Harley Benton TE 70 Telecaster Style Guitar Review
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
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This video is part of my series reviewing the Harley Benton guitars.
Harley Benton is the guitar brand of Thomann, one of the largest music stores in Europe.
Back in October I visited Thomann and they handed me a few instruments to check out. I was really impressed by the quality of these guitars and how affordable they were.
Today I'm reviewing the Harley Benton TE 70 Telecaster style guitar.
The TE 70 has a maple neck, basswood body, three way selector switch, Roswell pickups, Wilkinson bridge and vintage style saddles.
The neck is very comfortable and fast. I don't understand how they pull this off at this price!
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A demo with all clean sounds... YES, thank you sir.!
That sounds absolutely gorgeous. I have 3 Harley Benton guitars and a bass. I am seriously impressed by the Roswell pickups in these guitars. Usually with such low cost guitars the pickups are the first candidate for replacement. Not for these guitars. I am keeping the Roswell's where they are.
If you take these guitars apart you will find odd shortcuts have been taken. They all have the small 16mm pots and single leaf spring contact output jacks.
I recently bought an HB TE90 FLT which is based on the Fender Cabronita Especial. Like many Tele's it has rear loading strings. Usually 6 small (about 3mm) holes are drilled through the body that line up with holes for the strings in the bridge base. At the rear of the guitar these holes are enlarged to 6 or 7mm for a shallow depth into the body and metal ferrules are pressed into the body to act as supports for the ball ends of the strings. The ferrules are normally a very tight friction fit in the body so once they have been fitted they don't fall out.
On my HB TE90FLT the ferrules are 6.25mm diameter and the holes through the body are 7mm. As a result when you remove the strings the ferrules fall out.
Not only that but the holes through the body are 7mm diameter all the way through the body. The bridge has been lined up so that the small holes in the bridge for the six strings just overlap the front edge of the 7mm holes in the body. Once you glue the ferrules in place so they no longer fall out, the fact that the holes through the body are 7mm with the exit point for the string through the bridge off to one side, makes things a bit tricky when you try to thread in new strings. It is hidden things like this that are the flaws in these guitars. Generally I don't mind because these guitars are great value for money and I can easily fix most of the oddities.
That's some beautiful guitar playing.
I have this same model HB Tele. I've been playing off and on for 30 years, and it's been the hardest guitar for me to stop playing (you know, to go and do other things like eat, shower, take out the trash, tell the kids goodnight, etc.).
for 30 years? it's been on the market for 2 years. and harley benton existed for 21 years!
@@makioetokakao He said that he's been playing 30 years, he never said he's been playing HB guitars for 30 years.
Just a note - the bridge is predrilled to top load the strings if you desire so you have both options. Also on the latest ones the brass bridge saddles are the compensated ones. So actually at bone nut - roller string trees and maybe better tuners are the only mods you might want for starters. Later you could option for high end pickups but the Roswell Alnico-5 pu's seem to have their own legitimate tone spectrum.
They didn't cut corners, they just simply didn't overcharge or extort the customer like Fender and Gibson with their "Made in the USA" line.
very true
No, I'm sorry but odd corners do get cut on these guitars. In places that aren't immediately apparent. And they are usually really stupid little details where just a little care and attention would fix the problem. Often details which could be settled at the start of production and could be applied to every guitar, that you would think cost almost nothing. See my comment about the TE90 FLT. And I have a bass where the nut slot was cut with a flat bottom, then they fitted a curved nut. Which has gradually collapsed in the middle.
I saw other reviews that say the tuners are not fantastic. but the price leaves you a lot of room to modify or upgrade to suit your tastes
@@gilroylibbs2947 I think you misunderstand. I was simply saying that from experience you will find mistakes and corner cutting on some of the low cost guitars like the HB. I have just repaired an otherwise excellent Chinese made Squire Strat where the two trem spring tension screws looked like they had been installed by someone with 5 thumbs on each hand with their eyes closed. You are less likely to find this sort of thing on the more expensive US made instruments and yes you pay a lot for that.
@@ResoBridge I have HB and Squires, tuners are not great on HB but the scary part was that the Squire Standard Strat had an uneven piece of plastic card to fix the neck pickup as they stripped the hole in assembly :D Expected a little more from them.
Got the rosewood edition yesterday. I'm very happy with it. Really a beautiful piece of work for a price I still can't understand.
How's it holding up after a couple of years?
@@fdbdesign I installed a set of locking tuners as i wasn't happy with the stock set. Expensive, but worth it. I think the rosewood top gets bland after awhile. I'd prefer something a little brighter at this point. Sound and action are just fine.
I have one of these also, the stock pickups were Wilkinsons, they were weak and microphonic, (before they had Roswell pickups) so I swapped them for some cheap Belcat ones, swapped the springs for rubbers and reversed the control plate as I do on all my Telecasters. It's an amazing guitar, I play it almost every day now.
Thanks for mentioning fatigue! As an 'older' player my hands don't do what they once could - playability is key for me, and more manufacturers need to bear this in mind! And - BTW - I love HB's, one day to become the go-to for many players I think.
I've had many different guitars with the most $$ was a Suhr. Sold my Les Paul standard and Fender American Strat HHS on Craigslist and bought a floor demo ESP LTD MH 1001 (active EMGs for metal, $635), new Harley Benton Fusion-II HSH Roasted FNT (to replace the bluesy strat sound, $375) and a Harley Benton TE-90 QM HH Trans Blue (bc it is gorgeous and feels like silk in my hands, $212) and still had $1000 left over. Couldn't be happier! IMO the day of the $1000+ guitar is over for the non-professional musician.
What a difference to some of the other "reviewers" of HB guitars on UA-cam!
Someone who is an excellent guitar-player!
Yes! Thank you. I can't stand it
I bought myself one and I absolutely Love It. I may change the tuners at some point, but the guitar stays in tune and plays and sounds great.
Bought the TE-52 model, and that guitar has the must comfortable neck I ever played. Very good sound too.
Which one has the best neck? The 52 or the 70?
I bought the te 52 too and i replaced all the electronics, fender original pickups etc. I sanded the finish from back of the neck, stained it using golden oak and cherry, then used boiled linseed oil for the finish. I shite you not, it’s the best feeling neck I’ve ever felt. I had to stain it because the bare maple is so white in color. They add pigment in the finish and I didn’t have pigment like that and didn’t want to spend stu Mac money for experimental color. I polished the frets too. It plays, feels and sounds like a guitar that costs a couple grand.
I also replaced the bridge.
Now granted I didn’t need to do all these things because the electronics were actually good. They even use full sized pots in it. I just wanted a project. I will say this tho, the fender original pickups sound so damn good. It’s insane.
I did use the original control plate because the one I ordered didn’t fit the pick guard quite right. I replaced switch too but even the HB switch was good. Again all the electronics were solid in it and didn’t need replacement.
I must say, I received mine recently and I love it but I really had to do a setup on it when it arrived. The neck had way too much of a foreward bow and the saddles were way to high. After my initial setup, and a string change, I was completely impressed and satisfied..worth WAY more then the purchase price..been playing for 56 yrs so Im pretty sure of what Im talking about.
Since you were able to dial it in yourself that's good. However add another £100 to the price tag if you have to get soemeone else to do it for you..making this guitar a tad expensive surely.
Don't know how I missed this. Absolutely beautiful playing.
Great playing and tone, mate. Just bought one. Your review persuaded me to get one for myself.
I must confess (it's killing me nananaaaaa) I'm really impressed! I'm looking for the cheapest Tele that just sounds a bit like a real one, this one is really gonna make it I think !!
I own this model and recommend it. It is usable as is, looks great, and you can drop it without living with regret for the duration of ownership. Nice.
That is a beauty Dave. Love the intro as well, you have crazy skills.
And knowledge of course. Thanks for the review. Cheers.
I have a 56 strat, a 2013 Les Paul Classic, an ibanez RG and a couple of basses, a Cheap active ibanez and a Fender p bass..
I bought an harley benton music man bass.. maybe i’m Lucky, but i love this bass! It came perfect, good quality, it sounds perfect.. i can play a copy of a music man for about 100 bucks.. The neck is really chunky but comfortable, and i play really fast, like Rancid or Toy Dolls tunes.. i think it’s amazing for The price!
jesus that ax fx sounds killer
i love your playing btw
amazing intro!
great tones from both your fingers and your HB Tele ;)
I think they cut the corners with the weight, and also not overcharge. Truly amazing.
Great tones and even better playing to boot. Bravo!!!
That telecaster from Harley Benton is beautiful.
Video opens and it’s not boomer bends, instant thumbs up
Wow ! Do you ever have this amazing touch on the guitar ! Very nice ! I could listen to this all day !
Unless i am very much mistaken
That is a Damn nice guitar
Bought the same guitar but a deluxe model.... 2e hand for only 40 €. Pre owner sanded the neck. The rest is bone stock and plays wonderfull
That guitar is really quite good - your playing is very special - tasty ....
Thanks for tipping me off about these guitars David. I just ordered a TE-52 NA. I don't guess the order will be processed until after the Easter holiday now, so probably about a week before I get my hands on it. I can't wait!
I just spent 3 hours playing my TE-52. Its great - had it 6 months now. Had to change the tuners though they slipped and were not good - but that's no issue for 129 euro guitar. The rest is great and as good as squires and mex fenders I tried out. Got Kluson tuners for 35 euros. If you don't like the pickups get fender pickups and you haev a guitar way better than a squire level tele.
I moded mine to fit Iron Gear Alchemists [6 saddle bridge for humbckers and new picguard]. Glorious. Needed no mods, but for the price... why not.
I own this exact model guitar. People often say "great for the money" about Harley Bentons which is unfair to them. This guitar is great. The price is great. See the difference folks. Great demo, thanks.
Hello from TEXAS USA just received my harley Benton about 2 hours ago love it
Yep...I Love the Clean sound!!!
I watched the three reviews, this one, the 'S' type and the LP. I have a few observations. Fair enough that you're not into specs but what kind of neck profile do the guitars have (c shape, d shape etc), what are the fretboard radius like? What kind of frets (standard, jumbo)? What are the tuners like, are they locking, if not how good are they? These guitars are mail order so people can't try before they buy so all this information really helps.
Also what's the overall fit and finish like? I know you mentioned no sharp fret ends, but what's the paint job like, the quality of the hardware?
Lastly, was this a sponsored review? For me that matters as it helps me to assess how objective the review is, how neutral it is. To me these came across as more of a demo than a review, as in it was more this is what it sounds like as opposed to what are the good and bad points about the guitars.
I must agree with you, but they have a lot of models. I own 5 of them, amongst this three reviewed. I can tell you a few things.90 % of them have a fretboard radius of 14 ". 90 % of them have 2,70 mm fretwith. Tuners are very good. Tremelo's even better. 5 year warranty on each guitar. Good paintjob. If you really want to know everything about the Bentons i refer you to the two official guitar reviewers from Thomann and HB, who are CORY MURA and EtchPi42 . Good luck, there you"ll find everything you need to know. Greetz.
Oh dude no, tell me u didn't mention Mura here...
First of all David is hell of a player! Second, he went through some sounds with this guitar and explained his over all feeling of it, which means bunch more than random specs mumbling ( you can see them on thomann website anyways... )
I'd watch this kind of demo rather than 30 different Mura's ones " uhmm, i think aahmm it is the new 7 string or soo, i mean i dont know uhmm aaa :slams the strings in order to achieve the goal of producing metal riff while the guitar is obviously out of tune: "
Hi Ante, indeed, David is a hell of a player and does a good job and do i like him ? Yes, i'm a big fan. Is Mura a good player? No, he's not that good. Does he mumbles and sometimes doesn't find the right words? Yes, he does.Don't forget his native language is German, although David is actually French speaking. But at least Cory Mura gives the correct info wich Thomann doesn't. It's all on Thomann's website you say ? Well, there you make a big mistake. Mostly they give you faulty info, especially on their website. Tell me, where does Thomann says anything about the things i mention here on this review? Fretwith, fretboardradius, just to mention a few things..? No..350 mm radius and that's actually 13,7". Did you knew the CST 24 model is 16"? Thomann says 350 mm ?? In the end, this is not about you like or dislike Cory Mura or David. Let the viewers be the judge of that. Every reviewer has his own style and has good things to say. You need to be objective. For me it's all about giving the correct info to potentialy buyers or beginning players and help them to choose the right guitar for them and pass corect info through to others. Thomann has his own You Tube channel and also there they make a mess on their info. I follow everything related to HB guitars for years now, because i'm a huge fan and consider also, not everyone can afford to buy a 2000 dollar guitar. I do and i have, but prefer HB's as my go to guitars. Better buy a few HB's. Great value for the money. Just another last thing. Read ALL of the viewers comments, like i do. If you pay good attention, much viewers are asking about more specs mostly of the time. So Ante, if you have good info or good links, please post them over here. Me and others would be glad with that. So feel free to post. Take care dude ! Greets from Belgium to Kroatia ( at least i think it's Kroatia ? Correct me if i'm wrong ) LOL.
Hey Bruno!
yes, u are correct dear sir. Greetings from Croatia to Belgium & ur awesome beers!
I really meant no harm with my words... The thing is " his native tongue is German" , doesn't mean anything to me.
If you're doing something, do it right. Prepare urself for video in advance.
Thomann has awesome customer support, you should ask them anything bothering you about their products, they're quite responsive ( you'd be surprised by that fact, especially when reached out via phone :D )
I had a few HB's myself, guitars and basses. Some of them were great, some of them had a trip to luthier ( fret leveling, crowning & polishing, e.g. My harley benton JB75 even had it's neck "reshaped" cause it was just hilarious. Neck was so chunky / thick. the thickest point of the neck was on the first fret, and it got a bit slimmer on the way down to 21st fret :D)
Once again, "i do and i have" more expensive instruments, and i do agree that HB's are good base for further improvements, especially if u're under G.A.S. and you just want to buy something to satisfy your curiosity. :D
I'll repeat myself once more, I'd rather hear someone play the instrument properly, than having someone trying to focus their instrument in front of the camera for 15 mins while trying to show how it sounds while recording the guitar / amp / pedal sounds with camera mic while instrument is out of tune. :D
Dunno if you agree upon this one, but isn't it better when someone actually goes through few different sounds, showing of diversity and dynamics of instrument / pick ups, rather than raping the string without any sense / plan ? :D
30 day money back and its a three year warranty
Looks like Harley Benton is well on it's way to eclipsing Fender, Gibson, etc...I read that Thomann quality controlled and manufactured, LTD, ESP, Ibanez, Fender, and Jackson. That speaks volumes.
hey! very good demo/review. one of the best of youtube! greetings from argentina!
One of the nicest demos I've watched. I just got this model and it is impressive. I like it better than their 52 tele model.
Are the necks the same on both? I like the TE-52 look but the reviews I've seen say it has a fat neck like a Les Paul...which I don't like so much. Wondering if there is a HB Tele with a thinner neck than the TE-52
@@Sankara561 I sold the TE52 a while back - the neck was great but I prefer this one.
Please review the HB TE-90FLT SB Deluxe Series. I think that this is the guitar I want the most. I would love to know your thoughts on it.
For $138, that black paisley body is worth that price alone. Change everything else and have one badass instrument that sounds as good as it looks.
Nice playin' Just bought one, Cheers
How's it holding up after a year?
Totally fine, love it! Thank you.
It's incredible... that's the reason of financial crack o the great Important brands...
Sweet ear candy..I may have to duet!!
Faaantastic played and a great demo!!!
Great Video from a polite gentleman. i want this very expensive looking guitar. it looks better than the fender paisley which is in red paisley and cost ten times more. i own the te 20 in sparkling blue and a HB Les Paul Junior in amazing black. the dogear has such a rocky tune - ideal for AC/DC cover-songs.
With all the effect that is on the guitar is hard to get an honest idea of how it actually sounds. Cut the effects and play it dry...no reverb, delay and whatever else.
Beautiful playing
I like the Wilkinson bridge - good value. Not sold on the Roswell pickups. Have been using ToneRiders - like them.
Bought a "B stock" one for £105.00 it's absolutely fantastic, can't fault Harley Benton guitars
I love the look and sound of that.
If i didnt just order one this probably made me order one. Looks great, sounds better.
Fantastic playing!
I love your stories. The beginning of this video was pure beauty. Incredible 148 bocks guitar :) ! You said you were in Germany in Oktober...something tells me that you didn't only test guitars...
Merci mon pote! You are right, besides visiting Thomann and shooting. A few videos there I also went to GuitCon which was organized by Henning Pauley at the Warwick factory. Thanks for your nice words! :)
Hmm and not even a detour to the Oktober fest :) ?!
I think I can spend 160 bucks on one of those. **Update 2022, I bought one and has quality similar to my US made Fenders, though the provided strings werwe not very good. Put some slinkies on it, set it up, & you are good to gig. It's a bludgeon, but damn, it stays in tune.
wilkinson pickups?
the new good stuff. Thanks for setting me on this road, bother.
Let me tell you: with PU Tone Riders Hot it's a crazy guitar....
Thanks man! I just ordered mine and after watching this video I'm evdn more excited!
Been fighting the urge to buy that black paisley for a while now- need to just do it.
Oh my god, that sounds incredible!
Hello David, the intro part you are playing is wonderful. Is it some known melody, or is it yours or this is just improvisation? This is amazing in either case.
Thank you so much!! That was on the fly improv. Thank you!
I have my eye on this guitar
Ask why Fender add corners rather than how others cut them. The answer is because they can.
Dude you are a great player. Keep that up!
It seems that the fret metal smooth and thicker than the normal guitar. I don't know if it is true. Looks like jascar fret which is high quality fret.
Cheers from Indonesia.
I bought this guitar 5 weeks ago. Got it within 3 days, and after unpacking and inspecting/playing it I decided to send it back.
Too many paint flaws (paint damage which was badly touched up) and the scratch plate was mounted incorrectly. I was also disappointed by the finish, it looks shiny from a distance but look closer and it is milky and a bit dull. Okay the price is low but the one I got was really low quality. No H.B. for me.
Really enjoy your enthusiasm
Nice review...great playin
Hello! are you still lucky with that guitar or is there any work to do with it? is it possible to wear 009-42 strings? btw: i cant decide between the squire tele and this one...im interested in your oppinion..thank you and greetz from northern europe :-)
If that’s the Axe Effx you did a great job with that intro clean preset! 👍
It was, thank you! :)
When got mine, the ends of the frets were unfinished and sharp, also one machine head was out of line to the others, very disappointing considering the custom white Harley Benton I bought previously to this was flawless. I maybe should have returned it but the frets I can fix, machine head probably not as hole has been drilled in the wrong place
Send the Fukr back.
i found my new guitar thanks bud
DOES everything a Tele should!
Out of stock! I bought the TE 52 before I saw this one!
Beautiful and nice price 🎸. Sound so clean and clear or maybe your just a great player. 😄 Actually sounds good no kidding.
The serious musician would hardly consider this guitar as a replacement for the Fender Telecaster. The home or beginner musician will likely find this instrument to look good and sound acceptable for its price. Thanks for your review.
Sounds nice. Why the 70? Is it supposed to be a 1970 Tele copy? Is it the same with their other guitars, 52, 62, etc.
i used to lust after high end quality guitars... and am now in a position to buy them if i so please... but i realised.. my budget cheaper copy guitars are more than enough for an amateur sofa twanger like myself... im happy at this level im never joining a band.... i think i will be getting a standard tele... they defo improve your playing with less settings to play around with just concentrate on the playing... nice one
Hummm sweet sound Eric Johnson sounds like you could jam some jazz
Nice guitar! Mine just needed som new pickups, bought some Fender!
Great stuff man!!.
Nice playing!
cool playing dude
Thanks Ian!
Hi David,
The guitar does look and sound nice. Looking for a tele sound, this seems good enough. The price point however have me a bit sceptic.. Does the guitar hold tune good for instance? Compared to a MIM Fender version for example.
Very nice. Think I'll stick with my Suhr Classic T natural, though -
@DavidWallimann If re-sale value of this guitar was not an issue and you wanted to spend money to improve this guitar - would you change the pickups? If so - what would be the lowest cost pickups that were good enough to make a real difference? Not too dark, not too bright, not too high output with good Tele twang - would be my requirements......OR do you GENUINELY feel the stock pickups do not need to be swapped out??
Personally I like the stock ones. I would just invest in a good setup for it!
Pretty fine playing!
I'm considering getting a Harley Benton guitar as my 2nd guitar that will be tuned to Eb, mostly for rock (Guns n Roses) Do you think this will fit the bill? I'm only jamming at home! thanks for the review!
Fabolous playing.
what is the difference between you 52 and 70 black at the neck? micro weight?
Preciosa guitarra y bonitos tonos. Voy a pedir una.
Nice guitar with a very good guitarist
Sound great and look nice i will own this guitar love it ...thanks David Wallimann
I was looking to get a Harley Benton when I saw your review, I already have a Squire Stratocaster and an Aria Les Paul so the tele was what peeked my interest. I bought one and have had it 3 weeks now and love it, only "fault" I can find is the tuners are not as smooth as I would like and may need replacing at some point, they do however hold tune fine. I put Fender 9s strings on as that is what I like, and had to adjust intonation just slightly, but that could of been caused by putting lighter strings on. Other than that I would agree with all you have said, thanks for the review, it got me a great guitar :)
Great tones! How was the set up on these upon arrival?
Ok c neck versus d neck sure, jumbo or medium frets sure, but beyond that you're not buying a car, although you could buy a REAL PRS for the price of a car and if that's your gig be my guest. HB opens the market for new players, and i understand the elitists aren't crazy about it. Stop micromanaging. The guitarist is a dieing breed. Encourage new markets for the love of God.
Is that not what I did? 3)
I was just browsing a few comments who in my opinion over scrutinize specs. I thoroughly enjoyed your vid and I can tell you actually play. Basically I was commenting to comments. I'm not a spec guy either.
Wow that's a beautiful guitar :O
Cool guitar! Thanks from Siberia!
Hello David, thank you for all the great stuff you do, I have a question? on the paisley tele by harley benton what effect are you using on the amp is it echo reverb or what brand .please write back I have been looking for a pedal or that effect thanks again David,
Great video man, I just ordered one! jajajaja
Hey, great tone! What are you using
Bought the cheapest tele they do and I love it. Going to get one of their les pauls next
I have a HBSC550ll and highly recommend it! I’ve had Gibson LP’s and it’s right there
@@edatkinson322 I was looking at one of those or the cheaper 450....
@@chrisstephens6194 I think the SC550II is well worth the money
Great review. Do you recommend this guitar as a great purchase?
Yeah! For the price I was very impressed!
Thanks for the reply, best regards!