...So you want a Harley Benton Telecaster ? ...

That is a beautiful guitar. Very desirable. But apart from its basic shape it is not a Tele.

-don

 

$131 + shipping. That's killer.

I'm an HB kind of guy. I also love the wide neck. I think it's 43mm at the nut.

Guitar Max is in love with the Harley Bentons ... as am I. But getting them shipped to the USA has some risk involved. The majority of their instruments are excellent ... but I've read some stories where people had bad experiences with them and couldn't really return overseas. So it's roll of the dice.

I've been trying to stir up some conversation over on the HB forum ... but it's almost a ghost town over there.

 

I have two, very nitpicky comments on my HB TE-90. Neither issue affects the playability and it's still worth every penny of the $210-ish (incl. shipping). But I thought I'd mentioned them as I've talked about all the positive aspects.

When I went to change strings, the ferrules fell out of the back. I wrapped them with a little teflon tape and they're fine.

The binding in the lower f-hole has a bumpy spot. You can only see it when you're playing and look down. But I mean, binding in this price range is a bonus, so who cares?

Everyone who wants an HB should buy one now, before Thomann figures out that it's not just beginners who are buying this brand.

 

Can you bring up the issue to Thomann Customer Service? You may get a bit of a rebate on it if you state that you want to return. Better to give you a little back to keep it than do an international return.

 

I could, but it's not worth the effort. If it were something like a scratch or broken knob, I might contact them. But it's hard to see the flaws and even harder to hear them.

 

...So you want a Harley Benton Telecaster ?
Umm yes I do...

 

We need a Harley Benton sub-section in this forum.

 

We need to start a website telling people how cheap and poorly constructed they are so that prices drop. Then we swoop in and buy Teles in every color and configuration.

 

I've also been thinking about another cheapish Tele, and saw this fantastic looking "Guarem" Tele on AliExpress for $161 shipped. Sorry, I can't copy the photo to post here for some reason, so you'll need to use the link to see it.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Fre...a30faa92a9e079d18a52cf_1550094206_32284717712

Then I found this YT video, which looks like a very similar guitar. A bit of an eye opener! I'm sure Harley Bentons are different due to Thomann having the leverage to insist the manufacturer maintains agreed quality standards. With AliExp, you are buying from an unknown manufacturer through a middle man.



I didn't mind doing a fair amount of work on my $65 Walmart Sawtooth Tele, but it would be distressing to pay $160 and then have to deal with the laundry list in the video.

 

I would never buy a guitar from AliExpress. Too much can go wrong on those deals.

 

And the vid says arch top. It’s not. It’s a beveled flat top. Just sayin

 

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Buying through Thomann is completely different than buying from AliExpress. There are a hundred builders on AE and if you happen to choose the same one as Thomann you better buy some lottery tickets. Thomann is being very clever.

.

 

For the sake of comparison, and I've only played one of the HB Tele copies, I would have to say that they lack the quality of the least expensive Squier. This one was used, and they were asking $90, which I personally felt was a little too much. Again, this was the only one that I've ever played, so, who knows?

 

Have you had a bad experience with AliExpress? I thought they were sort of like eBay, with some buyer protection, but I didn't have any problems with the things I've bought through them, so I didn't have to test that theory.

Now buying from Ali Baba would be different I think, because there I believe you're dealing just with the seller.

 

I'm not too excited about these guitars. If I'm going for a cheap guitar I'll stick with a Squier.

 

No I have not. Sorry, I was thinking of Ali Baba when i made that comment.

 

here's a real great teacher and guitar player, he could make a 2/4 and a nail sound good...

 

I agree Dave.