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Harley Benton ST-62CC RW
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
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Playability
70
Sound
72
Build
55
Value
81
Score
66
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Playability
70
Sound
73
Build
55
Value
76
Score
66
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Harley Benton ST-62CC RW vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton ST-62CC RW over Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

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
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Floyd Rose
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
81 vs 76
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR over Harley Benton ST-62CC RW

Release Year
2021 vs 2020
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
Locking vs Plastic
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Tremolo
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
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-62CC RW vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

Bridge Pickup
Roswell STA Alnico 5 vs Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Roswell STA Alnico 5 vs Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Pau Ferro vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Plastic vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Harley Benton ST-62CC RW vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

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
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
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
  • 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-62CC RW Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that both instruments scored 66 out of 100, which makes them similar in terms of quality.

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR wins when it comes to sound. On the other hand, the Harley Benton ST-62CC RW has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Harley Benton ST-62CC RW is the better choice.

The Harley Benton ST-62CC RW meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR meets only 3. 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.

New Player Friendliness

Harley Benton ST-62CC RW
  • 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 HH FR
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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-62CC RW Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2020 Vintage series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Roswell STA 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
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson Style Machine Heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2021 Contemporary series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose by Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts tuners
  • Weight between 7.55lbs (3.4kgs) and 7.6lbs (3.4kgs)
  • 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-62CC RW

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Pau Ferro wood pattern used for guitar building
Pau Ferro
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

Pau Ferro has a dark, chocolate-like color with straight dark grains that is being used as a replacement to Rosewood due to the regulations. It produces a warm tone that is somewhere between Mahogany and Rosewood. Find out more about Pau Ferro.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
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.

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

The Harley Benton ST-62CC RW has an SSS configuration while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR has HH pickups.

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.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Harley Benton ST-62CC RW has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR. 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-62CC RW.

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-62CC RW pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton ST-62CC RW's switch options
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR'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-62CC RW.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Harley Benton ST-62CC RW
Pickups 100
Sustain 55
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 60
Sound 72
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 73

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-62CC RW compares to the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR.

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-62CC RW 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 HH FR comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR.

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-62CC RW'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 HH FR's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

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: Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Harley Benton ST-62CC RW's are Kluson Style Machine Heads while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR'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-62CC RW
  • 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 HH FR
  • Locking Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • 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

Final Build Quality Scores

Harley Benton ST-62CC RW
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 55
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Quality of materials 46
Features 65
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 55

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-62CC RW Nut Width
Harley Benton ST-62CC RW Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Harley Benton ST-62CC RW and Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR'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-62CC RW Neck Profile
Harley Benton ST-62CC RW's neck profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Neck Profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR'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-62CC RW and the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR 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-62CC RW Fingerboard Radius
Harley Benton ST-62CC RW's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR'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 HH FR's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Harley Benton ST-62CC RW'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-62CC RW.

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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Harley Benton ST-62CC RW:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Harley Benton ST-62CC RW Frets Size
Harley Benton ST-62CC RW's Frets Size
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Frets Size
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR's Frets Size

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton ST-62CC RW'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-62CC RW
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 80
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Harley Benton ST-62CC RW vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
General Harley Benton ST-62CC RW Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Brand: Harley Benton Fender Squier
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: SSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Vintage Contemporary
Colors: Blue, Gray Pink, Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Poplar
Bridge: Harley Benton Tremolo Floyd Rose by Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Kluson Style Machine Heads Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Fretboard: Pau Ferro Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Dots Black 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: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12"
Nut: Plastic Locking
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1