A 2015 mod a Harley Benton guitar challenge?

GrahamM

If anyone is thinking of stripping the laquer off a Harley Benton TE-20 sunburst then think again.It has an mdf veneer (obvious as soon as you dismantle it) with a plastic wood effect under the lacquer.In the name of modding research I used a heat gun to remove the top layer,which peeled off easily leaving the smooth mdf surface.Nice.

Time for plan B.

 

GrahamM

Quote from a review of the guitar on the website.

"Fit and Finish ...

looks amazing for a €69 guitar :-0 ! Honestly . I was stunned when I took thomann it out of the box !! Ive paid 1000s for guitars and the finish to the body was'nt as good as this guitar "

:-0

underdog

Is it MDF or basswood?

GrahamM

underdog said:

Is it MDF or basswood?

The body is made of basswood (strips?) with a 3mm-ish veneer of mdf.

WezV

You can see the same thing in my modding thread. One guitar which was terrible wood strips topped with hardboard, another which was a solid 1-piece body made from decent quality wood???

ThorpyFX

GrahamM said:

If anyone is thinking of stripping the laquer off a Harley Benton TE-20 sunburst then think again.It has an mdf veneer (obvious as soon as you dismantle it) with a plastic wood effect under the lacquer.In the name of modding research I used a heat gun to remove the top layer,which peeled off easily leaving the smooth mdf surface.Nice.

Time for plan B.

 

FACK!!! I suggest copying the vinyl wrap idea

underdog

I'm definitely not stripping the explorer then

WezV

underdog said:

I'm definitely not stripping the explorer then

is it bolt on neck - the pocket will give you a clue

here is my blockboard & hardboard one

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps3f85c20d.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps2ec4d066.jpg

 

compared with the solid wood one

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps91fb29f6.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps21eac17e.jpg

 

 both sold as solid wood, both very cheap

stimpsonslostson

GrahamM said:

If anyone is thinking of stripping the laquer off a Harley Benton TE-20 sunburst then think again.It has an mdf veneer (obvious as soon as you dismantle it) with a plastic wood effect under the lacquer.In the name of modding research I used a heat gun to remove the top layer,which peeled off easily leaving the smooth mdf surface.Nice.

Time for plan B.
 

Crumbs! I shall investigate the neck pocket of my TE52 thoroughly before I get creative on it. It looks nice as it is, but an oiled ash body would look better. An oiled MDF body? Less so.

underdog

@WezV its a set neck, so can't tell that way.

WezV

underdog;543405" said:

@WezV its a set neck, so can't tell that way.

You could also remove some paint in a pickup cavity, but I wouldn't bother unless you really want to strip it

entee

The finish on my SG looks quite thick over its mahogany body (chipped it drilling holes) and I'd definitely not want to try removing all of it.  rub down and respray for me!

underdog

WezV;543420" said:

[quote="underdog;543405"]@WezV its a set neck, so can't tell that way.

You could also remove some paint in a pickup cavity, but I wouldn't bother unless you really want to strip it
[/quote]

It plays lovely so I think I'm better off never knowing what lies beneath to be honest

themeinside

The Gibbo style V is gone too! Reckon they've had an 'ESP' style run in with Gibson's legal department...?

Niallmo

If you got to the Thomann website and pick Harley Benton as a manufacturer and then pick Electric Guitars it varies daily between about 204 and 209 entries... Not that I look at it every day.... More like twice a day.... They have a Prinz Tele with the correct colour 'plate now too....

Niallmo

http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_te_80_nt_deluxe_series_ltd_2.htm

It's only £85. I'm struggling not to order one even though I have the other version....

Niallmo

Exciting day! Two guitars out for delivery; the HB Goldtop and the Tanglewood. The EMG electronics are also out for delivery but I'll be at work so I'll pick them up tomorrow. I've also got the final two Lace sensors on the way for my Squier.

After these it's strictly no modding!

Perhaps I'll actually PLAY some of my guitars!

Chalky

"After these it's strictly no modding!"

Now there's a man whose full of good intent but doomed to fail

Niallmo

Chalky;544241" said:

"After these it's strictly no modding!"

Now there's a man whose full of good intent but doomed to fail

Chalky;544241" said:

"After these it's strictly no modding!"

Now there's a man whose full of good intent but doomed to fail

I'm not bidding on some lipstick tube pickups on eBay. Definitely not.

Chalky

So you've noticed too? How people mis-use the word 'Strictly' these days? When I was at school, 'Strictly' meant "Yes Sir I will definitely do that...........unless I change my mind later and think I can get away with it without you finding out" )