TE-52 NA Vintage Series : This is the guitar to get

A couple of decades ago I treated myself to a Fender American Stratocaster and a couple of days ago I received my latest acquisition, a Harley Benton TE-52. So how do these two guitars compare? Apart from price they both appear to be in the same league.

Quality is very similar. The Fender has better tuners and is constructed from 2 symmetrical pieces of alder while the TE-52 is constructed from 3 non-symmetrical pieces of ash disguised as a single piece from the front of the guitar. Playability, the TE-52 is better. Tone wise, they both sound good but different.

A while back I replaced my strat pickups with something more to my liking but the TE-52 pickups sound pretty good so they will be staying. Both guitars arrived intonated and ready to play. Both had good necks and required no fret work. I replaced the TE-52 saddles with brass compensated ones that I now realize weren't necessary. However, it does look more like a 50's tele. As for cost, the TE-52 is more than 5 times cheaper than what I paid for my strat 2 decades ago.

Bottom line, even if you can afford to pay more why bother. This is the guitar to get. Why pay >X5 for the name on the headstock!