TE-30 BE Standard Series : TE-30 Standard series

Seen many good reviews of Hartley Benton guitars decided to purchase the TE-30, also having previously purchased a Hartley Benton acoustic.

Pros:

Excellent construction and finish

Neck is satin finish/Natural and wider in comparison to my Fender strat. Assuming this is typical for a Telecaster design style for Country/Blues/Rock, and slightly higher string setup, perhaps for playing slide.

Electronics; Both Tone/Volume knobs work well - tone and volume change is clearly notably, Switch works well, Pick-ups; Sound very good, give typical telecaster country plucking sound/ Bluesy Led Zepp. Perhaps a more experienced telecaster player may prefer to change pickups

Play ability; Yes, the strings seems to be little higher. However no problem playing notes right up to the 22 fret, no buzzing when bending or plucking. Comparing to America Fender stratocaster.

Cons:

Advised to replace stock strings

Machine heads are ok, top E is a little lose not the best.

Tone/Volume knob do not turn level, when looking from side. This does not effect their function.

Heavy guitar with quality Ash body - this may effect some people - using a hardwood body comes with the advantage of chip resistant in comparison to Bass wood, Popular or Lime wood which is much softer

Conclusion:

Advise machine head upgrade, otherwise very good quality guitar.

If you are picky the pickup can be upgraded. Feel that the sound quality should be judged for it own and not how much it sounds similar to the original. Every guitar has its own individual sound.

Thumbs up.