Did you see this video? I did and found it interesting.

https://youtu.be/85SnZueP6eM

My immediate thought is that I would like this same test to be done on Tele style guitars from HB and Squire, to see if there is a difference.

Secondly I think Les Paul style guitars are a bit more complex to build compared to Tele or strat style, so I think it should not be such a problem on those guitars.

Still, it is worrying a bit, because you can tell the quality of the body wood is abysmal, and this guitar honestly seems like garbage material wise... so if I had ideas about getting an HB, i would likely not get it after seeing this video, which is a refreshing take after having seen so many videos praising HB.

Thoughts?

Which video?

Haven't seen the video, but I have tried both the low and high end HB guitars, and the low end are just crap, the high end are better than a Fender Mex or a Squire (IMO).

Dylan Talks Tone

https://youtu.be/85SnZueP6eM

The moisture content he measured after cutting it up was pretty crazy.

After watching the video, I more or less agree, especially when it comes to a beginner guitar - if you're fighting moisture problems and the guitar setup is unpredictable every time you pick it up, you'll lose interest quickly as a beginner, or learn bad technique to compensate. Any beginners I talk to, ill generally steer them towards an epiphone, low end strat / tele (will i be sued by Fender for typing that?) or something used along the ibanez/Washburn vein.

Yes I agree, I usually would recommend an Ibanez too

Sorry forgot to add the link, edited the post

What's a high end HB? The fusion?

After having seen it, I wouldn't put too much stock into it. What really matters is how a guitar sounds, and that video didn't have a lot to say about that at all. The part where he played it sounded like camera audio, so not a basis to judge sound on, really. The pickup thing is interesting, but Thomann will just send you a new guitar for any reason if you send it back iirc.
Materials seem like what you'd expect for a 300€ guitar and don't really affect sound anyway. If you're not in Europe, it's a different story with import fees etc and you should probably get something else.

i tend to agree although the thing he said about the neck not being straight is worrying. but it is true Thomann would have replaced the guitar no problem.

Dylan does have a history of Harley Benton haterade, in general. I agree with comments on the video about moisture testing other high price point guitars to give some legitimacy to that.

When it comes to Harley Benton, especially the cheaper models, I believe it's a bit hit/miss: some instruments had one or more quality issues during the assembly chain, others are crazy in terms of value for money.
I have a TE-62 I bought 4 years ago and never had huge problems in the wood department, except maybe the need to adjust the truss rod a couple times instead of once during seasonal changes.
I also have a JB-20 bass I got second hand and that never had a problem either.
I don't know how much difference there would be with a Squier of the same price level (e.g. the Bullet/Sonic range) as I never owned one, but basing my opinion solely on customer ratings I'd say HB is received slightly better.

sorry for the late reply

yea my thought is, if you buy a squier then a huge chunk of that money goes into marketing and paying the fender C level.
If you get an HB it's probably the best price/quality ratio

one thing tho is the neck. if squier's CV necks are fenderish, then I feel like I'd have to choose them... still making up my mind eheh

one thing tho is the neck. if squier's CV necks are fenderish, then I feel like I'd have to choose them... still making up my mind eheh

Classic Vibes are good guitars, of course they are more expensive than a HB.
If you are looking for something with a vintage neck, may I suggest you to try out a Sire Larry Carlton, if you haven't already? I had a couple of those in my hands and if we talk about value for money they were all excellent.