Sounds good - and it’s a relief to hear someone go straight to the clean tones; you can always screw up a good sound - but a distorted/fuzzed sound tells you absolutely nothing about what you can get out of a given guitar!
I just got the sc 200 student sg..perfect specimen. I just never like the clean tones on all the bentons ive tried. But for metal it sounds really good. 99 euros. No defects..frets great. Tuners. Bridge. Neck..all great. Just that clean tone has something I dont like. Kind of aneamic and stale..no character. Looks amazing though
I loved the clear articulation of those pickups. Unfortunately I don't believe you told us exactly which of the several HB single cut models this is, and I can't find the unboxing video you mentioned.
And this video, my dear friends, is the last nail in the coffin of the myth that guitars created using modern manufacturing methods in Indonesia would somehow be vastly inferior than the vintage instruments made by hand mid 20 th century: A very well respected musician, who has access to the best of the best in terms of instruments gives his honest opinion and his reaction is : "I bought another one" . As my old mother used to say :"I don't think I have to draw a schematic to explain it to you, you get it like that"
Well, as a a kitchen can be done the same way, it's all in the finishing, and I agree wholeheartedly that you don't need to spend 2K unless you want a name to collect that 'used' to be the best.
@@Codzilla71 ...interesting - thanks for the response. I'm more about function (does it make the sound I like) vs. form (does it look nice or make me feel good). I have a couple of very ugly guitars that don't necessarily make me "feel good" that make amazing sounds when I want them to. LOL!!
I don’t know much about guitars but I sure am glad I caught your show in Santa Clarita in December. All three of you (guitarist) sounded so great together. Beautiful to watch a band like TIF who compliment each others’ style and leave room for each of your playing to shine through. With Lee and Russ, it must be a musician’s dream to play in that band. BTW, I recently listened to TIF’s official vid of New York Minute a few times through. What a great job you did singing that tune.
Snap. I've got the HB P90 gold top too and it's great, plus a P-bass, fretless J-bass and a PRS-'inspired' 6-string, all fantastic instruments. (Kent England)
I ordered one a month ago it gets here Thursday ( they were out of stock at the time). What condition did yours come in? Im trying to figure out what to expect.
The pickup toggle switch was very wobbly, the problem was that the cotter pin that holds it in place I was too small. I managed to open it up with two small screwdrivers and reinsert it. Problem solved. The only other issue was the action was a bit high for my liking so I dropped the bridge and filed a small amount off the bottom of the nut. It is now really easy to play with no
Very cool, honest an believable. I agree about straight to gain...were is the cleans. Thanks for your straight shooting video. I know you have mucho experience and are hanging out with the big boys who are still running hard. Subbed! Peace and Maximum Respect to all of you.
About a year ago I got a Black strat w/ Rosewood fingerboard - caramelized maple neck ,and a generic Hotrail in the bridge (HotRod model ). and a Les Paul Style. Gold/ Copper Top LP. for $310. delivered to USA. The Shipping was 60 bucks then ( now 90 ) 120. + 130. + 60. I Like that I got 2 Solid Guitars for 310. The LP needed Frets filed and smoothed out. Not a Big Issue. The Black Strat and LP Look And Feel Good but the finish on the budget LP is Funky Flat not gloss and a Gold/ Copper . I have some polishing compound I will use to. Buff the finish and because it was so inexpensive I could Paint it Gibson Gold If I wanted . It will need a set of 28 dollar. music Lilly tuners as well.
REALLY fun demo. I was able to pick up a LP Harley Benton at Guitar Center a number of years ago used for $175. Haven't seen one since. Thanks for sharing your new guitar with us.
I bought myself a HB Les Paul Deluxe Edition about 5 years ago, I love it. I have a little luthering kit and I used this to smooth two small blemishes on one of the frets,Everyone who plays the guitar is really surprised by how well it plays, Its only real issue is its weight. At over 9 lbs its heavy but still I love it a great guitar.
Very nice demo and you are so right about demo's where they only show a fuzzy or distorted sound or something like that. You can't judge a guitar if you don't hear the clean sounds. I have 2 HB's a telecaster with a pair fender TEX MEX pickups and LP goldtop with ceramic P90's but they sound good 🎸👍😃
Got the HB Gold Top with P90s arriving this week! Despite only being £129.00, I am looking forward to its arrival more than any other guitar I can remember. I got the TE-20 Tele a while back, put Tonerider Hot Classics in them, and I love it. Also got the ST-20 with Tonerider Classic Blues p/ups (my ST-20 was HSS, but I changed to SSS). But I'm not sure he was being fair to have a go at other reviewers - every review I've seen since I restarted my hobby about 3 years ago seems to begin with pure tones and then adds gain and effects. He does it himself in this review! (He's a real musician first, UA-camr second - I certainly don't want to sound dismissive. But he's being a reviewer here). ;-)
I have a conpany that builds guitars. I personally specialize in the pickups of the guitar. Maybe I could get some gear in your hands to use? I am looking for some muscians to help out.
watched the review on this Harley model. was very refreshing to see an honest opinion. Without a bunch of accessories. I wish that more people on UA-cam who did reviews on guitars, used the same method for the reviews. Much much more honest opinion and much better way to hear the true sound. a big thumbs up
I purchased the HB sc550 Deluxe about 18 months ago. I too had a fret job done along with replacement locking tuners and bridge. From soup to nuts it cost $250 to upgrade the guitar. The purchase price was around $260 . So I'm in for $510. Way less then the Gibson and sounds fantastic. The pickups always suprise me when the volume is up. Sounds great
I’ve got 2 now the first one was an SC with a Floyd Rose, it needed a fret job too but then it felt amazing my second was there fusion style, with a humbucker at the bridge and a p90 in the neck. At the price they are hard to pass up. Congratulations Sir that’s a beautiful red top.
Thanks for your review, it was inspiring! I'm considering a P90 TE-style from HB..🎸 I like that you got your friend "The Bill Asher"??? to do a little work on the frets! It sounds like he did a great job!💜☮🕊
I like your style. And agree wholeheartedly with the high gain reviews we find so often. Harley Bentons are interesting guitars. I have a EX-76 Classic in natural finish and it's a amazing sounding guitar. I was shocked how good it sounds compared to expensive guitars. The only gripe is for lefties: they wire the controls reversed which makes the tone put useless - acts more like a on/off switch with log pots - easy fix, just resolder the wires swapping the lugs. A lot of lefty guitars have this problem, even expensive Fenders.
Thank you so much for playing the clean sound. I quit listening to a guitar review if there are pedals on. Can't hear the guitar. Of course adding effects is great but not when comparing true sound
Thanks Steve … I bought a 150 $ Harley Benton LP years ago . Spent another 250 $ on parts and did my own fret job with EVO frets and all the upgrades too and the result was a awesome sounding and playing LP style guitar I could gig with or anything else for a fraction of the cost of a name brand ! Well worth the time and little expense for such a great guitar IMHO … rock on brother 😎👍
I have 4 HB guitars, my favourite one Is the SC DLX Gotoh Blue Pelham. Simply perfect out of the box. Unfortunately people often prefer looking to the big name on the headstock than listening with thei ears :-)
That's correct but never tried harley benton main guitar I use is blade guitars and all the big names 1973 les paul deluxe wished I had kept your right its not whots on head stock its how well it plays and sounds not like years ago some great guitars about now for the money
@@raymondvaughan6262 I mean, I don't have any top brand guitar and I'm sure they are often (not always) really good and one can be really proud of having one or more, but often big brands owners minimize good features on these new guitars, without having ever played them.
Very timely to see this. I also have never owned a LP and have been looking for the sound rather than shape and colour. HB seems to be where I need to be.
Even though I love a good 80's distortion, driven amp, or djenty sound, all you have to do really is play though a nice clean sound to know if the instrument is going to play well or not. The rest is up to processing and pickups.
Hi i started a beatles copy band age12 in 1976 with twisted hands that didant even open (on bass) a shergold masquerader (70"s) has been enough all my life,but since money is losing its value i bought all the guiitars i need for that sound that is hard to get,,Taylor 214 quited maple,amazing-fender stratocaster deluxe 2009-shergold masquerader 1980 custom-gibson les paul studio gold hardware,ebony frets-hofner violin bass pot code 393 so put together in 63,sold by 64-few others to burn out on a dayly warm up
Bought a HB LP for 120$ got it in a few weeks. Took it to guitar 🎸 center. Paid for new bone nut. Locking tuners fret job new strings n set up. Best playing sounding LP I own. All for around $350
Never owned a Gibson. I have a few very nice guitars. My Hamer Standard that I bought new in 1980 when i was actually shopping for a Gibson takes care of the double humbucker stuff. that Hamer standard was cheaper than a comparable Gibson. So I bought it. I first statred with their Sunburst model that was only 600 bucks in 79. It's pretty much a DC les paul. When I saw the new standard in and it was beautiful, handcrafted in the USA explorer copy it stol my heart and my hands. Plays like butter. that guitar now is worth at least 7 K and could in the lower 5 digits.
I have 5 HB's right now, I'm sure I'll be getting more.. This Cherry 550 has been on my radar for awhile, I just keep putting it off, cause I find something else I want in the moment and buy it and forget about ordering this.. Gotta just get it. I have the 550 plus that comes w/ EMG Rectroactive pups which I love. And it comes w/ locking tuners which is really nice. It came out of the box perfect. No sharp frets, nothing wrong at all. I have a couple real Les Pauls and I still love playing that 550 more.
Steve we always need just ONE more guitar, haha. I have 2 Benton's and ONE more on the way. No LP style HBs for me yet, but those new tesla pickups sound better than any others I've heard. I wonder if Elon Musk knows they call them tesla or if he is part of the branding. Nice guitar. Nice color. My newest one on the way is also trans red. I've brought many budget friendly guitars and have learned to do all the work myself. I make them better at the end.
I may have to pick one up, though I do not like C necks. More a a thin D neck person that grew up playing wizard necks from Ibanez, but I find most of the modern ones in my price range lacking, that range sits right at a Harley Benton. Wish they made alternate necks for some models.
For the majority of us without luthier friends, its too expensive to get a fret job and start changing pups and or tuners because then youre in the price range of a used Gibson LP Tribute or the LP Studio which are definately more sought after. That being said Hb makes very nice budget guitars! Thanks for sharing!
You should learn how to do those things yourself. It's really not that hard to do. I watched a luthier work on one of my first guitars 30 years ago and thought "hell, I can do that". And, every repair, modification, upgrade I've ever done on any other guitar since then has been all me. And, there are tons of videos on youtube and/or books that will show you exactly how to do what you want. I have the same guitar in this video and got it with the intention of putting higher output pups in it. It took me an hour to swap them out, and now it's a smoking hot guitar - and the total price for the guitar and the pups (which you can get used on reverb, if you like) was around $500. I'd put it up against any Gibson Les Paul.
@@Lola_Santoro I do some adjustments/repairs myself on used guitars I buy but when it comes to jobs that require more time, like fret jobs I kust wont buy the guitar, Ide rather leave that to the pros and spend the time riding my bike!
I didnt experience much fret sprout on my HBs (true - one was fretless :-)) - I reckon parts of the US have far different humidity to UK, which must be similar to China?
Perhaps no accident it's consistently gauged against the Les Paul, not other brands. It is pro and collector. Lines the so-called "affordable" with a gold plate, and claims its own. It even sounds better, at one of the positions. Brand, Project, Mgrs - or whoever inspired it - and associated staff, deserve at least a custom name for this edition.
I am not a guitarist. And, most likely, you’ll get a big laugh here. I play ukulele, sort of. My first was a Mele spprano. Nice. Lessons from wonderful John Zender at McCabes. He was in Hawaii and brought back an expensive Kamaka concert for me, to be put on layaway What a treasure he was, as well as my Kamaka. As time went on, I bought a Vietnamese soprano from Bruce Wei, only because it had an Irish symbol sound hole. Took it to Ireland 🇮🇪 for a uke festival. I gave it away because the neck was too heavy. This was in 2013. Years later I chanced to find him again on eBay. He had a beautiful soprano pocket uke that I thought would be great for the beach, and I didn’t mind that it might get spoiled by humidity and some grains of sand now and then. I was so suprised at the beauty of this little instrument, and a big plus--it had the sweetest sound and tone. Now come to another concert uke, I bought from him again. A sea turtle sound hole in abalone, plus abalone mermaid inlaid on the fretboard. Again, craftsmenship and sound absolutely beautiful. My grandson has now taken over it. So, just an example for folks out there who do not want to try an Asian built instrument, please try one out. My latest purchases are a bit pricey but so well worth it. Thanks, Steve, for this video.
Those new Tesla pickups must really be OK. I can pretty much guarantee that had that guitar had their previous _Roswell LAF_ humbuckers you would have wanted to replace them as I did on my two Harley Bentons that had them.
One of the biggest reasons I bought a Harley Benton guitar was because I used to work at music shops and know the actual prices of guitars that are sold for outrageously high prices. The mark up, once it gets to the consumer, is close to 150 - 200%. We've seen guitar prices skyrocket because people are too dumb to know guitars aren't really worth that much. But, honest youtubers reviewing Harley Benton are doing good work. If anything, Harley Benton guitars are a great option for anyone wanting to learn how to work on guitars, because of the price, you can swap out parts for higher end parts, and still have a great guitar that was much cheaper than a bigger name guitar. Plus, HB guitars look great!! They're beautiful! I now have 8 Harley Benton guitars and none of them had any kind of serious problem when I got them. In fact, only 2 of them had issues I NEEDED to fix, but those were minor things you'd expect - and problems I've had on other guitars from to companies (PRS, Music Man). I love to modify my guitars - use the pickups I love, so several of my HBs now have Dimarzio pickups. Some of the "more expensive" HB guitars come w/nice pups in them. I have 2 HB acoustic guitars. One of them, I do need to work on the frets. But, both of those were under $100 ea and I'm not surprised they're not really good, but they're decent enough that I'd recommend them to someone just starting out. One of these days, I'll buy a "nicer" HB acoustic guitar.
The thing that blows my mind about HB guitars is not how good they are compared to, say, Gibson. It's how good they are compared to the types of budget/beginner guitars I had when I started. Things like Harmony and my old Peavey. I paid 300 for my peavey in high school and it SUCKED. These are miles ahead for essentially even cheaper. A model for 220 plus the 80 shipping would make that old Peavey look like a ripoff toy.
Says he doesn't like guitar vids where they talk too much before playing the damn thing and proceeds to for over 6 minutes before we hear a note? So what exactly is this model, you don't seem to know Steve?
With everybody and his brother making cheap knock-offs of Fender and Gibson guitars, it's amazing those two companies have stayed in business. Gibson sells imported Les Paul style guitars with the Epiphone brand. One important question left unanswered: Is this a comparable or better guitar than an Epiphone Les Paul? When buying a mass produced guitar on line you are giving much of the right and rite of selection to some guy in a warehouse. Most of the time, you choose the guitar based on a picture and a written description, maybe a few audio samples and videos reviews by people you don't know. You order it and a few days later someone dumps the guitar in a box on your doorstep. It's all very impersonal. If the guitar is unacceptable you may have to pay shipping to return it or sell yourself at a loss. On the other hand, even when you visit a well stocked guitar store, selection will be limited to whatever's on hand. You will probably pay more. Hard to win this game of buying guitars.
Sounds good - and it’s a relief to hear someone go straight to the clean tones; you can always screw up a good sound - but a distorted/fuzzed sound tells you absolutely nothing about what you can get out of a given guitar!
I just got the sc 200 student sg..perfect specimen. I just never like the clean tones on all the bentons ive tried. But for metal it sounds really good. 99 euros. No defects..frets great. Tuners. Bridge. Neck..all great. Just that clean tone has something I dont like. Kind of aneamic and stale..no character. Looks amazing though
I loved the clear articulation of those pickups. Unfortunately I don't believe you told us exactly which of the several HB single cut models this is, and I can't find the unboxing video you mentioned.
SC-550 II
@@stevepostellthanks! Now I know which LP I want to get and I won't even need to change the pickups!! 👍🏼
Thank you for the clean tones. That really tells you what a guitar sounds like. I appreciate that a lot.
Thanks for this wonderful review. Your performance is flawless and inspiring as well. HB's are addictive. I now own eight of them! 🤪
And this video, my dear friends, is the last nail in the coffin of the myth that guitars created using modern manufacturing methods in Indonesia would somehow be vastly inferior than the vintage instruments made by hand mid 20 th century: A very well respected musician, who has access to the best of the best in terms of instruments gives his honest opinion and his reaction is : "I bought another one" . As my old mother used to say :"I don't think I have to draw a schematic to explain it to you, you get it like that"
Well, as a a kitchen can be done the same way, it's all in the finishing, and I agree wholeheartedly that you don't need to spend 2K unless you want a name to collect that 'used' to be the best.
@@Codzilla71 ...if it makes the sounds you want it to, what makes it "inferior?"
The answer: nothing.
@@Codzilla71 ...interesting - thanks for the response.
I'm more about function (does it make the sound I like) vs. form (does it look nice or make me feel good). I have a couple of very ugly guitars that don't necessarily make me "feel good" that make amazing sounds when I want them to. LOL!!
He can also easily afford a fret job.
I just bought one used. An HB -SC-400. Love it.
I don’t know much about guitars but I sure am glad I caught your show in Santa Clarita in December. All three of you (guitarist) sounded so great together. Beautiful to watch a band like TIF who compliment each others’ style and leave room for each of your playing to shine through. With Lee and Russ, it must be a musician’s dream to play in that band. BTW, I recently listened to TIF’s official vid of New York Minute a few times through. What a great job you did singing that tune.
Great guitar and playing. I brought the gold top with P90's a month ago and can't stop playing it. Regards from Surrey England.
Snap. I've got the HB P90 gold top too and it's great, plus a P-bass, fretless J-bass and a PRS-'inspired' 6-string, all fantastic instruments. (Kent England)
I ordered one a month ago it gets here Thursday ( they were out of stock at the time). What condition did yours come in? Im trying to figure out what to expect.
The pickup toggle switch was very wobbly, the problem was that the cotter pin that holds it in place I was too small. I managed to open it up with two small screwdrivers and reinsert it. Problem solved. The only other issue was the action was a bit high for my liking so I dropped the bridge and filed a small amount off the bottom of the nut. It is now really easy to play with no
Instant subscription from a tiny scruffy UK studio🍀
You say it EXACTLY as I myself find it.
Bless you and stay safe
Thanks for the wonderful demo, that’s how it gets done,clean,clean is the only way to know the true sound 👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much for this review and the clean tones.
Very cool, honest an believable. I agree about straight to gain...were is the cleans. Thanks for your straight shooting video. I know you have mucho experience and are hanging out with the big boys who are still running hard. Subbed! Peace and Maximum Respect to all of you.
About a year ago I got a Black strat w/ Rosewood fingerboard - caramelized maple neck ,and a generic Hotrail in the bridge (HotRod model ). and a Les Paul Style. Gold/ Copper Top LP. for $310. delivered to USA. The Shipping was 60 bucks then ( now 90 ) 120. + 130. + 60. I Like that I got 2 Solid Guitars for 310. The LP needed Frets filed and smoothed out. Not a Big Issue. The Black Strat and LP Look And Feel Good but the finish on the budget LP is Funky Flat not gloss and a Gold/ Copper . I have some polishing compound I will use to. Buff the finish and because it was so inexpensive I could Paint it Gibson Gold If I wanted . It will need a set of 28 dollar. music Lilly tuners as well.
Really informative and interesting. That is one awesome tool for you to get creative with! Thanks for demonstrating it and inspiring people.
Nice video. Now you’ve made me pick up my Les Paul. I’ve been favoring the Duesenberg. Love hearing you play.
REALLY fun demo. I was able to pick up a LP Harley Benton at Guitar Center a number of years ago used for $175. Haven't seen one since. Thanks for sharing your new guitar with us.
What was the Model of Harley Benton you were playing, SC-550-2? Guitar Sounds Nice, your Playing, Sweet!
Thank's Steve, nice review.
I'm guessing that, though not an endorser, you sold some guitars.
Very informative! Thanks! Best Wishes!
Thank you for this video !
Harley Benton's guitars are getting better and better, and are surprisingly good.
I bought myself a HB Les Paul Deluxe Edition about 5 years ago, I love it. I have a little luthering kit and I used this to smooth two small blemishes on one of the frets,Everyone who plays the guitar is really surprised by how well it plays, Its only real issue is its weight. At over 9 lbs its heavy but still I love it a great guitar.
Very nice demo and you are so right about demo's where they only show a fuzzy or distorted sound or something like that. You can't judge a guitar if you don't hear the clean sounds. I have 2 HB's a telecaster with a pair fender TEX MEX pickups and LP goldtop with ceramic P90's but they sound good 🎸👍😃
Got the HB Gold Top with P90s arriving this week! Despite only being £129.00, I am looking forward to its arrival more than any other guitar I can remember.
I got the TE-20 Tele a while back, put Tonerider Hot Classics in them, and I love it.
Also got the ST-20 with Tonerider Classic Blues p/ups (my ST-20 was HSS, but I changed to SSS).
But I'm not sure he was being fair to have a go at other reviewers - every review I've seen since I restarted my hobby about 3 years ago seems to begin with pure tones and then adds gain and effects. He does it himself in this review!
(He's a real musician first, UA-camr second - I certainly don't want to sound dismissive. But he's being a reviewer here). ;-)
I have a conpany that builds guitars. I personally specialize in the pickups of the guitar. Maybe I could get some gear in your hands to use? I am looking for some muscians to help out.
👍🎸... Got a few Harley bentons.... Good to great... Te25 is Great..!......great.....
Congrats Steve! Beautiful guitar👍🔥
watched the review on this Harley model. was very refreshing to see an honest opinion. Without a bunch of accessories. I wish that more people on UA-cam who did reviews on guitars, used the same method for the reviews. Much much more honest opinion and much better way to hear the true sound. a big thumbs up
I have the CST 24 Deluxe amazed how great it is. Love it. Well done Thomann. Will be back.
Very nice review , thank you… Recently got the HB JA 60… J-style… very nice too .. Pretty Anazing guitars for the price…!
Great review thanks. I have purchased a couple Harleys myself I am a fan,
I just sent for a sc 550 PAF. I already own a sc 450 lemon drop. Super axes! My Les Pauls remain in their cases!
I purchased the HB sc550 Deluxe about 18 months ago. I too had a fret job done along with replacement locking tuners and bridge. From soup to nuts it cost $250 to upgrade the guitar. The purchase price was around $260 . So I'm in for $510. Way less then the Gibson and sounds fantastic. The pickups always suprise me when the volume is up. Sounds great
I’ve got 2 now the first one was an SC with a Floyd Rose, it needed a fret job too but then it felt amazing my second was there fusion style, with a humbucker at the bridge and a p90 in the neck. At the price they are hard to pass up.
Congratulations Sir that’s a beautiful red top.
Thanks for your review, it was inspiring! I'm considering a P90 TE-style from HB..🎸
I like that you got your friend "The Bill Asher"??? to do a little work on the frets! It sounds like he did a great job!💜☮🕊
I like your style. And agree wholeheartedly with the high gain reviews we find so often. Harley Bentons are interesting guitars. I have a EX-76 Classic in natural finish and it's a amazing sounding guitar. I was shocked how good it sounds compared to expensive guitars.
The only gripe is for lefties: they wire the controls reversed which makes the tone put useless - acts more like a on/off switch with log pots - easy fix, just resolder the wires swapping the lugs. A lot of lefty guitars have this problem, even expensive Fenders.
Hb are good quality guitars at very affordable price points! Love the red colour!
Your volume was very on the low side man...but good to see you and your review..nice one bro..lovely guitar too.
Well, it's all about the sharp fret ends, buzzing. How much did it cost after that?
Great review. Thank you. I bought a Harley Benton HB 35 Plus. It’s amazing. Slight fret attention like you said, and it’s giggable. I love it.
Thank you so much for playing the clean sound. I quit listening to a guitar review if there are pedals on. Can't hear the guitar. Of course adding effects is great but not when comparing true sound
Thanks Steve … I bought a 150 $ Harley Benton LP years ago . Spent another 250 $ on parts and did my own fret job with EVO frets and all the upgrades too and the result was a awesome sounding and playing LP style guitar I could gig with or anything else for a fraction of the cost of a name brand ! Well worth the time and little expense for such a great guitar IMHO … rock on brother 😎👍
That's a beautiful guitar and sounds really good. No criticism intended, but I gravitate toward demos that use a pick vs fingers.
I have 4 HB guitars, my favourite one Is the SC DLX Gotoh Blue Pelham. Simply perfect out of the box. Unfortunately people often prefer looking to the big name on the headstock than listening with thei ears :-)
That's correct but never tried harley benton main guitar I use is blade guitars and all the big names 1973 les paul deluxe wished I had kept your right its not whots on head stock its how well it plays and sounds not like years ago some great guitars about now for the money
@@raymondvaughan6262 I mean, I don't have any top brand guitar and I'm sure they are often (not always) really good and one can be really proud of having one or more, but often big brands owners minimize good features on these new guitars, without having ever played them.
Very timely to see this. I also have never owned a LP and have been looking for the sound rather than shape and colour. HB seems to be where I need to be.
Very nice - you forgot to mention the coil tap on both pickups (you pull the volume knobs out), but a lovely review!
Great job showing us the True Tone of Harley Benton guitars! Selling my Epiphone les Paul to get one!!
Loving the Positive Grid Spark in the backgound. Nice subliminal
I bought the same one. No regrets!
Even though I love a good 80's distortion, driven amp, or djenty sound, all you have to do really is play though a nice clean sound to know if the instrument is going to play well or not. The rest is up to processing and pickups.
Hi i started a beatles copy band age12 in 1976 with twisted hands that didant even open (on bass) a shergold masquerader (70"s) has been enough all my life,but since money is losing its value i bought all the guiitars i need for that sound that is hard to get,,Taylor 214 quited maple,amazing-fender stratocaster deluxe 2009-shergold masquerader 1980 custom-gibson les paul studio gold hardware,ebony frets-hofner violin bass pot code 393 so put together in 63,sold by 64-few others to burn out on a dayly warm up
I can not believe this is a HB it sounds so good. Wow how manufacturing has progressed .
Apparently nobody has a scale! How much does the guitar weigh?
I have one of these. I also have two other HBs. They are amazing guitars.
It sounds as good as it looks. Win win 👏 Plus, the playing helps 😉
Got a few hb guitars and impressed by QC and playability so much better than some planks I bought in the 80s
Bought a HB LP for 120$ got it in a few weeks. Took it to guitar 🎸 center. Paid for new bone nut. Locking tuners fret job new strings n set up. Best playing sounding LP I own. All for around $350
Is it neck- heavy? Headstocks that dive towards the floor are irritating, so I'd like to know because that looks like a guitar worth buying..
Les Pauls are never neck-heavy. The body is far too heavy for that.
@@fzdreaddy Thanks for that. Not neck heavy at all, I got the SC-550 II FTF and its a gem!. And thanks to Steve for the motivation to get one..
Never owned a Gibson. I have a few very nice guitars. My Hamer Standard that I bought new in 1980 when i was actually shopping for a Gibson takes care of the double humbucker stuff. that Hamer standard was cheaper than a comparable Gibson. So I bought it. I first statred with their Sunburst model that was only 600 bucks in 79. It's pretty much a DC les paul. When I saw the new standard in and it was beautiful, handcrafted in the USA explorer copy it stol my heart and my hands. Plays like butter. that guitar now is worth at least 7 K and could in the lower 5 digits.
Four of my eleven are HBs. My first baritone is an HB. Harley Benton is making it difficult to shop another brand.
Really enjoyed your video. Nice guitar.
Maybe this guitars will be the legendary instruments in 40 yrs
New Sub. Am looking at the HB LP's for recording needs.
I have 5 HB's right now, I'm sure I'll be getting more.. This Cherry 550 has been on my radar for awhile, I just keep putting it off, cause I find something else I want in the moment and buy it and forget about ordering this.. Gotta just get it. I have the 550 plus that comes w/ EMG Rectroactive pups which I love. And it comes w/ locking tuners which is really nice. It came out of the box perfect. No sharp frets, nothing wrong at all. I have a couple real Les Pauls and I still love playing that 550 more.
Steve we always need just ONE more guitar, haha. I have 2 Benton's and ONE more on the way. No LP style HBs for me yet, but those new tesla pickups sound better than any others I've heard. I wonder if Elon Musk knows they call them tesla or if he is part of the branding.
Nice guitar. Nice color. My newest one on the way is also trans red. I've brought many budget friendly guitars and have learned to do all the work myself. I make them better at the end.
It's an aria pro II shape don't remember the model
Great tone excellent video,
I bought a Rick bass copy from Harly Benton.. its great ... Conan bass player of over 50 years ,, UK
I may have to pick one up, though I do not like C necks. More a a thin D neck person that grew up playing wizard necks from Ibanez, but I find most of the modern ones in my price range lacking, that range sits right at a Harley Benton. Wish they made alternate necks for some models.
Hi, which version is it? SC550 plus?
yes the sc550 II
Very good Demo !!!
Because these guitars are excellent and let us focus on being a musician
For the majority of us without luthier friends, its too expensive to get a fret job and start changing pups and or tuners because then youre in the price range of a used Gibson LP Tribute or the LP Studio which are definately more sought after. That being said Hb makes very nice budget guitars! Thanks for sharing!
You should learn how to do those things yourself. It's really not that hard to do. I watched a luthier work on one of my first guitars 30 years ago and thought "hell, I can do that". And, every repair, modification, upgrade I've ever done on any other guitar since then has been all me. And, there are tons of videos on youtube and/or books that will show you exactly how to do what you want. I have the same guitar in this video and got it with the intention of putting higher output pups in it. It took me an hour to swap them out, and now it's a smoking hot guitar - and the total price for the guitar and the pups (which you can get used on reverb, if you like) was around $500. I'd put it up against any Gibson Les Paul.
@@Lola_Santoro I do some adjustments/repairs myself on used guitars I buy but when it comes to jobs that require more time, like fret jobs I kust wont buy the guitar, Ide rather leave that to the pros and spend the time riding my bike!
My 2 recent HB models required zero fretwork or setting up and stay in tine
I didnt experience much fret sprout on my HBs (true - one was fretless :-)) - I reckon parts of the US have far different humidity to UK, which must be similar to China?
Great to see a demo not soaked in high gain....(could be anything,all sounds the same)...thanks for that...p.s. by the way nice guitar
Yep! I got to get one
I often wonder how history will treat HB's. Are they the desirable collectors item let's say, in forty years time?
I believe Aria Pro II's from the seventies had this shape.
I bought a Harley Benton bass head that crapped out on day one. The companies response? Too bad! No returns. No refunds.
Why do you not say the price? Many guitarists would like to know. Thank You.
I ordered the same guitar sc-550 II with gold hardware, very beautiful and good quality.
I love mine . I now fitted Ernie Ball Super slinky strings (very happy).
What model is it?
Very nice with 2 chrome humbucker👍
I stay for the playing.
Perhaps no accident it's consistently gauged against the Les Paul, not other brands. It is pro and collector. Lines the so-called "affordable" with a gold plate, and claims its own.
It even sounds better, at one of the positions.
Brand, Project, Mgrs - or whoever inspired it - and associated staff, deserve at least a custom name for this edition.
They never do these great colours or models for us left handed guys 🤔😒
Cool guitar.
Why? Because they are great guitars !!
I am not a guitarist. And, most likely, you’ll get a big laugh here.
I play ukulele, sort of.
My first was a Mele spprano. Nice.
Lessons from wonderful John Zender at McCabes. He was in Hawaii and brought back an expensive Kamaka concert for me, to be put on layaway What
a treasure he was, as well as my Kamaka.
As time went on, I bought a Vietnamese soprano from Bruce Wei, only because it had an Irish symbol sound hole. Took it to Ireland 🇮🇪 for a uke festival. I gave it away because the neck was too heavy. This was in
2013. Years later I chanced to find him again on eBay. He had a beautiful soprano pocket uke that I thought would be great for the beach, and I didn’t mind that it might get spoiled by humidity and some grains of sand now and then. I was so suprised at the beauty of this little instrument, and a big plus--it had the sweetest sound and tone.
Now come to another concert uke, I bought from him again. A sea turtle sound hole in abalone, plus abalone mermaid inlaid on the fretboard. Again, craftsmenship and sound absolutely beautiful. My grandson has now taken over it.
So, just an example for folks out there who do not want to try an Asian built instrument, please try one out. My latest purchases are a bit pricey but so well worth it.
Thanks, Steve, for this video.
they are fast becoming guitars in their own right. collectable one day methinks?
Those new Tesla pickups must really be OK. I can pretty much guarantee that had that guitar had their previous _Roswell LAF_ humbuckers you would have wanted to replace them as I did on my two Harley Bentons that had them.
One of the biggest reasons I bought a Harley Benton guitar was because I used to work at music shops and know the actual prices of guitars that are sold for outrageously high prices. The mark up, once it gets to the consumer, is close to 150 - 200%. We've seen guitar prices skyrocket because people are too dumb to know guitars aren't really worth that much. But, honest youtubers reviewing Harley Benton are doing good work. If anything, Harley Benton guitars are a great option for anyone wanting to learn how to work on guitars, because of the price, you can swap out parts for higher end parts, and still have a great guitar that was much cheaper than a bigger name guitar. Plus, HB guitars look great!! They're beautiful! I now have 8 Harley Benton guitars and none of them had any kind of serious problem when I got them. In fact, only 2 of them had issues I NEEDED to fix, but those were minor things you'd expect - and problems I've had on other guitars from to companies (PRS, Music Man). I love to modify my guitars - use the pickups I love, so several of my HBs now have Dimarzio pickups. Some of the "more expensive" HB guitars come w/nice pups in them. I have 2 HB acoustic guitars. One of them, I do need to work on the frets. But, both of those were under $100 ea and I'm not surprised they're not really good, but they're decent enough that I'd recommend them to someone just starting out. One of these days, I'll buy a "nicer" HB acoustic guitar.
It looks really, really good
Damn that sounds really good
Gibson better Step Up.
There's price Competition.
The thing that blows my mind about HB guitars is not how good they are compared to, say, Gibson. It's how good they are compared to the types of budget/beginner guitars I had when I started. Things like Harmony and my old Peavey. I paid 300 for my peavey in high school and it SUCKED. These are miles ahead for essentially even cheaper. A model for 220 plus the 80 shipping would make that old Peavey look like a ripoff toy.
Says he doesn't like guitar vids where they talk too much before playing the damn thing and proceeds to for over 6 minutes before we hear a note? So what exactly is this model, you don't seem to know Steve?
With everybody and his brother making cheap knock-offs of Fender and Gibson guitars, it's amazing those two companies have stayed in business.
Gibson sells imported Les Paul style guitars with the Epiphone brand. One important question left unanswered: Is this a comparable or better guitar than an Epiphone Les Paul?
When buying a mass produced guitar on line you are giving much of the right and rite of selection to some guy in a warehouse. Most of the time, you choose the guitar based on a picture and a written description, maybe a few audio samples and videos reviews by people you don't know. You order it and a few days later someone dumps the guitar in a box on your doorstep. It's all very impersonal. If the guitar is unacceptable you may have to pay shipping to return it or sell yourself at a loss.
On the other hand, even when you visit a well stocked guitar store, selection will be limited to whatever's on hand. You will probably pay more. Hard to win this game of buying guitars.
👍🏻👍🏻
NEVER ENDING STYLE
I have about 7 harley bentons. Once you buy one and realize how much bang for buck you get, you simply have to buy more.
Harley makes excellent guitars!