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Post by DerAlex on Sept 30, 2017 7:35:28 GMT
Hi guys and gals, I have received a TE-52 and I have uploaded my pictures here: HB TE-52 NA Pictures from LPFreakLet´s be clear right from the start - for the money you pay it is a good guitar. Certainly not perfect but we are talking 129 EUR. BUT ... I have serious doubts I will keep it: Pro: Monster Sustain - really great and even longer than most of my LPs Cons: Really heavy (4.2kg) Saddles on the bridge total crap (screwdriver sticks in the holes and can only be forced out while intonating) Small imperfections on the fretboard (yellow color on the side) Very rough frets (could be polished out probably) Medium frets (used to medium-jumbo these feel strange in the beginning) Tuners just ok Bridge pu much quiter than neck pu (but someone said this is common to Teles and can be adjusted) Overall manufacturing quality much worse than e.g. SC 4540 GT (just look at the pocket where the neck joins the body) While I usually enjoy tinkering with guitars this one seems to be an exception. Compared to the SC 450 GT this feels like a cheap guitar. I was wondering if going to TE-70RW would be a better alternative (just 20 EUR more but better bridge and saddles and probably more lightweight)? Because of the scratches Thomann offered me a discount but it is not about money. I want a good guitar to upgrade it later. What do you guys think? Please help.
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Post by oghkhood on Sept 30, 2017 7:51:48 GMT
Well the list of flaws makes it a return imho. However, some points you would need to be advised of, that may help you to decide wether having another TE52 or else : - Ash is by the heaviest woods, even more on low cost axes where it is usually not dried as long as on high end guitars. Thus, you have to expect the TE52 to be heavy. Even the first 50's Telecasters that were ash body are renown for being heavier ... Leo made the next ones with alder just because of that ! This said, yours is really heavy, knowing that mine (TE70 neck) is 3.928kgs including a thick and large Dunlop belt.... equivalent to my other tele and strats with the same model of belt - A complete Kluson bridge with brass saddles cost less than 20€... this is the model installed on my own TE52 body www.thomann.de/fr/goeldo_vintage_tlbruecke_hw4tc.htm... the saddles alone are just 3€ cheaper
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Post by DerAlex on Sept 30, 2017 8:03:10 GMT
Well, my thinking was instead of putting money in upgrades to the TE-52 probably the TE-70 is better regarding weight and overall hardware but with comparable sound quality.
With the TE-70 I am afraid that the microphonic pickups could be a problem but I wanted to change them to Häussels anyway (have a set lying around).
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Post by oghkhood on Sept 30, 2017 8:06:00 GMT
Mine is a HB partcaster : TE52 body + TE70 neck
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Post by salteedog on Sept 30, 2017 8:39:32 GMT
I dunno. Neck pocket doesn't look too bad and if you are getting good sustain and string/neck alignment is fine then it's nothing to worry about - unless you are bothered about the aesthetics.
I should say I also have a TE-52. I agree the saddles are worth changing if only because brass sounds and looks better.
The scratches are worth a few euro compensation from Thomann but if the guitar is too heavy for you the return it.
Also rough frets are par for the course on HBs these day. They can be easially rectified.
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Post by rookery on Sept 30, 2017 11:22:53 GMT
Well the neck and general finishing is very poor to me and I would 100% be wanting them to collect it and provide a full refund. I've just ordered a TE 30 which I'm expecting next Tuesday/Wednesday and I shall be very cross if mine is as bad as this.
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thunderbird
Harley Benton Expert
Less purchase, more practice
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Post by thunderbird on Sept 30, 2017 13:47:51 GMT
Cons: Really heavy (4.2kg) Yes, mine might be heavier.Saddles on the bridge total crap (screwdriver sticks in the holes and can only be forced out while intonating) Changed to Wilkinson with brass compensated saddles, not a deal breaker for me.Small imperfections on the fretboard (yellow color on the side) NoVery rough frets (could be polished out probably) Yes, strings were somewhat corroded as well.Medium frets (used to medium-jumbo these feel strange in the beginning) Yes, but no problem for meTuners just ok Yes, badly finished buttons (changed)Bridge pu much quiter than neck pu (but someone said this is common to Teles and can be adjusted) Not on mine, both are about equal.Overall manufacturing quality much worse than e.g. SC 4540 GT (just look at the pocket where the neck joins the body) Was very good on mine, except pick guard screws not driven in straight, equal to my SC450 otherwise.What do you guys think? Please help. Buying cheap guitars is different for everyone, expectations vary wildly, but mine are rather low, to be fair. As long as the bones are good and strong and fret installation is good, I am happy. Scratches under the finish would be a little off putting, though, everything else can be changed. Sorry to hear you aren't happy with it, sounds like you need to send it back.
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Post by morscherszenasi on Sept 30, 2017 13:51:30 GMT
Hi! I'm new in the forum but i've read this site a lot.I don't have Harley Benton guitar ubfortunatly but i would like to buy a T type guitar soon.Might the 52 te will be my choice.Or the TE-30 will be.I use usually strat type guitars and i haven't had a telecaster ever.So this is the state what i want to change I saw your pictures and i read yor post and my opinion was what You said: It's a cheap guitar.For this money probably impossible a better deal.O.K. i'm understand that the problems are so annoying, but some upgrade and care and it will be a great tele!The most important things are the sound, sustain and feel.And i think the TE-70 not better guitar more but different a bit.Ash body and good guitar for 129 euros is not bad deal but good, i think. Anyway congrat for the guitar!I hope i can buy a similar guitar as soon as possible!
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Post by DerAlex on Sept 30, 2017 14:14:03 GMT
Thanks for your inputs so far. Really appreciate it.
Since I couldn´t find any detailed info on the TE-70 (at least not for the current model) I went ahead and ordered it.
Then I can directly compare the guitars and will report back here what I found.
Should be here end of next week.
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Post by oghkhood on Sept 30, 2017 14:35:02 GMT
Well, just the coulour flaws would justify a return Just to help, here's ( once again ! ! ! ! ) a view of my very cute partcaster : the difinition of the picture is very high, so you can easily compare to yours This body is almost flawless, although the neck pocket may not be as acurate as yours
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Post by pixiemixer on Sept 30, 2017 23:07:12 GMT
I think maybe I've been really luck with mine (the frets were levelled by the previous owner). The only real flaw is the string holes and ferrules aren't perfectly straight but that doesn't affect playability. I did a video of my thoughts after owning it a few months
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2017 5:49:27 GMT
I think maybe I've been really luck with mine (the frets were levelled by the previous owner). The only real flaw is the string holes and ferrules aren't perfectly straight but that doesn't affect playability. I did a video of my thoughts after owning it a few months Welcome to the Club man thats some nice guitar and nice playing there!
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Post by pixiemixer on Oct 1, 2017 12:28:49 GMT
Your playing sounds grand pixiemixer. "Can't put it down." That's the best part. Maybe all teles are like that. I'm the same with my cheapo partscaster tele copy that sits right by my sofa. And I keep an almost no-cost second hand Stagg one at work too. They just seem to be ready to play and new tunes come flying off them. Thankyou, and yeah you're right. I think Leo Fender pretty much got it right first time. I don't think I've had a truly bad Tele of any brand whether Fender, Squier, Tokai or HB
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Post by oghkhood on Oct 1, 2017 14:23:01 GMT
Your playing sounds grand pixiemixer . "Can't put it down." That's the best part. Maybe all teles are like that. I'm the same with my cheapo partscaster tele copy that sits right by my sofa. And I keep an almost no-cost second hand Stagg one at work too. They just seem to be ready to play and new tunes come flying off them. Thankyou, and yeah you're right. I think Leo Fender pretty much got it right first time. I don't think I've had a truly bad Tele of any brand whether Fender, Squier, Tokai or HB Same there, I have a 7 axes rack next to my sofa, but the one I grab the most is this partcaster displayed above although the 6 other are way more expensive guitars
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