Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $333
Budget/Beginner
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Harley Benton JA-60". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 25, 2026.
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Description
The Harley Benton JA-60 SB is a nostalgic nod to classic guitar design, offering a harmonious blend of vintage aesthetics and modern playability. Crafted with a basswood body, this solid body electric guitar boasts a vintage caramelised Canadian maple neck, delivering a warm tone and comfortable feel. The laurel fingerboard is adorned with block inlays, adding a touch of elegance and ensuring a smooth playing experience.
Equipped with two Roswell JM Alnico-5 Vintage-Style Single Coil pickups, the JA-60 SB captures that iconic jangle and clarity, making it perfect for genres ranging from surf rock to indie pop. The guitar's controls are streamlined with one volume knob, one tone knob, and a 3-way switch, allowing you to effortlessly shape your sound.
For players who value precision, the neck's "C" profile and 12" fingerboard radius offer exceptional comfort and playability, whether you're strumming chords or bending notes on its 21 frets. The fixed bridge and Kluson-style machine heads provide stable tuning and reliable performance, while the chrome deluxe hardware adds a touch of class to its overall aesthetic.
This guitar is not just an instrument; it's a statement piece for musicians who appreciate the fusion of retro style and modern functionality. Perfect for beginners and seasoned players alike, the Harley Benton JA-60 SB is your ticket to vintage-inspired soundscapes.
Key Features:
- Body: Basswood
- Neck: Vintage caramelised Canadian maple, bolt-on
- Fingerboard: Laurel with block inlays
- Neck profile: "C"
- Double action truss rod
- Fingerboard radius: 12"
- Scale length: 648 mm
- Nut width: 42 mm
- 21 frets
- Pickups: 2 Roswell JM Alnico-5 Vintage-Style Single Coils
- Controls: 1 volume, 1 tone, 3-way switch
- Bridge: Fixed
- Machine heads: Kluson-style
- Hardware: Chrome deluxe
- Strings: .010 - .046
Product specs
| Available since | May 2013 |
| Colour | Sunburst |
| Soundboard | Basswood |
| Neck | Caramelized Canadian Maple |
| Fretboard | Laurel |
| Frets | 21 |
| Scale | 648 mm |
| Pickup System | SS |
| Tremolo | No |
| Incl. Case | No |
| Incl. Gigbag | No |
| Design | J-Style |
| Top | None |
FAQs
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What type of wood is used for the body of the Harley Benton JA-60 SB?
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The Harley Benton JA-60 SB features a basswood body, which is known for its light weight and balanced tonal characteristics, making it suitable for a variety of music styles.
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What is the neck profile of the Harley Benton JA-60 SB?
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The Harley Benton JA-60 SB has a caramelized Canadian maple neck with a comfortable and easy-to-play profile, ideal for both beginners and experienced players.
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Does the Harley Benton JA-60 SB come with a tremolo system?
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No, the Harley Benton JA-60 SB does not include a tremolo system, which contributes to its stable tuning and straightforward maintenance.
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How many frets does the Harley Benton JA-60 SB have?
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The Harley Benton JA-60 SB is equipped with 21 frets, allowing for a wide range of note access across its scale length.
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What kind of pickups are installed in the Harley Benton JA-60 SB?
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The Harley Benton JA-60 SB features an SS pickup configuration, providing a classic single-coil sound that is versatile for different genres.
Videos
EytschPi42
Harley Benton JA-60SB - IN DEPTH Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Wilkinson pickups deliver impressive tone for the price
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Flawless sunburst finish enhances visual appeal
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Offset body design ensures great balance and comfort
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Satin neck finish provides smooth, comfortable playability
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Excellent value, rivals guitars costing significantly more
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Versatile sound suitable for various music genres
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Well-crafted electronics and responsive controls
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P90 pickups offer a classic, snarling tone
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Solid construction with smooth, even fretwork
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Ready-to-play out of the box with minimal setup
CONS
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Some units have intonation issues due to bridge positioning
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Fret dressing occasionally requires additional work
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Pickguard's graphic wears off with extended use
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Vintage style split tuners may not suit everyone
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Neck pocket routing inconsistencies in some guitars
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Potential minor issues requiring post-purchase adjustments
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harley Benton JA-60.
Mods and upgrades
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Installing a Duesenberg Les Trem II is a popular modification to add vibrato functionality without routing.
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Some users face challenges with Harley Benton tuners and bridges; replacements often require drilling new holes due to non-standard sizing.
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Stock pickups have shifted from Gibson soapbar style P90s to ones resembling actual Jazzmaster pickups.
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A Duesenberg Les Trem can be added without routing, directly replacing the hard tail.
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Use cases and applications
Comparisons
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Harley Benton's Roswell pickups are considered comparable to Squier's Classic Vibe series, but users report Harley Benton offers superior materials for the price.
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Owners often prefer the JA-60 over more expensive guitars like the 460€ Ibanez Strat due to its feel and sound quality.
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The body is smaller compared to Fender/Squier Jazzmasters, with closer pickup spacing.
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Value and pricing
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Harley Bentons generally have low resale value, with used models rarely sought after in the market.
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User experience
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Despite some imperfections like subpar tuning pegs, users still enjoy the guitar, with one choosing it over a Fender Duo Sonic for its sound.
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Some users find the neck comparable to the Squier J Mascis model, with a chunky feel that fills the hand, which can be polarizing.
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Owners have noted surprisingly good fret work for the price, comparing it favorably to more expensive models.
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Build quality
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Some owners report inconsistent quality control, with issues like blemished finishes and corroded strings upon arrival.
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Setup and maintenance
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Owners consistently report the need for a full setup, including string action, neck relief, and intonation adjustments, which is common in this price range.
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Features and functionality
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 11 Ratings
145
the best cheap guitar i tried
jazzmaster sound in an easy to play solid construction for 150 bucks? a fucking banger.
so lightweight, skinny fretboard and neck.
the electronic and components in general are vague, but i like the pups, the bridge is a reversed tuneomatic
the only downside is that it doesnt have the tipical jazzmaster tremolo, but in a cheap guitar thats difficult so the hard tail give it a good stabilty.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
neck pickup for huge 90´s sound, bridge for vintage and noisy shit and combination for jazz.
590
Good sounding guitar.
It's a very decent guitar for the money the p90s sound nice but I'm not a fan of vintage style split tuners I plan on modifying it at some point with upgraded tuners and maybe different pickups but as of recently haven't played it much.
349
Nice guitar for the price
As I said in the title, it's an amazing guitar for its price. Sounds quite good, really easy to modify. Only downside is that the pickguard looks like shit.
Artist usage
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