Review of the Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series Electric guitar. Where to buy it?

I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series guitar. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar items so you can compare.

  • Body: Ash
  • Bolted maple neck
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Maple
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Dot inlays
  • 21 Frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Neck radius: 13,78″
  • Double-action truss-rod
  • Pickups: 2 TE-Style single coils
  • 1 Volume and 1 tone control
  • 3-Way switch
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Die-cast machine heads
  • String strength from factory: .009 – .042
  • Colour: Blonde, high-gloss

review harley-benton-te-30-be-standard-series

This guitar usually has a price around 99.00 €

Now that we’ve seen the features of this guitar Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series watch these related videos to learn more.

Harley Benton TE-30 After 1 Year - Guitar Review & Demo

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Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:

Comment:

I always wanted a telecaster, but somehow never got one. Since I couldn’t spend a whole heap of money on one, I kept trying out guitars that went somewhere around 250 euro, but I never found them likable, they never sounded like a tele should. So, after reading lots of good reviews, and having purchased a Harley Benton strat before, I thought I’d give it a shot, thinking that if it turned out to be lousy, it’d be a good modding base, but how wrong was I. This guitar is simply unbelievable, especially for a mere 89EU. Upon inspection, I could find no flaws in the overall finish of the guitar – the color looks great, lighter than in the pictures, creamy, very sweet, the neck is of a satin finish and is extremely comfortable, the tuners are alright, the spin ratio seems good enough, though I see why some would want to upgrade, though I would rather suggest trying rolling string trees first. But as of now, it stays in tune. The pickup switch feels cheapish, but it does it’s job fine and it’s not something that would bother me since an "upgrade" is very very cheap. Now, these things that I mentioned are absolute nitpicks, as the guitar looks and plays amazing.

Firstly, the neck – many that reviewed this commented on how fat or wide the neck is, ala the baseball bat neck. While it is surely subjective, I find the neck to be very comfortable as I dislike very thin, flat ones. It’s similar to the HB ST-62 strat, but a tad slinkier, and feels much much faster. The satin finish is very nice and helps with slides. As this is my first guitar with a satin neck, I am absolutely loving it! The fret job is great, no sharp ends, everything is rounded off and such, really extremely impressive for this price! The only bit that was wonky was that the frets themselves weren’t fully polished, but that went away after playing for a couple of hours. The leveling is astonishing, considering the price, no buzz, nothing. Also, the action was great right out of the box. I must be lucky or something.

Electronics – I have no quarrel with them. I quite enjoy the pickups, the middle position is very chimy and full, the bridge is biting, snaps right back at You, just as a proper tele should, and the neck is heavenly. I also should mention that it must be properly shielded because it doesn’t buzz anywhere nearly as much as I expected, considering it’s single coils.

Body – it’s a two piece, and let me tell You, it’s damn heavy. I don’t mind it since I’m used to an LP that weighs a ton, but even so I was surprised since it weighs exactly as much as the full blown LP! I’m used to the weight and have a good back, but I can see how this could be an issue for some, so beware – it is darn heavy!

Playability – honestly, it’s one of the best playing guitars I’ve ever played and I’ve been playing for over 15 years and played a whole lot of guitars. I bought this on the basis that my HB ST-62 strat was surprisingly okay, since I wanted something that would lay around the house, but Jesus is this nicer that the strat! The neck is miles away and overall it just feels good.

You may choose not to believe me, it might sound like a bought review but I absolutely swear that it is not so, it’s just a very very good guitar. Maybe I lucked out and got the best one, I don’t know, but once I’ve picked it up and plugged in I couldn’t stop playing for a couple of hours! Very comfy, and startlingly versatile.

Overall – I honestly can’t believe that I payed only 89 euro for this, it’s comfortable, sound great, looks great too!
Would I recommend?

YES.

You’d be a fool not to get one of these.

Comment:

After watching many reviews, I purchased my TE-30 as one of a batch of three guitars. (shipping to Canada is expensive but is one price for up to three guitars, so…) a SC 450 Gold Top; a TE-52 and this TE-30. The latter two are telecaster style guitars both with Ash body and Maple neck. Of interest to me was that, while the TE-30 is significantly less expensive than the TE-52, the basic construction and materials are the same. These are both quite heavy coming in at just shy of nine pounds each but I like the weight (for the balance) and the tele style, and so took a chance on the two. I was not disappointed. The TE-30 is a beautiful guitar. I checked first for shipping rash or other damage and there was none. (well done Thomann, CBSA, and shippers!) After a careful visual inspection and a quick tune, I verified the switching, volume, and tone pots. I found all functions on the TE 30 respond exactly like those on the TE-52. The electronics on both are smooth, predictable, and effective. The pickups are the same on both guitars and sound very good even against a traditional telecaster. I also found the volume level between the bridge and neck pickups to be well balanced with neither louder than the other at the same setting. So, the pickup resistances must be close which suggests to me a reasonable level of quality control at the manufacturer (which is a good thing). So, what are the differences that cause the TE-30 to be significantly less expensive than the TE-52? I have not yet had the pick guards off and so cannot speak to some possible difference in the switches or pots used but I can say both guitars respond in very much the same way and so probably have the same guts. There is, however, a very significant difference in the tuning keys. The TE-52 has very nice Kluson style tuners while those on the TE-30 are less interesting. While neither are top of the line tuners, (they cannot be at this price point) those on the TE-30 are just not as precise. They have a small but noticeable dead spot between tightening and loosening. Oddly, on mine at least, this is the almost exactly the same across all six tuners which suggests to me it is a design issue and not some random thing. To the positive, once tuned they do hold well. (I will probably change them out at some point though) The only other ‘issues’ I’ve come across so far are probably best described as routine maintenance. I put a quarter turn on the truss rod to address some unnecessary relief. The quarter turn did the trick so I know the truss rod is good. And, as with the TE-52, I set the intonation and lowered the strings to where I like them. Pretty routine stuff.

I find my TE-30 and the other two HB’s I bought to be a truly excellent value. It will be interesting to see how well they endure over time. For anyone who may be wondering… Yes, if this guitar is ever stolen from me, I will absolutely buy another TE-30!

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series vs Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series

The guitar Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series is usually 14 € more expensive than Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series

Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series
  • Body: Ash
  • Bolted maple neck
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Maple
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Dot inlays
  • 21 Frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Neck radius: 13,78″
  • Double-action truss-rod
  • Pickups: 2 TE-Style single coils
  • 1 Volume and 1 tone control
  • 3-Way switch
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Die-cast machine heads
  • String strength from factory: .009 – .042
  • Colour: Blonde, high-gloss
  • Body: Basswood
  • Bolt-on neck: Maple
  • Fretboard: Amaranth
  • Fretboard inlays: Dots
  • Neck profile: Modern C
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Double action truss rod
  • 22 Frets
  • Pickup: 1 Humbucker (bridge) and 2 single coils (middle and neck)
  • 1 Volume control and 2 tone controls
  • 5-Way pickup switch
  • Synchronised tremolo
  • Die-cast machine heads
  • Black hardware
  • Ex-factory stringing: .009″ – .042″
  • Colour: Black, matte

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series

Harley Benton ST 20HSS SBK Standard Series

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series review

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series vs Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style

The guitar Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series is usually 33 € more expensive than Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style
  • Body: Ash
  • Bolted maple neck
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Maple
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Dot inlays
  • 21 Frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Neck radius: 13,78″
  • Double-action truss-rod
  • Pickups: 2 TE-Style single coils
  • 1 Volume and 1 tone control
  • 3-Way switch
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Die-cast machine heads
  • String strength from factory: .009 – .042
  • Colour: Blonde, high-gloss
  • Complete DIY (do it yourself) kit
  • Bolt-on neck attachment
  • Rengas body (wood colour may vary)
  • Maple neck
  • Double action truss rod
  • Amaranth fretboard
  • Dots fretboard inlays
  • Radius: 350 mm
  • 22 Frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Truss rod
  • 3 Ceramic single coil pickups
  • Electronics: 1 Volume, 2 Tone, 5-Way switch
  • Chrome hardware
  • Diecast machine heads
  • Tremolo
  • .009 – .042 Strings
  • Colour: Natural

Note: The body and neck have been primed with pore filler, making them suitable for the direct application of lacquer finishes. Before the application of stains or other surface treatments, the primer must be first removed via sanding.

Note: A certain degree of skill in handiwork is required for successful assembly of the guitar.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style - Unboxing, Assembling, and Sound Demo (no talking)

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style review

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series vs Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley

The guitar Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Seriesis usually 56 € cheaper than Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series

Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley
  • Body: Ash
  • Bolted maple neck
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Maple
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Dot inlays
  • 21 Frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Neck radius: 13,78″
  • Double-action truss-rod
  • Pickups: 2 TE-Style single coils
  • 1 Volume and 1 tone control
  • 3-Way switch
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Die-cast machine heads
  • String strength from factory: .009 – .042
  • Colour: Blonde, high-gloss
  • Deluxe Series
  • Body: Basswood
  • Bolt-on neck: Maple
  • Fretboard: Amaranth
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Fretboard inlays: Dots
  • 21 Medium jumbo frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Pickup: 2 Roswell STA Alnico-5 vintage ST-Style single coils and 1 Roswell HAF Alnico-5 humbucker
  • 2 Tone controls and 1 volume control with volume push/pull function coil split
  • 5-Way toggle switch
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Wilkinson tremolo
  • Stringing: D’Addario EXL110 .010 – .046 (article no. 104555)
  • Colour: Black Paisley

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley

Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley Unboxing & Review

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley review

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series vs Harley Benton ST-57DG Black Tribute

The guitar Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Seriesis usually 60 € cheaper than Harley Benton ST-57DG Black Tribute.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series

Harley Benton ST-57DG Black Tribute
  • Body: Ash
  • Bolted maple neck
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Maple
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Dot inlays
  • 21 Frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Neck radius: 13,78″
  • Double-action truss-rod
  • Pickups: 2 TE-Style single coils
  • 1 Volume and 1 tone control
  • 3-Way switch
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Die-cast machine heads
  • String strength from factory: .009 – .042
  • Colour: Blonde, high-gloss
  • Body: Alder
  • Bolt-on neck: Canadian maple with stained nyatoh skunk stripe
  • Fretboard: Maple
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm (TUSQ XL)
  • 21 Frets
  • Pickups: 3 Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico 5 single coils
  • 1 Volume control and 2 tone controls
  • 5-Way toggle switch
  • Single-ply pickguard
  • Synchronised tremolo system
  • Kluson style machine heads
  • Chrome-plated hardware
  • Ex-factory stringing: D’Addario .010 – .046 (article no. 104555)
  • Colour: Black high gloss

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton ST-57DG Black Tribute

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton ST-57DG Black Tribute review

Where to buy the guitar Harley Benton TE-30 BE Standard Series

Thomann

  • Free Shipping.
  • Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
  • 100% reliable payment.
  • Leader in trouble-free shipping.
  • Usually Best price.
  • Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
  • Sometimes better price.
  • He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

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Jaime Echagüe

Hi! I'm Jaime Echagüe, a musician and an authentic fan of musical instruments. With this blog I want to give general information about musical instruments in an easy, direct and honest way. I hope you enjoy my website and that you find it very useful.

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