Best Electric Guitars Under $300 in 2024

Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $300. Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $300.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

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1. Harley Benton MS-60

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Harley Benton MS-60

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Playability 78

Sound 74

Build quality 55

Value for money 84

Overall Score 69

What our users think

Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (20 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)

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From Harley Benton's 2015 Vintage series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Maple neck
Purpleheart fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 Vintage Style (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 Vintage Style (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic And Dlx Tremolo bridge
Harley Benton C Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Deluxe Die-Cast Machine Heads tuners
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From Harley Benton's 2015 Vintage series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Maple neck
Purpleheart fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 Vintage Style (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell STA Alnico 5 Vintage Style (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic And Dlx Tremolo bridge
Harley Benton C Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Deluxe Die-Cast Machine Heads tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton MS-60

Top Brand Pickups
Phase Out Pickups
Tremolo
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Expensive Woods
No High-Quality Nut
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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2. Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club

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Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club

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Playability 77

Sound 72

Build quality 55

Value for money 78

Overall Score 68

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Normal (2 votes)
Fret edges: Slightly sharp (2 votes)
Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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From Gretsch's 2020 Streamliner series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Nato body
Nato neck
Laurel fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
Wrap-Around bridge
Thin U Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Die-Cast tuners
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From Gretsch's 2020 Streamliner series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Nato body
Nato neck
Laurel fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
Wrap-Around bridge
Thin U Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Die-Cast tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club

Synthetic Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Expensive Woods
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

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3. Fender Squier Sonic Mustang

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Fender Squier Sonic Mustang

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Playability 80

Sound 67

Build quality 55

Value for money 82

Overall Score 67

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (28 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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From Fender Squier's 2023 Sonic series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24"'' scale
9.5" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Maple neck
Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle Top-Load Hardtail with Block Saddles bridge
C Shape Bolt-On neck
21 Narrow Tall frets
Die-Cast Sealed tuners
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From Fender Squier's 2023 Sonic series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24"'' scale
9.5" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Maple neck
Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle Top-Load Hardtail with Block Saddles bridge
C Shape Bolt-On neck
21 Narrow Tall frets
Die-Cast Sealed tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Sonic Mustang

Synthetic Bone Nut
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
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 Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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4. ESP LTD Viper-10

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ESP LTD Viper-10

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Playability 83

Sound 65

Build quality 52

Value for money 77

Overall Score 67

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2015 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Maple neck
Engineered Hardwood fretboard
Bridge pickup: ESP Designed LH-100B (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: ESP Designed LH-100N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Bolt-On neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD tuners
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From ESP LTD's 2015 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Maple neck
Engineered Hardwood fretboard
Bridge pickup: ESP Designed LH-100B (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: ESP Designed LH-100N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Bolt-On neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-10

Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
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

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5. Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS

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Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS

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Playability 73

Sound 68

Build quality 55

Value for money 75

Overall Score 65

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)

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From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Hard Maple neck
Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
5-way Switch
Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
Cutlass Bolt-On neck
22 Narrow Tall frets
Diecast tuners
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From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Hard Maple neck
Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
5-way Switch
Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
Cutlass Bolt-On neck
22 Narrow Tall frets
Diecast tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS

Compensated Nut
Tremolo
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
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

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6. Ibanez PGMM11

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Ibanez PGMM11

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Playability 83

Sound 63

Build quality 49

Value for money 75

Overall Score 65

What our users think

Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (6 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (8 votes)

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From Ibanez's 2021 PGM/FRM series
Made in China
6 strings
22.2"'' scale
15.748" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Maple neck
Jatoba fretboard
Bridge pickup: Infinity R (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Infinity R (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
5-way Switch
F106 bridge
PGMM Bolt-On neck
24 Medium frets
Ibanez tuners
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From Ibanez's 2021 PGM/FRM series
Made in China
6 strings
22.2"'' scale
15.748" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Maple neck
Jatoba fretboard
Bridge pickup: Infinity R (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Infinity R (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
5-way Switch
F106 bridge
PGMM Bolt-On neck
24 Medium frets
Ibanez tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez PGMM11

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

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7. Harley Benton DC-LTD Gotoh

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Harley Benton DC-LTD Gotoh

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Playability 72

Sound 74

Build quality 60

Value for money 79

Overall Score 69

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (20 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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From Harley Benton's 2021 Deluxe series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
10" Fretboard Radius
Nyatoh body
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Tesla VR-2 AlNiCo 5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Tesla VR-2 AlNiCo 5 (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh Tune-o-Matic bridge
Harley Benton C Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Kluson tuners tuners
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From Harley Benton's 2021 Deluxe series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
10" Fretboard Radius
Nyatoh body
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Tesla VR-2 AlNiCo 5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Tesla VR-2 AlNiCo 5 (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh Tune-o-Matic bridge
Harley Benton C Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Kluson tuners tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton DC-LTD Gotoh

Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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New from $269 >>

8. Fender Squier Sonic Mustang HH

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Fender Squier Sonic Mustang HH

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Playability 80

Sound 67

Build quality 55

Value for money 82

Overall Score 67

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (28 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (4 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (4 votes)

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From Fender Squier's 2023 Sonic series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24"'' scale
9.5" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Maple neck
Indian Laurel fretboard
Bridge pickup: Ceramic Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Ceramic Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle Top-Load Hardtail with Block Saddles bridge
C Shape Bolt-On neck
21 Narrow Tall frets
Die-Cast Sealed tuners
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From Fender Squier's 2023 Sonic series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24"'' scale
9.5" Fretboard Radius
Poplar body
Maple neck
Indian Laurel fretboard
Bridge pickup: Ceramic Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Ceramic Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle Top-Load Hardtail with Block Saddles bridge
C Shape Bolt-On neck
21 Narrow Tall frets
Die-Cast Sealed tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Sonic Mustang HH

Synthetic Bone Nut
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
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 Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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9. Harley Benton TE-69 Hot Rod

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Harley Benton TE-69 Hot Rod

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Playability 72

Sound 74

Build quality 55

Value for money 77

Overall Score 67

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)

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From Harley Benton's 2022 Vintage series
Made in China
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Caramelized Canadian Maple neck
Caramelized Canadian Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell TEK-B AlNiCo-5 Stacked TE Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell THE AlNiCo-5 Vintage TE Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Fixed bridge
C Bolt-On neck
21 Vintage frets
Kluson style tuners
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From Harley Benton's 2022 Vintage series
Made in China
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Caramelized Canadian Maple neck
Caramelized Canadian Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell TEK-B AlNiCo-5 Stacked TE Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell THE AlNiCo-5 Vintage TE Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Fixed bridge
C Bolt-On neck
21 Vintage frets
Kluson style tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton TE-69 Hot Rod

Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in China
No High-Quality Nut
No Neck-Through Build
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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10. Harley Benton DC-Custom

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Harley Benton DC-Custom

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Playability 80

Sound 70

Build quality 52

Value for money 77

Overall Score 67

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (20 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
Made in China
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Jatoba fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 Vintage-Style (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 Vintage-Style (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
DLX Tune-O-Matic bridge
Harley Benton C Set neck
24 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
Made in China
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Jatoba fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 Vintage-Style (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 Vintage-Style (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
DLX Tune-O-Matic bridge
Harley Benton C Set neck
24 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton DC-Custom

Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in China
No High-Quality Nut
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

All Prices