I got the pink Harley Benton but it looks like yours with the Gyker trem. I put in 1Meg pots and a switchable cap inside and I am shocked how good it is. I did some shielding as well. it's GREAT! I think I commented on your other video like a year ago.
I did a similar thing recently. Bought a Harley Benton JA-60 on a whim. Shortly after getting it, replaced the pickups with MOJOs (heavy former '59 in the neck, overwound in the bridge), Gyuker les-trem copy (almost half the price of a les-trem), roller-ball bridge, upgraded tuners, 1meg pots, switch-craft switch, pure-tone jack socket. After a thorough setup, try-oiling and buffing of the neck, and fret-level (which I did myself - I'm no expert, but used some cheap tools off of Amazon and some CZcams tutorials), I've got it playing and sounding brilliant. My total spend works out less than a Classic Vibe Squier JM (not including the price of the tools, as I'll be using those again on future projects), and whilst it doesn't feel as expensive as my Fenders, it's still a wonderful instrument, and it's been getting more attention and play-time than any of my other guitars since buying it. Nice to know I'm not the only one who has done this kind of modification with the JA-60, and that I'm not the only one who is enjoying the end results this much. 👍🏼
I got the Firemist version with ss frets. How was your experience with Gyuker Les-trem? I'm hoping to get the Dunsenberg as I've read several bad reviews about Gyuker.
Such a fun video! I was thinking though: you can always sell this fender and buy another one just like it the next day, but the Harley Benton is unique, because you've modded it yourself and that's just a nice feeling inside. :)
I really know how you feel about the HB. My wife bought me a HB strat kit for my Birthday and i never liked the stratocaster for my style of playing. Others Sound great with that guitar but i never did. We did a surf Green relic finish and i kind of fell in love with it. Now it has fender rex mex pre wired pickguard, HB locking tuners and an abm vintage tremolo. Now i love that guitar more than i could ever love a real fender stratocaster. A bone nut will come in some months i guess and then Its done.
JM is great guitar. I am about to get a Harley Benton 25th anniversary. I just planned out the electronics conversion. The only issue is the distance between pickups.
Really nice what you did to your Harley Benton! I love the upgraded pickups, and the trem is a really great choice! I just saw another video of the Harley Benton (affordable Fender offset alternatives comparison by Rich Words Music), and the stock electronics sounded rather dark. Did you experience the same? If so, is it the pickups, or do the have low-value pots in there from factory which would also reduce the high-end quite a bit?
I've recently modded a Squier Jazzmaster and it is one of my favorites now despite having an awesome USA Fender Jazzmaster. Am I taking an almost $2500 USA jazzmaster to the dives bars I'm likely to play? Hell no. I have to stick with Squier over Harley Benton though because I just can't get past the smaller body on the HB, just looks off to me.
@@MarkRigler shimmed the neck pocket, shielded cavities, new pickups, new bridge, and new trem unit. A lot of that wasn't necessary, I just had some extra parts left around from other projects!
In terms of your upgrades, which do you think made the biggest difference? I have a JA60 myself and recently did some initial mods (new string trees, copper shielding), itching to figure out what to do next.
I’m not a Strat player but the comparison of the 2 was interesting. I especially enjoyed listening to your playing. Something I hope I can do some day.
The Harley benton looks and sounds better to me but I'm sure the fender feels better to play. And thats usually what you get from high end guitar.. feel. You done a great job of the HB for the money i think 👍🏻
Hey buddy I bought harley tele and have to say, really great guitar for playing and for fingers too and very much, neck is not from 2 pieces of wood like all cheap guitars. I have also american prs and prestige ibanez and this guitar for 150 bugs is really not shit, but very.good guitar. I believe that this this JA will be great too. Its more about feeling that you paid 2000. And you know, you should to pay much more, because is maded in US, but all other thing are same
First thing to consider imo is the electronics (incl. pups, position, height) and the options those electronics offer. Next is the neck, but only because you have to play on it, and the proper hardware to keep it in tune + new strings + set up. Everything else, wood, shape, looks ect is all subjective and won't make a lick of difference to how your electric guitar sounds. The rest of the sound comes from your amp/FX set up and or mic technique/room, if you use them, and then of course your playing. So if you love the way your neck feels and you got the rest sorted, you're good regardless of what the guitar cost. I'll just put this here: czcams.com/video/n02tImce3AE/video.html
Your playing is fantastic. Your scoring need not include the fact you want to play strings that most wouldn't wish to play. The only thing that the heavier strings give you is more bass. With the tone you used in this video, more bass would be ridiculous. Most of us are working within the mix of a song, whereby I would cut out all the bass you gain with .11 strings. Even .10s I cut out all the bass you might not get over using the .09. When you are playing by yourself, the bass sounds great. In a mix, it sounds like bloody hell.
Kudos to Benton but.... I prefer the real deal when it comes to a jazzmaster. Im not a guitar snob since Im a lefty guitarist so I play watever. But when it comes to a jazzmaster unless its an original design with all the bells and whistles that it came with originally forget it.
Fender isn’t perfect they never were and never will be. Sure boutique companies can “perfect” fender guitars but you can’t match their vibe. That is what you are paying for and for my music it is worth every cent and penny.
Fender headstocks are just the most beautiful of all guitars out there.
Think I’d treasure the Fender at home and smash up the Harley on the road in my (fictitious) grunge cover band. Great video JB.
I got the pink Harley Benton but it looks like yours with the Gyker trem. I put in 1Meg pots and a switchable cap inside and I am shocked how good it is. I did some shielding as well. it's GREAT! I think I commented on your other video like a year ago.
I did a similar thing recently. Bought a Harley Benton JA-60 on a whim. Shortly after getting it, replaced the pickups with MOJOs (heavy former '59 in the neck, overwound in the bridge), Gyuker les-trem copy (almost half the price of a les-trem), roller-ball bridge, upgraded tuners, 1meg pots, switch-craft switch, pure-tone jack socket. After a thorough setup, try-oiling and buffing of the neck, and fret-level (which I did myself - I'm no expert, but used some cheap tools off of Amazon and some CZcams tutorials), I've got it playing and sounding brilliant. My total spend works out less than a Classic Vibe Squier JM (not including the price of the tools, as I'll be using those again on future projects), and whilst it doesn't feel as expensive as my Fenders, it's still a wonderful instrument, and it's been getting more attention and play-time than any of my other guitars since buying it. Nice to know I'm not the only one who has done this kind of modification with the JA-60, and that I'm not the only one who is enjoying the end results this much. 👍🏼
I got the Firemist version with ss frets. How was your experience with Gyuker Les-trem? I'm hoping to get the Dunsenberg as I've read several bad reviews about Gyuker.
Such a fun video! I was thinking though: you can always sell this fender and buy another one just like it the next day, but the Harley Benton is unique, because you've modded it yourself and that's just a nice feeling inside. :)
So true!
I really know how you feel about the HB. My wife bought me a HB strat kit for my Birthday and i never liked the stratocaster for my style of playing. Others Sound great with that guitar but i never did. We did a surf Green relic finish and i kind of fell in love with it. Now it has fender rex mex pre wired pickguard, HB locking tuners and an abm vintage tremolo. Now i love that guitar more than i could ever love a real fender stratocaster. A bone nut will come in some months i guess and then Its done.
JM is great guitar. I am about to get a Harley Benton 25th anniversary. I just planned out the electronics conversion. The only issue is the distance between pickups.
Great work, great quality content, just found you now, subscribed
Thanks man! Welcome
Really nice what you did to your Harley Benton! I love the upgraded pickups, and the trem is a really great choice! I just saw another video of the Harley Benton (affordable Fender offset alternatives comparison by Rich Words Music), and the stock electronics sounded rather dark. Did you experience the same? If so, is it the pickups, or do the have low-value pots in there from factory which would also reduce the high-end quite a bit?
I've recently modded a Squier Jazzmaster and it is one of my favorites now despite having an awesome USA Fender Jazzmaster. Am I taking an almost $2500 USA jazzmaster to the dives bars I'm likely to play? Hell no. I have to stick with Squier over Harley Benton though because I just can't get past the smaller body on the HB, just looks off to me.
What mods did you do?
@@MarkRigler shimmed the neck pocket, shielded cavities, new pickups, new bridge, and new trem unit. A lot of that wasn't necessary, I just had some extra parts left around from other projects!
@@mikegutterman3427 did the shielding make much of a difference, getting one soon
@@MarkRigler Yeah the guitar is pretty silent now, really cut down on the single coil noise. Just used copper tape.
I agree jazzmaster should be big
In terms of your upgrades, which do you think made the biggest difference? I have a JA60 myself and recently did some initial mods (new string trees, copper shielding), itching to figure out what to do next.
I think the mods in the hardware episode (bridge, trem, tuners, nut) made the biggest difference. Taking all the finish off made a big difference too
I’m not a Strat player but the comparison of the 2 was interesting. I especially enjoyed listening to your playing. Something I hope I can do some day.
Glad you enjoyed it!
He just practiced..if you practice,you will also be as good..no secret..the more you play the better you get
The Harley benton looks and sounds better to me but I'm sure the fender feels better to play. And thats usually what you get from high end guitar.. feel.
You done a great job of the HB for the money i think 👍🏻
Hey buddy I bought harley tele and have to say, really great guitar for playing and for fingers too and very much, neck is not from 2 pieces of wood like all cheap guitars. I have also american prs and prestige ibanez and this guitar for 150 bugs is really not shit, but very.good guitar. I believe that this this JA will be great too. Its more about feeling that you paid 2000. And you know, you should to pay much more, because is maded in US, but all other thing are same
You have an interesting guitar face. It looks like you’re about to cry! Love the video and the anti snobbery!
That's his gasim face 😂
They both sound great through the Victory amp.... which is the main factor for that tone and the end results.
Then let's only have one guitar each.
😂
there is actually no comparing because the Fender has resale value the Benton cannot. The cheap one can be great anyways, just play and enjoy
Very true
That's true...but the hb cost less than the amount you'll loose if you resell the Fender.....
The best value/quality Fender offers is made in Japan…
First thing to consider imo is the electronics (incl. pups, position, height) and the options those electronics offer. Next is the neck, but only because you have to play on it, and the proper hardware to keep it in tune + new strings + set up. Everything else, wood, shape, looks ect is all subjective and won't make a lick of difference to how your electric guitar sounds. The rest of the sound comes from your amp/FX set up and or mic technique/room, if you use them, and then of course your playing. So if you love the way your neck feels and you got the rest sorted, you're good regardless of what the guitar cost.
I'll just put this here: czcams.com/video/n02tImce3AE/video.html
Your playing is fantastic. Your scoring need not include the fact you want to play strings that most wouldn't wish to play. The only thing that the heavier strings give you is more bass. With the tone you used in this video, more bass would be ridiculous. Most of us are working within the mix of a song, whereby I would cut out all the bass you gain with .11 strings. Even .10s I cut out all the bass you might not get over using the .09. When you are playing by yourself, the bass sounds great. In a mix, it sounds like bloody hell.
Kudos to Benton but.... I prefer the real deal when it comes to a jazzmaster. Im not a guitar snob since Im a lefty guitarist so I play watever. But when it comes to a jazzmaster unless its an original design with all the bells and whistles that it came with originally forget it.
@jacksonbrooksby does the Harley Benton have a slightly smaller body?
Yes, quite a bit smaller actually
Having played both it’s not even close. The Fender Jazzmaster is miles better.
So is the price
Yeah. The HB woulda been awesome before the Classic Vibe Squires came out.
It's ironic that the Harley Benton ends up having more of a Jazzmaster tone than an American made Jazzmaster!
Solid Video
Your guitar face is nearly as bad as mine! LOL
I am not a fan of the neck tints Fender is putting out these days, they look like the false suntans!
Good vid but imo, the looks for the HB is 0 - not cool looking at all. Each to their own.
Fender isn’t perfect they never were and never will be. Sure boutique companies can “perfect” fender guitars but you can’t match their vibe. That is what you are paying for and for my music it is worth every cent and penny.
My Squier lefty Jazzmaster sound and look a million times better than this pos