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If you’re looking for the best Harley Benton Telecaster to buy right now, here’s six KILLER options that pack in oodles of tone and outstanding pickups…
Best Harley Benton Tele Models
| Guitar Model | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor’s Choice | Harley Benton TE-70RW Deluxe Series | Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and TE-style bridge for tuning stability and sustai, Excellent tonal quality, Roswell Alnico 5 single coil, 3-Way switch for tonal versatility |
| Best For Beginners | Harley Benton TE-52 NA Vintage Series | Solid construction and great tone, American ash body, Canadian maple neck and fretboard, Versatile TE-Style passive single-coil pickups, Vintage look |
| Best For Beginners | Harley Benton TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series | High-quality craftsmanship, Basswood body, Canadian maple neck and rosewood fretboard, Versatile TE-Style passive single-coil pickups, Modern look and feel |
| Best “Ultra-Cheap” Option | Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series | Great tone for the price, Basswood body, Canadian maple neck and rosewood fretboard, TE-Style passive single-coil pickups, Vintage-inspired aesthetic |
If you want a proper do-it-all guitar, there really isn’t a better style of electric guitar on the market than the humble Telecaster.
Lauded by many as the ultimate electric guitar, Fender’s Telecaster is still as popular today as it was 70 years ago, when it first hit the market, demonstrating the sheer, total genius of its creator, Leo Fender, who back in the early-1950s when the Tele first launched was laughed at for designing a guitar that looked like a paddle.
Well, Ol’ Leo had the last laugh, earning himself tens of millions of dollars from his iconic design which, in the space of just a few short years, went on to become one of the fastest and consistently best-selling electric guitars of all time.
Nowadays, you can get Tele-style guitars from a range of different guitar brands – from Charvel to Squier and, in the context of this article, Harley Benton.
You can pay anywhere from $5000 to less than $200 for a Tele guitar in today’s market but for those of you after an ultra-cheap but perfectly useable Tele in 2023 and beyond, Harley Benton is where you want to be looking.
The main benefit of going with a Harley Benton Telecaster over, say, one from Fender, Schecter, or Charvel is the cost – Harley Benton Telecasters are WAY cheaper with prices starting lower than $200 in most cases.
But what is the best Harley Benton Telecaster model you can buy right now? We tested A LOAD of them to find out; here’s our complete guide to the best Harley Benton Telecaster models for 2023.
Overview of The Best Harley Benton Telecaster Models
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Harley Benton TE-52 Vintage Series
The Harley Benton TE-52 Vintage Series is a tribute to the classic Telecaster style of electric guitar.
Harley Benton, a house brand of the musical equipment supplier Thomann, is known for its high-value offerings at affordable prices, and the TE-52 Vintage Series is no exception.
This guitar is designed for those who love the vintage aesthetics and tone but at a fraction of the price of high-end models.
Construction and Design
The TE-52 Vintage Series has a traditional ‘TE’ style body made from American ash, a dense hardwood known for its bright and resonant sound. It also adds a certain heft to the guitar, contributing to its sustain.
The bolt-on neck is made from Canadian maple with a modern C-shape profile, and it is topped with a 22-fret maple fretboard. The guitar retains the classic single-cutaway body shape, allowing easy access to the higher frets.
Electronics
This model comes with two TE-Style passive single-coil pickups. The control layout is simple and effective: a three-way pickup selector switch, one volume knob, and one tone knob. This setup allows a wide range of tonal options, from bright and twangy to warm and smooth.
Hardware
The guitar features a TE-style bridge with three brass saddles, which contributes to its vintage look and tone. The tuners are Wilkinson Deluxe chrome machines, offering excellent tuning stability.
Finish
The TE-52 Vintage Series comes in a natural finish, highlighting the grain of the ash body. The guitar has a black dot inlay on the fretboard and a black pickguard, which contrast nicely with the light color of the body and neck.
5 PROs of the Harley Benton TE-52 Vintage Series
- Value for Money: The TE-52 Vintage Series offers an incredible bang for your buck. It delivers a solid construction and good sound at a very affordable price.
- Quality Materials: The use of American ash for the body and Canadian maple for the neck and fretboard contribute to the guitar’s great tone and durability.
- Versatile Tone: The TE-Style passive single-coil pickups provide a wide range of tonal possibilities, suitable for genres ranging from country and blues to rock and jazz.
- Vintage Aesthetic: With its natural finish, single-cutaway body shape, and TE-style bridge, the TE-52 truly captures the vintage look.
- Reliable Hardware: The Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and the TE-style bridge with brass saddles ensure excellent tuning stability and sustain.
Harley Benton TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series
The Harley Benton HBT1952 is an electric guitar that takes inspiration from the classic Telecaster design. It features a solid alder body, a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and two single-coil pickups that provide the twangy, bright tones associated with the Telecaster.
It also has a vintage-style bridge and tuners, as well as a three-way pickup selector switch and tone and volume controls. Overall, it’s an affordable option for players who want a classic Telecaster-style guitar with a few modern upgrades.
Craftsmanship and Design
The body of the TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series is expertly crafted from Basswood, a lightweight and tonally balanced wood, making it a comfortable choice for extended play. Its bolt-on neck is constructed from hardy Canadian maple, fashioned into a contemporary C-shape profile, and it’s complemented by a 22-fret rosewood fretboard. The iconic single-cutaway design is preserved in this model, enabling effortless reach to the upper frets.
Electrical Configuration
The TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series is armed with two TE-Style passive single-coil pickups. It has a straightforward control setup that includes a three-position pickup switch, a volume control, and a tone control. This configuration provides an expansive tonal palette, ranging from crisp and bright to mellow and warm.
Instrument Hardware
The hardware comprises a TE-style bridge with three brass saddles, which adds to its classic appeal and enriches the tonal resonance. The tuning machines are high-quality Wilkinson Deluxe models in a chrome finish, ensuring your guitar stays in tune throughout your performance.
Finish and Appearance
The TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series features a glossy black finish that gives it a sleek and modern look. The black dot inlays on the fretboard and the black pickguard provide a striking contrast to the light-colored neck and body.
Five Notable Advantages of the Harley Benton TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series
- Economical Choice: The TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series offers exceptional value, providing high-quality craftsmanship and sound at a budget-friendly price.
- Top-Grade Materials: The use of Basswood for the body and Canadian maple for the neck and rosewood for the fretboard ensures durability and impressive tonal qualities.
- Broad Tonal Range: The TE-Style passive single-coil pickups offer a spectrum of sound possibilities, making it a versatile instrument for genres from country and blues to rock and jazz.
- Modern Appeal: The black glossy finish and the single-cutaway body shape lend the TE-40 a contemporary yet vintage-inspired look.
- Sturdy Hardware: The Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and the TE-style bridge with brass saddles promise excellent tuning stability and sound sustain.
Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series
The Harley Benton HBT30BE features a solid basswood body, a maple neck with a roseacer fretboard, and two humbucker pickups that provide a versatile range of tones.
It also has a fixed bridge and a string-through-body construction for improved sustain. The guitar has a sleek minimalist look, with a single volume and tone control knob and a three-way pickup selector switch.
Overall, it’s an affordable option for players who want a simple, yet versatile guitar for a variety of playing styles.
Build and Design
The TE-30 BE Standard Series features a body made from Basswood, a lightweight wood known for its balanced sound properties, making it an excellent choice for longer playing sessions. The bolt-on neck, fashioned from robust Canadian maple and sporting a modern C-shape profile, is paired with a 21-fret rosewood fretboard. The guitar maintains the iconic single-cutaway body design, enabling seamless access to the upper frets.
Electronics
The TE-30 BE Standard Series is equipped with two TE-Style passive single-coil pickups. The controls are uncomplicated yet effective: a three-way pickup selector switch, a volume control, and a tone control. This setup paves the way for a multitude of tonal variations, from sharp and clear to rich and creamy.
Hardware Details
The instrument incorporates a TE-style bridge with three brass saddles, enhancing its classic visual appeal and tonal resonance. The tuners are reliable Wilkinson Deluxe models in a chrome finish, ensuring pitch-perfect performances.
Aesthetic Finish
The TE-30 BE Standard Series sports a visually striking blue finish, lending it a unique and modern aesthetic. The black dot inlays on the fretboard and the black pickguard stand in bold contrast to the light-colored neck and body.
Five Outstanding Features of the Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series
- Cost-Effective: The TE-30 BE Standard Series stands as a remarkable value proposition, delivering top-notch build quality and sonic performance at a budget-conscious price.
- Superior Materials: The Basswood body, combined with the Canadian maple neck and rosewood fretboard, ensures a durable build and contributes to the impressive tonal characteristics of the guitar.
- Sound Versatility: The TE-Style passive single-coil pickups offer a broad spectrum of sound options, making it adaptable for a range of genres, from country and blues to rock and jazz.
- Contemporary Look: The blue finish and single-cutaway body shape give the TE-30 a fresh yet vintage-inspired aesthetic.
- Dependable Hardware: The Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and the TE-style bridge with brass saddles provide excellent tuning stability and enhanced sustain.
Harley Benton TE-70 Black Paisley
The Harley Benton TE-70 Black Paisley is an electric guitar that takes inspiration from the classic Telecaster design but features a unique black paisley finish on its basswood body.
It has a maple neck with a roseacer fingerboard and two single-coil pickups that provide a range of classic Telecaster tones.
It also has a vintage-style bridge and tuners, as well as a three-way pickup selector switch and tone and volume controls.
The guitar has a distinctive look that sets it apart from more traditional Telecasters, making it a great choice for players who want a unique-looking Tele with a twist.
Construction and Style
The TE-70 Black Paisley features a Basswood body, a wood appreciated for its lightness and balanced tonal properties, enhancing playability for long sessions. The neck, a bolt-on design, is constructed from sturdy Canadian maple with a contemporary C-shape profile and is complemented by a 21-fret rosewood fretboard. The guitar retains the iconic single-cutaway silhouette, ensuring effortless reach to the upper frets.
Onboard Electronics
This model is outfitted with two TE-Style passive single-coil pickups. The control layout is intuitive and functional: a three-position pickup switch, a volume control, and a tone control. This configuration facilitates an extensive range of tonal explorations, from bright, twangy notes to mellow, smooth soundscapes.
Hardware Essentials
The hardware includes a TE-style bridge with three brass saddles that add to its vintage aesthetic while enriching the tonal resonance. The tuning machines are top-notch Wilkinson Deluxe models in a chrome finish, securing the tuning stability throughout your performance.
Finish and Aesthetics
The TE-70 Black Paisley sports a unique black paisley finish, lending it an eye-catching and modern touch. The black dot inlays on the fretboard and the black pickguard contrast sharply with the light-colored neck and body.
Five Key PROs of the Harley Benton TE-70 Black Paisley
- Budget-Friendly: The TE-70 Black Paisley offers extraordinary value, with excellent craftsmanship and sound quality at a highly affordable price point.
- High-Quality Materials: The Basswood body coupled with the Canadian maple neck and rosewood fretboard contributes to a robust build and enhances the guitar’s overall tonal quality.
- Tonal Flexibility: The TE-Style passive single-coil pickups extend a wide array of sound options, making it a versatile choice for various genres, from country and blues to rock and jazz.
- Distinctive Aesthetic: The black paisley finish and single-cutaway body shape bestow the TE-70 with a unique yet vintage-inspired aesthetic.
- Reliable Hardware: The Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and the TE-style bridge with brass saddles ensure excellent tuning stability and a longer sustain.
Harley Benton TE-62DB BK Deluxe Series
The Harley Benton TE-62DB BK is a modern take on the classic Telecaster-style guitar, with a solid alder body and a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fretboard.
The guitar features two vintage-style single-coil pickups, a three-way pickup selector switch, and individual volume and tone controls for each pickup.
The hardware includes a vintage-style bridge and tuners, and the guitar comes in a sleek black finish. Overall, the TE-62DB BK offers a great combination of classic design, modern features, and affordability, making it one of the best options on this list.
Construction and Design
The guitar’s body is made of Basswood, a lightweight wood known for its balanced tonal characteristics, which makes it comfortable for extended playing sessions. The neck, in a modern C-shape profile, is crafted from robust Canadian maple and is matched with a 22-fret rosewood fretboard. The guitar maintains the iconic single-cutaway body form, allowing effortless access to the upper frets.
Electronics
This guitar model comes fitted with two TE-Style passive single-coil pickups. The control layout is minimalistic yet versatile: a three-way pickup switch, a volume control, and a tone control. This setup allows for a spectrum of tonal variations, from bright and twangy to warm and mellow.
Hardware Specifications
The hardware consists of a TE-style bridge with three brass saddles that contribute to its vintage resonance and aesthetic. The tuning machines are reliable Wilkinson Deluxe models in a chrome finish, ensuring stable tuning throughout performances.
Visual Appeal
The TE-62DB BK Deluxe Series stands out with its Distressed Black finish, offering a unique and vintage look. The cream dot inlays on the fretboard and the aged white pickguard form a striking contrast against the darker body and neck.
Five Noteworthy Features of the Harley Benton TE-62DB BK Deluxe Series
- Cost-Effective: The TE-62DB BK Deluxe Series is an excellent choice for those seeking quality craftsmanship and sound at a budget-friendly price.
- Superior Materials: The combination of a Basswood body, Canadian Maple neck, and Rosewood fretboard ensures durability and excellent tonal quality.
- Tonal Diversity: The TE-Style passive single-coil pickups offer a wide range of sound options, making the guitar versatile for various music genres, from country and blues to rock and jazz.
- Distinctive Appearance: The Distressed Black finish and single-cutaway body design give the TE-62DB BK a unique and vintage-inspired aesthetic.
- Dependable Hardware: The Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and the TE-style bridge with brass saddles provide excellent tuning stability and sustain.
Harley Benton TE-70 RW Deluxe Series
The Harley Benton TE-70 RW Deluxe Series is a modern ode to the timeless Telecaster design, infused with noteworthy enhancements that are part of Harley Benton’s Deluxe series.
The guitar’s body is carved from Basswood, a material recognized for its balanced tonality and lightweight. It’s adorned with a transparent high-gloss finish that not only amplifies its aesthetic appeal but also provides added protection.
The body is further enhanced with a beautifully grained veneer mimicking Rosewood, adding a layer of sophistication to the guitar’s look. The cream-coloured binding is a tasteful touch that complements the overall design.
Under the hood, the TE-70 RW Deluxe Series houses two Roswell TEA Alnico 5 vintage T-style single coils. These pickups, combined with the straightforward control layout, give the guitar a wide tonal spectrum, allowing you to dial in sounds that cater to various genres.
The hardware of this model is equally noteworthy. A Wilkinson bridge with brass saddles is paired with a string-through body design. This combination ensures excellent resonance and sustain, essential features for every guitarist, regardless of their playing style.
To ensure your playing experience is smooth from the moment you pick up the instrument, it comes factory-fitted with high-quality D’Addario strings. These strings are renowned for their durability and consistent tone, making them an excellent choice for any electric guitar.
Electronic Configuration
This guitar model comes equipped with two TE-Style passive single-coil pickups. The control system is simple and efficient: a three-position pickup switch, one volume knob, and one tone knob. This setup affords an array of tonal variations, from bright and clear to warm and nuanced.
Hardware Details
In terms of hardware, the guitar features a TE-style bridge with three brass saddles, enriching the vintage resonance and visual appeal. The tuning machines are reliable Wilkinson Deluxe models with a chrome finish, ensuring stable tuning throughout performances.
Aesthetics and Finish
The TE-70 RW Deluxe Series is presented with a striking Rosewood veneer top, offering a unique and modern aesthetic. The black dot inlays on the fretboard and the black pickguard form a bold contrast against the lighter body and neck.
Five PROs of the Harley Benton TE-70 RW Deluxe Series
- Value for Money: The TE-70 RW Deluxe Series stands out as an exceptional option for those looking for quality craftsmanship and sound without a hefty price tag.
- Quality Materials: The Basswood body, together with the Canadian Maple neck and Rosewood fretboard, ensure long-lasting durability and excellent tonal quality.
- Tonal Versatility: The TE-Style passive single-coil pickups provide a wide range of sound options, making the guitar adaptable for various genres from country and blues to rock and jazz.
- Unique Appearance: The Rosewood veneer top and single-cutaway body design endow the TE-70 with a distinctive and vintage-inspired look.
- Reliable Hardware: The Wilkinson Deluxe tuners and the TE-style bridge with brass saddles offer excellent tuning stability and prolonged sustain.
Which Model is The Best?
Best Overall
After playing all of these teles for a considerable amount of time, switching between them, trying different tunings and amps, the one that we kept coming back to over and over again was the Harley Benton TE-70RW Deluxe Series.
Because it is a Deluxe Series model, it is slightly more expensive. But in Harley Benton’s world, expensive is still less than $200 – the Harley Benton TE-70RW Deluxe Series retails for $159 in the US and £149 in the UK and Europe.
If you want a Telecaster that sounds as close as possible to a classic Fender Telecaster, the Harley Benton TE-70RW Deluxe Series is the one to go for. And the reason, for me, at least, is threefold:
- The Roswell TEA Alnico-5 vintage TE-style single coils are brilliant, possessing a level of tonal quality and crispness that is unbelievable for a guitar that costs this little.
- The build quality and machining on all of its parts is incredible, way better than anything I’ve seen from Squier in the past 18-24 months. The neck is smooth, there’s no fret over-hang, and the action was pitch perfect right out the box.
- It uses a string-through design, so the sustain on the Harley Benton TE-70RW Deluxe Series is incredible. Sonically, the guitar itself is brilliant regardless of what you’re doing. Whether you’re running it through pedals and an amp or a digital effects program like STL AmpHub or BIAS FX 2, it just sounds way better than its price tag.
Best For Beginners & The Tele Curious?
If you’re a beginner guitarist, or you just really fancy trying out a telecaster-style guitar, go with the Harley Benton TE-52 Vintage Series. It’s ridiculously cheap ($150/£149) and it plays and sounds like a $500 guitar. Honestly, it is almost as good as my Fender Player Telecaster – and that cost me almost $800!
The pickups are legit, again, you have two single coil pickups, it holds its tune nicely, and the fretboard and neck are beautifully finished and integrated into the body. It’s fast, easy to play, and, best of all, it sounds like a proper vintage Tele with plenty of twang and warmth.
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