![Image 1 — [NGD] So I officially joined the club... TE-52 NA](https://preview.redd.it/1vaee6jb0d2h1.jpg?width=6144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2215005f6ea62ff317b771d660fd0dc0d82059e)
![Image 2 — [NGD] So I officially joined the club... TE-52 NA](https://preview.redd.it/yl6iippb0d2h1.jpg?width=6144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b079e0cc5f07d33f91e2f3bc29e6405c716aae8)
![Image 3 — [NGD] So I officially joined the club... TE-52 NA](https://preview.redd.it/lpcz28ub0d2h1.jpg?width=6144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5014318a491c87581277f2b0daa133535f0fcce)
![Image 4 — [NGD] So I officially joined the club... TE-52 NA](https://preview.redd.it/e2g3wxzb0d2h1.jpg?width=6144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfd59d96c55219b17afbba8a9e6b38d68584acc5)
[NGD] So I officially joined the club... TE-52 NA
TL;DR
Over this past years, I've been in the hunt for one of these Harley Benton TE-52s, but I always wanted the "older model" that still had the Wilkinson pickups and regular maple neck. It has been quite a long hunt (apparently, there are more newer TE-52s - those with Roswells and caramelized necks - for sale, at least in my country) but finally scored this beauty.
It's probably one of the most beautiful examples of the TE-52s that I've seen, both in person and in online photos.
When I received it, I was greatly impressed by its quality and craftsmanship, it is at least on par with any Squier Classic Vibe I've owned. I couldn't find any flaws or defects on the finish. The frets are almost perfectly seated and levelled and it was beautifully setup by its older owner.
For some reason I can't explain, my TE-52 has a few quirks. Mainly one string tree and a 9.5" fretboard radius. Also, the tuners are not slotted. Maybe somebody can shed some light in this?
• PROS:
- Great build quality and craftsmanship. No flaws whatsoever.
- Pickups sound really good, very "Telecaster" like.
- Beautiful woods (4 piece body with really nice grain, quartersawn fretboard with amazing figuring). Feels really solid.
- Neck joint is PERFECT, really tight.
- Amazing playability, frets are nicely done.
- Bone nut (probably added by previous owner).
• CONS:
- ATROCIOUS tuners. One of the worst I ever had. They are stable but really bad when tuning.
- IT'S A CHUNKY BOIIIII. Probably one of the chunkiest guitars I ever had and probably one of the chunkiest TE-52s you can find in the wild. Approximately: 4.825kg or 10.63lb.
- Electronics work fine but could be better. Hardware (mainly bridge) it's decent but could be upgraded as I prefer brass saddles.
So far, I've already ordered a Wilkinson WTB bridge. Next step would be tuners, my main option are Wilkinson WJ-55s (I want slotted, vintage tuners, non-locking) but I don't know if they're direct replacements to those in the HB.
Is there also any way for dating this guitars? I would like to know more or less when it was made. I assume is somewhere in the early 2010s, must be one of the first made.
Cheers!