If you’re wondering if Harley Benton DC-Junior is a good electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable model. It’s a very popular guitar, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Harley Benton DC-Junior offers a fantastic value for the money. It’s cheap, but it doesn’t sound and feel like a cheap guitar. Although it’s not perfect, it’s definitely one of the most interesting budget electric axes out there.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this axe so good and so popular all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that guitar. Additionally, we’ll investigate the biggest pros and cons of that axe and we’ll compare it with the DC-60 Junior model.
Overview – Specs & Pricing
Harley Benton DC-Junior is an affordable double-cut style guitar with a single vintage voiced P90 pickups. It’s a really popular model and it’s loved by a lot of amateur and more experienced players all around the world.
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a solid mahogany body, a comfortable ’60s C-shaped mahogany neck and an easy-playing Amaranth fretboard. The quality of these woods is really good, so it guarantees an enjoyable and comfortable playing experience.
The main advantage of that model is the pickup – Roswell P90D Alnico-5 Dog Ear single coil. This one of the biggest factors that contributes to the undeniable popularity of that axe. It sounds great! No matter whether you like to play with overdrive or not, you’ll definitely enjoy the tone of that guitar.
It is also worth mentioning that the DC-Junior is also available in a few different color versions such as TC Yellow, Pelham Blue and Faded Cherry.
When it comes to pricing, this is a really affordable guitar. It’s not the cheapest guitar made by Harley Benton, but it’s still quite cheap, so anyone should be able to get it without any problems.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
If you prefer guitars with fatter necks, you may also like the Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT Faded Cherry.
Pros & Cons of Harley Benton DC-Junior
Just like any other cheap electric guitar, Harley Benton DC-Junior has its own advantages and disadvantages. That’s totally normal! You can’t expect it to be flawless – it’s still a budget guitar. However, it seems pretty clear that this model has far more pros than cons.
Pros
- Cheap Price
- Raw & Fresh Tone
- P90 Pickup
- Comfortable Neck
- Perfect For Beginners
Cons
- No Gig Bag Included
- May Require a Shim Under The Pickup
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be considered as major advantages of Harley Benton DC-Junior. It’s inexpensive, it sounds fantastic and it has a very comfortable neck. The P90 gives you access to a lot of great tones, so I’m sure that a lot of you will appreciate the tone of that model.
However, you have to be aware that this guitar usually comes without a gig bag. This is not a big problem, but you’ll have to get it separately. It’s not that easy to find a good case, especially if you’re a beginner!
Additionally, some guitarists mention that the P90 pickups in DC-Junior models requires a little bit of adjusting. Some players may prefer to put a small shim under the pickup to raise it closer to the strings. This is not necessary though.
Overall, I’m positive that the advantages of that axe outweigh its disadvantages. There’s just not a lot to complain about! It’s definitely one of the coolest cheap electric guitars that you can find on the market right now.
What About The DC-60 Junior?
Harley Benton DC-60 Junior is an another excellent electric guitar that exceeds all the expectations. Just like the DC-Junior, it’s perfect for both amateurs and more intermediate players as well.
When you look at the specs, the DC-60 Junior is actually quite similar to the DC-Junior model. However, it feels and looks a little bit different.
The guitar features a mahogany body with a glued-in mahogany neck (C profile). There’s also an easy-playing Amaranth fingerboard which guarantees a smooth and enjoyable playing experience. And just like the previous model, it also features the Roswell P90D AlNiCo-5 Dog Ear single coil.
When it comes to pricing, Harley Benton DC-60 Junior is a little bit cheaper than DC-Junior. It’s not a big difference though! Just like the previous model, it’s definitely worth the money, so there’s a really high chance that you’re going to fall in love with it.
Here’s the sound demo.
Pros & Cons of Harley Benton DC-60 Junior
Just like any the DC-Junior, the DC-60 Junior has its own advantages and disadvantages. But to be honest, the pros and cons of that guitar are pretty much the same as in the previous case. The cons of that guitar aren’t that serious, but there’s a few things that you need to be aware of.
Pros
- Great Tone
- P90 Pickup
- Looks Fantastic
- Comfortable Feel
- Perfect For Beginners
Cons
- No Gig Bag Included
- May Require a Shim Under The Pickup
As you can see, Harley Benton DC-60 Junior has everything that you may potentially from a cheap electric guitar – it sounds great, it feels great and it’s affordable. On top of that, it’s perfect for beginners and it has a really nice finish.
But similarly as DC-Junior, it comes without a gig bag. Again, this is not a huge problem, but it would save you a lot of time if it would be already included.
Additionally, some guitarists will most likely put a shim under the pickup to raise it a bit close to the strings. It’s not necessary, but it’s a really good thing to do if you want to upgrade that axe a little bit.
Still, the advantages of Harley Benton DC-60 Junior outweigh its disadvantages. There’s not much to complain about, especially when you think of how affordable these guitars actually are.
No Case Included? No Problem
As you’re already aware, Harley Benton DC-Junior and DC-60 Junior usually come without a gig bag. I know that it’s pretty difficult to find a good and reliable guitar case, especially if you’re a beginner, so here’s my recommendation!
If you decide to get one of these two guitars, the affordable gig bag visible below will be a really good fit for you. It’s cheap and it offers a really good level of protection against all the scratches!
Who Are These Guitars For?
Both of the models mentioned in today’s article – DC-Junior and DC-60 Junior – are perfect for guitarists of all levels.
These guitars are recommended for beginners, although the truth is that more experienced players will also appreciate their high quality.
If you’re searching for an inexpensive electric guitar with a P90 pickup, you should definitely consider getting one of these models. There’s a high chance that they will become one of your favorites!
Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Harley Benton DC-Junior or DC-60 Junior guitars and you’re positive that these models won’t be a good fit for you, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic guitars out there.
Of course, choosing a new electric guitar will depend on your own personal preferences and most importantly, on the size of your budget. Here’s a few other guitars that you should definitely check out.
Alternative Option #1 – Les Paul
Firstly, you should definitely consider getting the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE. This is a really cool and inexpensive Les Paul guitar suitable for both amateur and more intermediate players. What’s important, it has the same scale length as Harley Benton DC-Junior.
I had the pleasure to test out this model on my own and to be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of that guitar. The main advantage of that axe is the neck with the satin finish – it feels really nice and it’s easy on the fingers.
Although it’s not a Gibson Les Paul, it’s still a really good and highly versatile guitar. It’s equipped with a pair of really good sounding humbuckers which are perfect for rock and metal music. If that your kind of vibe, you’re going to love it!
Overall, I have no hesitation in recommending this axe to all guitarists who are searching for a great sounding and reliable electric guitar. It’s a great alternative for those who aren’t satisfied with the quality of Harley Bentons!
Alternative Option #2 – Jazzmaster
Squier Affinity Jazzmaster is an another fantastic and affordable guitar that can work really well as an alternative option instead of the Harley Benton DC-Junior or DC-60 Junior. This particular model is suitable for both amateur and more advanced players.
In comparison with the Harley Benton guitars reviewed in today’s article, it has a bit longer scale. As a result, it may not be the best option for guitar players with smaller hands and shorter fingers.
Just like any Jazzmaster, this is a very versatile axe. It can be used in a lot of different genres of music, so whether you’re into jazz, blues, indie, grunge or hard rock, you can be sure that it will be a good choice.
I’m a proud owner of that guitar, so if you want to check out the full video review and sound demo of that axe, you can find it on my YouTube channel.
Alternative Option #3 – Ibanez AX120
Ibanez AX120 is one of the best cheap electric guitars that you can find on the market right now. It’s a great alternative option for those who are not satisfied with the overall quality of Harley Benton DC-Junior and DC-60 guitars.
This particular model features a lightweight poplar body, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing Jatoba fretboard. This is a big advantage of that model, because it allows you to practice for several hours without getting tired.
The pickups of AX120 are one of the biggest advantages of that model. Ibanez equipped this model with a pair of Classic Elite humbuckers which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. Surely, it’s a bit more versatile than any of the Harley Benton guitars reviewed in today’s post!
In comparison with Harley Benton DC-Junior and DC-60 Junior, the AX120 is a little bit more expensive. But in my opinion, it’s definitely worth the money!
FAQ
Where are Harley Benton guitars made?
Harley Benton guitars are manufactured in China.
Is Harley Benton DC-Junior good for beginners?
Yes, Harley Benton DC-Junior and DC-60 Junior are perfect for beginners!
Where can I find out more about Harley Benton guitars?
If you want to learn more about Harley Benton guitars, you should definitely visit their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Harley Benton DC-Junior and DC-60 Junior are really cool and affordable electric guitars. Although they’re not flawless, they’re definitely worth the money. I’m positive that anyone who’s searching for a good and reliable guitar will be really satisfied after choosing one of these models.
What do you think of these guitars? Would you get one of them for yourself or do you think that they’re overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
