Whoohoo! I'm a pretty lousy guitarist but I can answer a guitar question on a forum.
I bought a HB ST62 about 2 months back and really took to the strat shape & singles after a lifetime of humbuckers.
About a month ago I decided to give J&D a try. I had to know that the HB wasn't just a freak of nature in how good it was.
Anyway, both guitars have the same finish, Poly?, HB in cream, J&D in seafoam green, I love both colours, couldn't pick my favorite. HB has a maple neck & the J&D rosewood.
The bodies are basswood on the HB & Alder on the J&D, the weight of the J&D is heavier, not weighed them but considerably more by the feel. I like a heavy guitar.
I'm babbling. A quick breakdown below but take these as just
my personal opinions.
Out of the box. HB, really minor truss rod & minor intonation adjustment, nearly in tune. J&D, no truss rod adjustment, minor intonation, stings fully slackened off & wrapped in brown paper.
Headstock. HB it just looks better to me.
Tuners. HB the vintage are smoother & hold better than the J&D.
Nut. HB cut pretty much perfectly where the J&D is very slightly off set towards the bottom E.
Fretboard. I prefer the feel of the maple HB, it may also be a smaller rad but I cant really tell, J&D feels flatter. Both had slight edges on the frets but nothing to cry about.
Neck. HB is gloss J&D is satin. I think I'd go with the J&D on this but it's what I'm used to. Both feel like a similar C shape.
Neck pocket. The HB is tighter and a better fit. Not much in it but splitting hairs I'd go HB. The J&D is solid but being anal a 0.002" feeler fits in the top edge of the neck for about 1/4" deep. HB is airtight.
Pick Ups. Both Wikinson but the HB just sounds a bit dirtier on the neck. Winner.
Knobs & switch. No difference. Both seem solid and do what they should.
Bridge. Same unit I think, the HB holds tune better floating, the J&D really is better hardtailed. HB again for the fact the trem is usable if you feel the need.
Sound. HB for whatever unknown reason. They both sustain OK.
Playabillity. HB. Just. Why I don't know, but it's the one I reach for more than the J&D or my Epiphone SG. It makes me grin.
All in all, for the money they are both really good instruments. My next 2 guitars will definitely be Harley Benton but if they didn't exist I'd buy J&D and be happy.
To sum up, if I'd payed £250 for the Harley Benton I'd be ecstatic. I'd have been really happy if I'd paid £150 for the Jack & Danny. I wouldn't dismiss either.
On a side note I'm probably going to change the J&D pups to hot rails and fit vintage tuners, thats about it. The HB's staying as it is.