Harley Benton JA-60 vs Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster (Review, Demo, Sound Comparison)

[@bestguitarsnow]

Thanks for watching! If you want to support this channel, here's a few more links (affiliate): 🎸 My favorite guitar pedals: thmn.to/thocf/kxcy8jdzdy ➡ Harley Benton JA-60 (Thomann): thmn.to/thoprod/398225?offid=1&affid=1593 ➡ Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster (Amazon): geni.us/y4aZ 📷 Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/davekovv 🔥 Learn to play guitar with Pickup Music (free trial): www.pickupmusic.com?via=a5fb0a

[@chapersdale]

Any reason why the sound demo only plays through the right ear of my headphones? ://

[@SAEEFFECTS]

The Harley Benton sounds like it's underwater compared to the Squier

[@Sentientfx1]

Yeh, I've heard other demos and they sound nothing like this. It's a bad - and one sided recording.

[@cmmnsenserules4339]

tone knob rolled off on the HB???? If not, might need an overdrive pedal with the drive OFF and the tone maxed....very odd

[@Tcoldsteel]

I’m getting a HB JA as a cheap, good-looking platform for some P90s. Hope it works

[@douglasdog1]

The Squier has all the right curves in all the the right places

[@gdawgs101]

I actually think the HB body is nicer shaped seeing them side by side. A little more proportional in the middle and less bulbous looking. Squier headstock is way better looking though

[@jubileedx]

Apart from the missing trem on the HB, the difference for me is in the pickups. A clean 10-0 win for the Squier.

[@MrZonealarm]

I installed 1 meg potentiometers in my HB jazzmaster, and it got exactly what it needed, those magnets sound very nice. If 250k pots were put into the squier they would also drown out the treble. That's all this €180 guitar needs, you can certainly install a tremolo system and we'd get to the price of a squier, while the quality of the HB is actually exceptional, a fully functional guitar for recording and concerts.

[@vitorhugoRH]

​@@MrZonealarmhow hard is it to install those 1M ohm pots? and what's the best place to buy them?

[@jubileedx]

@@MrZonealarm There you go, tweaked to perfection! I couldn't have a JM without a JM tremolo, personally. HB overall quality control seems to be exceptional these days. I only have a hundred euro Jazz bass from them, works like a charm.

[@MrZonealarm]

@@vitorhugoRH I ordered the potentiometers online, together with the soldering iron, honestly, it was my first time changing pots and I just re-soldered the cables to the same place on other pots, not the best soldering but it works just fine. Before that, I shielded the guitar, also for the first time. If a professional ever looks at it, he will immediately see that it was done by someone who has no idea. 😂

[@DanielRyder]

You had to of had the tone knob rolled on the HB, could be an accident.

[@maxwellthorpe8004]

yeah bruh I noticed that too

[@bestguitarsnow]

Yeah, I think that I messed something up during recording! The HB is not that bad :)

[@mcdingus5081]

To me, if you wanna call a guitar a "jazzmaster"- it has to at least have the proper tremolo. I also think the rhythm circuit is necessary, but I know a lot of people put tape over it to keep it from activating and end up never using it. Regardless, to me they're both integral to creating the unique sounds a Jazzmaster will give you. I'm sure the Harley Benton is a decent guitar, but it is only a Jazzmaster in aesthetics, that's it. Plus, like others have said, the pickups sound muddy. To each their own.

[@MrZonealarm]

For that money you get an exceptional, but exceptional jazzmaster pad for an $80-$100 tremolo setup. Well... as for the rhythm section, it is completely redundant in the world of r'n'r music, for bluesers, jazzers it's cool, everyone else doesn't use it in the concert, let's be real. HB JA-60CC has extremely good magnets, they don't need to be changed at all.

[@reverbautopsy9093]

Those HB pickups are designed like p90's with two magnets on the side of the polepieces, so not true JM pickups. The HB also doesn't have 1meg tonepots like a real JM which is crucial for the Jazzmaster sound. I still think it sounds awesome if you want an differently voiced p90 sound, but its nothing like a real JM.

[@barrysmith5981]

@@reverbautopsy9093 I agree. I was hoping to find an HB with P-90's, and I think this is it. Not really a JM, and that's okay.

[@lzryd]

I like the clarity and range of the fender pickups over the HarleyB. Not sure if I'm a Jazzmaster as it really pisses me off when the wang bar decides to take a grumpy on my tuning. Lol and I am not a divebomber with them. I'm sure I havent found "the right one" yet but they got that indie sound I like on chords. The Harley stop tail with Fender pickups would suit me fine. Howz the noise on those single coils when u drive them?

[@fuzzchan]

Idk if you know this or not but for anyone concerned with the JM trem and tuning issues: You need to loctite the bridge screws, raise it quite a bit, tighten up the trem, and shim the neck. Takes 10 minutes but absolutely necessary.

[@mikemccourt6225]

The HB is darker because they're using different pots - 250k ohm probably instead of the JM's 1M ohm pots.

[@reverbautopsy9093]

True. The HB pickups are also designed like p90s rather than JM pickups where the polepieces are the magnets.

[@vincentxavier93]

The Squire's pickups are warmer but I really liked the bridge pickup on the Harley Benton model. I like the HB bridge and tailpiece for staying in tune better. I never use a trem bar when I play, so the HB setup suits me.

[@adriagil5041]

literally both have the same pickups since the squier ones are the same rosewell...😂

[@vincentxavier93]

@adriagil5041 It's subtle. Could be due to different wiring, pots, etc. Tone nobs may not be dialed the same.

[@jean-henrideblanchamp5407]

I’m quite happy with my HB Jazzmaster, but the tone knob of your HB is not correctly adjusted therefore it sounds muddy. This is not a fair comparison!

[@oceandrinksboat]

HB uses 250k vs the 1meg pots Squier/Fender uses.

[@MrZonealarm]

​@@oceandrinksboatI replaced it with 1 meg, it sounds great, it plays too well.

[@maxcuthbert100]

No tremolo ? Add a Duessenberg - cheap and easy !

[@bestguitarsnow]

That's the plan! I've seen that it works perfectly for that model

[@maxcuthbert100]

@@bestguitarsnow I suspect the downside is it might get in the way for rhythm playing….

[@UNKUHNOODLES]

YIKES!!! That Benton is muddy as hell!!!😱😱😱

[@salimgrim1343]

Perfect for shoegaze!!

[@SuicideSeason4545]

I love the fact you played nirvana for the demos!!!

[@zeleznacesta]

I liked the review, I'll think I'll buy a HB one. The Squier is more trebly, but that can be compensated by adjusting the pickups height at the bass side. I have many expensive guitars, but this one could be fun. Thx, regards.

[@Marco-ho3cy]

Hey! Did you buy it? Update us!!

[@zeleznacesta]

@@Marco-ho3cy not yet, but I will.

[@macaroon147]

Honestly just replace the pickups in the HB imo and it's just as good. Since it's so cheap it can be a really fun guitar to customize

[@MrZonealarm]

You don't have to replace them, you just need to replace the pots for 1 meg. It gets what it needs, they are alnico V, and they are not as thin sounding, but they have all the luxury of jazzmaster pickups, they are actually great.

[@CarlosFlores-vu6wt]

Thanks for the review man, I have had the dilema, harley benton or squier for quite some days now hahaha

[@adithyapandji3840]

Squire sounds more twank, more better

[@dchavez1528]

What's the point of a tremolo if you can't stay tuned?

[@letthedayfall]

The opening of the video I though that the HB actually sounded better. Once you went into the sound portion I found that the Squier was much clearer though.

[@somethingelsedoesmatter]

Squier. The HB sounds like you've rolled the tone knob down to about half... Not bright, and no jangle.

[@dromeus21]

a friend has both. HB for punk/alternative/jazz. Squire for Rock/Pop/Metal/Blues

[@jurajcagan5874]

Great comparison! I consider both guitars...:) How do you find neck thickness of HB JA-60? I prefer thick necks (ideally around 22mm at 1st fret).

[@MrZonealarm]

I have a relatively small hand, and the neck profile suits me perfectly. It's not a very thick neck, but it's not thin either, all that was needed was to take some fine sandpaper and polish the neck so it would slide.

[@jurajcagan5874]

@@MrZonealarm Thanx. Meanwhile, I bought the guitar, and I find this neck rather thick…which I love. :) Awesome guitar overall, hard to beat for the price. Normally, when I buy cheap guitar like this, I change tuners and pups immediatelly…with this JA-60, I did nothing!!!

[@RadicalSharkRS]

3:41 out of all songs to compare 😂

[@brothaclam]

Just ordered the Squier 40th anni Jazzmaster after watching this. The Harley Benton doesn't sounds like a Jazzmaster to me, it's very muddy.

[@bestguitarsnow]

Nice! I’m sure you’ll love it :)

[@stevejohn455]

The squire 40 the anniversary is reduced to £250 at thomann Germany and its a beautifully made and realistic sounding instrument, not heavy and dull,nice Finnish on the neck and body,again£250 at thomman Germany,thank me later👍

[@rhiwderinraytube]

Blind Hearing test - the Squier sounds much brighter and full bodied. HB is ok but muddy tones. I would go for the Fender….

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

Squier all day long!

[@Yodelinthegully-d7r]

Appreciable distance in the pick ups.

[@MrBhcole]

Hb sounded like the Squier with the tone rolled back and less high mids.

[@ghast47]

100 % squier

[@erazet3084]

3:35 They wouldnt let you play that on MTV !

[@Jamesgetmanmusic]

Harley Benton Sounded Better To Me , It Had Better Note Defintion.

[@rodneykuhn249]

Honestly I can hear the differences. However... Let's not forget the fact that all you have to do is roll the treble and middle knobs on your amp to make it less muddy. People are like wow man that sounds like shit compared to this more expensive guitar and I'm like well... It's cheap. But you can bring it to sound a lot better if you roll the knobs on your amp.

[@Yodelinthegully-d7r]

Rhythm circuit in the HB?

[@ethelwulfmountbattenderoth2286]

What makes a Jazz Master a Jazz Master? Jazz Master pups. Rhythm Circuit. Offset body. Trem system. Squire has all four. HB has 2. Whereas the Squire may be a bad Jazz Master, it still is a Jazz Master. Whereas the HB might be a better built guitar and play better out of the box, it isn't a Jazz Master. HB is Jazz Master-ish.

[@Robstrap]

A sorta Jazzmaster, vs a Jazzmaster thats authentic to what a Jazzmaster is

[@infiernoinfierno9659]

Squier jazzmaster is a jazzmaster and Harley Benton not because of his pickups. BTW this Harley Benton is a super good guitar

[@prestonhoward535]

what is the difference between JA-60 OW and JA-60 CC?

[@Sumarbrander]

Just the colors. I asked the customer support

[@scottschmittmusic]

Ya Harley sounds better to me

[@mazurthc]

Przez chwilę myślałem, że masz sobowtóra haha

[@bestguitarsnow]

😂

[@shawnperico7221]

Lollar picks up will change that Harley completely.

[@bluesman5049]

I'm not sure if what I'm hearing is coming out of the HB, I have the impression that the tone pot is a little activated and doesn't give the right tone of this guitar. I own 2 HB JA models, and in neither case does it sound like this one, I mean her tone is brighter, and it sounds just like this Squier in this recording. And that in all positions. About that can be heard on this recording. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH-8d2dvqNxopJY Although it is also noticeable that the volume is slightly increased when Squier is playing, and it is noticeable that with it it is more subtle compared to HB, but the sound is brighter. Although it is noticeable that he tries to play down the tone of HB.

[@Yodelinthegully-d7r]

HB needs to rework their Jazzmaster. Not a good surf sound.

[@jorgesxbass7606]

Sound??? 😢

[@quieora1789]

This test doesn't do justice to HB. If you don't play grunge I recommend to see others video on KZbin.

[@Lasuertez]

Squire rocks! 🤩

[@spacepodi]

The only reason I’m watching this is because the JA60 is affordable to me -just. You recommending it should be much more expensive means no thumbs up. If you want expensive guitars, go for it. The rest of us -some of us anyway, can only consider the affordable ones, so by all means say it is excellent value, but don’t go encouraging 2-300% inflation costs on the rest of us.

[@OliverAmberg]

Harley Benton is very good in sending guitars to KZbinrs and flooding KZbin in general.

[@weedian710]

Haven't even watched the vide but I'd take the squier over 3 Harley bentons.

[@MrZonealarm]

Then you better watch some HB jazzmaster videos, both squier and HB are great pieces of guitars here.

[@brandtanderson930]

Harley Benton is a sham

[@talkychris]

Don't buy either. Just save up and be patient if you can't afford a proper Fender Jazzmaster.

[@YIIMM]

No.

[@MrColaKO]

Why paying 1000 more for a guitar that's only marginally better than the squire?

[@talkychris]

@@MrColaKO Fine margins matter

[@slimturnpike]

Which guitar is lighter?

[@slimturnpike]

The Squier sounds a lot more like a JM