If you’re wondering if Harley Benton TE-52 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 cheap model. It’s a really popular budget Telecaster copy, but is it actually worth the money?
The truth is that Harley Benton TE-52 is a surprisingly good electric guitar. Considering how inexpensive it is, it’s definitely worth it! It certainly sounds and feels like a guitar from the higher shelf.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the TE-52 model so good and so popular all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate the major pros and cons of that Tele. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Harley Benton TE-52 is a budget Telecaster copy that exceeds all the expectations. In fact, it’s one of the most popular electric guitars that are currently manufactured by that brand. And honestly, I’m not surprised that so many players decide to get it.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a body made of American Ash and a comfortable neck made of caramelised Canadian maple. There’s also an easy-playing fretboard made of the same material. This is a big advantage, because it allows you to play for several hours without getting tired.
The manufacturer also equipped this model with two really nice pickups – Roswell TEA Alnico-5 TE-style single coils. They’re not perfect, but considering how inexpensive that guitar is, they’re better than expected. More intermediate players will most likely think about upgrading them for something better.
It is also worth mentioning that Harley Benton TE-52 looks fantastic from the outside too. It’s really well made and it definitely doesn’t feel like a cheap Chinese guitar. Of course, the original setup could be a bit better, but it’s not a problem at all and the TE-52 is usually ready to rock straight after unboxing.
When it comes to pricing, it’s one of the cheapest guitars offered by Harley Benton. Honestly, it won’t be easy to find a better sounding Telecaster copy at this price level. That being said, this guitar is worth cent! I think that it’d be worth it even if it would be twice more expensive.
Overall, this is an excellent electric guitar, especially for amateurs. I’m sure that a lot of you are going to fall in love with it!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Harley Benton TE-52 is suitable for guitar players of all levels. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re an absolute beginner or a more advanced guitarist – you will definitely notice and appreciate the high quality of that budget guitar.
This Telecaster is a particularly good choice for everyone who’s looking for their first electric guitar.
Undoubtedly, this is a fantastic instrument to start with. If you’re at the beginning of your musical journey and you’re looking for an inexpensive guitar that doesn’t suck at the same time, choosing Harley Benton TE-52 will be a good choice.
Just like any original Telecaster, this Tele is also very versatile. As a result, it can be used in a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into blues, rock, country, indie or even metal, this model will do the job.
What’s important, since it’s a really affordable guitar, it’s also recommended for all guitarists who are looking for cheap gear. If you don’t want to spend too much money on a new guitar, the TE-52 Tele is designed for you.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on that Harley Benton guitar. It may not be the best guitar in the world, but considering how cheap it is, it’s definitely worth the money.
Here’s an another sound demo and video review.
Pros & Cons Of Harley Benton TE-52
Just like any other cheap electric guitar, Harley Benton TE-52 has its own advantages and disadvantages. You don’t have to be worried though – the cons of that model aren’t that serious anyway!
Pros
- Great Tone
- Comfortable Neck
- Cheap Price
- Amazing Value For The Money
- Looks Great Too
Cons
- No Gig Bag Included
- Pickups Pretty Basic
As you can see, the TE-52 has lots of different pros. It looks great, it sounds awesome and it’s really cheap. Isn’t it all that matters in the end? Honestly, it’s really difficult to argue with that.
On the other hand, it has a few disadvantages as well. Of course, it’s not a high-end Fender, so it doesn’t sound as good as high-end Fender. The pickups used in that model are pretty basic, but they get the job done and they’re much better than in guitars at the same price level.
Additionally, the case is usually not included, so you’ll have to get it separately. It’s not a huge problem, but it’s something worth knowing if you’re planning on traveling or commuting with that guitar.
Overall, I believe that the advantages of that model definitely outweigh the disadvantages of that model. Bear in mind that this is still a budget guitar. How can you even argue with that and expect anything better at this price level?
Harley Benton vs Squier Telecaster
A lot of guitarists who want to get a cheap Telecaster usually choose between two models: Harley Benton TE-52 and Squier Bullet Telecaster. But which one of them is actually better?
Well, it’s really tough to answer that question – it’s all really subjective. Both of these guitars are great for beginners, but it seems that the Harley Benton TE-52 has a bit more of that classic Fender Telecaster twang. That’s why I’d choose the TE-52!
However, you may disagree with me on that matter. But no matter which one of these models you’ll decide to choose, I’m sure that you’ll be really satisfied. Especially if you’re searching for your first electric guitar!
Here’s a great video that compares both of these guitars side by side – I think it will be really helpful to you.
TE-52 Upgrades
If you’re a more advanced guitarist, you’re probably aware that Harley Benton TE-52 is a fantastic guitar for potential upgrades. Since it’s so affordable, it can easily transform into an absolutely killer guitar with just a few upgrades.
There’s a few things that you can do to significantly improve the tone of that Tele. That includes:
- changing the original pickups for something a bit more powerful
- replacing the plastic nut
- getting new tuners to improve the tuning stability
These couple of things can significantly turn the Harley Benton TE-52 into absolutely amazing. What’s more, it won’t even cost that much and after these guitars you’ll get a guitar on the level of a Mexican-made Fender Telecaster.
If you don’t know which pickups you should get for that Tele, check out my article about the 6 Best Telecaser Pickups For Indie Rock. Most of the pickups mentioned in that article are very versatile, so they can be used in other genres as well!
Alternative Options
If you don’t like the sound of Harley Benton TE-52 or you simply have a feeling that this guitar won’t be a good fit for you, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot other affordable guitars that are also worth checking out. Of course, it all depends on your personal preferences and most importantly, your budget.
Here’s a few more guitars that you should definitely see.
Firstly, make sure to check out the Squier Bullet Telecaster. This is the model that competes directly with Harley Benton TE-52. It’s actually one of the cheapest Telecasters manufactured by this brand. Just like the TE-52, it’s great, but it’s not perfect. But although it has its own flaws, it definitely deserves a lot of recognition.
If your budget is a bit bigger and you’re looking for something better, you should also consider getting the Squier Affinity Telecaster. I have to admit that I’m a massive fan of the Affinity Series and I personally own a few Affinity Squiers. In my opinion, these guitars offer an absolutely unique value for the money. These guitars sound and feel almost like original Fenders!
Additionally, if you want a Telecaster from the higher shelf, check out the Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH. This is a really unique Tele – it doesn’t look and sound like any other Tele by Fender. In my opinion, this is a really underrated model. Not many people are aware of how powerful it actually is! Thanks to the two humbuckers, it’s perfect for rock and metal.
FAQ
Where are Harley Benton guitars made?
Harley Benton guitars are manufactured in China.
Are Telecasters good for beginners?
Yes, Telecasters are perfect for beginners! They’re really comfortable to play and they’re really versatile, so they can be used in pretty much all music genres.
Where can I find out more about Harley Benton?
If you want to learn more about Harley Benton guitars, make sure to visit their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Harley Benton TE-52 is an absolutely fantastic electric guitar. Although it’s not perfect, it’s definitely one of the best Telecaster copies that you can find at this price level. Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced player, I’m sure that you’ll be pleasantly surprised after adding that axe to your collection.
What do you think about Harley Benton guitars? Do you think that they’re worth the hype? 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 learned something new! If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
