Harley Benton budget guitars

[SteveXFR]

I'm looking for a new (used) guitar for my daughter. She wants a Les Paul or Jaguar but I don't want to pay more than £200 because I know it will get battered. 

I've been looking at the Harley Benton Fusion 3 and their Les Paul style guitar. Are they any good?

[skidder652003]

yes. I got my lad a Harley B Tele and it's frankly amazing for the £130 it cost me.

 

Maybe if she likes Gibson's, something like this?

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_cst_24t_emerald_flame.htm

Edited September 25, 2021 by skidder652003

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited March 15, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[SteveXFR]

13 minutes ago, skidder652003 said:

 

Maybe if she likes Gibson's, something like this?

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_cst_24t_emerald_flame.htm

 

That looks like incredible value. That could be her birthday sorted. 

[SteveXFR]

18 minutes ago, Jus Lukin said:

Actually, I have an Epi Les Paul I keep meaning to list.

It's a great guitar with Kent Armstrong pickups, but has some noticeable damage to the finish, so I was going to put it up for a couple of hundred. I can PM you details if you'd be interested, @SteveXFR?

 

Thanks for the offer but I think I'll go with the Harley Benton 

[MichaelDean]

I got a Harley Benton Tele (TE52) earlier this year. Great value for money, really pleased with the purchase. Based on that, I'd feel pretty happy trying just about any of their stuff. 

 

The SC550 II Les Pauls are a bit over budget (≈£240) but seem to get great reviews (have a look on YouTube) and have some great features including stainless steel frets. If I could sneak another guitar into the house, one of these would be on my shortlist! 

[Chienmortbb]

I have one of the SC 440s (I think that is the model number) it has two Wilkinson Humbuckers, both with coil tap and it is great. However it is a heavy guitar.

[Quilly]

I've a lend of a Mex 'tele juts to keep my hand in playing the guitar again. Great guitar but I reckon the owner will want it back. Was thinking of a squire / HB tele, I just don't want a rubbish guitar that'll put me off. 

[SteveXFR]

I finally got around to actually buying one. I went for a CST 24 in the end which is a clone of the PRS Custom 24. The reviews were all extremely positive. 

It turned up this morning. It looks fantastic, really nice finish. The fret board is a bit dry so I'll put on some lemon oil, other than that I can't fault it. I plugged it in to a little Orange Micro Terror and it sounds amazing. For £210 I'm really impressed, for double that I'd be happy.

It'll be my daughters Christmas present so I hope she likes it. I thought the dark green would suit her current goth phase.

[PaulThePlug]

Looks real nice, like the lil exta cut out access deatail... I'd of gone non trem-though for less faff..

I'm sure they will be impressed with that!

Edited November 19, 2021 by PaulThePlug

[SteveXFR]

Agreed on the trem.it wasn't in stock with the rigid bridge. I won't fit the arm to the trem, all it'll do is put it out of tune.

[PaulThePlug]

With one of my eldests guitars i 'blocked' the trem with a bit of wood in the cavity between the trem block and back of the cavity ala Claptons strat... more sustain!

[SteveXFR]

That's something worth considering. Was the block in place of the springs?

 

[MichaelDean]

It's the other side. Between the trem block and the strap button end. 

 

 

[PaulThePlug]

Thats it... just slot a block of wood in their to keep the trem plate flat to the body... simple job and easy reversable... removes a lot of the tuning issues improves sustain, meatier tone...

And i prefer and swap for a wound 0.16 G (9-42) for feel and a warmer tone... 0.16 in plain feels like a thick bit of wire a wound has loads more 'feel'

Transformation for a couple of quid!

Edited November 20, 2021 by PaulThePlug

[SteveXFR]

Thanks for the tips. I'll get that done. 

She'll be playing some quite heavy music so sustain and a meaty tone will be good. She was playing Chelsea Wolfe's 16 psyche last night on her old squier strat, played very well but it sounded so weak. This should be much better