Harley Benton HB-35TL Tesla Pelham Blue

Harley Benton HB-35TL Tesla Pelham Blue review

The Harley Benton HB-35TL Tesla Pelham Blue is a semi-hollow electric guitar with a sustain block, a set maple neck, and a pair of Tesla Alnico 5 humbuckers. Its listed price is 329, and it has been available since September 2026. The combination of a traditional semi-hollow outline and practical switching options gives it a clear identity on paper. Owner feedback also highlights its finish, comfortable neck, and light feel, with one reported flaw around the body's f-holes.

Maple construction and finish

The body, arched top, back, and sides are maple. An okoume sustain block sits inside the semi-hollow body, while the set neck is also maple. A rosewood fingerboard completes the main wood specification. The guitar is finished in Pelham Blue gloss, with chrome hardware and binding around the body.

One owner describes the color as more impressive in person than in photographs and says the overall presentation looks deluxe. The body binding and decorative fingerboard inlays also received positive comments. The headstock shape was another detail the owner liked, particularly alongside the body design. These are subjective impressions, but they speak to a guitar whose appearance is a major part of its appeal.

There is one specific quality-control concern in the feedback: the finish around the edges of the f-holes was reportedly uneven on one instrument. The owner said the issue was difficult to see without close inspection and had contacted the retailer while awaiting guidance on whether to exchange the guitar. That single report does not establish a broader problem, but buyers should inspect the f-hole edges and binding closely when the instrument arrives.

Neck dimensions and playing feel

The neck has a C profile, with a width of 22 mm at the first fret and 23.5 mm at the twelfth. The fingerboard radius is 305 mm, or 12 inches, and the 628 mm scale is equivalent to 24.75 inches. The fingerboard has rolled edges, modern diamond and dot inlays, and 22 medium-jumbo nickel-silver frets measuring 2.7 mm. A double-action truss rod provides neck adjustment in both directions.

The nut is graphite and measures 42 mm wide. An owner describes the neck as comfortable, which is consistent with the guitar's stated C profile and rolled fingerboard edges, though comfort will depend on individual hand size and playing preference. The listing specifies a light body, and the same owner reports no neck dive. Those comments offer useful reassurance for players concerned about balance when standing with a semi-hollow guitar.

Tesla pickups and controls

The bridge position uses a Tesla VR-60B Classic Alnico 5 humbucker, while the neck position has a Tesla VR-60N Classic Alnico 5 humbucker. Two volume controls have push-pull coil-split functions, and two tone controls provide separate tone adjustment. A three-way switch selects the pickup positions. The owner feedback notes that using the coil split did not cause a major drop in volume. There is no detailed tonal assessment in the available feedback, so the split sounds and pickup character remain points to judge in person.

The guitar has no tremolo. Its hardware includes a Deluxe Tune-O-Matic bridge and Sung-Il ML-55 locking machine heads. It ships with Elixir coated strings in.010 to.046 gauge. Neither a case nor a gig bag is included, so protection for transport will add to the purchase cost if you do not already have a suitable one.

What the specifications mean in practice

• Body: Maple semi-hollow construction with an okoume sustain block.
• Neck and fingerboard: Set maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, C profile, rolled edges, and 22 medium-jumbo frets.
• Electronics: Two Tesla Alnico 5 humbuckers, coil-split push-pull volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way switch.
• Hardware: Tune-O-Matic bridge, locking machine heads, chrome finish, and no tremolo.
• Included protection: No case or gig bag.

Verdict

The HB-35TL offers a detailed specification for its listed price of 329: maple construction, a set neck, locking machine heads, two coil-splittable humbuckers, and a comfortable-feeling neck according to owner feedback. Its Pelham Blue gloss, binding, and inlays are also strong visual points. The available impressions describe a light, well-balanced instrument, while the reported finish irregularity at the f-hole edges is worth checking on delivery. Players who want a semi-hollow guitar with flexible pickup switching and do not need a case in the box will find a lot to consider here.