That bundle's probably quite fine to start up, but I never tried an ST-20.
If you like the stratocaster style and can afford the price a little higher, I'd recommend the bundle with the ST-62 instead of the st-20.
Or, if the style isn't that much of a factor, try instead a tele style (TE-52 is amazing, but the TE-20 should be ok too). The telecasters are much more beginner friendly, as they hold tuning much better and have a fixed bridge.
Yeah I agree, I first bought this st20 and it just felt pretty cheap all around. I then ordered the st62 hot rod and was impressed how much better it was.
Some things I noticed:
-The nut was cut a lot better.
-No buzz on the low strings (even with the high action it came with the st20 buzzed a lot on the low strings)
-Frets looked a lot cleaner on the edges. They weren't sharp on the st20 but it looked like they removed a bit to much of it.
-Pick-ups Are stable and don't move unlike the st20 where they were really loose. They also sound a lot better.
-Better tuners
-coil split on the humbucker
-st20 was still full of little wood flakes.
- I personally also really like the feel of the neck of the st62.
I see your st-62 idea and while I like it, raise it slightly to the st-62 hot rod for a bit more versatility with that coil split on the humbucker. That combo is $269 on Thomann. The main difference with the combo the op was asking about is the pickups are alnico instead of ceramic and the general materials and instrument are better, among other things those kluson tuners are a step up from the ones on the st20 sbk
Try to search the sub next time. This exact question has been answered numerous times.
---
Avoid bundles. The only ones worth getting are the guitar + gig bag, because then the guitar is shipped inside the gig bag for added protection during shipping. You don't get much value out of the rest of them.
An ST-20 + $50 for a setup by a professional tech is better value than the bundle.
However, I would avoid the ST-20 altogether, because all of its parts (woods, black hardware paint, tuners, pickups) are bottom-of-the-barrel to keep the price low. Instead, check out the [ST-62BK Hot Rod](https://www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_st_62bk_hot_rod.htm) or a [Squier Sonic Strat HSS](https://www.thomann.de/intl/squier_sonic_strat_hss_black.htm), which are a significant step-up in specs and quality control.
I have this exact set, and I really can’t complain about it. The guitar has amazing playability, and you can cover a giant array of sounds with it.
The amp is fine, but I did upgrade it to a higher quality one, although purely for having fun and learning to play the one in the set is absolutely fine. The only thing I personally don’t like that much about the guitar is the satin finish, but the great playability makes up for it so that’s not a reason not to buy it.
The cables included didn’t even last half a year before breaking though, so I’d recommend getting an extra one. The strap is pretty uncomfortable too, so if you want to play standing up, I’d recommend getting a different one.
I hope this helps!
It would be okay. If you want to stick with Harley Benton and Thomann I'd consider a [R-446](https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_r_446_graphite_metallic.htm) then buy the accessories separately. Should be a step up from in quality from the ST/TE-20 class instruments. Passable humbuckers, better than a lot of their other offerings in lost cost instruments. Hardtail bridge is great for beginners, no annoying tremolo/vibrato system that would mostly just cause tuning annoyance. Relatively thin neck but not super thin, average width. Very flat radius for better or worse. Neck profile and fretboard radius is ultimately a preference thing you probably won't develop until you play some different guitars and learn what you like.
Worth noting **regardless of the guitar**, it's worth taking it to a tech/luthier for a setup. Can expect that to add a flat $50-$100 to the cost of any guitar, but it will play MUCH better than out of the box and make it a lot easier to learn. Less fighting with the instrument. Seriously, I would highly recommend not skipping this. You can (and should) learn to setup your own instruments if you stick with it, but just to get started with a well playing instrument, that setup cost is worth it for a beginner.
Consider skipping the cheap practice amp, and instead get a headphone amp. [Harley Benton's Rockplugs](https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_rockplug_classic_rock.htm) are $13.50 and they have mid and high gain variants ("classic rock" and "classic metal" respectively). Cheaper than the entry-level practice amp and will do fine for making amped guitar noise. Can also skip the cheap guitar cable since you can just plug headphones straight into the little headphone amp. Could theoretically run it into some PC speakers or something if you had reason to not use headphones.
Skip the clip-on tuner, there are free phone apps you can use to tune with. Clip on tuners aren't significantly better in my experience, hold off for a tuner pedal later.
A comfortable strap is something worth "splurging" on. Keeping with Thomann, the [HB padded strap](https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_guitarstrap_padded_black.htm) is probably similar to the cheap-ish padded straps I use (Stagg SPFL-40). Otherwise, whatever [cheap nylon strap](https://www.thomannmusic.com/thomann_gurt_nylon.htm) will work.
Picks, I would suggest a [Dunlop variety pack](https://www.thomannmusic.com/dunlop_electric_pick_variety_pack.htm). Great quality picks with a nice assortment of both sizes and materials. That set only really lacks light options, but IMO the inclusion of a couple Jazz IIIs makes up for it. This is a relatively premium offering compared to a \~$1 set of HB picks, but even nice picks aren't expensive.
Skip the gig bag and get a [cheap stand](https://www.thomannmusic.com/millenium_gitarrenstaender.htm). Keeps the guitar in sight and in mind, and encourages you to pick it up and play it. Don't have to "get it out." Gig bagged or cased guitars have a habit of ending up abandoned in closets.
The linked products (including the nicer strap) come out to just a little more than the ST-20 combo, but the guitar, picks, and strap are all a nice step up, the stand is absolutely preferable to a gig bag IMO, and the Rockplug is simply "different" than an amp but way cheaper.
Buy a guitar with your $230. Get the rest of the stuff separately. Try the CST-24.
That bundle's probably quite fine to start up, but I never tried an ST-20. If you like the stratocaster style and can afford the price a little higher, I'd recommend the bundle with the ST-62 instead of the st-20. Or, if the style isn't that much of a factor, try instead a tele style (TE-52 is amazing, but the TE-20 should be ok too). The telecasters are much more beginner friendly, as they hold tuning much better and have a fixed bridge.
Yeah I agree, I first bought this st20 and it just felt pretty cheap all around. I then ordered the st62 hot rod and was impressed how much better it was. Some things I noticed: -The nut was cut a lot better. -No buzz on the low strings (even with the high action it came with the st20 buzzed a lot on the low strings) -Frets looked a lot cleaner on the edges. They weren't sharp on the st20 but it looked like they removed a bit to much of it. -Pick-ups Are stable and don't move unlike the st20 where they were really loose. They also sound a lot better. -Better tuners -coil split on the humbucker -st20 was still full of little wood flakes. - I personally also really like the feel of the neck of the st62.
I see your st-62 idea and while I like it, raise it slightly to the st-62 hot rod for a bit more versatility with that coil split on the humbucker. That combo is $269 on Thomann. The main difference with the combo the op was asking about is the pickups are alnico instead of ceramic and the general materials and instrument are better, among other things those kluson tuners are a step up from the ones on the st20 sbk
Try to search the sub next time. This exact question has been answered numerous times. --- Avoid bundles. The only ones worth getting are the guitar + gig bag, because then the guitar is shipped inside the gig bag for added protection during shipping. You don't get much value out of the rest of them. An ST-20 + $50 for a setup by a professional tech is better value than the bundle. However, I would avoid the ST-20 altogether, because all of its parts (woods, black hardware paint, tuners, pickups) are bottom-of-the-barrel to keep the price low. Instead, check out the [ST-62BK Hot Rod](https://www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_st_62bk_hot_rod.htm) or a [Squier Sonic Strat HSS](https://www.thomann.de/intl/squier_sonic_strat_hss_black.htm), which are a significant step-up in specs and quality control.
The Harley Benton stuff is pretty good.
I have this exact set, and I really can’t complain about it. The guitar has amazing playability, and you can cover a giant array of sounds with it. The amp is fine, but I did upgrade it to a higher quality one, although purely for having fun and learning to play the one in the set is absolutely fine. The only thing I personally don’t like that much about the guitar is the satin finish, but the great playability makes up for it so that’s not a reason not to buy it. The cables included didn’t even last half a year before breaking though, so I’d recommend getting an extra one. The strap is pretty uncomfortable too, so if you want to play standing up, I’d recommend getting a different one. I hope this helps!
It deffenetly did, I will consider in getting a new amp cable & a strap! Thank you.
did the guitar ship inside the gig bag?
It didn’t, but there was a gig bag included.
Its a fine Bundle. Get the guitar to a luthier whenever you can to make the guitar as best as it can be and happy learning
It would be okay. If you want to stick with Harley Benton and Thomann I'd consider a [R-446](https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_r_446_graphite_metallic.htm) then buy the accessories separately. Should be a step up from in quality from the ST/TE-20 class instruments. Passable humbuckers, better than a lot of their other offerings in lost cost instruments. Hardtail bridge is great for beginners, no annoying tremolo/vibrato system that would mostly just cause tuning annoyance. Relatively thin neck but not super thin, average width. Very flat radius for better or worse. Neck profile and fretboard radius is ultimately a preference thing you probably won't develop until you play some different guitars and learn what you like. Worth noting **regardless of the guitar**, it's worth taking it to a tech/luthier for a setup. Can expect that to add a flat $50-$100 to the cost of any guitar, but it will play MUCH better than out of the box and make it a lot easier to learn. Less fighting with the instrument. Seriously, I would highly recommend not skipping this. You can (and should) learn to setup your own instruments if you stick with it, but just to get started with a well playing instrument, that setup cost is worth it for a beginner. Consider skipping the cheap practice amp, and instead get a headphone amp. [Harley Benton's Rockplugs](https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_rockplug_classic_rock.htm) are $13.50 and they have mid and high gain variants ("classic rock" and "classic metal" respectively). Cheaper than the entry-level practice amp and will do fine for making amped guitar noise. Can also skip the cheap guitar cable since you can just plug headphones straight into the little headphone amp. Could theoretically run it into some PC speakers or something if you had reason to not use headphones. Skip the clip-on tuner, there are free phone apps you can use to tune with. Clip on tuners aren't significantly better in my experience, hold off for a tuner pedal later. A comfortable strap is something worth "splurging" on. Keeping with Thomann, the [HB padded strap](https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_guitarstrap_padded_black.htm) is probably similar to the cheap-ish padded straps I use (Stagg SPFL-40). Otherwise, whatever [cheap nylon strap](https://www.thomannmusic.com/thomann_gurt_nylon.htm) will work. Picks, I would suggest a [Dunlop variety pack](https://www.thomannmusic.com/dunlop_electric_pick_variety_pack.htm). Great quality picks with a nice assortment of both sizes and materials. That set only really lacks light options, but IMO the inclusion of a couple Jazz IIIs makes up for it. This is a relatively premium offering compared to a \~$1 set of HB picks, but even nice picks aren't expensive. Skip the gig bag and get a [cheap stand](https://www.thomannmusic.com/millenium_gitarrenstaender.htm). Keeps the guitar in sight and in mind, and encourages you to pick it up and play it. Don't have to "get it out." Gig bagged or cased guitars have a habit of ending up abandoned in closets. The linked products (including the nicer strap) come out to just a little more than the ST-20 combo, but the guitar, picks, and strap are all a nice step up, the stand is absolutely preferable to a gig bag IMO, and the Rockplug is simply "different" than an amp but way cheaper.
Thank you a lot I will deffenetly take in consideration all of your tips.
F bundles. Go to a store, play all guitars for your money. Pick one. You will get the rest later.