Did you see this video? I did and found it interesting.

https://youtu.be/85SnZueP6eM

My immediate thought is that I would like this same test to be done on Tele style guitars from HB and Squire, to see if there is a difference.

Secondly I think Les Paul style guitars are a bit more complex to build compared to Tele or strat style, so I think it should not be such a problem on those guitars.

Still, it is worrying a bit, because you can tell the quality of the body wood is abysmal, and this guitar honestly seems like garbage material wise… so if I had ideas about getting an HB, i would likely not get it after seeing this video, which is a refreshing take after having seen so many videos praising HB.

Thoughts?

  • WastedJobe@feddit.org
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    1 month ago

    After having seen it, I wouldn’t put too much stock into it. What really matters is how a guitar sounds, and that video didn’t have a lot to say about that at all. The part where he played it sounded like camera audio, so not a basis to judge sound on, really. The pickup thing is interesting, but Thomann will just send you a new guitar for any reason if you send it back iirc.
    Materials seem like what you’d expect for a 300€ guitar and don’t really affect sound anyway. If you’re not in Europe, it’s a different story with import fees etc and you should probably get something else.

    • akmur@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 month ago

      i tend to agree although the thing he said about the neck not being straight is worrying. but it is true Thomann would have replaced the guitar no problem.

      • baronvonj@piefed.social
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        1 month ago

        Dylan does have a history of Harley Benton haterade, in general. I agree with comments on the video about moisture testing other high price point guitars to give some legitimacy to that.

  • rugburn@fedinsfw.app
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    1 month ago

    After watching the video, I more or less agree, especially when it comes to a beginner guitar - if you’re fighting moisture problems and the guitar setup is unpredictable every time you pick it up, you’ll lose interest quickly as a beginner, or learn bad technique to compensate. Any beginners I talk to, ill generally steer them towards an epiphone, low end strat / tele (will i be sued by Fender for typing that?) or something used along the ibanez/Washburn vein.

  • pH3ra@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    1 month ago

    When it comes to Harley Benton, especially the cheaper models, I believe it’s a bit hit/miss: some instruments had one or more quality issues during the assembly chain, others are crazy in terms of value for money.
    I have a TE-62 I bought 4 years ago and never had huge problems in the wood department, except maybe the need to adjust the truss rod a couple times instead of once during seasonal changes.
    I also have a JB-20 bass I got second hand and that never had a problem either.
    I don’t know how much difference there would be with a Squier of the same price level (e.g. the Bullet/Sonic range) as I never owned one, but basing my opinion solely on customer ratings I’d say HB is received slightly better.

    • akmur@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 day ago

      sorry for the late reply

      yea my thought is, if you buy a squier then a huge chunk of that money goes into marketing and paying the fender C level. If you get an HB it’s probably the best price/quality ratio

      one thing tho is the neck. if squier’s CV necks are fenderish, then I feel like I’d have to choose them… still making up my mind eheh

      • pH3ra@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 day ago

        one thing tho is the neck. if squier’s CV necks are fenderish, then I feel like I’d have to choose them… still making up my mind eheh

        Classic Vibes are good guitars, of course they are more expensive than a HB.
        If you are looking for something with a vintage neck, may I suggest you to try out a Sire Larry Carlton, if you haven’t already? I had a couple of those in my hands and if we talk about value for money they were all excellent.

  • wildflower@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Haven’t seen the video, but I have tried both the low and high end HB guitars, and the low end are just crap, the high end are better than a Fender Mex or a Squire (IMO).