I won't be mentioning "for it's price" in this review. I have owned a Maybach DC Jr, Gibson and Epi Specials and I also built my own DC Jr from scratch. If I had bought this HB Jr first I would not have bothered building my own!

Ordered this on Saturday and it arrived Friday No issues.

Out of the box, you could tune this and go. The action was good if a little high, but completely fine. Frets were smooth, intonation was close and at the nut, all but the low E were perfectly cut. Low E only required the slightest of filing.

Overall the quality of the build and finish was spotless. Not a big fan of the "faded" matt finish but a bit of Scratch-X will give it a lustre. Weight is 2.86Kg/6lb 5oz - just perfect for a Jr.

The fretboard is a very nice dark colour, and as I will be rounding the fretboard edges I did a test and it does not look like dye was used to get this colour.

Tuners are fine - smooth and accurate.

The electrics are very good. Both tone and volume roll off very smoothly all the way down. Cavity and cover are shielded and very tidy.

The pickups sound really great. Don't see myself changing them. I forgot it has push-pull until I was taking off the tone knob and it popped up! The extra tone possibilities is great. Either way, this thing snarls or sings a lullaby just like a Jr should. Really fun to play.

The bridge is fine. It's not the highest quality but very decent.

Overall, I can't see myself changing much on this guitar. I did strip it down and give it a setup and will be polishing it and rolling the fretboard, but in terms of hardware there is no need.

This is my 4th HB - Te-52, ST-62, CST-24P-90 and now the DC Jr. I find myself a fanboy :-)

Bottom line, If you don't have a DC Jr already, buy one of these!

3 years ago

Great sounding Junior

Fantastic build quality. Classic P90 sound plus humbucking at the pull of a switch.

3 years ago

Wow

There is no better neck or fretboard on any other guitar at any price. You can upgrade anything you like but if you want a guitar that is built well and is comfortable, there is nothing better than this model. The fretboard glistens. I am astounded. It is a pleasure to play.

3 years ago

Just get it. GET IT.

I am *thrilled* with this guitar. At twice the price, I'd still love it.

3 years ago

just great!!!

Pros : fretwork almost flawless, the neck is dead straight and have no fretbuzz with action 1,5mm at high E and 1,8mm at low E.

P90 pickup is realy good , sounds like tele on steroids! It needs to be raised higher.Raised it with felt washers.

Paint and finish is ok. Pots and tuners work OK. Nut is ok.

cons: bridge saddles are sharp..can easily be fixed with sandpaper

3 years ago

Magic Marker

this guitar was almost perfect when it arrived...that is to say..everything is great about this guitar except for the headstock logo...then i got myself a black magic marker and after a little bit of creative painting on the headstock..this guitar is now perfect!!! for anyone still hesitating get yourself a black magic marker and no one will ever know if you are playing a gibson a maybach or a weird japanese gibson clone!!

apart from the stigma...this is a great guitar very fun to play with and sound good...pick up is not too punchy but rather laid back relaxed perfect for 50 's and 60's sound...

4 years ago

I like it!

I bought thus after seeing Guitar Geek's youtube review. I'm impressed. Looks the part (for me), plays well, sounds good, light but with good sustain and the strap peg on the top horn where it should be. I prefer the P90 coil tap option. I only gave it 3* for "features" because - well - a Junior doesn't have many but that's the point! The finish is poly but feels cellulose and is clear enough to see the wood grain. The nut it a little high for me but that's personal preference,. When you buy a car, you adjust the seat! I did change the knobs for saucy red ones because I'm a rebel :o). Plug in, everything on 10 and BOOF! If you want 99 switching options look for something with more knobs than a Peruvian brothel.

4 years ago

Happy Disbelief

Comparing mahogany p90 doublecuts I was drawn to 2 things about the HB DC JR Faded - the fatter "59" neck and the stacked P90. The neck is spot on - not 50's fat or 60's thin. The P90 has incredible flexibility and sounds fantastic. Build quality is excellent. This guitar has completely reset my expectations for the cost to quality ratio in the electric guitar universe - it's like winning the lottery!

4 years ago

Move Over Gibson

I can't see how any other style of this guitar, even excluding price range (well, up to $400 LOL) can out perform this beast. Well done once again, Harley Benton!!!

Read all reviews >>