Harley Benton TE-40 LH TBK Deluxe Series

I bought the TE-40 because I love the "Telecaster" shape but not necessarily the sound. I mostly play Metal and the potential to turn this guitar into a great "Metal Machine" was huge. I had to wait a while as it was on back order but when it finally arrived I was very impressed with the fit and finish.. the body colour and shape is simply magnificent especially with the through body strings.

Out of the box (after being tuned and intonated properly) it played quite nicely but I will have to say that the stock tuners were pretty awful. The "B" string tuner would rotate probably 3/4 of a turn and not register any pitch movement.

This didn't really bother me as I'd already bought the parts for my modification. Basically I have stripped it down, the pups have been replaced by EMG 85/81's along with EMG solderless wiring, the tuners have been replaced with locking type (in black) along with black string trees and strap buttons. I also replaced the bridge with a black roller saddle type. Basically, all that is left of the original guitar is the body, neck and string ferrules.

This is now my "go to" guitar above my LTD EC401 & 257.

Love it.

Going to be honest, I wanted a tele style guitar and the options for lefties are just so... dull! Saw this and immediately fell in love.

It's not a solid black body, as it appears in the pictures... There's a lovely subdued grain to it. The black and gold scheme looks great, though the pots and other fittings feel a little cheap. I was tempted to put gold strings on it, but was very glad I didn't when I snapped the Hi-E when restringing with Ernie Balls.

Changed the strings to 9s and got some help from my guitar teacher adjusting the setup slightly. I have been thrashing the hell out it for two months now and I have only had to retune it two or three times - I know, I can't believe it either - so it keeps its tune really well.

All in all, a beautiful guitar that can take a hammering and still perform... All for well under £200. Amazing

For what I paid for this (purchased new from Thomann) it is pushing towards the quality of my beloved Cort M600, which was about 3 times the price.
A quick change of strings, and an oiling of the fretboard and this is good to go. It's been my main "grab and play" daily guitar for the last 3 years.
Other reviews may mention the tuners arent the best - i agree - they're not - BUT they DO hold tune perfectly well, they're just not as smooth as they could be, but that's to be expected in this price range.
I've had the control plates off the back - the pickups are wired to be tapped - should you wish to go down that route.
Contoured top and nicely bound. Fret work is great. Only setup issue (easy fix) was to drop the bridge a little bit to lower the action.

Pickups are fine - no issues with those at all.

A bargain, no frills, good sounding guitar, and a great modding platform - should you wish to go down that route.

I wish these HB's had been around when I first started playing 35 years ago. I've paid a lot more, for a lot less quality / functionality over the years.

Thanks HB for catering for us lefties!

This is a gem of a guitar. The big guys on the block should take careful notice and realise that they have too often been relying on their brandname - rather than the quality of the products that they sell. Harley Benton has done just the opposite. Offering wonderful products, without relying on a household name to carry them across the line - and it shows in the incredible quality and attention to detail of their many products. If you are sitting on the fence and unsure - take it from a musician who has been playing for more than 40 years - Harley Benton is proving they are a force to be reckoned with one instrument at a time.

Well guys received my first HB today , looks wise from a distance, stellar.

But honestly my $250 Squiere affinity tele blows this out of the water in every single way possible.

Not paying that shipping to send it back so I guess I’m stuck with it and will learn to like it in some way.

The way these things were talked up really had me stoked , but this thing is like a mix of first act & lyxpro

Feels extremely fragile and cannot weigh more than 4 pounds

I guess there was only one way to find out

I’ll find a way to like her 🙂

Also came with every screw extremely loose and scratches all over and the switch for pickups bent and stuck 🤷