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Harley Benton ST-59HM
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
VS
Playability
70
Sound
72
Build
55
Value
76
Score
66
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Playability
75
Sound
68
Build
50
Value
74
Score
64
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Harley Benton ST-59HM vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton ST-59HM over Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

Number of Frets
21 vs 22
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Roswell vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
76 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT over Harley Benton ST-59HM

Release Year
2021 vs 2016
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Nut Material
Graphite vs Plastic
Self-Lubricating nut for good tuning stability
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Other Key Differences
Harley Benton ST-59HM vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

Bridge Pickup
Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 vs Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 vs Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 vs Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Plastic vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Harley Benton ST-59HM vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
SSS
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Harley Benton ST-59HM Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Harley Benton ST-59HM is probably the better product overall with its final score of 66 compared to the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's 64 score, although not by a lot.

The Harley Benton ST-59HM wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Harley Benton ST-59HM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Harley Benton ST-59HM Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2016 Tribute series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder Body body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Harley Benton Tremolo bridge
  • Harley Benton C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson-Style Machine Heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2021 Contemporary series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts tuners
  • Weight between 6.75lbs (3.1kgs) and 6.9lbs (3.1kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Harley Benton ST-59HM

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are SSS. SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

Pickups Quality

The Harley Benton ST-59HM has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Funk and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Harley Benton ST-59HM.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Harley Benton ST-59HM pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton ST-59HM's switch options
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Harley Benton ST-59HM.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Harley Benton ST-59HM
Pickups 100
Sustain 55
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 60
Sound 72
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Pickups 70
Sustain 70
Versatility 60
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 68

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Harley Benton ST-59HM compares to the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in China.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Harley Benton ST-59HM has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT comes with a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

Winner: Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Harley Benton ST-59HM's brige is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Harley Benton ST-59HM's are Kluson-Style Machine Heads while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's are Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton ST-59HM
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Harley Benton ST-59HM
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 55
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Quality of materials 46
Features 50
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 50

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Harley Benton ST-59HM Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42mm (1.654'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Harley Benton ST-59HM and Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Harley Benton ST-59HM Neck Profile
Harley Benton ST-59HM's neck profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Neck Profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Harley Benton ST-59HM and the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Harley Benton ST-59HM Fingerboard Radius
Harley Benton ST-59HM's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Harley Benton ST-59HM's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Harley Benton ST-59HM.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Harley Benton ST-59HM favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Harley Benton ST-59HM:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Harley Benton ST-59HM Frets Size
Harley Benton ST-59HM's Frets Size
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Frets Size
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's Frets Size

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton ST-59HM's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Harley Benton ST-59HM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

Harley Benton ST-59HM vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
General Harley Benton ST-59HM Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Brand: Harley Benton Fender Squier
Year: 2016 2021
Configuration: SSS SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Tribute Contemporary
Colors: Red White, Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Body Poplar
Bridge: Harley Benton Tremolo 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Kluson-Style Machine Heads Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Fretboard: Maple Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Harley Benton C Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.898'' (22.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.931'' (23.6mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12"
Nut: Plastic Graphite
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Roswell SK52 True Vintage Staggered Alnico-5 (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1