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Description

Unleash your inner craftsman with the Harley Benton DIY Tele. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned musicians who enjoy the hands-on experience of building their own instrument, this kit provides everything you need to assemble a classic Tele-style electric guitar. The body comes pre-routed and ready for customization, allowing you to experiment with different finishes and hardware setups. Crafted from solid basswood, it's designed to deliver a balanced tone with plenty of sustain, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of musical styles.

The neck is made from high-quality maple and features a sleek, unfinished surface, inviting you to shape it to your preferred feel and look. Whether you're diving into the world of DIY guitar building for the first time or you're a seasoned pro looking to add a personalized touch to your collection, the Harley Benton DIY Tele is the perfect canvas for your creativity.

Key Features:

  • Solid basswood body for balanced tone and sustain
  • Maple neck with a smooth unfinished surface for custom shaping
  • Pre-routed body ready for electronic installation
  • Classic Tele-style design for iconic sound and look
  • Includes all necessary components for assembly (excluding tools)
  • Ideal for beginners and experienced builders alike
Eppo514

Eppo514

Let's Build A Harley Benton Guitar Kit!

Video thumbnail for Let's Build A Harley Benton Guitar Kit! by Eppo514

Let's Build A Harley Benton Guitar Kit!

Eppo514

Eppo514

Video thumbnail for Harley Benton Telecaster Kit Unboxing First Impressions Build and Sound Test by Brent Hutchinson

Harley Benton Telecaster Kit Unboxing First Impressions Build and Sound Test

Brent Hutchinson

Brent Hutchinson

Video thumbnail for How to Build a Kit Guitar without Expensive Tools or Soldering - #DIYKitChallenge22 - Harley Benton by TheGuitarGeek

How to Build a Kit Guitar without Expensive Tools or Soldering - #DIYKitChallenge22 - Harley Benton

TheGuitarGeek

TheGuitarGeek

Video thumbnail for Harley Benton Telecaster T-Style Kit - Assembly by the Next Project

Harley Benton Telecaster T-Style Kit - Assembly

the Next Project

the Next Project

Video thumbnail for How long does it take to assemble Harley Benton T-Style kit? by Max Solo Music

How long does it take to assemble Harley Benton T-Style kit?

Max Solo Music

Max Solo Music

Video thumbnail for Harley Benton DIY Kit! IS IT WORTHY? [Full build - EP01] by Riffs & Rig

Harley Benton DIY Kit! IS IT WORTHY? [Full build - EP01]

Riffs & Rig

Riffs & Rig

Video thumbnail for I built a guitar - Harley Benton Diy Tele Kit by orthen

I built a guitar - Harley Benton Diy Tele Kit

orthen

orthen

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harley Benton DIY Tele.

Setup and maintenance

  • Tools like a fret file and small files are recommended; fret leveling can be improvised with common hardware store items.

    Source
  • Owners note the need to fully set up these kits from scratch, offering a chance to learn guitar setup skills.

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  • Constructing the kit can take as little as 1-2 hours if assembled as is, but painting can extend the project significantly.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Some users upgrade the kit with nicer pickups, bridges, and electronics for improved performance.

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  • After upgrading machines and electronics, a user described their Tele as a quality guitar with nice playability.

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Build quality

  • Harley Benton kits often feature good quality wood, but hardware quality may not be as high.

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  • Some users found the hardware, like tuner screws, to be very cheap, with screw heads breaking during installation.

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Use cases and applications

  • These kits are often used as learning projects or for customization, not recommended as a first guitar.

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User experience

  • The kits often include a light stain and sealer on the wood out of the box, allowing for quick assembly without additional finishing work.

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  • One owner reported the guitar being heavy due to its all-mahogany build, suggesting potential routing for weight relief.

    Source
  • Painting and finishing guitars is frequently described as a challenging and time-consuming task, often taking months to complete.

    Source
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3.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
am_studio

Not bad overall

Honestly, it's not bad. There is a small issue, it doesn't sound good on higher frets (buzz/mute or how can you call it?). I think I messed the truss rod up when I was building it (not sure).

From Gear Setup
warhol

As good as the price ...

For 79 € (94 US$), you can't expect a luxury guitar ... However the quality of the body and the neck is very correct. You just have to trim the head yourself (I personally chose the classic Telecaster shape). Everything else (microphone, wiring, tunings, strings etc ..) is to be thrown directly in the trash.

Artist usage

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See how Amplifi uses Harley Benton DIY Tele

Amplifi

Singer, Rapper

...
Verified via Photo

Amplifi is confirmed to use the Harley Benton DIY Tele, the process of building was documented on his personal Instagram account. This instrument was assembled from a T-style guitar DIY kit purchased from Thomann. Pictures is Amplifi and his guitar in his college studio.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Harley Benton DIY Tele, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Epiphone SG G-400
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Community setups

Show yours
am_studio

am_studio

Gear IQ 780

1 alternative for Harley Benton DIY Tele, curated by the Equipboard community.

Squier Contemporary Telecaster RH

$279.99 - $441.81

Vintage or Discontinued high-end alternative

Sounds better, plays better, and overall is a bit nicer looking than a colorless telecaster.

More Harley Benton Solid Body Electric Guitars

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    warhol
    warhol

    Gear IQ 549