Upgrading My Harley Benton TE-20 | Incredible Gig Ready Guitar For Under £180 / $230
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ค. 2024
- Hi Guys, How's it going? I hope you are keeping safe in these difficult times!
In this Video I wanted to upgrade my Harley Benton TE-20 to show you (the lovely people of the internet) that you do not have to spend hundreds of £/€/$ to have a gig ready guitar. I can show you that for under £200 (including the price of the guitar) you can have an incredible, efficient guitar!
TE-20 Unboxing and review Link:
• Harley Benton TE20 MN ...
Links To The Guitars & Accessories Mentioned + A Few Other Items I Use:
Locking Tuners - www.thomann.de/gb/harley_bent...
Graphtech Saddles - www.thomann.de/gb/tremnut_gra...
Graphtech String Tree - www.thomann.de/gb/graph_tech_...
Ernie Ball Everlast Picks - www.thomann.de/gb/ernie_ball_...
Ernie Ball Instrument Cable - www.thomann.de/gb/ernie_ball_...
Mooer Pedals -
www.thomann.de/gb/search_dir....
I now have an instagram account which I have pasted the link below along with my Facebook account. I try and post as much as I can on my social media and for any future updates or video ideas will be posted first before anywhere else. So follow me to keep updated!
/ wesleyguitarwebb
/ wesleyguitarwebb
Business Contact:-
wesleyguitarwebb@gmail.co.uk
The song playing at the beginning of the video is my own composition and is therefore owned by me.
#harleybenton #harleybentonte20 #HarleyBentonGuitar
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Please watch: "Top 5 Black Sabbath Songs All Beginners Should Learn | Harley Benton EX-84 EMG"
• Top 5 Black Sabbath So...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~ - เพลง
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You are a very humble guy and I wish you all the best in your playing, here's to another 200 subscribers pal 🤘👍
Hi Nonrev, apologies for the late reply. Thank you so much, your kind words mean a lot 😄 🤘
Wes \m/
Yes, these guitars are great value for money. They can be made excellent with a few mods (as I've just found out). Put Tonerider Vintage Plus pups in my Harley Bention TE-20. The bridge pup is bright (not harsh) and the neck pup is strat-like (not muddy). When both pups are combined (in parallel and series) they are humbucking. Added a 4-way switch which really expands the range by adding pups wired in series. :) I was going to buy a Fender Player tele later this year, but that's unlikely now. ;)
They are indeed 😄 that pickup configuration sounds interesting! Might look into that myself 😁
If you love this guitar after all of the mods, why buy a Fender! I love mine and will never let it go!
Thanks for checking out my video 😄
Wes \m/
It looks and sounds great. Any upgrades takes a guitar up to the next level making it an enjoyable instrument 🎸
Completely agree! If you have a guitar that you love and you’re getting up to the next level of your guitar playing but do not want to spend hundreds on a new guitar, just replace a few parts and you’re sorted 👌🏻
I just got a TE-30. They are fantastic Tele style guitars. I changed the tuners as the low E tuner broke after 5 minutes. Also added a bridge with brass compensated saddles and strap locks. I actually like the stock pick ups. They sound like a Tele 😊🎸
Hi Wes, I'm coming back to guitars after a 30 year break! Got myself a TE20 on the way. So that's how I found your channel. I really like the way you produce your videos and the way you explain things and your whole attitude is just perfect. Obviously you can play too. ;) So just to say thanks a lot. I'm an engineer, so I doubt i'll be leaving my TE20 sandard, looking forward to seeing how it plays.
Great teaching , thank you . I got the red Harley Benton TE 20, I want to change the tuners,👍.
I just got my te-20 a few days ago. I'm still shocked by the quality out of the box, especially in the neck and frets. It might not be at the level of the highest end guitar (no rolled fretboard), but the neck is really smooth, and the frets are smooth and well filed at the ends. It does still have the sharp screws coming out of the saddles though.
Great video Wez 👍 keep it up!
Well done! Keep up the good work!
Thank you very much 😄👌🏻
Nice work, sir! Nice work!
Thank you very much 😄 I’m glad you enjoyed the video 👌
Wes \m/
Nice one Wes! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Hey buddy, that was the perfect tutorial! Top work my friend 🤘🏻
Thanks Jamie! Your support has been great through my “TH-cam career” (if you can call it that 😂) thank you for sticking around! Hope you are keeping safe!
Wes \m/
I've had a lot of luck with Wilkinson EZ-Lok tuners and my friend custom made me an aluminium nut that really changed the tone of the guitar, I also dropped in some Tonerider "Hot Classic" pickups which are really nice sounding. I plan to change the bridge saddles for a set of compensated brass ones some day.
I recently bought a SC500WH that is absolutely flawless. I of course replaced the pickups, tuners, and electronics but the neck and body was beautiful. Zipped down a bit of fret sprout but it's perfect now.
That one is definitely on my list. Harley Benton guitars are so cost effective that I don’t even bother looking at other brands anymore. Of course I’d love a high end Schecter, ESP, etc, but I can’t afford those 😅
HB guitars are great modding platforms 👌
Another fine job. Thanks again. I'm thinking on vetting the same guitar. Very good info.
Thank you very much 😄 definitely do it! I’m sure you won’t regret it 😁
Wes \m/
Bought a TE-30 used in mint condition for 60 bucks, bought it to mod but other than lowering the action, and a set of new strings, a year later still haven't touched it, plays to good the way it is.
Great work. These inexpensive upgrades are easy to do and make a big difference. I like how the silver washers look with the black tuners. I would have done the same.
Thank you very much 😄 the difference it will make when gigged will be incredible! I can’t wait to get back out there haha
I thought it would look great and different and it turned out better than I thought 😄👌🏻
No difference at all.
Hey man! Loved the video. Sick playing. I'm getting a TE 70 soon. A bit bigger price tag; but it comes with better hardware already... And brass compensated bridge saddles. But your video made me itchy. Cause that blue... Oh man that blue!
joguipo thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😄 I looked through all of the telecaster guitars offered by HB and I had to go for the blue! The colour is fantastic in person! If you’re thinking about getting one, just get it, don’t hesitate because it is a guitar that you will not regret buying! 😁
Wes \m/
Thank you for this video.
No worries Vincent! I’m glad you enjoyed it ☺️
Wes \m/
@@WesleyGuitarWebb totally enjoyed it.
Good video, useful info, well presented. I have a Harley Benton TE 62cc it's a very good guitar, upgrade....maybe, but I'm happy with it as it is right now.
Tip for removing or adjusting saddles - put a strip of painter's tape on the body behind the bridge. Yeah it's a cheap axe, but you don't want to mar the finish with the screwdriver! The strip of tape can save the paint. =)
Ah that’s a great idea! I don’t know why I didn’t come up with this idea sooner! 😃 I will definitely be doing this in the future !
Thanks for watching and for the advice 😃🔥
Wes \m/
The washers fall off the tuners when turning the guitar upside down ... no risk of scratching the headstock. also, a smaller Phillips screwdriver would fit the screws of the tuners better.
Hi Wesley.. great video and thank for the tips. I just purchased this guitar last week. I am still a little dumbstruck that something so good can be so cheap. I have wanted a tele for literally decades. I really didnt think that I would get much for 89 euros but I am pretty amazed. How the hell do they do it for the price.
The black upgrades look nice and contrast with the chrome.
Thanks for posting.
The locking pegs aren't height adjustable, are they ? Would love to get rid of the string trees altogether
Subbed. Keep up the great work.
Thank you Fillipo! I’ll try my best 😄 thanks for the sub!
Wes \m/
Love it, shred that Tele! Subbed
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it 😃👍
Wes \m/
Use a thin guitar pick to lift up the washers.
To lift the washers of the tuners, why not simply use a thin, flexibel guitar pick?
I'm in a current mode of waiting for the most parts. I have the CA-red TE-20, it's simply built well. I'm keeping the tuners for the first.
I'm gonna built in a 5-way super switch for additional serial and serial out of phase for my new PUs and a P/P for phase inversion of the bridge-PU, so I also have parallel out of phase. A 4-way and a P/P would also do, but a 4-way costs more than a Boston 5-way super switch.
I bought that kind of saddles for around € 8 / $ 10 on Alie.
hi, nice vid. you didn't really explain why you decided to use the original saddle screws instead of the ones which came with the replacement graphtec saddles. that would be helpful to understand. thanks
how smooth were the frets and fret ends?
nice video.
I just got mine HB TE and I wish it had lower action on the first fret. how can I get the nut out? it seems to be well glued
Thank you very much 😄
Me personally, I would get a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and lightly tap the nut from the side until it pops out.
However, please look on TH-cam as there are plenty of great videos that would be able to show you properly 😂
🤙🏻👊🏻
Hello, good video, I’ve just got one of these in red. I’m a bit worried about putting the graphtech saddles on. On your video it looks like the 2 outer saddles , the saddle spring screws are not parallel with the middle one. the original saddles are 52mm E to E, I’m sure the graphtech ones are at least 54mm (E to E) so the graphtech saddles are wider, probably. It’s only a small thing but, I don’t want to push the 2 E strings further toward the edge of the fretboard. Have you noticed any issues? Cheers✌️👍
Hi Bob, I was toying with the idea of which one to get but I just love blue guitars haha
If I am completely honest, I didn’t check this before purchasing and fitting them. However, I actually haven’t noticed any issues in the slightest and I’ve played this guitar quite a lot since I uploaded that video and I have also recorded with it. I think once the intonation is sorted, you will not have any issues with it 😄
I hope this helps
Thanks for watching
Wes \m/
I have a question about the guitar! What’s under the pickguard? I’m interested to buy that guitar but I would like to put a P-90 in the neck. If it’s routed for the P-90 it would be easier for me if not I would have to routed. Let me know
Should have used the all black hardware bro,....did the hip shot ones not fit? and did they include black screws for the back ? still looks sick, great upgrades. Best wishes from the States
Or you buy 2 or maybe even 3 of these TE 20s for the same money. But still a nice upgrade. Ah wait 96 pounds upgrade.. well 1 extre TE 20 that is.
Thinking about getting one. Kinda curious what is the real difference between the higher priced TEs.
Hi! This guitar has space for humbucker neck under the pickguard? Or only for single coil?
Hi, I did check this a few months ago as someone also asked the same question and yes it does have a slot for a humbucker 😃 (well my one does 😅) but I’m sure they’re all the same.
If you have any other questions please just let me know 😄
Thanks
Wes \m/
You can get it with different PU configurations from Thomann. Even if you plan to replace the PU, you won't have to change the pick guard or make the hole for PU bigger to fit it in.
Why not show the part where you adjusted the intonation after changing saddles?
Did you consider to upgrade the pickups?
Nice vid, I would've changed the entire bridge too to ashtray type for not much money, I have a TE-70 and I've done similar mods but I've also ordered some IronGear pick ups so I'm gonna do that and shield with copper tape next week, how do you get on with the stock pick ups?
Thank you Ozzy, I will possible change it in the future, but for he purpose of the video I wanted to show the parts that we’re going to benefit the guitar more 👌 I actually think that the stock pickups sound great. Some people may not like them and if so, change them to your liking. Everyone has a different opinion 😄
Thanks for checking out my video and subbing 😄👌
Wes \m/
@@WesleyGuitarWebb One thing, more of a question rather than a suggestion...Do you think through body strings make any difference to the playing or sound and would you ever consider drilling your body for whatever benefit you might gain?
Ozzy Mandias I’ve had both, strung thru the body and strung through the bridge and in my honest opinion, I don’t see the difference. Some people may prefer one or the other but I don’t see the difference.
With drilling for certain benefits, I have a £2.5k Gibson that I haven’t even drilled the holes for the pickguard and would never drill any holes into the guitar for whatever reason as I think it would devalue the guitar incredibly. However, with Harley Benton guitars, they are so cost effective that if I found that I wanted a bigsby (for example) on this telecaster I would be more than happy to drill the holes into it.
I hope this helps 😄
Wes \m/
@@WesleyGuitarWebb Yep Harley Bentons are great Mod platforms, the low price point makes taking risks a lot easier.
Hey man, do you advice this as a startup guitar? I play piano and have 9 years of experience with it but I want to try smth new but not spend a lot, do you recommend?
Yes, it's a great beginning guitar. You might have intonation issues with that bridge type, but not major. I'd recommend another HB guitar with separate intonation adjustment like SC or DC series, or even ST is ok. But if you like teles, it's the best option to try. If you like it you always can replace the bridge or purchase a better guitar
Dump question: What's the job of the strap around the neck. I'm not an experience guitar player. I'm just curious. :-) Looks that this is something to damp the strings?
No such thing as a dumb question 😄
The strap around the neck is called a string muter and it is by Gruvgear 👌 I use them when recording solos to eliminate any unnecessary string ringing 😄
Hope this helps
Wes \m/
Hi Wesley, what is the lovely blue H & K amp?
Hi Mick, that is my H & K Black Spirit 200! You should check em out! I love mine especially for recording 😄
Wes \m/
If you replaced the saddles one at a time, you would of had an idea where to start the intonation
Or you could just do a proper intonation. Except you can’t with those stupid tele bridges
I find my own comments from a year ago so often. I shouldnt drink and troll
Damn here i am again. No memory of seeing this video before.
Great video thanks and be Jesus wow, you can play a guitar .😎
Is it my eyes or do those saddles look too wide and are now splayed out🤔
fourelmscars fourelmscars thank you very much for your kind words, it is greatly appreciated 😄
They may seem that way, however I have been playing it these past couple of days and the action and intonation is great and way better than the other saddles.
But I can see where you are coming from 😄
Wes \m/
Do you think bridge plate hole is standard, so that can fits every tele bridge pickup?
Hi Andrea, from what I can tell it has 4 screws at the back of the bridge, so not all bridge plates may fit it.
I hope this helps
Wes \m/
@@WesleyGuitarWebb in the meanwhile I bought one. Thanks for your answer, moreover I noticed that the plate hole measures 7cm, but a normal bridge pickup Is 7,3 cm long...
It’s called a Phillips head screwdriver
Thank you, I will be buying these HB guitars, that's ridiculous buying guitars 1000s of dollars out your assss. for what??? I will buy the black HH te-20 sbk and putting my own upgrades better than any well known tele that's every made from custom locking tuners, custom bridge, and 6 position varitone sounds.
That’s great news! I love Harley Bentons as they are great guitars even from stock but you can make them better by spending very little money! I do have guitars that I absolutely love that have cost me £700-800 but I liked the guitar and had the money. But Harley Benton offer guitars that are £80-90 and feel like £150-200 guitars, so it’s a no brainier!
I did a review on the ST-20 HSS SBK and absolutely loved it! So when they released the TE version I fell in love and I’d love to review it ASAP but I don’t have the space or funds at the moment :( but I will have it on my channel as soon as I can!!
Thanks again for watching!
Wes \m/
Im planning to buy this tele, did you have any problems in shipping? I live in europe
I didnt
My last guitar I got from Thomann had a failure with the toggle switch. They send me a new guitar wich works perfectly. Never had any issues with their costumer service.
$200 guitar + $1500 combo is much better than $1500 guitar + $200 combo.
100% agree!!
those locking tuners must be more expensive than the guitar itselft :p
The locking tuners were actually only £35 and have not let me down once :)
That's almost half of the guitar's price 😂
Are they the original pickups?
Hi Richard, they are indeed. I liked the pickups as they sounded really nice on the dirty channel 👍 the neck sounds amazing on the clean channel too 😃
soooo no link to the review?
I think I must have had a 'duh' moment haha I have now posted the link! Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
Wes \m/
@@WesleyGuitarWebb no problem. I got this guitar about three months ago and made it a relic project. not only did the relic job turn out just how I wanted, but it might be my #1 guitar right now.... I own 6 HB's and right now every time I go to the music room, that te-20 is the one I'm grabbing.
Awesome! I’d love to try a relic job, but I’m too scared 😂👌 I’m glad you like it! I love mine its definitely one of my main go to guitars!
Wes \m/
salut mec merci pour ta video j'ai acheter une HARTLEY BENTON TELECASTER T-"30 qui pour moi et une tres bonne guitare de base a customisé et justement je suis en train de faire des recherches pour changer les tuners, les selles et les micros. pour les micros j'ai deja trancher je vais obter pour des NEW Venson Vintage (50's) ALNICo V qui coute 28;90B EUROS SUR EBAY et je pense prendre les tuners de la meme marque 6X Venson VN05 A 14,90 Euros et pour les selles j'ai obter pour 3x Compensated Brass Saddles R/H a 12,24 Euros QUI VA RENDRE MA TELE COMME UNE FENDER DE BASE? LA TELECASTER HARTLEY BENON T 30 JE LES ACHETER 89 EURO ET IL ME FAUDRAT REMETRE ENVIRON 60 EURO POUR AVOIR UNE TRES BONNE GRATTE C'EST COOL ALLEZ SALUT ET BANZAIIIII
Not worth upgrade. Just add Wilkinson Compensated Brass Bridge Saddles 4$ and Kluson MK6LN Tuners 25$. Polish frets and pencil nut and it's done .
Completely waste of money! I have the te20 black lefthanded all i did was filing of sharp frets and now it plays and sounds just great.
Some people never learn they change the gear just because its so "popular" riddicilous
I completely agree with you.
However, this video was to show people that they did not have to buy a £300-£400 guitar to go gigging. If they have a good guitar like the TE-20 and want to gig with it, all they need to do is change a couple of parts to make it just as good, if not better than most expensive brand name guitars.
@@WesleyGuitarWebb you should have told that no upgrades nor mods whatsoever aint neccesary.
@@turhaapuuhaa5205 At the end of the video I spoke about the guitar saying that it was a great guitar, but by putting a few bits on it you can make it even better. I am not disagreeing with you, but as a gigging musician (and I have used this guitar live before the upgrades) I can state that by adding these parts on to the guitar will save you hundreds of £/$ on buying new guitars if you are looking to gig.
I hope this clarifies my point better.
Stay safe
Wes \m/
@@WesleyGuitarWebb by not "upgrade" anything on it because its pointless you save not only money but TIME TO i hope i make it clear for you?
@@turhaapuuhaa5205 he changed the gear to help with tuning, not the sound. You come across like an asshole turhaa. I hope I made that clear for you?
Man you ruined it
BIG REGRET
Hi Moto, I’m really sorry you feel that way. However, in my honest opinion I do not feel I ruined it and I do not regret at all changing the parts. As I pointed out in the video, this was to show people that they did not have to go out and buy a new guitar after a few months and that all they had to do was to replace a few parts to make it better. If you feel that you like the guitar the way it is then that is absolutely fine 😄
Cheers
Wes \m/