Harley Benton JA-60CC - A fun bargain NOW IN NEW COLORS! (you guys get excited about colors right?)

From Thomann: www.thomannmus...
Harley Benton has some cool new finishes for their budget Offset. Ive only ever played the kit version though so how does the $146 production version hold up? The thumbnail says "I'm Impressed" so obviously I like it. But maybe watch the video to find out why? I dunno, you do whatever you want, you are still reading the description so at this point you are probably going to watch the whole thing right? you are invested, I like that about you.
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[@caro_lam]

as a european, i really appreciate whenever you break out the '50 cycle hum' gag

[@vaibhavkaza]

always makes me chuckle lol

[@bobbiemiles-foremaniii8747]

You really had a chance to hit em with the 50 cycle hum pun

[@AM2PMReviews]

50 Cycle is UK? And 60 is US?

[@leo.nordmann]

@@AM2PMReviewsYes , european power grid operates on 50hz which can interfere with your guitar and amplifier and presenting in form of the 50 cycle hum. In the USA the grid operates on 60hz.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

For under 200, these look incredible. If they feel halfway decent in hand, these are a no brainer.

[@IAMHOPFROG]

"silica gel. the kids will love that..." appreciate the humor. your reviews are always informative and humorous. thanks.

[@charlesflint9048]

I just had to get one of these recently in sea foam green for the ‘50s vibe and also being really good value for money. I am impressed with this guitar: the neck feels good and the pickups sound good also.It feels more expensive than it is. This is a seriously good instrument which I will enjoy playing for years to come. I wish there were guitars as good as this available at this relative price point in the early ‘70s!.

[@repoman5581]

does it have overly 60 cycle humm, more than a strat or tele...

[@christoguichard4311]

I've just got my THIRD JA60... I just love these things so much. They do EVERYTHING...and inspire you to play. Not many guitars do that. And...the tuners on mine are great. Feel exactly like Klusons. I think HB have really hit gold with these guitars...😊

[@Madchris8828]

Man i love this Jazzmaster shaped guitar thing. Super cool design overall and cool colors

[@aaronclarkproduction]

I have the original burst color version of this guitar and added a Duesenberg Les Trem II. It swaps out with the original tail piece without requiring any other modifications and works like a champ. Instant surf guitar! The neck on this guitar has a great feel as well - lots of fun. Thanks for the review!

[@enriquegallego7790]

Yes, I have the withe one and I have planned to add a trem like that. This new colors are....awesome!

[@adrian_V99]

Thanks for sharing- a Jazzmaster has to have a trermolo.

[@Junkiescum]

@@adrian_V99 does it really? I’ve always wanted a jazzmaster or jag with a hard tail bridge or stop tail piece like this! I have no use for trems and favor wraparound bridges🤷🏽‍♂️ I feel like it’s essential for the tone I’m looking for

[@yargnad]

​@@JunkiescumRules are meant to be broken.

[@dragoonphotography5847]

Deletion of the rhythm circuit is a per peeve of mine. Fender likes to make you go a few steps up the product line to get it back.

[@dragoonphotography5847]

@@Dogdickdale I’m not even just talking about beginner guitars. The base level $800-ish MIM Fenders dont even have it. Either way, it’s a bit more routing and $10 in switches and pots, I’m not asking much.

[@grantbeck8482]

I like using the rhythm circuit on my J Mascis Jazzmaster for a killswitch. I thought I would actually use the circuit before I got it but I never really did

[@Buxbaum666]

I have two different $300-ish Squiers with the rhythm circuit fully intact. :)

[@AjDaPigeon]

what's stopping u from getting a squier bro

[@Fenderman4022]

I have a MIM Classic Player Jazzmaster that has the rhythm circuit

[@eertje01]

Hi Ryan, these pickups are the same pickups that are in the classic vibe! And the sound is a bit more generic, because there are 250k pots in there. Upgrade them to 1meg and you will get your spaghetti western sound!

[@ATFox84]

Got the TE-62CC in the same color last Christmas. I think the color looks much better in person. Might have to pickup this for a matching set.

[@WardWickford]

The 2 Princes bit NEVER gets old 🙂

[@gushutchinson8758]

You really have a great touch.... You made this guitar sound wicked straight away... I really want to get this guitar, especially after your review... You've obviously got amazing amps it's going through... It's got great tones... Thank you...

[@colterco.6040]

I built a Harley Benton “jazzmaster” kit that I LOVE. I did add the jazzmaster trem and wiring, etc. but the neck and body were really great starting points.

[@IamQuh]

I built the same one but the neck had wonky frets and one of the tuners did not have a hole for a string. Just solid metal all the wya through. So it can be a bit of a gambit. Luckily their support is good. The I did end up liking the guitar though. The pickups are baller.

[@colterco.6040]

Oh no! That’s a bummer. Glad support was good. I liked the p-90s it came with (not sure if that’s what you had) but ended up putting them in a different guitar. I have a friend that wound me some killer jazzmaster pickups for it.

[@nieko3038]

Same here. Not the electronics but added the vibrato. Had to redrill the holes to fit the pickguard. Overall a great kit to build.

[@peteygonemadarts4765]

@@colterco.6040 everybody loves those p90s . I have a set from my Epiphone Les Paul . When modding I replaced them with EMG h4 and h4a humbuckers and all EMG wiring and pots . I do plan on eventually building a kit guitar , been looking at some HLK kits ( think it them that have the kits I've been looking at ... love their finished stuff ) and probably going to use my p90s and Epiphone pots in one of those . Will save a lot on all the electronics 😎

[@discocrisco]

I'm done laughing at the Two Princetons gag. I'm laughing cause you're laughing at it.

[@murph1017]

You've come a long way on the Ventures tune since the Vintage II JM video. Well done sir.

[@60CycleHumcast]

I thought i played it worse in this video, lol.

[@josephmatlockjr7005]

My first songs were Ventures tunes, so I love when I hear surf in your videos.

[@soren81]

I watch primarily for the Two Princetons jingle. Great content.

[@bingerbennison9729]

I love how you're holding the American Vintage II and the JA-60CC in the same exact position so I can compare the bodies from the thumbnails alone.

[@mark.guitar]

I will be recommending these to my students. Cheers Ryan.

[@jonboy4601]

Surf green with a dark neck gets me on most guitars....it's just the colour way I've always wanted but never had....maybe I'll get one and stump up for some brighter pickups...great review...very helpful

[@davidstierwalt2981]

I ordered this guitar in shell pink as my first Harley Benton purchase. I like to play in a lot of different tunings, so I figured I would find something cheap just keep in open D or something. Man, I gotta tell you, I cannot put the thing down. You Europeans are lucky to have Harley Benton because everyone compares HB to Squier, and they do not compare. I have owned several squiers and none of them have felt, played, or sounded this good. It helps too that the guitar is gorgeous. Buy one if you’re thinking about it. It’s a fantastic guitar

[@nickdrey1200]

Bro, idk what Squiers you were playing but dang those are some like... wonky opinions haha. The Squiers, in the last 2 years, have been stellar. The ones above the affinity line, at least, are 100% dope. The bullet and affinity are really nice, out of the box, about 75% of the time. If you have the opportunity, go check out the Squier 40th Anniversary models. I have one of every model in the Vintage series. The 40anni vintage Tele , I got it in 'satin mocha', because it looks like the rare walnut Teles from 62. It fuckin rules bro, it is the best Tele I've ever played, besides the two actual pre-60s that I've played. And I know that sounds retarded, maybe, but it really is. I've played so many teles and these 40s are damn perfect. The stock pickups are somehow amazing idk what the deal is lol. The Strats in the line are equally as amazing but I can't get myself to ever pick it up over my 59 custom shop lol. I shouldn't have bought the 40anni strat really...but I'll probably give it to someone new or someone who's a good player and doesn't have the means to get one

[@davidstierwalt2981]

@@nickdrey1200 You’re comparing $300-500 guitars to a $100 guitar. I haven’t played an affinity or bullet Squier that measures up to this Harley Benton

[@johninfl]

This group has such amazing deals. Purchased their base model strat clone a couple of years ago. Love it. One thing I will do on the next one, is realize that I live in Florida, where AC runs constantly for most of the year, and will dry out new wood.... LOL.. Had a little fret spout on the neck, which was cured with a little elbow grease, but the next one will live the first year in the non-airconditioned section of my house.. to let it dry at a more even pace... Love your channel!!!

[@garrettmundy4914]

Colours are cool and it does look a lot of fun. Almost $500 to get it in Oz though. For not much more I'd go a Squier CV and get the rythym circuit - and just deal with the more uninspired colour options.

[@thoughtcontagion8336]

Get the Squier. HB has a ton of QC issues.

[@scoresandflames]

I bought the white JA60 but painted it British Racing Green. I love that guitar. Great sounding pickups once properly shielded.

[@yargnad]

One of the best colors ever.

[@GRBAquatics]

Cool Demo/Review, Nice Work. Stunning Guitar. Wish we had access to Harley Bentons in music stores to check out here in Australia. Cheers

[@steverolfeca]

If an instrument makes my ears, brain and fingers happy, then my eyes follow right along, regardless of finish, lumber and other cosmetic issues. That said, that’s the first colour combo I’ve ever seen that works for me with a mint-green pickguard. Also, I prefer the sound of the pickups in this guitar over a real Jazzmaster. I wonder if part of the secret sauce here is the bridge and tailpiece setup?

[@Fredrikgaard]

It's probably the tone controlls that differs. I usually runs my Jazzmaster with the tone att 5, instead of 10, to get ridd of the brightest overtones. Remember that a Jazzmaster have 1meg Ohms pots versus 500 KOhm on humbucker guitars and 250KOhm on strats and Teles. That's what makes a Jazzmaster sounding brighter than any other guitars.

[@Madchris8828]

It really is such a cool freaking instrument. Love the binding colors sound. Man it's just a dope guitar lol.

[@robashton8606]

The pickups have a lot to do with it. They're considerably hotter than ordinary P90s (they _are_ P90s, not JMs) and _way_ hotter than Jazzmaster pups. The bridge pick up cranks at 11.7 ohms, which puts it squarely in humbucker output territory, whilst the neck one comes in at around 7 ohms, still overheated by P90 standards. They're quite uniquely voiced pick ups really. I love them.

[@duartesilva158]

Always found it funny that people feel the necessity to justify sloppy playing when in fact, there so much more in playing guitar than technical aspects. Your tactile sensitivity when playing makes it so enjoyable to listen, your Surf playing is fantastic, you are very musical, and that's all that matters, music is meant to be listened to, not to be evaluated as a freaking muscle challenge. I would much rather prefer to listen your music for days than some 330 bpm arpeggios and scales up an down the neck. Don't get me wrong I love technical players such as Paco de Lucia, Wes Montgomery, Marty Friedman, Malmsteen, etc.. But everything has it's own place. You found yours, grab on to it, keep up the good work!

[@60CycleHumcast]

Don’t worry, I have no aspirations to shred lol.

[@duartesilva158]

Lol. .You never know...one day you might end up Surfing "with the alien"... =P

[@armyofchris]

I would totally throw that duesenberg trem on there.

[@bigwilly3900]

This looks like a prime Mod platform to me haha. Great Vid Ryan always makes my day.

[@houstondragna7423]

Dude that two Princeton rig sounds GLORIOUS

[@Terry3Gs]

Awesome demo/observations of this new product Ryan !! I think they might have had you a lil in mind with this one :P :D

[@teterouge1472]

Really great demo of a great cheap guitar.. Lovely stuff fella. All the best to you and yours from North Nottinghamshire

[@vesslewis9166]

Dude! You're playing has improved greatly. Glad to see it because I really enjoy your personality and the fun in your reviews. The ax seems pretty nice too (not my style but I always watch your reviews).

[@prisonmike4971]

I just ordered my Dakota red version..so pumped, it comes tomorrow

[@hansirocks-jammy2154]

A good contender for the duesenberg trem 😉

[@lukey2113]

That is an amazing idea!

[@tundratom]

Great review Ryan! Just listening to you makes me want to play freaking Surf Music! Ah hell, I'm buying one and throwing in a Trem on it. I've got some 500K Alpha pots off a SC-500 to drop in as well. Surf on!

[@peteygonemadarts4765]

You must have recorded this Tuesday 🤣🤣🤣 I was in Long Beach and there was nasty weather and flood warnings ... saw a Hydrogen powered Nikola driving around too . That was cool 😎

[@vikingsofvintageaudio7470]

Great playing!! Sounded like Charlie Megira with the looper ❤️❤️❤️

[@waynemagyar6001]

Harley Benton JA-60CC Is $146 from Thomann $149 for us lefty’s.

[@SidBonkers51]

Looks and sounds great

[@BlueBarrier782]

The pickups on these actually have this perfect mid push for stoner rock stuff and some indie genres.

[@fade2Matt]

do you think they would be good smiths inspired stuff

[@yargnad]

​@@fade2MattMost any single coil guitar does that well, but the Jag pickups are Marr's signature sound. I would think this can cover the same ground for the most part.

[@nieko3038]

Nice guitars. The neck (atleast from my kit) is the same as my 60’s Fender strat reissue. I like it alot.

[@docmojoman9574]

The word I think you are looking describing the sound of the neck is "toasty"!

[@rodneykuhn249]

Earlier today I got a benton guitar, Some people play them, both near and sometimes far.. Most people think that Im really weird and cheap, But I will play it all the time, Even while you sleep

[@floydthebarber9956]

Yeah. I dont get why they don't put the Jazzmaster trem on this. If they did it would be a surf monster. ADD one Ryan!!

[@badscrew4023]

I don’t know - it still hums 60 cycles!

[@damianp3305]

Those pickups are Roswell JM-B-ADWH and JM-N-ADWH. The same as used in Jazzmasters from Squier Classic Vibe and 40th Anniversary.

[@anmeramz88]

Remember Jazzmasters have 1Meg pots in the lead circuit! You could try throwing some in that guitar and see if the pickups brighten up? 👀 Pretty sure this one has 500K pots...

[@Crow-jg4sj]

Jazzmaster was meant for clean and crunch. Not the guitar for distortion

[@PeachMusic_]

Noticed my "secret weapon" fathead ribbon mic on the amp...underrated mic...good choice.

[@Jamaicangurl81]

just ordered one.. i think i'm going to really like it

[@kyledege315]

I’m sawdy they didn’t have this color before mines sunburst but I love surf green lol

[@rindred]

I'm betting it was a tough call between the seafoam green and the shell pink, eh?

[@valarmorghulis6822]

Thinking about getting this baby as a beginner and you are absolutely right. But I think I am going for the shell pink one because the color of the pickups complents it so nicely

[@DavidHBurkart]

Guessing Ryan says; "I don't always roast my necks, I guess when I do, its Harley Benton"

[@joeycredible]

I think they look and sound great for $5-600 and the rest is in our heads staring at the name on the headstock.

[@TheRealChrisLopez]

If only they had 22 frets or a jag style model. Looks beautiful though and of all the inexpensive guitars the headstock on the Harley Benton’s actually don’t look god awful. I need to pick one up.

[@billzade8158]

I'm a big Jazzmaster fan, and I really want this!!

[@Deckie1969]

"It's not big but it fills your hand"

[@teterouge1472]

Got the OW in lefty it's bloody great. My current favourite

[@1rwjwith]

Missing the WIGGLE STICK!

[@michaelorourke7032]

These guitars are amazing. For the price you get alot. I have 3 of the SG style guitars. They play and sound well.

[@sassycat]

Just needs a Duesenberg Les Trem and it's good to go!

[@louisfryzel4618]

Oh. My. Gosh. I've been thinking about buying one of these for a loooong time. But one problem was that it had only two finishes, sunburst and vintage white(?) and I really wanted something more unique. Btw, I assume they are the same JM style Roswell pickups as in the older models. As for the pickups I think they are a variation of the Roswell JM-N-ADWH (neck) and JM-B-ADWH (bridge) pickups. And I asked a couple of weeks ago and a Thomann rep confirmed they are indeed JM style pickups with alnico magnets.

[@sterlingmcvay2469]

They Sound to me, like SURF PICKUPS, and in a Really Nice ZONE, again, for me. You could Nicely Double Track it with a Strat, finding the Ideal Choice of Pickup, Per Guitar, that works with the Other Guitar. You could even go with a Third Guitar, from a Tele to a Gretsch, and get some Nice Blend aka, Steve Miller, I Like it!! I Hope they'll Offer some Lefties, preferably with Vibrato Type Tailpiece. It doesn't need to be an Extreme, like a Floyd Rose, just some Nice QUAVERABILITY, Without Knocking the Guitar Out of Tune. LOVE THAT COLOUR!!! I could Hear Brian Setzer Really ROCKIN' OUT, on it!!

[@yargnad]

I've had one of these since back when they came with Wilkinson P90s. Those were nice sounding, but I got a sweet deal on some Alumnitones so I dropped those in and it's a killer machine now. They also had a _printed_ tortoise shell pattern guard though, and my finger has worn a while spot under the first string. I think I paid about $140 shipped about eight years ago.

[@xrdbnk]

i feel like “color me impressed” would’ve been a fun thumbnail/title (unless everyone else is already doing that)

[@60CycleHumcast]

Lol that is fun

[@Mark761966]

Barbequed maple neck? Hickory smoked maple?

[@adam5744]

Teflon string trees help they did for me

[@MillerCustomGuitars]

Silica gel. Sweetwater isn’t the only company that sends a tasty treat.

[@christopherkennedy873]

I like the kit headstock better ( color, too) than the Fender-ish one

[@ubermac85]

For those who want a tremolo for it, check out the Guitar Fetish Xtrem Stud Mount tremolo. It basically bolts into the tailpiece thimbles with zero modification to the guitar. For $52 it's worth a try. I put one on my Firefly FF338 and it makes it so much fun to play.

[@60CycleHumcast]

ive got one on my desk right now and ill be putting it on this guitar. After shipping it was over $70 though lol

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

Thanks For Sharing

[@TheInstantClassic86]

This guitar is a must get for me. And here I was thinking of getting the jazz master version of Indio. Loo

[@bravelittleabacus]

these are really neat guitars! i've been saving up for a te-62cc in the same colour as an upgrade from my cheap stratocaster

[@rodferrer8167]

Liked the noodling! Tasty! Good style! Kinda almost like mine!😅

[@DGGriffinMusic]

Interesting release. I recently got one of the Vintera JMs and do find the pickups quite bright for my taste. I’m now debating on sending it back and trying one of these instead…

[@yargnad]

That's the main characteristic of the Jazzmaster. It uses very different potentiometer values than other guitars. Just adjust the EQ on your amp. It should have much more string definition than most guitars.

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

My JA-60 is my favorite guitar! Love the new looks. I thought the pickups were p90's though?

[@whatsupn3rds832]

They are P90’s according to their webpage: With its two single coil Roswell Alnico-5 P90 pickups

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

@@whatsupn3rds832 that's what I thought. There apparently is quite a bit of controversy about this on social media sites. I had this conversation with others and they swear that they are Jazzmasters.

[@SisterRose]

Do you know how that Seafoam Green compares to for example, a Surf Green Fender/Squier? I love the Surf Green but worried the SFG might be too intense for my aesthetic.

[@kebab_boi]

The only reason I wouldn’t get the hb jazzmaster is because it doesn’t have a trem system :(

[@hunterprice3320]

I'd recommend checking out the Xtrem from guitar fetish. It's like a bigsby and they have one that doesn't require any drilling it just goes in spot of tailpiece. I haven't personally used one but want to.

[@AM2PMReviews]

Maybe you should make merch that says wiggle stick player 😂

[@MrChris5254]

I have the off white.even nicer with a painted headstock.loverly

[@JaniceLalla]

Sounded good

[@hussamjamil4980]

The neck in the DIY kit is not roasted-/caramelised as the JA-60....something to consider as well.

[@justinpruett8674]

Sounds good

[@darklight4815]

Oh I love sea foam green...my squier 70s p bass would look good next to it

[@aftertheendtimes]

I really think you playing good dear Ryan, really liked the vibe @ 20:41 😃 i did not know about this new line of JA-60´s I already own a HB JA-60 OW, and love it to death, With these new colors, my G.A.S start to ich when seeing these, Thanks Ryan for doing this demo💚 🎸 Love cheers.

[@MinutesToMata]

Tore apart the OW version of this guitar a while back and the pickups are indeed JM style. They didn't really suit the sound I was going after so I dropped in a set of Mojotone Q coil hot P90's under the same covers(sacrilege, I know, but at least they're noiseless). The neck is just fantastic, both shape and feel, plus the bound fretboard with block inlays give it that fancy look. A lot of guitar for not a lot of money.

[@louisfryzel4618]

You could sell those pickups ... Lot of people like me like the clean, shimmering sound.

[@whatsupn3rds832]

Their webpage says this about the pickups: With its two single coil Roswell Alnico-5 P90 pickups

[@jensk4140]

For the price, the strat knock-off i started on 18 years ago was probably way worse.

[@thoughtcontagion8336]

I got one with a super crooked neck pocket, causing the neck to pivot and shift. By the time I figured out what was wrong with it I was passed the return window on reverb. Harley Benton was no help. Thankfully I got to try a cheap one without their even worse return policy shipping from Germany. It’s a shame, I would like it if it worked. I guess I’ll buy a new body and use the neck for a project

[@99bigjim]

what is the weight and neck radius --- ballpark ?

[@OriginalBadRobotz]

no whammies!?!?!

[@smartmammal9926]

I am building the same kit right now

[@bjadov]

can someone for the love of god please tell me what the riff at 14:39 is from?? i love it lol

[@TheElrondo]

Why no wiggle stick again... With a wiggle stick i would buy it right now. Maybe a Duesenberg tremolo for Gibson's "Les Trem" would fit.

[@60CycleHumcast]

the les trem would work, or a bigsby with a vibramate or something. It would be neat if they put out a line with a JM style trem though.

[@Dogdickdale]

Going from the beautiful AVRi JM to that econo- meizer JM gave me a bad case of offset whiplash.

[@monmixer]

Thoman has a plekk machine now.

[@timothytobin1481]

It's the Inca Silver for me. I just watched another video which showed the construction of the Rosewell jazzmaster pickups and from the pictures they are constructed as a TRUE Jazzmaster pickup would be. Most after-market Jazzmaster pickups are just P90s stuffed in a Jazzmaster shell. Not on these! Good on Rosewell and Harley Benton for this attention to detail.

[@60CycleHumcast]

oh interesting, whos video was it?

[@timothytobin1481]

@@60CycleHumcast This one ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoi6d3mEYrejpdk It's the pictures he provides at the beginning of the video comparing the Roswell to a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder (which looks to be a P90 with fat pole pieces stuffed into a jazzmaster shell). I'll be curious to see what you think.

[@derekdavis6508]

You can buy 5 or 6 HB for what one expensive one cost, I'm just a self taught music nerd, just jam in my room and with friends they are perfect for that, I think someone could gig with one honestly, may require some strings and lower action or tuners.

[@waylon6395]

i think the pickups are based on the 1958-1964 pickups, while the av ii is based on 1965-1980 pickups

[@guitarfreak521]

Sounds great!

[@kristfur]

Request: Absurd pickup upgrade video