Can't make my mind up .
Comments
The 62, because you can have it in blue.
I have the Harley Benton TE-52 and also the TE-62 (maple freboard without the bound body). The neck on the 52 is a bit chunkier than the slimmer neck on the 62. This tends to be a common theme with "62" Strat copies as well, i.e. slimmer "60s" necks than some other models that are based on other decades. I can play both, but I tend to prefer a slightly chunkier neck. The 52 is a natural body of American Ash that is pretty heavy, whereas the 62 (in both bound and unbound versions) is lighter basswood. Otherwise the hardware and pickups are much the same.
If you like the fatter neck of the FTL then go for the HB52.
Thanks Bill for your info, I wondered if you had both. And Sporky I don't own a blue guitar, but I know where you are coming from, fun man.
The TE52 is the better of the two: Thicker more playable neck and more resonant owing to its heavier body although it is pretty heavy for a Tele owing to the extremely dense wood. The pickups are okay but like most Teles, it benefits from swapping the neck pickup out for a humbucker.
If you were inclined to want to do that, bear in mind that some TE52s are already routed for a humbucker and some are not (as was the case with mine) which is how I know exactly how dense that wood is from having to rout it out myself!
Either way, I'd recommend adding copper shielding to the body cavity, but other than that, they're pretty much giggable straight out of the box and you certainly can't argue with the price.
If you were inclined to want to do that, bear in mind that some TE52s are already routed for a humbucker and some are not (as was the case with mine) which is how I know exactly how dense that wood is from having to rout it out myself!
Either way, I'd recommend adding copper shielding to the body cavity, but other than that, they're pretty much giggable straight out of the box and you certainly can't argue with the price.
Hmm. My two most resonant (and expensive) T-type guitars weigh next to nothing.Musical_Mystery_Tour said:… more resonant owing to its heavier body …
Generalising horribly, an early Fifties-based T-type should have an ash body, a chunky maple neck and slightly gutsier pickups. Late Fifties and early Sixties should have alder body, rosewood fingerboard on a shallower neck profile and slightly clearer/brighter pickups. Choose whichever feels better in your hands. Your amplifier and/or pedals can probably sort out the midrange for you.
P.S. If you are dissatisfied with the wee neck/Rhythm pickup, you need to hear a good one.
P.S. If you are dissatisfied with the wee neck/Rhythm pickup, you need to hear a good one.
Full sized humbuckers in the neck position can overpower the regular bridge pickup. My favourite compromise choice is a Firebird style mini-humbucker.
I’ve played one of the 52s, and it was very heavy - too heavy for a Tele in my opinion, it just felt like a lump, although it played and sounded OK. I’m not a fan of overly-light guitars either, but this one was just too much.
I haven’t played one of the 62s.
I haven’t played one of the 62s.
I’m not a fan of bound teles - they have a very sharp edge that used to give me a forearm sore/rash. Granted it might be more to do with my sloppy playing style - but might be worth considering if you haven’t played one before.
I love my two 59 vintage icons in vintage sunburst relic
Well, judging from the look of them, I'd say .... post some pix!
Anyone tried both? any difference in playability, sound etc. Many thanks for any comments.
I already have the 90 FTL cabronita style and I am more than happy with that and I am not easily pleased.