Harley Benton TE-62DB CAR

Harley Benton TE-62DB CAR review

The Harley Benton TE-62DB CAR is an affordable, solid-body electric guitar with a familiar two-pickup layout and a distinctive double-bound finish. At a listed price of 149, its appeal is straightforward: a comfortable neck, traditional bridge-and-neck pickup sounds, and a polished look without a major outlay. Buyer reports are often enthusiastic, though setup and hardware experiences vary from one instrument to another.

Its specification is conventional. The body is basswood, the bolt-on neck is caramelized Canadian maple with a contrasting skunk stripe, and the fingerboard is laurel. The neck has a modern D profile, a 305 mm fingerboard radius, and a 42 mm nut width. There are 21 frets and a 648 mm scale. A double-action truss rod provides neck adjustment.

Construction, finish, and feel

The Candy Apple Red high-gloss finish is a key part of the guitar's identity. The metallic flakes catch the light, while white binding runs along the top and back of the body. That color can look different from the product images: owners describe it as shifting between red, pink, purple, and warmer tones depending on the lighting. Buyers who want a deep, consistent red should keep that variation in mind. Others find the changing hue distinctive and enjoy the sparkle.

Reports on the neck are especially positive. Many owners describe its satin feel as smooth and comfortable, with well-polished frets and clean fret ends. Several say their guitars were playable straight from the box, sometimes needing little more than tuning or a small action adjustment. Other buyers report sharp fret ends, uneven frets, or a setup that required more work. The sensible conclusion is that the neck can be a strong point, but the delivered setup is not guaranteed to be identical across units.

Some owners also mention small finish or assembly issues, including minor blemishes, loose controls, or rough work inside a control cavity. These reports are not universal, but they matter when judging an entry-level instrument. Inspect the guitar on arrival, then check the frets, controls, tuning, and intonation before relying on it for regular rehearsals or a performance.

Pickups and controls

The guitar uses two Roswell Alnico 5 single-coil pickups, one at the bridge and one at the neck. A three-way blade switch selects the bridge pickup, neck pickup, or both together. Separate volume and tone controls provide familiar adjustments. There is no tremolo; the guitar has a hardtail bridge.

Owners commonly describe the sound as bright and recognizably Tele-style, with a sharper bridge sound and a warmer neck position. The middle setting gives a more blended, snappy tone. Many players find the stock pickups entirely usable and choose to keep them. Others hear a weaker or darker neck pickup, a particularly sharp bridge sound, or noticeable hum when using gain. Pickup height and amplifier settings can make a substantial difference, so those comments should be treated as individual impressions rather than a consistent fault.

The stock electronics receive mixed feedback. Some players report smooth, functional controls, while others criticize the selector switch or prefer to replace the pots and wiring. These are common upgrade targets for owners who enjoy modifying guitars, but they are not automatic reasons to change parts. A basic setup and careful listening may be all a player needs.

Setup and hardware

The guitar is supplied with D'Addario EXL-110 strings in.010 to.046 gauge. The bridge has a fixed design, and the vintage-style tuning machines receive divided reviews. Many owners say they hold tuning well after the strings are stretched and the guitar is properly set up. Others report stiff or imprecise operation, or tuning problems that led them to change the nut or tuners.

Setup reports are similarly split. Some instruments arrived with comfortable action and good intonation; others needed truss-rod, saddle, or pickup-height adjustments. A few buyers replaced the bridge saddles, often with brass parts, as a matter of preference. The guitar does not include a case or gig bag, so factor in separate protection if you plan to carry it regularly.

Verdict

For 149, the TE-62DB CAR offers an appealing combination of a comfortable neck, double binding, metallic finish, and usable traditional single-coil sounds. It can suit a beginner looking for a first electric guitar, or an experienced player who wants an inexpensive second instrument or a platform for personal upgrades. The strongest recurring praise concerns the neck and overall value; the main cautions are the variable color appearance, mixed setup experiences, and inconsistent opinions about the tuning machines and electronics.

Buy it with realistic expectations. Check the individual instrument carefully, make any needed adjustments, and decide whether the stock parts suit your playing. When the setup and quality control are on target, owners report a lively, enjoyable guitar that delivers the expected bright, percussive character at a very modest price.