Harley Benton HB-35TL Tesla Burgundy

Harley Benton HB-35TL Tesla Burgundy: a specification-based review

The Harley Benton HB-35TL Tesla Burgundy is a semi-hollow electric guitar with a sustain block, a pair of Tesla humbuckers, and a 24.75-inch scale. Its listed price is 329. The instrument has been available since September 2026, and its item number is 580729. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is limited to the published specifications. There is no basis here for claims about sound, comfort, finish quality, or reliability in actual use.

Body construction and finish

The body, arched top, back, and sides are maple. An okoume sustain block runs through the semi-hollow construction. The listing classifies the instrument as semi-hollow, not fully hollow, and specifically identifies the sustain block as part of its design. That construction description is useful when comparing it with guitars that have fully hollow bodies or different internal layouts, but the specifications alone cannot establish how it affects resonance or feedback at performance volume.

The finish is Burgundy Gloss, with chrome hardware. These details establish the model's appearance and hardware color, but do not indicate the type of finish material or the precise shade under different lighting. A case and gig bag are not included.

Neck, fretboard, and dimensions

The set neck is maple, and the fingerboard is rosewood. The scale length is 628 mm, or 24.75 inches, with 22 medium-jumbo frets made from nickel silver. Each fret is listed as 2.7 mm wide, and the fingerboard edges are rolled. The board has a 305 mm, or 12-inch, radius, plus diamond and dot inlays.

The neck profile is described as a C shape. Its width measures 22 mm at the first fret and 23.5 mm at the twelfth fret, while the nut is 42 mm wide and made from graphite. These measurements offer a useful point of comparison for players choosing by neck dimensions. They do not tell us the neck depth, shoulder shape, or how the profile will feel in someone's hands. The double-action truss rod provides adjustment in both directions, according to the listed specification.

Pickups and controls

Harley Benton specifies a Tesla VR-60B Classic Alnico 5 humbucker at the bridge and a Tesla VR-60N Classic Alnico 5 humbucker at the neck. The model therefore uses two humbuckers, with a three-way pickup selector. There are two volume controls, each with a push-pull function, and two tone controls.

The listing does not explain what each push-pull switch does. It would be unwise to assume a particular coil-splitting or phase function without that information. The pickup names and magnet type identify the components, but they do not provide enough evidence to predict output level, tonal balance, noise performance, or how the guitar will respond through a particular amplifier.

Bridge, tuners, and strings

The bridge is a Deluxe Tune-O-Matic design, paired with Sung-Il ML-55 locking machine heads. The guitar has no tremolo system. Locking tuners are a concrete hardware feature, though their presence alone does not establish tuning stability. The factory string set is Elixir Coated.010 to.046. Those details give prospective owners a starting point for comparing the supplied setup and hardware against their own preferences.

What the specifications establish

On paper, the HB-35TL combines maple semi-hollow construction, an okoume sustain block, a set maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, two Tesla humbuckers, and a Tune-O-Matic bridge. Its dimensions and control layout are clearly documented, while important practical questions remain unanswered. The available information does not state the guitar's weight, action, fretwork quality, setup condition, or the exact functions of the push-pull controls.

At a listed price of 329, the spec sheet presents a defined feature set for buyers considering a semi-hollow guitar. A hands-on inspection would be needed to judge build consistency, playability, and sound. Until independent test results or customer feedback are available, the fairest conclusion is limited: the stated components and measurements are specific, but their real-world performance cannot be confirmed from the supplied data.