Harley Benton RG-Junior BK LH

Harley Benton RG-Junior BK LH review

The Harley Benton RG-Junior BK LH is a left-handed, three-quarter-size electric guitar aimed at young players and anyone who needs a compact instrument. Its listed price is 85, and its specification includes a 565 mm scale, 24 frets, and two humbucker pickups. That is a substantial feature set for an inexpensive beginner guitar, though buyer reports make one point clear: the experience can depend heavily on the individual instrument's setup.

The guitar has a black, high-gloss poplar body, a bolt-on maple neck, and a Roseacer fingerboard with dot inlays. The 42 mm nut width and shorter scale make the instrument smaller than a full-size electric guitar. It uses six strings and is supplied with.009 to.042 gauge strings, with A-D-G-C-E-A listed as the tuning. There is no tremolo, case, or gig bag included. A compatible gig bag is available separately.

Construction and first impressions

Several owners describe the finish as glossy and attractive, with some reporting clean paintwork and no visible damage on arrival. Parents commonly bought the guitar for children around six to ten years old, and many found its size manageable for a young beginner. One owner also noted that the instrument felt light and comfortable in the hands. These are useful signs for a guitar intended to make early practice less physically demanding.

Reports on fret finishing and setup are less consistent. Some buyers found the neck comfortable, the frets even, and the instrument ready to play. Others encountered sharp fret ends, a high fret, loose tuning machines, or an action that needed adjustment. One owner needed a luthier to round fret ends, polish the frets, adjust the neck, and correct the intonation. Another reported a small crack in the fingerboard. These problems do not appear in every account, but they make a careful inspection worthwhile.

Sound and controls

The RG-Junior BK LH has two humbuckers, one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way pickup selector. There are no coil-splitting controls or other switching options listed. Owners generally speak positively about the sound for the price. Several found the pickups usable for rock, and one parent reported that the guitar handled AC/DC songs well. Other comments describe a strong amplified sound and no unwanted buzzing after setup.

Expect straightforward beginner-level electronics rather than the range or refinement of a more expensive guitar. Still, the pickup reports are a bright spot in this price bracket. The simple control layout is easy to understand, and the three-way switch provides a basic choice between the two pickups and their combined setting.

Setup and tuning stability

Setup is the main caveat. Some owners say their guitars stayed in tune well and played cleanly, while others found tuning imprecise or unstable. Intonation, string height, neck relief, and fret seating were recurring points in critical reviews. One buyer found that the bridge position made intonation adjustment difficult; another corrected a single high fret before lowering the action. At least one player reported that a setup made a marked difference to playability.

For a child who is just learning, tuning and intonation matter. If notes sound wrong despite correct fingering, practice can become frustrating. Check that the open strings and notes higher up the neck are in tune, that the strings do not buzz excessively, and that the fret ends do not feel sharp. If you are not comfortable making adjustments, budget for a professional setup. The guitar has a double-action truss rod, but neck adjustments should be made carefully.

Who should consider it?

This model makes the most sense for a young left-handed player who needs a compact electric guitar at a low initial cost. Its size, familiar two-humbucker layout, and positive reports about its sound give it a credible starting point. Buyers who received a well-finished example were often pleased with the value, and some compared its performance favorably with guitars costing considerably more.

It is not a guaranteed out-of-the-box setup, and the mixed reports on fretwork and tuning should not be ignored. The listed price leaves limited room for factory refinement, so a few adjustments may be part of the purchase. There is no included case or gig bag, either. If you can inspect the instrument or arrange a setup, the RG-Junior BK LH offers a practical entry point for a young left-handed guitarist. If immediate playability is essential and you cannot check the setup, consider the possibility of extra work before buying.