A real Gibson Les Paul positive is good…however you gotta admit that how a lot they value often isn’t. That alone is the rationale why there are a good quantity of ‘value efficient’ Les Paul copies out within the area. It’s one of the crucial imitated guitar designs ever and, as with most issues, the standard and reliability of a few of these fashions may be all over.

If you happen to’re searching for a very good Les Paul reproduction that’s actually a stable instrument, however with out the highest shelf worth, then the Harley Benton SC-550 often is the proper guitar so that you can try. Harley Benton have been making a reputation for themselves in the previous couple of years with some stable guitars at head turning costs, and true to type the SC-550 actually is a good guitar for the cash.

So, what’s the take care of the SC-550, and what might make it a more sensible choice than the standard Epiphone copy that the majority gamers on a funds would decide? Nicely, that’s what we’re right here to do! Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at what this midrange Harley Benton guitar can provide, and also you simply would possibly discover there’s no cause why you shouldn’t snap this one up in your private guitar arsenal.

Who is that this guitar for?

The Harley Benton SC-550 is for the newbie or extra seasoned participant who likes the Les Paul form however doesn’t wish to spend $400+ on an Epiphone.

After all the SC-550 is not going to examine to the Epiphone’s huge brother, however on this worth vary it will probably very a lot maintain it’s personal, even whenever you think about the price to ship from Europe to the US (for instance).

How does it examine to different Harley Benton guitars?

It’s no secret that Harley Benton is aware of find out how to make high quality guitars at a budget-friendly worth, and because the SC-550 falls someplace within the ‘midrange’ of their single-cut line, you may anticipate respectable high quality.

This funds Les Paul is a step up from the SC-450Plus and the SC-500, and completely falls in keeping with their SC-1000 fashions, that are thought-about the ‘prime of the road’ Single-Cuts Harley Benton makes.

Look, Supplies, {Hardware} and Playability

The one factor everybody first notices concerning the Harley Benton vary is that they appear killer – however do additionally they arise for supplies and playability? Let’s have a look.

Look

This guitar is elegant, and it doesn’t cover it. The SC-500 is available in a wide selection of finishes: Light Tobacco Flame, Paradise Amber Flame, Desert Flame Burst, Black Cherry Flame, and the immensely in style Silverburst.

The flame is sadly not actual woodgrain, however picture-wood, which is about what you’ll anticipate for a guitar on this worth vary. The ‘fake-grain’ nonetheless appears completely gorgeous, and also you wouldn’t realize it’s not actual until you get shut, so there’s not a lot to complain about.

It’s crucial {that a} guitar appears good, as a result of it’ll make you wish to play it. Particularly for learners, that additional little little bit of motivation could be a essential think about if somebody will proceed enjoying for years and years.

Physique and Neck Supplies

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All SC-550’s include a stable weight-reduced Mahogany physique, and a set mahogany neck. The fretboards are all Roasted Jatoba, which is a good different to rosewood. Mahogany is thought for having plenty of maintain and ‘physique’ (pun meant), and it’s what a number of costly guitars are made out of, so it’s very nice to see it with these.

Fortunately in your shoulders and again, the mahogany has been weight-reduced to resolve an issue plenty of individuals have with Les Pauls – the load. Harley Benton aren’t simply copying what Gibson does, they’re bettering on the traditional design, which is a daring, however respectable selection. The guitar additionally include a pleasant clean binding that goes throughout, which is snug and eye catching.

The neck is predicated on the snug 60s slim taper neck. It’s acquired a cushty “D” form which inserts most palms properly. These necks are nice for when you have got bigger palms, however nonetheless very snug for the guitarist with smaller palms. It’s undoubtedly not Ibanez-thin but additionally not too thick, excellent for many gamers.

The radius is comparatively spherical, at 350mm (14”), however not so spherical as to compromise enjoying velocity.

The size size is 628mm (24.75”), which is the usual Gibson scale size. If you happen to’re used to enjoying longer (Fender-style) scale-lengths you would possibly wish to play with heavier strings to compensate for the string-tension.

Having a very good physique and neck is necessary because it’s one the few issues you may’t change on a number of guitars.

{Hardware} and Electronics

Because the SC550 is a mid-range mannequin, it comes with Wilkinson DLX {hardware}, which is a step-up from the usual Harley Benton {hardware}. It additionally incorporates a Tune-o-Matic fashion bridge for good string pressure, a bone nut, and vintage-style tuners. All very spectacular for the value – particularly the nut, because it’s common for higher-end guitars to return with dangerous plastic nuts. Props to Harley Benton for not forgetting this piece within the puzzle.

The guitar is supplied with two Roswell LAF- AlNiCo-5 humbuckers. These medium output vintage-style pickups are good for that traditional overdrive tone of the ’60s. These pickups include AlNiCo magnets, which add brightness and readability to an already punchy pickup. They’re extremely versatile, a lot so {that a} steel guitarist can have little drawback getting them to chug.

The pots are Harley Benton’s personal 250K pots. There are two separate tone and quantity controls for the pickups, so you may set them to your liking. The pickup selector is the usual 3-way swap you see on virtually all Les Pauls, positioned on the prime of the physique, subsequent to the neck.

Sound and Really feel

Beginning with really feel, in case you occur to choose this up at a retailer, you’ll discover it’s a bit lighter than different Single-Cuts, as I already said earlier than. That is carried out to adjust to the needs of people who find themselves postpone by Les Pauls due to the load. Sitting down with these is unquestionably much less snug than a Stratocaster for instance. The guitar doesn’t have a belly-cut, so it will probably get fairly uncomfortable after some time. It is a frequent criticism of Les Pauls, and it’s a disgrace Harley Benton didn’t take this into consideration.

As for the sound, it’s really fairly spectacular. The SC-550 is extremely versatile and simply outperforms different guitars on this worth vary. The Roswell pickups are very balanced and comparatively clear. I might say they’re nearer to Gibson pickups than they’re to Seymour Duncans, to present you an concept of the sound. They’re perhaps a tad muddy, so reducing the bass knob in your amp and boosting the treble will in all probability be a good suggestion. I wouldn’t decide them over a set of SD’s, however for the value, you’re getting a very killer set of pickups.

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It comes loaded with D’Addario EXL 10-46 strings. As a result of ‘brief’ scale size, these strings would possibly really feel a bit floppy to some, but it surely’s good that they arrive with high quality strings to be able to begin enjoying instantly. Having respectable high quality {hardware} and electronics is essential at this worth level as a result of upgrading all of it will value greater than the guitar itself.

Harley Benton Q&A

As an up and coming model, everybody has questions on Harley Benton guitars. Listed here are a few of the extra frequent ones.

Why are Harley Benton guitars so low-cost?

The overwhelming majority of guitars which might be available for purchase have a number of layers between the manufacturing unit and the client, all of whom should receives a commission. Nevertheless, Harley Benton guitars are owned, distributed and offered by Thomann, so there are not any additional events who’s prices and income need to be constructed into the general worth. This implies they can provide you much more guitar for the cash, and why a $250 Thomann is equal if not higher high quality than a $400 guitar of every other model.

How a lot does it value to ship a Harley Benton guitar to the US?

On the time of writing, delivery from Thomann was round $70 for only one guitar.

How lengthy does it take to ship a Harley Benton guitar to the US?

On the time of writing, Thomann estimated it could take three days to ship a guitar to the US utilizing UPS specific.

The place are Harley Benton guitars made?

Whereas most main producers construct their guitars in a single single manufacturing unit, Harley Benton’s guitars are made in about 20 completely different factories in Indonesia, Vietnam and China.

Who owns Harley Benton?

Harley Benton is the home model of Musikhaus Thomann, one of many largest music retailers in Europe.

Do Harley Benton make something apart from guitars?

The complete Harley Benton line extends far past guitars and basses, into amps and cabs, banjos, harmonicas, violas, violins, and lots of different devices.

Does Harley Benton make any excessive finish instrument?

Harley Benton’s product line is aimed squarely at inexpensive devices for the newbie and intermediate guitarist. Whereas their higher vary devices are of surprisingly top quality for the value, they don’t on the time of writing make any excessive finish guitars.

Different Guitars to think about

The Harley Benton’s primary qualities are the ‘bang-for-the-buck’ issue, the flexibility, and the traditional vibe. Listed here are another guitars that supply the identical options in a Les Paul form.

Epiphone Les Paul Studio

The SC-550 is modeled on a Gibson Les Paul, so the pure place to search for an alternate is Epiphone, Gibson’s extra inexpensive vary of guitars.

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Epiphone dominate the marketplace for Les Paul fashion guitars on this worth vary, and it’s simple to see why. In feel and appear they match their dearer counterparts nearly precisely, and with the newer 2020 ranges, they’ve a number of upgraded elements that make them a really enticing proposition.

One other different main think about Epiphone’s favor is that they have an inclination to have a lot tighter high quality management – whereas Harley Benton’s QC has come alongside within the final yr or so, many complain about points with fret sprout or crackly pickups out of the field, whereas Epiphone don’t are inclined to have this iss.

Lastly, if you need a guitar from Thomann, it’s a must to order it from abroad with out the chance to strive it first, whereas each guitar retailer in America has just a few Epiphones in inventory. This additionally cuts each methods – in case your HB has a difficulty, you’ll need to pay to ship it again.

The one draw back is that you’ll pay considerably extra for an Epiphone Les Paul than you’ll a Harley Benton SC-550, making the Les Paul Studio a superb choice.

Whereas it’s nonetheless slightly dearer than the HB SC-550, you’re getting a ton of guitar in your cash, with unbelievable {hardware}, electronics, and playability, however with a few of the appears dialed again, leaving you with solely what issues – that Les Paul growl.

Try our full evaluate right here.

Harley Benton CST-24

For one thing slightly completely different, we suggest taking a peek on the Harley Benton CST-24. These guitars have a really related structure to the SC-550, however are extra oriented to the fashionable participant. It’s in the identical worth vary, however may be higher for some gamers.

The CST is predicated on the traditional PRS format (you may try our evaluate of the PRS SE Normal right here) and may be very a lot a jack of all trades in that vein. The pickups on this guitar present a fats and creamy tone, whereas being effectively in a position to deal with as a lot achieve as you may throw at them. Additionally they clear up very effectively, and the addition of coil tapping to this guitar means you have got only a barrel load of tonal choices.

The CST has a mahogony neck and physique, flamed maple arch prime with a set neck, 24 fret C neck with Jatoba fretboard and pearloid dot inlays. It has a 25 inch scale size, graphite nut and DLX {hardware}. The guitar additionally comes with a tremolo bridge because the CST-24T, and in each configurations is on the market in a wide selection of eye catching finishes.

Why select this over the SC-550? If you would like one thing slightly extra versatile, particularly with coil tapping, the CST is your man.

Abstract and Conclusion

Some necessary factors of the Harley Benton SC-550.

• True to the traditional design, however with it’s personal twist.
• Many end choices so each participant can discover one thing they like
• Unbelievable versatility
• Good high quality {hardware} and electronics
• Unbelievable worth for cash
• Extra snug than a Gibson, much less snug than different guitars.

It’s very simple to neglect that it is a $250 guitar, and that’s what Harley Benton is known for. This guitar, together with a lot of the HB catalogue, is a must-try for any guitarist searching for an amazing guitar for little cash.