). Yes the tuners are almost half the price of guitar, but still very much worth it!
I think that in general on budget guitars new tuners are almost always really worth it. The cheaper Klusons are still way better then anything you'll get on a sub 200€ Guitar. Actually the two sets of Klusons I got are really great.
Another Tip: If you plan on Modding your guitar a bit more, Locking Tuners and Harley Benton Strings are great. You can always go back to your favorite set of Expensive Brand Strings once your "finished" doing your mods! (Locking Tuners are always great, but even better when you change strings a lot)
I just got my SC500WH on Christmas Eve and it is a beast. It's solid, and it plays great, but the pickups are horrible. Really low output and the bridge pickup was not potted properly so it was very microphonic and squealed even with minimum overdrive. I have it with my guitar tech buddy and I'm having him totally gut it and install new pickups, volume and tone controls, input jack and toggle switch. I can't wait to get it back.
How did that turn out?
This is extremely helpful. It is good to know that they must be purposely different in order to avoid copyright and so on.
Please tell us something about different pickup wirings (50s wiring for example) and how we can install a treble bleed ( and what parts are needed ). Or removing pots from the guitar, because the person XY don't need two tone knobs ..
Go check out Jonathan Lee's channel he's done all that to his Benton's
Go check out Jonathan Koh channel he's done all that
I really like the looks of the seven string fanned frets. Unfortunately i dont like to play 7 strings nor fanned frets. I really hope to see this guitar as a normal 6 string. I really love the design
I would like to know if for the ST style the neck slot is a standard measure (I guess if I buy a replacement neck I would need to buy it with no holes drilled, but its better to know beforehand)
I bought a HB st-62 just for learning to setup, mod and minor repairs,,, its my best playing guitar just laying around now 👍 it realy payd off in no more bring my guitars to a shop for changing nut , proper setup or change pups, etc
I actually upgraded my Epiphone Les Paul special II with Kluson locking tuners and a new Graphtech nut. Probably gonna try my hand on fixing some high frets too. Maybe I am crazy to do all this on my own but I love doing things myself. I really hope Thomann will expande its luthier supplies a lot and I would love some high end Harley Benton guitar build kits. Oh and you might wanna go into customizing a guitar visually to make it your own.
Guys it should be possible to customize your HB guitars, can you think about this option? I’d like to order a Harley Benton thin line with a P90 in the neck, with the tone and volume pots in the same position as a strat and the selector switch in the same position as a Les Paul! Let’s have some Harley Benton custom shop options!
Coincidentally, I just replaced the pickups and pots on my hb sc550 to thornbuckers and cts pots this week. What a huge difference and upgrade in tone. Also replaced the nut on my cst24t to graph tech a little while ago.
Hey Guys! Nice video. Waiting for the next one.
Thanks! We are currently working on it!
//Andy
i guess its time to do a custom shop for harley bentons. where u can pick your body model and then a bunch of different hardware to your liking. will cost a bit more for sure but wont bust your bank forsure
Well you get what you pay for.
Having the te-70 paisley and only have a few tuning issues. Some say it may be the nut or the tuners.
But i am doing ok with the same tricks for my strat
I found on my HB SC Custom the Wilkinson bridge was great but the neck was a bit muddy so in the neck went a mid 90s Epiphone alnico.... On my HB SC450 i sanded off all the color and refinished it to a true Lemon Drop color scheme (lemon drops shouldnt have bright orange on them in my opinion) then relic'd it, added Stewart Macdonalds Parson Street PAFS....KILLER sound and looks..What also works well is the Iron Gear "Blues Engine", "Rolling Mill" or the "Hot Slag pups at $35 ea are a steal!!!
I have a LOT of time for IronGear Pickups.
//Andy
Perfect page to ask this question on.... how do I remove the pickguard on the RB 414 bass? Would I be better off taking it to a tech, or is it something that the standard user/player can do?
Zen, and the art of the luthier. Major point well made, that all clones are not equal. Glad they showed that slanted Gibson-like up close as it plays optical tricks and looks twisted on a vertical stand.
We will follow this up with more tips asap. The Fan fret Harley is a favourite of mine.
//Andy
I saw a video that suggested using a cheap replacement neck to learn how to sit in frets
What about upgrading Harley Benton Basses?
We will get on it!
//Andy
Andy: I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who’s had problems with pots. I felt a right fool the first time I bought pots too deep for the cavity of my guitar.
I learn by doing. Most of that doing is doing things wrong and having to fix it...
//Andy
Can you guys do a "How to mod your Harley Benton MB-5 Deluxe bass" one?
I'd suggest to have at least to lines of ST, TE, LP, etc. types, a cheaper one for people who like to mod
, but also a line with better hardware for those who can't do mods. For a decent guitar that doesn't need
any mod I'd pay even as a hobby player 450 -500 Euros.
I am wondering about something else Do not make a potentiometer. First I was thinking about 2 tone and 2 volume Now after efficiency rationalization and information gathering It turns out that 1 tone and 2 volume is enough for two coils separately. What do you think about it ?????
high friends of thomann,s guitar and basses !!! my question is , what choice for a bridge upgrade for my Victory plus black and gold , which is by the way a realy realy outstanding guitar souds amazing whith a personal sert up ! thank you !
I have used quite a variety of spares from Thomann for my Bentons and other guitars. For the most part the spares have been very good, fitted easily and worked well. One area where there is considerable doubt is with Machine heads, what style and what size will fit in particular Harley Benton guitar models? I have a HB Mandolin and the tuners are so bad, so stiff and at the same time so vague in operation that I would like to break the damn thing in frustration when attempting to tune it! Surely it is possible for tuners to be sold in packs for particular models of instruments in the Harley Benton own rage of instruments. labelled for those models and described as such? I have bought from Thomann, several replacement pick guards for my ST62 guitars, I hate with a serious passion the fake tortoise shell guards, none of them fitted without adjustment by file or Dremmel and only a few of the mounting holes aligned with the originals. That is to be expected with so many models being manufactured in different factories around the world so be prepared to do some tricky work to get them to fit well. Lastly, nutts, these really vary a great deal, it is a precision fit part and it will be a minor miracle if the nut you order fits your instrument perfectly without considerable delicate work.
PLEASE, PLEASE, I'm dying here..... love the HBs as upgrade platforms, SOOOO what about HB kits w/ Evertune bridges that I can't find covered?!?
Great conversation! Thank you! but so distracting for me... :( Focus focus... just get them in focus and then put the lens on manual, lock it off or get a new camera with eye tracking.
I've heard drilling holes in an instrument helps the tone. I once even saw someone do it. can you confirm this?
Fender just released a Telecaster with a big hole drilled in it, Its called a Acoustasonic. They claim it sounds better starting at 2K...
It might help getting "Simon and Garfunkel Tones" if you drill near the input jack ;-)
I have a "vintage" HB Strat (ST20) from 2004 the honest reply to my inquiry which/how for the tremelo bar was not helpful. Essentially, I was told upgrade the guitar. Impossible to determine what would fit or likely etc. What is the softer metal.. is the bridge stripped, or is the tremelo stripped? Tremelo long gone, guitar still there.. I would like it to be complete...though I hardly play guitar let alone use tremelo .
How about the Harley Benton DC-600? I'd like to know what my options are for upgrading. Also, for guitars like the Harley Benton SC-1000, can the active pickups be easily switched with EMG or Fishman active pickups?
Emg or seymour duncan quick connect yes. The fishmans can also be connect via quick connect, BUT only one voice will be active and can't be switched. So... the full features of the fishmans would require soldering.
What do you mean with "options"? Your options are always unlimited. You want to refret the dc600, sand it down to refinish it with a satin oil finish and completely change the electronics for some vintage boutique new old stock 60s wiring with bee stripe condensors, worth alone more than the guitar was? Go for it!
Is it worth it? No idea.
About the actives in the SC1000 - the Roswell actives are soldered and don't have any kind of quick connect so you'd have to solder in every case, and probably go for the whole electronics to change out as well, if you want to switch to the quick connect stuff. Might actually be easier to just install the whole set with the quick connectors after desoldering the old stuff, anyways.
@@ithemba he is talking about the sc 1000 progressive, which has quick connect. Not the sc custom.
So does HB NOT make parts for THEIR guitars? Only budget parts for Fender etc?
Here is another question. Will a Bigsby Vibrato unit fit on a Harley Benton DC-600 or SC-500?
Hi Kris, hi Andy. Interest talking. Directly to the point: mods for HB! First: does a V5 Vibramate + B5 Bigsby Vibrato kit match correclty in the standard housings of a HB DC Custom guitar?Second: more or less the same question... does a Fender's HiMass bridge fit correclty in the standard housings of a HB JB-75 bass? For both questions, I'm referring about any issues with pitch holes, screws, general measures, height, low action settings, tuning, etc.... I would like to buy the two new instruments (above) using upgraded components I already own. Thanx! Andy
Nice video!
I have a Bz4000Nt.
I would to modify it.
Can you do a video about that line/model?
Greetings from Switzerland!
Does an ObsidianWire HSS fit an Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK?
It has an Humbucker and 2 Single Coil microphones, and it fits an standard US Fender and in this video it's stated that any part that fits an standard US Fender fits an Harley Benton.
Does this also include ObsidianWire part?
Please do more of this!
More on the way!
I bought the RB600BK last December. I noticed one of the poles is not connected, won’t screw in, and probably never was screwed in. What replacement pickups should I get? I have lost confidence in these cheap Artec pickups.
If you change the pick guard why can't you use the old bracket?
How do I find locking tuners and a better bridge to fit a Harley Benton HB-35Plus Lemon
It's not impossible to change fan fret pickups... plenty of companies like Guitarmory or Bareknucke can make you angled pickups...
Hi great video! I was wondering, what about the compatibility with your DIY kits? I’m building an St model and want to change the parts (pickguard, tuners ecc but also pickups)…I was planning on getting all HB parts off of Thomann but now I’m scared that it won’t work! Please help 😅
So what kind of pickguard should I get to replace my st62's one? Thanks in advance! Love ya!
Muy bueno , traigan la guitarra a la Argentina
Question: I'm looking for a good vintage tuners for my sc-550. In the catalogue of Thomann are there a set that directly fits without modification? Maybe the Grover 135n? Gotoh? Gibson? Thanks!
I am in the same position now. Dis you found out which fits with out drilling holes?
Would love to hear about the basses! Do they have more standardized parts, and do the Fender styles fit a Fender neck?
I'm hearing a lot of complaints about getting delivery. Is there an issue?
No. Just ur bank approving money
And order gig bag first. Then order guitar. Lowers shipping costs
I remark this is an old posting. I don't know but.. I bought a sc Harley Benton which is another guitar more rock'ńˇroll machine., Les Paul Junior style.but I went in the other direction .. people treat hb instruments like shit.. and polish their expensive guitars.,making good set ups.
I went in the direction that I set up my Hb perfect, I changed to locking tuners which i can recommend for any brand , you win 20-50 percent tuning stability..but this is something which also more expensive brands need. I made the dry fretboard up Wirth lemon oil, but this is something which also more expensive brands @t strings which more expensive guitars also need.
the activation clarity I made, the neck bend, the low action.. the news strings!!
I play this monster , every day.. its a chesap guitar but I'm in love with her for 222euros incl. shipment.
I bought for my HB a nice Case... I treat it With the tease like others do with their custom gear.
now Its played for 6 months.. the next thing I buy is a HB Shirt. I don't need another guitar..
-what pickguard goes on a sc 450 gt? i already tried 3, none of them fit. help
what would you do to a 12 strings electric Harley Benton?
Great tip document disassembly to make reassembly possible! Be prepared to ruin your guitar while trying to make it better ... that's how you learn what not to do :D
why don't they use the metric system in the US ???? laziness, stubbornness ,igroance or all of the above LOL
What is that Les Paul style guitar there with the fan frets. Looks like a Harley Benton but I cant find it.
Hi guys. I'm looking to buy a 450sc P90 GT. I'd like to drop Lollars in it along with the prewired kit (cts 500k pots.) Can I drop the Emerson kit in as a direct replacement or would it require a little carving out to fit the USA pots? I'm aware I'll have to drill the holes for volume and tone knobs to fit the shaft and buy USA knobs. Thanks!
I recently purchased a new Harley Benton RB-612Classic Series Sunburst.. The guitar is amazing. My only wish is that the strings were setup in the traditional 12 string order.. Is it possible to special order a different bridge and nut for this guitar that has the octave string first or above the wound string?
It's it easier to play this way? Or is it because of the sound?
Just bought an HB-60 from Thomann but the bridge pickup is wonky and sounds shorted. Saw some other video that mentioned that too. Is that a common issue for that model?
I am purchasing new pots for my Harley Benton SC-450Plus. Do I need long shaft, or short shaft?
Dont know if anyone can help me i have 2 Harley Benton L-1000 guitars and would love to replace the 3x3 tuners on it but everytime i look i find from grover or hipshot not really sure on what other good brands i find that the screw locations is straight off the tuner where mine are down at bottom off center. Is there a standard for this tuner that i can buy dont want to have exposed holes if i get ones that dont match.
Why did they go cheap with a plastic nut on the RB600?
Hi, I wanted to know if we can change the pots on an SC-550 to push/pull split coil pots? Thanks
Can I get one in him super Strat with just one pick up in the Floyd Rose mounted to the body instead of embedded
Whats worth prioritizing for upgrade on the SC-450Plus? The pickups seem fine, but the bridge and the tuning machines are a little shaky, and the nut is plastic. How easy is it to find replacements for these, particularly the metal hardware (machines and bridge)?
I've changed the nut on mine with a bone nut. Had to file it myself. It was my first time and it went perfect. Now I've got a brass nut waiting for to be filed too, just to try and see how it sounds. The rest of the guitar is fine. Next change will be the pots. They feel no progressive at all. From 0 to 8 it's equal to 0. I'll change pots and capacitors.
Oh, and shielding paint in all cavities would be useful too.
so what can i do when i want to fit kluson style tuners on my guitar which currently has grovers installed, which means that the holes have a larger diameter than is necessary for the klusons? is there like an extra part i need to get so that the klusons will fit nicely?
How to mod the Harley Benton RB-414?
Point to remember: 1: not all HB parts will fit the instruments they were designed for............um ok. 2: Go pay someone else to do it or just fuck it up yourself . 3:thingy is a technical term
does anyone know if the fender noiseless pickups would fit on the harley benton vintage jb?
Why wouldn't you have a pickguard replacement for the Harley Benton, you already get them with the guitars? And if you made a slide in replacement for the Squiers, you can tap into a big market of people how have to drill new holes.
I agree. I guess if the demand is there, it would be a good move.
//Andy
From my experience, there isnt a huge demand for slide in replacement pickup sets/kits for guitars. I think EMG and Seymour Duncan had a few products like those that were all pre-wired as part of a kit but I never heard of anyone buying them or dont know of anyone that used a set like that. Its always been picking whatever pickup you want and either having someone solder it in for you or you do your own soldering.
Pickguards is a different story. Im sure those might sell a few because not everyone has access to a 3D printer to make their own.
I think people like the freedom of picking whatever pickup combinations they want apart from whats straight up available on the shelf. Now If Thomann would allow you to customise what sort of pickups you wanted and have them build it for you then that might get a bit of interest,
@@Rose.Of.Hizaki There are a couple of specialist companies in America who do this and they seem to be doing very well. They buy pickups in bulk and it is often cheaper to buy a complete drop in pick guard from them (even shipped to the UK) than to buy the same brand name pickups and either build a new pick guard - wired and loaded with pickups, or replace the pickups in your existing guard. Then if you don't like your pickup change you can easily switch back to the old loaded pick guard.
The reason you might want to replace a Harley Benton pick guard is, as I mention in my post on the TE-90FLT, because the factory fitted guard looks horrible.
Great stuff! :) I'm awaiting delivery of my HB TE-52 and I'm sure, at some point, I'll want to swap the bridge saddles for brass. How awkward would this be? I had been (up until now) thinking that it'd just be a matter of taking the original saddles off and bunging new ones on but now I'm not so sure. Any advice gratefully accepted :)
Hey! As long as you get the measurements right and buy the correct pieces, it will be that easy. Just remember that HB measurements are metric.
//Andy
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Thanks Andy. I'm a wee bit confused though as I'd heard that HB replacement bits don't fit due to being produced by different manufacturers (and for some reason the parts don't gel). I wonder if the brass saddles from the HB TE-70 would fit.
I ain't changing no part my HB is great
I have a SC-500, what is the post spacing on the bridge? I got a graph tech nv2 bridge for it, but it doesn't seem to fit...is there an alternative?
Question: are the Harley Benton SC Custom and the ESP LTD EC-256 basically the same guitar?
Yeah its a pretty close copy, I've got one in Honey burst. I swapped out the pots all the wiring to the 50s Style braided 18 mm length pot shafts. I will say I have the Roswell pickups in there and they're pretty good I think they're going to stay inside the damn guitar.
Does a Fender Telecaster neck fit the Harley Benton TE-30?
As much as i lvoe the concept and the video itself, the most important thing you shouldve upgraded is your camera person to a tripod ^^
I disagree heavily Alex, I love watching Juri dance around.
//Andy
I just bought the DC junior double cut single dogear do those have any dramas I have a Tyson tone labs dog ear to drop in if the standard Rosewell disappoints I really need no more guitar'sI bought this out of sheer curiosity just to see what one can achieve at this price point the guitars look to come from the same people who do the vintage brand headstock the
top is a dead giveaway or so it seems
I Want to know how to remove the Poly Finish of a Harley Benton Guitar ...too shinny
So why don't they just offer the parts off of their more deluxe models. Better Tuners ,pick-ups and so on.
Will a Fender or Warmoth replacement neck fit the ST?
I want to buy Harley Benton hwy bks can you tell me when it will be stock?
Every honest!
Hi there. Please watch my review on the Harley Benton, Fusion III, Run 2, HH FR EB FCH. The first youtube review on Run#2 of the Fusion III. Many thanks
The link does not work anymore.
Do Thomann still sell that LP 7-string? I can't find it on their website.
Nach Part 1 kommt in der Regel Part 2. Wo ist der???
Can we get the Harley Benton locking tuners as 3L+3R sets? Pretty please?
I would also like to see these!
//Andy
I have the Harley Benton te 20 hh. I love this guitar I want to make the best upgrades possible on it but I can find no information on which pickups and such to buy or upgrades needed. money is not important I want this guitar to be all I can make it to be. please anyone in the comments or HB can you help me. i play a blues style and love it for Albert Collins style playing. I asked my guitar tech and he said it was fine way it was he was not trying to sell me stuff I did not need which was no help at all. any ideas would be so appreciated . he did do a setup and evened the frets out etc for me which did improve it a lot but still something is missing I need help thanks! should I email Thomann and ask them I buy all my guitars from them now.
are they other pickguards for the ja 60?
dear Thomann : here is a scenario : a guy purchased a strato and wants to change parts on it such as the tremolo and the electgronics and use for example a tremolo made by dander hhh or one made by shebaneze. of course you cannot tell what part would fit but you can give the dimensions of those parts made by them which would fit with your product! 😊look up the law again! all you are prohobited to do is terll as the name of tremolo so and so but there is no copyright on dimensions ! a screwdriver made by the brothers mamamsmam hahaha and one made by boshus have the same dimensions ! if i want to sell bits that shall fit in a screwdriver made by mamasmamm into one made by boshus , all i need are only the dimensions and period
i did not know this but one time i had to change some bits and asked the gy who wokrs for toomato " do bits made by mamasmamm fit in that " and he said " all i can tell you is that the dimensions are the same " ( reason is those originals were not avaleble there and i did not want to leave without any because i needed them ). well i was sort of curiouse why he did not name the kid and he told me again " well i cant tell you legaly if those do fit but i can say that those whom you want have the same dimensions " and ge laughed and i laughed because i have now bits enough for my woodwork allthough not the originals made by boshus 😁
Can you review the luthier tools you provide?
It is on our list! That should be a fun one.
//Andy
Hey guys! What would be a good and affordable trem system for upgrading a Harley Benton ST-62, particularly with the purpose of having a thicker block for more sustain? No Floyd Rose. And would these tuners be a compatible replacement for the stock ones on an HB ST-62: www.thomann.de/es/harley_benton_parts_locking_tuners_6l_chrome.htm Thanks!