TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series : bang for the buck

10 years ago

I feel like I should give two separate notes - firstly in terms of value for money and secondly - ultimately as a guitar. This guitar definitely excels in the former not necessarily the latter. So I'm giving it max in total , because it's a very good value, but only 3 in quality, because after all - it's £100 range guitar and has it's flaws.

The guitar came approximately set up. It was playable out of the box, but in order to reach it's full potential it required intonation correction and slight action regulation.

Pros:

1) Build quality & finishing - basically 3 times more expensive guitars are often made worse. Slim and comfortable to play neck & head, well finished body.

2) Wilkinson pickups are surprisingly good. The guitar sounds really nice.

3) Electric work is done properly, good screening, no humming, switch and knobs work just fine.

Cons:

1) Actions is a bit higher than I'd like. Can't really lower it without experiencing fret buzzing.

2) There's something fishy about the bridge, I'm really unsure how it's suppose to keep firmly saddles with set intonation in place, at least one (supporting G-string )is ever slightly moving after longer playing which is a bit irritating. My other Harley Benton (SC-550) has tune-o-matic with some sort of a gill to keep saddle screws in place.

Overall it's a decent guitar and I'm genuinely surprised you can buy a guitar for this money with such playability factor.

Image Harley Benton TE-40 TBK Deluxe Series

Technical Data

  • Manufactured by Harley Benton
  • Released in 2005
  • Average price : $149
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