I took my £30 / $40 Harley Benton to a LUTHIER... (Harley Benton Setup - Video 1)
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- In this video, I take the Harley Benton Strat that I bought used for £30 / $40 to Phill Orme (Doghouse Guitar Repairs). Phill is going to have a look over it and share what he thinks the guitar needs...
Video 1 - Inspection
Video 2 - Adjusting The Bridge
Video 3 - Adjusting The Neck
Video 4 - How To Restring Properly
Video 5 - How To Intonate Your Electric Guitar
Video 6 - Adjusting The Pickup Heights and Finish
I'm going to use this £30 / $40 guitar on a professional, paid recording session and play it on tour to prove that you don't need expensive instruments to make music.
At the end of the video series, GIVE THIS GUITAR AWAY!!
To Win This Guitar
- Like This Video & Leave A Comment
- Subscribe To The Channel
- Follow Me On Instagram @scottpoleymusic
△ Website:
www.scottpoley.com/
△ Instagram: @scottpoleymusic
△ Doghouse Guitar Repairs
bit.ly/3sStN16
Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction
0:48 - Key Elements
2:46 - Fret Issues
4:04 - Notched Straight Edge
8:37 - Action
10:45 - Intonation
13:55 - Dan Erlewine
Disclosures: All opinions are my own. All sponsorships are acknowledged.
#scottpoley #harleybenton #cheapguitars - Hudba
Thought this would be a Luthier’s opinion of Harley Benton. Unfortunately, it just ended up being a “how to setup a guitar…” explanation.
Sorry the video wasn’t what you wanted CarpeDiem, there’s so many great creators on CZcams I’m sure there’s many other videos that might be more what you’re looking for.
I wanted to help people make the most out of these incredible budget guitars, I’m using mine on tour at the moment.
well, if you watched closely for the measurements on this specific guitar, and you know what to look for in a good guitar, then it's also kind of an opinion about this instrument.
I’m not sure that I totally understand your point Kare. I bought the guitar on Facebook marketplace with no prior inspection. I gave the cash before I even played the instrument.
I want my videos to inspire to make music, and if they can only afford budget instruments, it really doesn’t matter, they’re great 👍 thanks for the comment.
@@ScottPoleyMusic no, I think it's a great video, and your luthier is a great professional as well. What I meant was, for someone looking for a review about this guitar, this video is very useful, because you can see what deviations this guitar has compared to a higher standard model, and also what you can de about it to fix a couple things
Aaaaaaah yes, I see. Thanks so much! I’m pushing it to its limits, currently using it on a 60+ date tour of the UK.
I have 2 takeaways from this video:
1. Harley Bentons are solid instruments for their price range.
2. That man sounds like someone I'd have a beer with.
1. They are
2. I do regularly, he’s excellent beer company 🤘🤣
Could listen to him talk all day. Knows his stuff and is passionate. Quality guy.
Me too - thanks for your comment 🙏
Phil's a fkin champ. No nonsense, no pretentiousness, straight to the point. Learned a lot from this vid. Thanks Phil and Scott!
That’s amazing, totally agree, he’s top end.
Very interesting - particularly the fact that the manufacturers deliberately send the guitars out with an action on the high side to mask any choking problems!
I was fascinated the whole time I was filming this series Phil. What Phill doesn't know about guitars isn't worth knowing! 😂👍
Yes, it explains why the Soloist I got a few years ago seemed to have high action. However, after lowering the action i can confirm it's awesome and plays amazingly well with no buzz.
Yeah, because when your guitar happens to be a tryout model in music store the last thing you want is for customer to listen to fretbuzz, when he has no clue how guitar setup works in the first place.
I learnt that buying a guitar form Woolworths in 1972.
Nice!! What was the guitar?
Phil is a lovely fella and he really knows his stuff. He fixed one of my guitars recently. I've been playing for years and thought I knew a lot about how guitars were made, but I really didn't. He explained what he needed to do with my guitar and how he did it. He also gave me some great advice about how to keep it in working order and properly maintained. He is a true craftsman 👍
He really is
I had never heard of a Harley Benton, but I was in a pawn shop and ran across one. It played beautifully and looked quite nice. I was Surprised that they were only asking $125 for it. Then I went home and googled it and found out it was only a $200 guitar. It was the nicest playing guitar in the pawn shop.
Yeah, they’re surprisingly good if you find a good one Rick! I love Pawn shop guitar hunting 👍
This luthier is of the highest caliber. He should have his own youtube channel. Thanks for the video!
I completely agree Calum
I agree. I've been bringing my guitars (and other people's) to Phill for setups and repairs for the past few years. He is the best I have come across, and is a lovely, lovely guy into the bargain. His business is called Doghouse Guitar Repairs (see link in the video description) and he's based in NW England (near Burscough/Ormskirk in Lancashire). Every serious guitar player within a radius of 50 miles knows Phill and uses his services. He's just the best around (and I've tried plenty of others) and should be a national treasure.
That’s awesome!!
I love how enthusiastic this guy is about his craft. Really interesting stuff!
Totally agree Joseph and thanks 🙏
these days he probably cares more on the violin sin side right thru to the double bass
I do not play guitar or any instrument for that matter, but I find this so interesting … I enjoy listening to people talk about their expertise, so much involved …
Thanks Scott 👍
Got a lot of interesting and useful information in this video, you can tell Mr Orme certainly has a great passion and wealth of knowledge on the subject, gonna be very interesting to see the progression and how the final condition compares with how you originally got it. Can't wait mate 🤘🏻👍🏻
Thanks so much my man 🤘
Great video, thank you both for your valuable insight! Harley Benton and others have come along way in making guitars affordable and great for the money!
This guy explained every thing you need to look for at the store, and in words non luthier's can understand!!! Good information!! Thanks!
That’s great Grant, thanks for your comment.
Great video, I can't wait to watch the rest of the series. I love HB's, great guitars for so little money. I own 7 of them. Yeah they need a little setup work and some fret cleanup work but its fun to get to know your guitars. Hell I also own a 5 grand Fender Custom Shop Strat and I had to mess around with that to get it to my liking as well.
Exactly, I wanted to prove that people can make music with a budget friendly instrument. It’s amazing how many of the same jobs need doing on guitars that are $/£2000 plus.
You can see this guy really knows his stuff. The speed he works at shows the experience.
Phill is the best!
I'm also hotrodding a basic Harley Benton. Setup on mine was pretty good from the factory. I removed the top string tree because it was rough as hell.
I swapped out the pickups for a rainbow set of lace sensors. I have just put on a Vega Trem. Next thing is to swap the nut out for a Wilkinson rolling nut.
This was a Very informative video.
Now subscribed thanks.
Thanks so much for the sub. Wow you’re really going for it with the mod’s!! I’ve currently had mine set up, the only mod is a new Neutrik jack socket 😂
I put some graphtech string trees on a beginner level Ibanez I got for my daughter's Birthday last year and they're fantastic. Although everything Graphtech makes is awesome. Just an aside thought. Good luck with your modding, I'm addicted to it myself 🤣
dont forget when and if you install a roller nut on a guitar, the break point is going to be farther away from the first fret as opposed to on the edge of an ordinary nut so you have to compensate by removing part of the wood on the first fret. and once installed you can not go back to an ordinary nut, because the fret space is narrower.
This guy Phil Orme certainly knows what he's talking about... the best honest & informative video explaining the theories of correct guitar setup I have ever seen here on YT - btw HB guitars are great value I have owned many of them.
Cheers Peter
Just stumbled across this video, what a gem. Love that Phil takes the time to properly explain, I've played close to 20 years and still picking up new information. Fantastic when people with this level of knowledge take the time to go through the nuances of an instrument rather than just give you some baseline nonsensical measurements of what relief should be. Still haven't got a scooby what a 16 thousandth is haha
Yeah, the whole thousandths of an inch thing is old school pre metric measurements. 16 thousandths is 0.406mm 👍
sixteeen thou is 0.016 inches. imma guessing you not a mercan ??
Very enjoyable and informative. Phil is a great explainer. Thanks!
Much appreciated John, thanks 🙏
Fantastic. This felt like a mini-master class in itself.
Phill is just incredible, every time I see him I learn so much!!
Great guy with lots of useful tips. When Dan is gone, he can take over. Thank you.
Thanks!!
The guitar tech’s voice is just awesome. So is his work as well, he knows his stuff is what I’m saying.
Absolutely, thanks so much 🙏
This was really cool. I liked the honest professional take on this budget guitar and what to expect
Thanks Benjamin 👍
That was awesome! Way more informative then most set up tutorials 🤣🤣 great work
Appreciate it 👍
Absolutely amazing the way he explains it.....hats off sir.....thank you
Thank you for the comment Charlie 🙏
I enjoyed watching this, I found it very informative and everything was explained clearly.
Thanks so much Christina 🙏
Never expected a series this long on a HB strat :)
I'll need to watch the rest too
Neither did I 🤣
Love how passionate he is about his work
Me too Simon! 👍
Great video summing up a lot of factors - thanks!
Thank you for your comment Daniel 🙏
Very helpful concise advice, thanks
Thank you 🙏
Good vid. I learned a bunch of things I never knew to look out for!
Amazing!!
HBs are simply amazing value for money.
I have 2 guitars and an electric cello, and yes they do need a proper setup, but so does every other string instrument you buy - no matter how expensive. It amazes me that people still are expecting different, and expect the guitar absolutely spot-on perfect and in tune out of the box... That's never happened to me, and I've had quite a few instruments over the years 😎👍
Harley Bentons are definitely worth investing some time and energy, of let your luthier take care of it 😉🙏
Absolutely Claude, I like the idea of the electric cello! Thank you for your comment 🙏
I have 3 Harley Benton's... Just got the st-20 HH active... Plays like a dream... Plays better than my schecter apocalypse and just as good as my Stefan Carpenter LTD... Will keep buying... Love this brand... Couldn't ask for more .. ❤👍👏👌
That’s really great. Those HH strats look a lot of fun.
Very informative and very well explained - I do my own set-ups so I know a bit, but it's so nice to hear someone give so much clarity and logic to the process... I am really looking forward to the next instalments. 👌👊
Thanks Ian, Phill is incredible. I learned so much filming / editing these videos!
Excellent Vid on The Guitar Setups and The Whys Guys.. Dead On and Thanx for The Upload ☺😎👊💯💯
Thank you for watching John 👍😎
You can also buy the notched tool for checking the neck. I got one from my wife a few Christmases ago. Heavy than hell. It reminds me of something a Knight would use to split a head open.
🤣🤘 amazing!!
I already knew all this and I have set my own guitars up since the 80s but this was a great video that gave all the information you will need to do this yourself , that said luthiers are an almost gone skill , we need more and this lesson will hopefully create more
I agree, all guitarists should know at least a little bit about their guitars. CZcams can be a great resource but it’s a mixed blessing / curse with certain video luthiers who don’t know their stuff.
Great video and has some cool guitar tips. Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Interesting video good insight into what's involved setting up a guitar
Thanks for checking it out
In 1986 I bought my first, new, electric guitar. Prior to this I had a second-hand Hofner (which was a dog!). I bought a Japanese-made Red Squier (by Fender) Strat. It was great, compared to my Hofner, but compared to the two Harley Benton guitars I currently own, my Epiphone, my Ibanez, and even my Squier Bullet Mustang.... that Japanese Strat was total crap. It amazes me why they command such high prices today, because any HB, Vintage, Epiphone, or current model Squier, would wipe the floor with that '86 Strat in all areas (quality, tone, playability, everything!).
Of course I won't compare it to my James Tyler, Gibson Les Paul, or Chapman ML-1, for obvious reasons, but back in 1986 I got the chance to compare my '86 Squier with a friend's Les Paul Custom ('72 model), and a Fender American Strat, so I know it was shite from the outset.
That’s great insight, thanks so much. I also have a Hofner - a 1958/9 Senator model.
5:56 This is soooo goooD! THANK YOU!
🤘
I have a few harley bentons and they're great for modding and learning setup techniques
That’s ace Karl 👍
I remember a String company called Picasso (Status Quo, Richie Blackmore and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath used them), you could get E strings gauged 008. 007 and 006.
Yeah Chris, Billy Gibbons from ZZ top uses really light gauge strings too, I don’t know how he does it.
So much great information in one video!!
There’s a whole series on the channel Johan, more episodes to come.
@@ScottPoleyMusic Yup, watched them all! :) Great to hear that more is coming, can't wait!
This guy is amazing! Man does he know a lot of common stuff about guitars!! 👍
He really is Dennis
The first guitar I bought by myself was a Washburn T-Bird from about 1978. I paid £130 for it and sold it for £100 because it wouldn't stay in tune. A few years later I learned about changing the nut, straightening the neck, adding locking tuners etc.
How I would love to get that guitar back now. They sell for around £500.
Oh man, we’ve all got those ‘one that got away’ moments. They were such cool guitars
Very interesting and full of excellent tips for anyone that has no experience of how to check a guitar setup.
It's critical that you follow a set procedure or you will never obtain a setup without any issues.
Can't wait for part 2.🙂
Good stuff. Thank you!
Nice one Jerryboy
Cool. This is really helpful.
Thanks so much 👍
Interesting video and as someone who was born not half a mile from Prince Rupert's tower, Phil's accent made me feel homesick. 😉
Love that! Thanks Berni
The channel here you really should watch is StringTech Workstations, maybe even more than the Stewmac channel actually. For frets and necks he´s the best. You don´t have to make the notched straight edge yourself they are not that expensive and the tools you need to make one will cost you more. I measure and evaluate the straightness of the neck and then I use a stewmac fret kisser to level any high spots from the individual frets = I don´t have to re crown all frets. Then you smooth the fret ends set your action/how much relief you want and your neck job is pretty much done.
Cool, sounds like you’ve got a great method there 👍
I've got a HB J bass , £50 s/h - light, plays great, sounds great, looks the biz - neither better nor worse than my mex fender if I'm honest - my friend bought a HB mandolin that was unplayable junk and went back
I’ve heard similar stories Frank. I guess we both found good ones 👍
That guy really knows his stuff! He's very interesting, I'd love to talk guitars with him. 👍
I do all the time, he’s incredible 👍
Ha I wondered what became of this guitar. Got a bit unlucky with the QC on this Harley Benton, though some of the other guitars I have had of theirs have been awesome. Great video.
60 tour dates in, 36 more to go before I give it away 👍 genuinely gutted to know it’s going.
That guy was great. I learned loads. Thanks for that.
Pleasure David! Nice one 👍
I don't mean to discredit this man as he clearly has a lot of knowledge on the setup of a guitar, but I own 5 Harley Bentons and had a good rapport with Thomann during the time I was buying them. They take every guitar that is about to be shipped to someone and do a final setup on them before shipping internationally (What they do in store in Germany may be different) but all of my guitars came with no need for any major setup changes. minor tweaks for my preference in action, yes. but relief, intonation etc. were spot on. You bought this used. I bet the previous owner either tinkered with stuff he shouldn't have touched, or never got it readjusted over time...
That’s great that you’ve got good ones from the factory. Phill sees hundreds of Harley Benton’s and generally they’re ok but need a few setup tweaks for optimum playability. Every guitar should be set up from the factory and tweaked throughout the year with the changes in temperature / humidity.
@@ScottPoleyMusic I totally agree, and their A stock stuff seems to, for the most part, adhere to what you say they should be doing. Their B Stock though? Stay away... I had one B Stock from HB show up so far off the mark, the luthier couldn't fix it... it's now a wall hanger.
AWESOME VIDEO THIS GUY IS FULL OF AWESOME GUITAR INFO
Thanks so much 🤘
Well explained, nice video!
Thanks John 👍
This guy is phenomenal!
Thanks David, I fully agree with you.
I liked the video, I think it's a good insight for people like me that like to attempt these things and actually see his thought process. HB are certainly putting pressure on other brands made in the same factories, I think HB still has a stigma against it but the way the world is right now, you can buy a HB with stainless steel frets, locking tuners, EMG pickups (you might not like them but they're branded) for less than £350. You could spend more than double that on let's say a Chapman (I use them as an example as they don't have a luthiers they just spec them the same as HB) and for arguably less guitar.
But the name on the headstock ultimately sells the guitar... Will that change?
Very good points CagedPaps. The value of the Harley Benton gear is undeniable.
Just got the same one for 20 quid. Only one saddle screw was missing and needed some setup. Sounds and feels great. Can't believe the value I got for almost nothing.
Wow you got an even better deal than me. Mine is currently 24 shows into a 60 date theatre tour, updates coming soon. They’re so good, hope you enjoy yours and have loads of fun with it.
@@ScottPoleyMusic Thanks man, I've been wanting to get a single coil guitar for those twangy clean tones. This one totally delivers the goods and even distorted there's not much hissing. The only fault I can find right now is one of the tuning pegs is not tight enough. If I were to gig with it I'd change the tuning pegs and the nut. But even in this state it feels like a £200 guitar. Ridiculous 🤣
This guy knows what he's talking about. The explanation why guitars come out of the factory with higher action than they could is particularly pertinent. No manufacturer wants to have buzzing guitars in shops so they set them up with some extra margin.
I leave my basses without strings for 24 hours each time I clean them. Nothing ever happened. Neck bows back and comes back into place when the strings return. It could be a different matter if a guitar were to be left without strings for months in fluctuating humidity conditions.
Agreed 👍
Judging by the logo on the headstock,this is quite an”old” pre-logo change guitar. My HB Tele has the same logo,also bought secondhand,but adding brass saddles,and a few minor pickup adjustments later,it’s a perfectly playable instrument,for a total outlay of around fifty quid!
By contrast,my HB 450 plus LP(a fairly recent acquisition),arrived from Germany in three days,with a pretty much perfect setup,almost in tune,and no sharp fret ends.The finish is also astoundingly good,so I think HB are constantly upping their game,quality-wise,unlike some of the so-called”high-end”manufacturers(no names mentioned)who seem to have got somewhat complacent with their quality,on the assumption that their name will sell the instrument.
I wasn’t aware of the logo shift. Interesting Dennis!
On a closer look (bigger screen),you DO have the later logo,so should be an excellent instrument,after the set up.
Haven't watched right through yet, but, particularly with strat style guitars,it may be advisable to line the internal cavities with copper,or conductive paint,to cut down on hum.
Worked well on an upgraded Chinese cheapie that I used to have.
Now in the hands of my granddaughter! Don't think my daughter in law was best pleased,but my son's okay with it,as he used to play electric bass in a band.
that Luthier is amazing, cool guy no attitude wish he lived in my hood.
I’m so glad he does live in my hood 😎👍
Yeah, a luthier with no attitude is a rare thing indeed. Why are most luthiers so aloof?
Gotta love smart people like this
Some great tips there!
👍🏽🎸
thanks . no one ever explains radious so cheers !
Pleasure Aron, so glad you found this video useful 👍
Amazing informative content I really like it 😀 big time thanks I also think if you put tens in a nine guage guitar the bridge was never cut for that
Thanks Terence!! Going from 9’s to 10’s shouldn’t be an issue on a strat style guitar with metal saddles.
Not what the title says but oh so much more. Thanks for the setup explanation. Does this guy have any other videos?
Be checking out Dan Erlewines stuff
There’s a series of videos on the channel, I’m trying to convince him to set up his own channel.
When you said a 30 pound strat I thought “damn, and I thought my Les Paul was heavy!”
🤣 I swear I’ve played 70’s Les Paul’s that weigh close to that.
This guy has a wealth of knowledge
He really does Donald
Awesome video Scott! Great luck and best wishes on your touring! Hope someday I can buy you a pint in SLC Utah. I'm getting too old and broke to make it across the pond these days, but I've been playing guitar like crap for fifty years, and the ar$hole ney sayers don't slow me down a wit... Just the opposite; when someone tells me I'm playing like crap, Ill play even more crappy just to spite them.... Keep on doing that groovy thang that you're doin. Thanks and cheers!
We’re playing Salt Lake with Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac in a few weeks. Likewise and thank you 🙏
That was really interesting. Thanks!
Appreciate that Conor 👍
@@ScottPoleyMusic Off to binge watch the rest now. You are such a cracking player too. Amazing. Subbed 👍
Great Series!
Thanks so much Frank 👍
Just found this channel, thats a nice video, you got a new subscriber
Hey thanks Cesar 👍😎
I have had zero issues with my 3 HBs but really every guitar needs some kind of setup and tweaking to a players specs... They're (every guitar) never gonna come perfect without at least some string work... Bad wiring etc is definitely cause for complaints but I doubt that happens that often
👍
good video man!
Thanks so much 🙏
I've had many second-user guitars and basses, and without exception they all needed setting up. It seems people buy a guitar and just play it, straight out of the box. No wonder they all got tired of trying to play it and sold it on...
Absolutely, couldn’t agree more 👍
Minute 14: " Brand new set of strings, do the intonation..." Gotcha. If the intonation goes out, you know it's the string, deg, from skin and plec, haha.
Yep, all that lovely dried skin 🤮🤣
Wish I could find a Luther like this one!!
I’m so lucky to have Phill!
The best money I ever spent on my basses was with a pro luthier to fix them from new. The only bass out of about half a dozen that was perfect from new was a Sadowsky.
Woah, I love Sadowsky basses. Yes Mark , couldn’t agree with you more if I tried.
Great video!
Thank you 🙏
I bought a Harley Benton Les Paul copy from Thomann and the set up was almost perfect straight from the box. Amazing. Maybe I was lucky 😊
Lucky you bohmao!!! That’s brilliant 😎
i don't think you were lucky...my HB strat had amazing quality control too...they have shifted the ball park. I think they, as a company, have pride in their products...which is more than I can say for fender and gibson (standard factory instruments), who trade on their name.
Mark, stop watching Fricker.
@@morbidmanmusic what is Fricker??
woooaaah......... how much did i just learn?? MUCH. Thx boss
That’s awesome Raymond’
great portion of practical knowledge and explanation, thanks! Though my conclusion is not to do it by myself - I will go to the luthier. It's just a bit too complex and precise for a non professional like me. I only play these things ;-)
Absolutely Pawel, hopefully these videos will help you chat to a luthier about what you need from your setup. Good luck 👍
Watch Dave's World of Fun Stuff and play with your cheap guitar. Worst case u break it but you won't. Then you can buy a range of budget guitars and modify them to play better than a custom shop at a fraction of the price.
That’s one great thing about budget guitars, if you want to learn to repair guitars, buy a cheap one. If you make a mistake, it’s not an expensive Fender / Gibson.
Dan Erlewine and Frank Ford are my two luthier heroes (Phill’s too).
@@ScottPoleyMusic Lets not forget Twoford. An excellent luthier IMO
If would have spent $359.00 on better Harley Benton Fusion-T HH HT Roasted FBB you would have a gotten great well made Tele style Guitar with a roaster maple neck and fretboard with steel frets and 2 nice alnico humbuckers. The controls have 3 way switch, volume control and tone control with a push / pull pot. The body has comfort body cut in the back of the body and behind the neck joint.
Totally agree, they look like incredible guitars and I would love to check one out.
However, not everybody has $359.00 to spend, especially at the moment. I wanted to prove that you can make music with a budget instrument.
the frets are gonna be still shitty… even if you glue the frets (wich the factory’s don’t do) you need to do a fret level. that’s the only way to get a nice low action. I set my HBs 1,25 and 1,6 mm on the 12 fret
Ive got 2 Harley Benton’s and they are great for the money.Ive been a gigging musician(Bass) for 30 years and i want a few guitars around the house.I like to tinker with the set up when i get one and Harley Bentons are ideal for this.
They’re really good 👍 I’m currently using mine on a tour of the UK. 11 shows in and it’s consistent and sounding great!
@@ScottPoleyMusic Exallent 👍
Idk about string gauge.
Hendrix played banjo strings. I think string choice is really a bit more musical than structural but I appreciate the perspective from a gigging musicians pov. In that regard having a tool that's made to be reliable makes sense.
String gauge is such an interesting debate. I say, try them all and find what works for you.
Banjo strings are the same as guitar strings other than the loop ends. And they are about the same gauge as a regular light electric set. Most have 009 or 010 high strings.
You may be thinking he used a lighter gauge.
Any guitar however cheap can be made to play well. I've never had a guitar (even £3000 ones) over the last 35 years that didn't need anything doing to make it the best for me.
That’s really interesting Ergo. Some of my most expensive guitars have needed the most work to get them playing in their optimal state, so I can certainly agree with you there.
An opinion from your luthier about its value for money would have been good. HB are good value if you get them setup right, but his personal opinion would have been really helpful. Hats off to luthiers. They are salts of the Earth
There’s a summary of Phill’s thoughts at the end of the final video in the series, plus I’m about to upload some more videos - using it on a pro recording session and 60 date theatre / arena tour.
@@ScottPoleyMusic I se! I didn't realise that and will look out for it. You may want to investigate this too (unless you have already) czcams.com/video/KaewEB1yQxc/video.html
My luthier has worked on a PRS Core, SE version and this and he says the HB is well worth the investment!
Yep. Dan Erlewine is the G.O.A.T. when it comes to guitar tech.
Absolutely, he’s THE man
Word.
I was also glad that Phill did a shout out to Frank Ford as well.
I could tell some stories about original Fenders and Gibson's... you would weep and be happy that there are HBs...
Oh I bet, I’ve played some hideous old guitars. I hate this idea that all old Fenders and Gibson’s are inherently great. I’ve played expensive fenders that play less well than this HB 👍
i bought a new HB strat for 140$ about 6 months ago...best value for money guitar i ever bought...very smooth fret ends...well set up but yup, I had to adjust the heights of the bridge to match the neck radius too...good action...excellent tone..good output from pickups... It was still in tune when i took it out of the box...and stays in tune. ..mostly...dive bombing can make it go a bit flat. The only criticism is that the trem block is a bit flimsy/ unsubstantial. Easily a match for a Squier. I would never buy a fender...don't want to add 30% onto the price for a name on a headstock.
Glad you’ve found a guitar you bond with. There is a tutorial about adjusting the tremolo on a HB Strat on my channel if that’s any use to your quest for improved tremolo tuning stability 👍
Wow interesting stuff
Thanks 🙏
Every brand new guitar needs set up to some extent regardless of price
Couldn’t agree more Ryan 👍
Ok well here's my 2c.
1. The fretwork will need attention (ideally ripping out and doing properly)
2. The necks are often thinner and made from unseasoned wood. This can be ace if you have smaller hands. In practice though it tends to lead to "tremolo neck" syndrome.
3. The pickups with be crap.
4. The wiring will be fascinatingly silly but functional and the pots and switch gear will be "Asian".
5. The nut and tuners will be awful.
You get what you pay for? Actually yeah, you got a strat for $40. The trap is not in the relative value of getting a whole guitar for that price. Its in how much it will cost to put it right and how that works out at about the same as a Squire does new. Because that's the name of the game.
In one respect, I couldn’t agree more. On the other hand, on my Squier bass:
1 - I’ve worked on the frets - reseated them, water thin superglued them in, levelled, crowned, polished.
2 - no issues with the neck
3 - replaced the pickups
4 - replaced all the electronics
5 - replaced the nut and tuners (and the bridge)
Granted, it’s now a killer bass and it has a lot of sentimental value so it’s totally worth it to me. However, if I’d just bought a better bass to start with - one could argue that it would have been a lot easier…
dang i guess i never realized heavier strings need a truss rod adjustment, and also that its the strings that lose intonation not the guitar itself. i always wondered why my tuner would say flat when i would tighten the saddle screw, i could never figure it out and always just had a professional do it for me.
Now you know 👍
The guitar and the strings effect intonation. Things move and weather changes your guitar.
Absolutely 👍
HB are great modding guitars but you do have to mess with the lower end models , the guitars in the £250 area are well set up with a little checklist of what the luthier checked after the guitar arrives in Germany from their indineasean factory , also they sell b stock guitars so every guitar is checked to some extent and if found not up to standard it’s downgraded to b stock., the nuts always too high on most guitars and that’s a usual cause of high action on cheap
Guitars and is always my first check
Nice one Dan - I’ve seen photos of the more expensive HB’s, they look great. Thanks for commenting 👍
I could give a shit about the actual guitar 😆! This was very, very informative! Where is this guy at? If I ever start playing I want this guy to build me one!
He’s in Lancashire in the UK 👍
I wonder how he would approach guitars in Drop B, some other baritone crazy thing like Drop F#, or the AGCFAD, F#F#BEG#C#
We did actually briefly set up a standard scale electric in Baritone b-b tuning with heavy strings and it played great. I prefer the feel of my Telecaster with a baritone neck for low tunings.
As for drop F# - you’re a braver man than me Eric 🤘🤣