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Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series

$85.00 Price Tier: Budget

3.0 (23)

1 Critic Review

8 Reviews

All time low price

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1 community setup

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Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 19, 2026.

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Price

4.3 (623)

$88.00 $85.00 $3.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $77

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

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Description

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Step into the world of electrifying sound with the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series, a solid body electric guitar crafted for both budding musicians and seasoned players. This instrument strikes a perfect balance between classic design and modern functionality, ensuring a playing experience that’s both reliable and inspiring. The Basswood body serves as a lightweight yet resonant foundation, while the Maple bolt-on neck offers easy playability with a sleek, modern C profile for comfortable handling during those long jam sessions.

With a Laurel fingerboard adorned with dot inlays and a 305 mm radius, the ST-20 provides a smooth surface for intricate fretwork and chord progressions. Equipped with 22 frets and a 648 mm scale length, this guitar is versatile enough for a range of musical styles. The three ST-style single-coil pickups deliver a classic, bright tone, enhanced by a 5-way switch and individual volume and tone controls, allowing you to dial in the perfect sound for any genre.

The chrome hardware adds a touch of elegance, complemented by a synchronized tremolo system for those expressive dives and bends. Reliable die-cast machine heads keep your tuning stable, and the double-action truss rod ensures that your setup can adapt to any climate or playing style. Whether you're shredding solos or strumming rhythms, the Harley Benton ST-20 is your ticket to sonic exploration.

Key Features:

Body: Basswood
Bolt-on neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Laurel with dot inlays
Modern C neck profile
22 frets with a 648 mm scale
Nut width: 42 mm
Double-action truss rod
Pickups: Three ST-style single-coils
5-way switch with one volume and two tone controls
Chrome hardware with synchronized tremolo system
Die-cast machine heads
Factory strings: .010 - .046

Product specs

Available since	February 2003
Colour	Sunburst
Body	Basswood
Top	None
Neck	Maple
Fretboard	Laurel
Frets	22
Scale	648 mm
Pickups	SSS
Tremolo	Vintage
incl. Bag	No
incl. Case	No

FAQs

What neck profile does the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series have?: The Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series features a modern C-shape neck profile, providing comfortable playability for both beginners and experienced players.
What type of pickups are in the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series, and what tones do they produce?: The Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series is equipped with SSS (single-coil) pickups, delivering bright and clear tones ideal for genres like rock, blues, and pop.
Is the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series is a great choice for beginners due to its affordable price, comfortable neck profile, and versatile sound.
What is the scale length of the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series?: The scale length of the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series is 648 mm, which is standard for most electric guitars and provides a familiar feel.
Does the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series come with a case or gig bag?: No, the Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series does not include a case or gig bag. These must be purchased separately to protect the guitar during transport.

Videos

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Harley Benton

Harley Benton - ST-20 -

Harley Benton

Harley Benton ST-20 - Sound Demo (no talking)

Guitar Bonedo

Harley Benton ST-20 WH Standard Series electric guitar

Валерий Ковалев

100 Dollar Guitar - Harley Benton ST-20 (Any Good?)

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Better Than Squier? Harley Benton ST-20 BK Standard

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Harley Benton ST-20 Quick Unboxing/Demo/Review $79 Budget Strat

Fretboard Diaries

Harley Benton ST-20 BK Standard Series

Bart Dietvorst

Cheap! But does it DELIVER? | Harley Benton ST-20 WH | Unboxing & Review | Strat Copy

Marvin's Guitar Channel

Harley Benton ST-20 WH 2023 - MUCH STRAT GUITAR FOR LESS MONEY

Fritz's Guitars

Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series Stratocaster

JuKKa

Reviews

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PROS

Surprisingly high-quality sound, achieving the classic Strat tones at an affordable price
Excellent value, comparable to guitars over ten times its price
Solid construction with a heavy body that feels reassuringly substantial
Well-finished frets and a comfortable neck profile, despite being thicker than typical C-shaped necks
Holds tuning well, crucial for beginners still learning to tune
Versatile pickups that sound authentic and have good clarity
Matte neck finish offers a fast playing experience without stickiness
Good setup potential; with minor adjustments, plays significantly better
Attractive aesthetics with a proper three-ply scratchplate

CONS

Tremolo arm fit is sloppy, a common issue but requires DIY adjustment
Some frets may protrude or need dressing for optimal playability
Minor paintwork defects reported, though barely visible
Tuners are functional but not exceptional, may benefit from upgrading
Heavier weight may not be ideal for all players, particularly beginners

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series.

Build quality

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Some owners note the tuners as a weak point, suggesting they may not hold tuning as well as higher-end models.
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The packaging is noted as being thorough and protective, alleviating concerns about damage during shipping.
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The ST-62 features a lightly roasted maple neck that feels smoother and of higher quality compared to the ST-20’s neck, which some report issues adjusting the truss rod.
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Setup and maintenance

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It's been noted that some Harley Benton guitars, including related models, may require minor adjustments to fret ends out of the box.
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The bridge on the ST-20 is noted for being made of softer metal, potentially causing burrs and string breakage, whereas the ST-62 offers a slight improvement.
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Owners mention that the ST-62's staggered pole piece pickups are better suited for heavier strings and may not balance well with light strings like .10s.
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Comparisons

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The Harley Benton ST-20 is often compared to the Squier Bullet Strat, with some users suggesting the ST-20 offers comparable quality at a lower price.
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The ST-62 has alnico Roswell pickups, which are favored over the ST-20's no-name ceramic pickups for a warmer tone, especially for those avoiding high-end shrillness.
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Some users suggest that the ST-62's overall build and features make it suitable for gigging, unlike the ST-20, which is better for learning setup and modifications.
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Value and pricing

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Owners mention the ST-20 as a competent alternative to more expensive beginner guitars, offering surprising quality for its price point.
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Use cases and applications

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Despite its low cost, some users have successfully used Harley Benton guitars, including the ST-20, for gigging purposes.
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User experience

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Owners report the neck is smooth and comfortable, enhancing playability for both beginners and intermediate players.
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One owner describes the pickups as sounding "good enough," indicating satisfaction without the need for immediate upgrades.
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Features and functionality

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The black satin finish is praised for its aesthetic appeal, with several owners highlighting it as a standout feature.
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The ST-62 has full-size pots, offering smoother control compared to the ST-20's mini pots, which may lack this refinement.
Source

Critic Reviews

Harley Benton ST-20 Standard Series Review – Guitar Goose

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Harley Benton's ST-20 Standard Series punches well above its price with a surprisingly solid build and authentic Strat-style sound. The basswood body and maple neck offer great stability and playability, making it a worthy contender for beginners or budget-conscious players. While the hardware, like the thin tremolo block and cheap toggle switch, reveal its low-cost origins, the unexpectedly smooth fretwork and balanced tone pickups make it a steal under €100. The minor issues with tuning stability and strap holders are easily overlooked given its exceptional value. For those eyeing a Strat feel without the Fender price tag, this guitar is a commendable choice.

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Full Review

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3.0 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 23 Ratings

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lvt

668

7 months ago

Exactly what you would expect

I got mine from eBay and quickly realized it's most likely around 20 years old and compared to the current ones it's not great, the bar seems to be a lot higher nowadays. It is decent though, it's supposed to be a cheap beginner guitar and that is exactly what it is, for now I am learning with it which it's nice for and at some point I'm probably going to replace some parts like the pickups just to see what I can make of it. It does have a bit of trouble staying in tune and I might replace the tuners in the near future, and it's also a little noisy, I haven't figured out yet if it's just the single coil sound or if there's maybe something off with the wiring. Apart from that, I think it sounds pretty good. I don't use the tremolo, so I can't say anything about that, general playability is fine though after I figured out how to set it up semi correctly. All in all it's a fun guitar, not perfect but good enough for me as a beginner and really exactly what you would expect it to be.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Metal

skytimesfive

633

over 2 years ago

i feel bad about what ive done to this

i dont remember it being especially good before i ruined it but this was my first guitar, i eventually painted it red (without lacquer over it) and wired in my epiphone sgs original bridge pickup straight to the jack with a home made jack plate. it was shit, ill post a picture of why i feel bad about it... itll be obvious why

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

From Gear Setup

walk1net

288

over 7 years ago

I got this as a diy kit

Very cheap but not that bad. The body parts and electronics are okay. The neck is quite bad I recommend spending some money on a new quality neck. I destroyed the body when I tried to make the trem more floating so I had to instal a tele bridge there to fix the disaster. I also put a jackson high output bridge pickup there and the sound from this guitar is very crunchy. Now I just have to spare some money to buy a good neck.

victor_fields

136

almost 5 years ago

Good enough

This is not a bad guitar, and it’s good to you if you are thinking in change the pickups or making some other things

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Progressive rock

thorbjoern_heise

almost 11 years ago

Quite good for beginners

Well, what can you expect from a guitar you bought f0r 130 euros including a gigback, an (crappy) Amp and a cable? Something really good, as it seems. I bought it 5 years ago and learned to play guitar on it. I still play it, even on stage. It's not the greatest guitar on earth, but an honest, nice and good instrument.