If you’re thinking about getting the Harley Benton JA-60 Jazzmaster and you’re not sure if it’s worth it or not, you’ve come to the right place! I recently bought this model for myself so I feel like I’m in a good spot to share my thoughts with you.
The truth is that the JA-60 offers a fantastic value for the money. It’s not the best guitar in the world, but it’s definitely one of the coolest cheap offset guitars out there.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the JA-60 model so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specs of that model. Additionally, we’ll have a look at the biggest pros and cons of that axe and we’ll check out a few sound demos too!
Specs & Pricing
Harley Benton JA-60 is a cheap Jazzmaster copy that exceeds all the expectations. It’s one of the most popular offset guitars that are currently manufactured by Harley Benton.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a lightweight basswood body and a comfortable neck made of vintage caramelized Canadian maple. There’s also an easy-playing laurel fretboard which guarantees an enjoyable and comfortable playing experience.
The manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of Roswell vintage-style Alnico-5 JM single coils. These pickups aren’t perfect, but they still offer a really nice tone that sounds pretty close to the sound of more expensive Squier and Fender Jazzmasters.
What’s important, the guitar looks fantastic from the outside too! It’s available in two color versions: Olympic White and 3-Color Sunburst. The white one is a bit more expensive, but the difference is not that big.
When it comes to pricing, it’s a pretty cheap guitar. It’s definitely one of the most affordable offset guitars that you can find on the market right now. Considering the fact that it offers a great value for the money, it’s definitely worth every cent!
I recently recorded a quick review of that guitar – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
The JA-60 is suitable for guitarists of all levels, although it’s mainly designed for less advanced guitar players.
If you’re searching for your first electric guitar, choosing the JA-60 model will be a perfect choice for you.
Although it’s a Jazzmaster copy, it’s still a very versatile guitar – just like all the original Fender Jazzmasters. That being said, it doesn’t really matter whether you want to play indie, alternative rock, blues, country or jazz music – you can be sure that this guitar will be a good fit for you.
Additionally, this is a great guitar that can be used for mods and upgrades.
Changing the pickups and tuners will significantly improve the quality of that guitar, so if you want to create your dream axe, you can try to upgrade this Jazzmaster copy.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitarists will be pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of Harley Benton JA-60. Of course, it can’t replace any high-end Fenders, but it’s still a great option for guitarists with a tight budget.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other cheap guitar available on the market, this axe has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, considering the fact that this is a budget guitar, you can’t expect it to be perfect.
Pros
- Cheap Price
- Really Good Tone
- Comfortable Neck
- Vintage Look
- Offset Body
Cons
- No Tremolo Tailpiece
- No Gig Bag Included
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be considered as the advantages of that Jazzmaster copy. It’s cheap, it sounds good and it’s comfortable to play. Who needs anything else?
Bear in mind that this is a Chinese-made guitar, so it may have some minor quality issues. But don’t worry – that’s totally normal in cheap guitars and you just can’t avoid it.
Additionally, classic Jazzmasters usually have a tremolo tailpiece, but this particular model doesn’t have that feature. However, it would probably affect the tuning stability, so perhaps no tremolo is actually an advantage after all!
Also, this guitar usually comes without a gig bag, so you’ll have to get it separately. This is not a big problem, but it would be great to have it included.
Overall, I’m positive that the advantages of that model outweigh its disadvantages. There’s just not much to complain about when you think of how affordable it actually is!
Is It Better Than Squier?
I’m sure that a lot of you wonder whether this model can actually beat the Jazzmasters made by Squier. Personally – I think that it can. Not everyone has to agree with me, but in my opinion that HB should cost at least two or three times more.
I recently compared the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster with the JA-60 and I recorded a video for my YouTube channel. If you’d like to check it out, here it is.
Best Gig Bag For That Jazzmaster Copy
As you’re already aware, Harley Benton JA-60 is sold without a soft case, so you’ll have to find it elsewhere. I highly recommend checking out Fender FEJ-610 – it’s a high quality case suitable for Jazzmasters, Jaguars and Starcasters.
Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Harley Benton JA-60 Jazzmaster, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic guitars out there. Of course, it all depends on what you’re searching for and how much you’re willing to spend.
Here’s a few more recommendations based on my own experience. However, it will be difficult to find a good offset guitar which is cheaper than the JA-60 model!
Firstly, make sure to check out the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster. I personally own that guitar and I can totally confirm that it’s a fantastic axe. This model looks, sounds and feels like a much more expensive guitar. It’s one of my absolute favorites and though I have a few Fenders in my collection, I often choose that model instead. On top of that, it’s not that expensive either!
Alternatively, you can also check out the Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster. This is a bit more expensive model, but it exceeds all the expectations. In my opinion, it can easily compete with some of the Mexican-made Fender Jazzmaster. I think that it will be a great fit for both beginners and more advanced players as well. What a great axe!
FAQ
Where is the JA-60 made?
The JA-60 is manufactured in China.
How many frets does this guitar have?
The JA-60 model has 21 frets.
Where can I find out more about Harley Benton?
If you want to learn more about Harley Benton, make sure to visit their official website!
Summary
As you can see, Harley Benton JA-60 Jazzmaster is a really cool electric guitar. If you’re searching for your first guitar or if you’re looking for a cheap guitar that can be upgraded, this model will be an excellent fit for you.
What do you think of that model? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that there are better options out there? 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’re looking for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
