The TE-52 NA Vintage Series – A Versatile Workhorse

Barebones Construction

The body is crafted from American ash with a bolt-on caramelised Canadian maple neck that features a caramelised maple fingerboard, a tried and tested formula that has worked for decades. The neck has a modern double-action truss rod and 21 medium jumbo frets, with a C-shape profile that’s comfortable to play, whether it’s forming chords or soloing.

Pickups and Electronics

Onboard are two Roswell TEA Alnico-5 single-coil pickups in the neck and bridge positions that power the TE-52’s distinctly twangy sound. The bridge pickup has a bright, clean tone that, when driven, gets real gritty real quick, while the neck pickup sweetens up for smooth, glassy tones. You get a single volume and tone control, and a pickup selector to choose between the pickups. It’s a simple, utilitarian approach, which is what makes this such a beloved instrument.

No-frills Design

The bridge pickup sits on the chrome assembly plate with brass intonation saddles and a string-through design, with the strings going in through the back of the body. The strings reach a graphite nut at the top, adding sustain and resonance. No fancy tremolos or locking parts, no extra buttons. All you need to do is plug in and focus on the music.

Unlimited Versatility

It’s a design concept that has proven to be versatile and reliable, which is why the TE-52 NA is favoured by players whose styles range from country, blues, jazz, and pop, to rock, funk, and even metal. The fact that so many different types of guitarists pick it up is a testament to its versatility, in spite of its stripped-down vibe. Or maybe because of it.

Check out the Harley Benton TE-52 NA below: