Introduction to the Harley Benton ST-62HA
The Harley Benton ST-62HA is a surprising entry in the realm of budget relic guitars.This model is part of Harley benton’s new Aged series, which offers guitarists pre-distressed electric guitars that maintain an affordable price while exuding the charm of a custom shop instrument.
Relic guitars often spark debate among musicians, and thay typically come with a hefty price tag. Harley benton’s strategy to introduce a budget-friendly option in this niche is intriguing. Many guitar enthusiasts will likely appreciate the prospect to own a relic-style guitar without breaking the bank.
Inspired by the legendary guitars of Rory Gallagher, Mike McCready, and John Frusciante, this model is priced under $250. It features an American alder body paired with a caramelized Canadian maple neck, shaped in a pleasant ‘C’ profile, and a laurel fretboard adorned with 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets and dot inlays.
The guitar boasts a classic 25.5-inch scale length and a 12-inch fretboard radius, providing a modern playing experience. The headstock is equipped with Kluson-style tuners, while a synchronized tremolo system enhances its versatility. A trio of Isola single-coil pickups is complemented by a master volume, two tone controls, and a 5-way switch, delivering those iconic S-type sounds.
Specifications
- Launch price: $238 / £214 / €249
- Type: Six-string electric guitar
- Body: Selected American alder
- Neck: Caramelized Canadian maple, C profile
- Fingerboard: Laurel, dot inlays, 305mm radius
- Scale length: 648mm (25.5″)
- Nut width: Graphite, 42mm (1.65″)
- Frets: 22,premium 2.7mm medium jumbo, nickel silver
- Hardware: Kluson-style tuners, synchronized tremolo system, aged chrome hardware
- String spacing at bridge: 52mm
- Electronics: 3x Isola VT-ST Alnico 5 single coils; 1x volume control, 2x tone controls, 5-way switch
- Weight: 3.1kg
- Options: Light relic available (LA models)
- Left-handed options: N/A
- Finishes: 3-Tone Sunburst (as reviewed), black
- Cases: not included
- Contact: Harley Benton
Quality of Construction
Build Quality Rating: ★★★
While the ST-62HA may appear to have seen better days, it is surprisingly well-constructed. The neck pocket fits snugly, and despite its aged appearance, the hardware is securely attached. Weighing in at 3.1kg, it feels light in hand, slightly less then the TE-62LA model, likely due to its design and finish.
The body features classic S-style contours, including an armrest and belly cut, with rounded edges for comfort. However, the aging effect on the body is somewhat exaggerated, lacking the authentic wear seen on more expensive models. The wood beneath the finish appears too pristine, which detracts from the overall relic aesthetic.
In contrast to a genuinely worn guitar, where the paint gradually blends into the wood, the ST-62HA displays a stark contrast between the paint loss and the fresh wood underneath. This is evident when compared to Frusciante’s Strat, where the wear is more seamless and natural.
While the finish lacks gloss, it allows for quicker aging through regular use. If you’re seeking a relic guitar that offers a head start in wear, this could be a viable option. With some effort, you could further distress the paint to achieve a more authentic look.
Interestingly, the fretboard shows no signs of wear, which is unusual for a guitar designed to appear heavily aged. While light aging is present on the ‘light Aged’ maple fretboards, it would have been beneficial to see some subtle discoloration on this model. The stark newness of the neck is quiet noticeable.
The back of the neck,tho,has been pre-worn,presenting a realistic appearance compared to older models. Yet, the wear is somewhat uniform across the neck.
Most of the hardware is well-executed, providing an authentic aged look. However,a bit more wear on the bridge saddles would enhance realism.
However,the pickup covers present a mixed bag,with each showing varying degrees of aging. The bridge pickup appears heavily yellowed, while the middle pickup retains much of its original color. The neck pickup cover is primarily yellow with some white still visible. the knobs and toggle switch also exhibit similar yellowing, but the pickguard remains predominantly white, which accentuates the contrast.
At a price point of $250, achieving a convincing relic finish is a challenge for any manufacturer. Unluckily, the ST-62HA’s appearance falls short of expectations.
Interestingly,the Black version with a maple neck of the ST-62LA features more realistic fretboard wear and darker wood,making it a more appealing choice for those seeking an authentic relic look.
Playability Assessment
Playability Rating: ★★★★
“`html
The neck on this guitar rivals those found on much pricier models.
Harley Benton has truly excelled with its guitar necks. The neck on the ST-62HA is comparable to those on significantly more expensive instruments, offering extraordinary playability at an affordable price. Featuring a classic ‘C’ profile, it feels instantly familiar when I pick it up. The comfort extends across the entire neck, and the flatter 12-inch radius enhances its playability.
the action is set at 1.5mm at the 12th fret while my finger rests on the first fret of the low E string. Although there’s room for adjustment, it doesn’t hinder my speed. Lead licks and legato phrases flow effortlessly, thanks to the medium jumbo frets that provide a solid platform for various playing styles.
As I slide my hand along the neck, I can feel the frets slightly against my palm. They aren’t sharp, but a bit of work could make them feel smoother. this guitar offers an impressive playing experience, especially given its price point. The only limitation for any playing style lies in the player’s technique rather than any design flaws.
While I typically prefer two-point tremolo systems, the six-screw design on this guitar performs adequately. It lacks the fluidity of a two-point system, but it doesn’t throw the guitar wholly out of tune, even though deeper dives can cause some tuning issues.
Even without locking tuners, the guitar maintains its tuning fairly well. Generally, all strings go out of tune by a similar amount, making it suitable for subtle vibrato techniques.
Sound quality
Sound Quality Rating: ★★★★☆
Connecting the ST-62HA to my audio interface and using my preferred Neural DSP plugin, Tone King, set to a clean tone with spring reverb and tremolo, I began testing the guitar’s sonic capabilities. The wiring adheres to vintage specifications, with dedicated tone controls for the neck and middle pickups, while the tone knob has no effect in position 1, as the bridge pickup is wired directly to the output jack.
This results in a somewhat brittle sound from the bridge single coil, which lacks control unless adjusted through amp settings or an EQ pedal when played clean. The sound is quite pronounced, especially as I move up the fretboard, where the high-end can become harsh. Fortunately, modifying one of the tone controls to affect the bridge pickup is a simple fix for those who purchase this guitar.
In position 2, I experience that classic S-type quack. The ability to roll off some treble is beneficial here, allowing for a more usable sound. The middle position also delivers a rich tone, quickly becoming one of my favorite sounds from this guitar.
once again, I find the bridge pickup to be overly bright.
In position 4,I again feel the need to roll off the tone slightly due to excessive high frequencies. This sharpness in the neck pickup sound can be softened, resulting in a warmer, rounder tone that resembles the classic S-type neck sound.
Switching to distorted sounds, I change the channel on my amp simulator and introduce a simulated King of Tone overdrive pedal for added aggression. The bridge pickup remains quite bright, and the harshness becomes more pronounced as I play higher up the fretboard. This indicates that the pickups are on the cheaper side. While not terrible, the slight harshness in the high end is more noticeable with increased gain.
This trend continues across positions 2, 3, 4, and 5. With the addition of a drive pedal, I find myself needing to roll off even more treble to avoid a brittle, ice-picky sound. However, once adjusted, the classic S-type tones are easily accessible; just be prepared to tweak your amp and effects settings a bit. There are some fantastic sounds to be found here, especially considering the guitar’s low price.
Final Thoughts
Despite some aesthetic shortcomings, the ST-62HA is a highly playable electric guitar, though its electronics could use advancement. The neck profile is exceptionally comfortable for any playing style, and the guitar comes well set up right out of the box. However, the pickups sound somewhat cheap, which may not satisfy more discerning players looking for quality.
Some peculiar choices have been made with the relic finish.
The relic finish has some odd choices that seem to be better addressed in the black, maple neck version. The fresh wood beneath the removed paint and the fretboard showing no wear make it appear as if it’s trying too hard to mimic a vintage look. If you’re after a relic guitar that genuinely looks the part, I would recommend opting for the black version instead.
Final Advice: if you’re a fan of relic guitars and want an affordable option, I suggest considering the black, maple-neck variant of the ST-62HA. The three-color sunburst version falls short due to some questionable design choices. It features a highly playable neck profile and is well-constructed,with some great sounds available if you’re willing to adjust your settings. this guitar is solid but has flaws stemming from a lack of attention to detail in its appearance.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
|
Category |
Findings |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build Quality |
Well-constructed, though some relicing choices are questionable. |
★★★ |
|
Playability |
Exceptionally playable,exceeding expectations for its price. |
★★★★ |
|
Sound Quality |
Offers great tones, but requires some adjustments. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Overall Impression |
A solid guitar with some design flaws. |
★★★★☆ |
Choice Recommendations
VIDEO DEMONSTRATIONS
Harley Benton
watch On
Unleashing the Sound: A Deep dive into the Harley Benton ST-62HA
overview of the Harley Benton ST-62HA
the Harley benton ST-62HA is a budget-friendly electric guitar that has garnered attention for its extraordinary features and vintage aesthetics. This model is part of the Aged series, designed to provide players with a pre-worn look and feel, reminiscent of classic guitars without the hefty price tag. With its combination of quality materials and thoughtful design, the ST-62HA aims to deliver a premium playing experience.
Key Features
- Body: American Alder
- Neck: Caramelized Canadian Maple with a ‘C’ profile
- Fretboard: Laurel with 22 medium jumbo frets
- Pickups: 3x Isola single-coil pickups
- Scale Length: 25.5 inches
- Weight: Approximately 3.1 kg
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Harley Benton ST-62HA is one of its standout features. When plugged into an amplifier, this guitar produces a rich, vibrant tone that is versatile enough for various music genres, from blues to rock. the Isola single-coil pickups provide clarity and definition, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.
Testing the Sound
during testing, I connected the ST-62HA to a high-quality audio interface and used a popular amp simulator plugin. The results were impressive:
- Clean Tones: The neck and middle pickups delivered a warm, full sound, perfect for clean strumming and fingerpicking.
- Distorted Tones: With added gain,the bridge pickup exhibited a luminous character,which can be adjusted using the tone controls for a more balanced sound.
Playability
one of the most appealing aspects of the ST-62HA is its playability. The neck profile is comfortable, allowing for easy navigation across the fretboard. The action is set at a reasonable height, making it suitable for fast playing styles.
First-Hand Experience
As a guitarist, I found the ST-62HA to be incredibly responsive. The medium jumbo frets provide a solid platform for various techniques, including bends and slides. While the six-screw tremolo system may not be as smooth as a two-point design, it holds tuning well under moderate use.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Harley Benton ST-62HA is commendable for its price range. The guitar feels solid in hand, and the finish is well-executed, giving it a vintage look that many players appreciate.
Specifications Table
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Body Material | American Alder |
| Neck Material | Caramelized Canadian Maple |
| Fretboard Material | Laurel |
| Pickups | 3x Isola Single-Coil |
| Scale length | 25.5 inches |
| Weight | 3.1 kg |
Benefits of the Harley Benton ST-62HA
- Affordability: Offers great value for money, making it accessible for beginners and seasoned players alike.
- Versatile Sound: Suitable for various genres, from rock to jazz.
- Comfortable Playability: The neck profile and fret size enhance playability, allowing for extended practise sessions without discomfort.
Practical Tips for New Owners
- Setup: Consider a professional setup to optimize action and intonation for your playing style.
- Pickup Modifications: If you find the bridge pickup too bright, consider wiring a tone control to it for better sound management.
- Experiment: Don’t hesitate to try different amp settings and effects to find your unique sound.
Case Studies: Players’ Experiences
Many players have shared thier positive experiences with the Harley Benton ST-62HA. For instance, a local band guitarist noted that the guitar’s sound quality exceeded their expectations, especially considering its price point.They found it especially effective for live performances, where its versatility shone through.
Join the Beatbounty Community
If you’re passionate about music and looking to connect with other musicians, consider creating an account on the Beatbounty platform. You can submit ads, collaborate with fellow artists, and explore opportunities to enhance your musical journey.
Become a valued member of Beatbounty platform.
Start selling and connect with fellow musicians – LOGIN or REGISTER!
