Harley Benton Speedy String Winder Review: A Budget-Friendly Tuning Tool?

Are you looking for an affordable and efficient way to change your guitar strings? The Harley Benton Speedy String Winder might be the answer. This budget-friendly tuning tool, priced at just three dollars, offers surprising performance for its incredibly low cost. This review delves into the Speedy String Winder's features, ease of use, and overall effectiveness, exploring whether it lives up to its name and provides a worthwhile experience for guitarists on a budget. We'll examine its build quality, battery life, and the functionality of its included accessories to determine if it's a worthy addition to your guitar maintenance kit.From its initial unboxing to extended use, we'll assess the Speedy String Winder's strengths and weaknesses. We'll explore the comfort of its grip, the efficiency of its winding mechanism, and the practicality of the included wire cutters. Ultimately, this review will help you decide if the Harley Benton Speedy String Winder offers a satisfactory balance of performance and affordability, or if its budget-friendly nature compromises essential features. Read on to discover our comprehensive verdict.

Read more: String Winder Shootout: Daddario, Dunlop, & Music Nomad Compared

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The Harley Benton Speedy String Winder arrived in simple packaging, costing only three bucks. While inexpensive, this immediately raised concerns about its long-term durability. Initial inspection revealed a compact, lightweight design, promising ease of use. The included USB charging cable was a nice touch, indicating a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Close-up of the Harley Benton Speedy String Winder packaging and price.
Close-up of the Harley Benton Speedy String Winder packaging and price.
The string winder showing the USB charging port.
The string winder showing the USB charging port.

Performance and Usability

The string winder proved surprisingly effective at changing the tuning of my guitar strings. The grip was comfortable and secure. However, the included small wire cutters are a significant weak point. They're fiddly to use, especially for trimming string ends neatly, and struggle with thicker strings. The overall performance of the winder itself is good, though.

The user demonstrating the comfortable grip of the string winder.
The user demonstrating the comfortable grip of the string winder.
The small wire cutters included with the string winder.
The small wire cutters included with the string winder.

Features and Accessories

This string winder boasts a versatile design, able to handle both electric and acoustic guitar strings. The ability to remove the winding points for acoustic guitars is a noteworthy feature. The inclusion of a rechargeable battery is a big plus, eliminating the need for constant battery replacements. The USB charging cable is a convenient addition.

The packaging showing the compatibility with acoustic and electric guitars.
The packaging showing the compatibility with acoustic and electric guitars.
Close-up shot of the string winder in use
Close-up shot of the string winder in use

Final Verdict

The Harley Benton Speedy String Winder offers surprisingly good performance considering its low price. The comfortable grip and rechargeable battery are definite highlights. However, the included wire cutters are a significant drawback, making it less convenient for trimming string ends. Overall, it's a decent budget-friendly option, especially for those who already have a suitable pair of wire cutters. I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

The reviewer giving their final rating of the product.
The reviewer giving their final rating of the product.