TE-20HH SBK Standard Series : Great first impressions…

Edit: Update after a few weeks' play and assessment - it's an excellent instrument for the price, but it has needed some work to get it there. The pickups are surprisingly good on such a budget guitar, with three distinct but balanced voices. High output but typical tele in the middle which is why I bought it in the first place.

The neck/bridge/action has been a bit of a mission - when I bought it the action was too high with almost no scope left to lower the bridge saddles. So, I did what I've done to previous Harley Bentons and took the neck off, added a maple veneer shim and put the neck back on, raised the bridge saddles and it has transformed the guitar. Now, it holds its tune infinitely better, and the action is perfectly low enough now to enjoy it. I also wire wooled the fretboard and frets, which has made it feel more smooth.

I would highly recommend this guitar if you are willing to put a little work into it - but, like every other guitar I've had to tweak, it feels more like 'mine' now that I've got it set up right.

Arrived after 8 days, so lots of time on the road, but it doesn’t seem to have caused the guitar much stress.

It was well-packaged, and once opened it looks spotless on first glance (I’ll need to give it a more thorough scan over tomorrow in the light).

Action was crazy high and so I’ve adjusted it down - it could do with being able to go a little lower for my taste, but there’s a buzz introduced, so I’ve got it as low as I can from the bridge. Neck seems nice and straight.

I bought a Harley Benton s-type years ago and had to add a neck shim to it - it might be that this guitar needs one too, but I’ll let it settle and see how it goes.

I bought it for the middle pickup tone and I’m not disappointed. The neck is really warm, possibly too warm for me, but the blend of both pickups is really excellent (especially for this price).

First impressions excellent - think I’ll enjoy this one :)