Yes, there's an extra cost for sure. Now, those EMGs can be found very easily on the used market for half their retail price. And they can be plugged on the HB SC-1000 without needing the EMG solderless kit.
@@maxmustardman298 i got a guitar with HBZ the "problem "its they have an insane level of output but i assure you that you can have a clear sound by lower the volume button and have a sound as proper as the emg .its insane in clean sound you always have a crunchy sound with volume max never saw that in 18 years of guitar
Totally worth it though. Nothing else compares to the gain/voice you get from a good set of actives. The cheap ones from aliexpress are worth the money but still not as good as genuine EMGs or fishmans
@@Admiral_Bongo yeah depends really on what you want probably. If you're fine with the whole scooped tone it'll be convinient, but EMG's seem to be more versatile
A set of EMGs costs more than I paid for the SC-1000 guitar, but do they double the quality and value? I don't think so. Yes there is an improvement, but you only notice it in an A/B test. The HBZs are good enough for what I need.
too much output in the HBZ compare to emg (i played on both of them ) but by lowering the volume button you have nice clean tone specially with the neck pickup
HBZs sound fine, but are awfully noisy. For the price of that guitar you can change out pickups, the nut, and tuners and have a nice setup, still on the cheap
That's the right thing to do indeed ! The guitar itself is a good basis for mods, you might need to polish the frets, but once this is done, with good tuners and EMG actives, this thing becomes a huge riff machine ! \m/
My plan exactly! Bought the ST20HH then found a set of Jim Root EMGs for $150, bought GOTOH locking tuners, new graph tech nut, new Genuine Fender 1/4 jack. All for less than $500 total and it’s gonna be a BEAST
@@ryanhill2655but could you go for an esp ltd ec instead? I mean it's adds up to 700$. And a used ec1000 ltd will have better quality at roughly the same price?
Did you need a different wiring harness or anything to switch them out ? I’ve got same guitar and just got a set of 81/85s off a buddy to try out in it …. Yours sounds freakin great !
I just had to replace the HBZ pickups with the EMGs, nothing else. That's the cool thing about these ancient Harley Benton SC 1000, you just had to pay attention to the screws that hold the pickups in their rings, cos' they're too big for EMG. Apart from that, no change at all and it sounds great indeed :)
Seems to me hbz has more output and more midrange on both pu (middle)? Especially heard on the clean parts. I have the 'simple' sc custom. My next move an 'active' EX 84 natural finish lol
@@ToroKchannel hey, l never thought of a baritone model, that Amarok model is very nice...and half the price of a 'Chapman' looking forrward to see that video, stay safe dude!
I got the sc-1000 in white as well. Had it one year. Its ok I need a new bridge I got graphtech XL nut. I got a Emg 81 from a friend as gift. I wanna upgrade the bridge an put the pick up in. It's like getting a new guitar. Im doing it in 2 weeks. I cant play any clean stuff there is always some distortion coming threw. There supper hot pick ups. As far a noise I use high gain so I have my noise gate on .. It's a nice guitar.
Interesting point of view. In fact the HBZ have an insane amount of output and if you don't roll the volume off, you can hear some buzz surrounding your tone.
Hi, how did you change the PU´s? Just cut the HBZ and solder on the plugs for the EMGs? I can´t get any tone out of it after the change... Or did you also change the whole wiring?
On my SC-1000 I just had to swap pickups cos they had the same 3 pin connector system as the EMG. On the current SC-1000 you have to change the electronic components and install the EMG solderless kit.
Yo man, i have been thinking of buying this guitar and upgrading it and this is the video that is the final step, i am gonna get the white one with a set of emg 81/60 in white. Kinda like the artic metal from esp. Great video! Really shows thd difference in the upgrade
EMG mercilessly slayed those HBZ. And I say this white i am choosing between an Active HB Les Paul or Active HB explorer (i play metal oriented japanese anime's openings)
Thank you . I have a Harley Benton SC1000 and I have a question. Can I use same electrical circuit? Can I change only HBZ for EMG? I'm sorry my English is very bad....
Lol the clean hbz. There clearly is a difference. You will also hear the difference playing metal chords on any distortion, however the chord thing in my opinion was always a high point on the emg side
yes it does, on single cut guitars it's enough. Now if you have a guitar with string thru construction, the main noise will come from the part of the strings that's between the bridge and the body. A piece of foam will kill it but look ugly. Another solution stands in the Jimmy Clips.
Hi Nic, thanks ;) I have never played the LTD EC 256 but it’s built on the same basis as the EC-1000 that I know very well. These EC series guitars are super strats in the shape of a single cut. This Harley Benton is on the LesPaul side, much thicker and heavier sounding. Now, in terms of playability, the neck shape is very different. LTD offers a thin U when this Harley Benton offers a C. If you can, try them both and keep the one that best suits you. See you :)
How did you record and mix the voice audio? To me it the effect over your voice and the eq sounded good too here paied with your accent. It sounded lofi, but in a good way. Decent playing too, The 81/60 combo sounded better to me. There is some huge differences with some newer emgs, some older ones, and other pickup brands. The EMGs in that fender slipknot tele are good for clean and dirty to me. Lots of Fender teles themself without emgs could sound good with many genres and I prefer some fender teles over a lot of strats I heard on Tele vs Strat videos so I'd get some tele if I ever got a Fender probably. I don't mind The emg 808s in my 8 string RG2228 honestly, but maybe one day I will get them changed when I have old strings.
hey you ask me the biggest secret of my channel, man ! Seriously, the way I recorded my voice was the McGyver's way. I had a Shure SM58 not too far away + the mic of the camera. I have used deffirent effects in reaper for the sound that came out of the Shure and here's the result :) Now I have a lavalier mic and it's much much easier ! You're right about the differences between old and new EMGs, people whose only EMG reference is the 81/60 set would really be surprised if they listened to some super 77 or fat 55. About the difference of sound between teles and strats, isn't it just a matter of scale ? Would a single cut sound the same way than a tele with the same pickups ?
Yes, with EMG pickups, even without the EMG solderless kit, the hum disappears, it really comes from the HBZ pickups. Both are good for a beginner, but in terms of sound, a SC-1000 with EMGs will sound better than the EX-84 modern with its stock Roswell active and you can easily find some EMG 81/85 or 81/60 on the used market for half their retail price. But in terms of tuning stability and overall quality, the EX-84 modern is much better, you won't have to tune it up after playing for 2 hours in a raw. Now, I also know Harley Benton's gonne release an EX-84 modern with EMGs, but I don't know when. It should be around 400 bucks. Hope it helps :)
When I bought my SC-1000, the HBZ had the same 3 pin connector system as any EMG pickups. The cables were soldered on the pots but you could easily move from HBZ to EMG. Now, they have stopped doing this and the pickups are soldered. I have never seen the HBZ pickups sold alone on retail.
Much more than double ! Note that I have never seen these HBZ sold on retail but the Roswell Active are sold for some 60€. Now, keep in mind that those 81/85/60 can easily be found on the used market for half the retail price and, if you wanna sell them, you will always find someone to buy them from you. I would not say the same thing about the HBZ or the Roswell active ! :)
I set those HBZ the same way than the EMGs, that's 3mm for the bridge and 5mm for the neck. But I roll down the gain on the around 10-15% cos the output on the HBZ is higher.
I have both sets of pickups. HBZ are ok but the EMGs are in another league. More heavy, more body, more clean. The clean sound of the HBZ is in my oppinion not usable.
Listening to this with noise-canceling headphones the difference in clarity is very noticeable to me. The EMG's are way tighter both clean and with distortion. That doesn't mean the HBZ's are bad though, they just don't sound as tidy and defined as the EMG's.
Salut écouter moi j'ai une très bonne oreilles musical et je dois dire que j'ai trouvé aucune différence les deux marques juste en midle les HBZ ACTIFS CRACHOUILLE UN PEU mais autrement les deux ce Val surtout au niveau du prix EMG c'est juste la marque que vous payez alors que les HBZ ACTIFS c'est fabriqué par Harley Benton et honnêtement Harley Benton a fait vraiment de très gros effort de qualité de fabrication si j'ai juste une petite critique a faire ce sont les mécanique qui ne sont pas très bonne moi je les changerai par des mécaniques autobloquante et Harley Benton font de très bonnes mécanique autobloquante sinon je n'ai rien vu de spécial à redire sur cette guitare électrique Harley Benton
EMG's are better, but HBZ's are not rubbish. The substantial extra cost should be taken into account.
Yes, there's an extra cost for sure. Now, those EMGs can be found very easily on the used market for half their retail price. And they can be plugged on the HB SC-1000 without needing the EMG solderless kit.
@@ToroKchannel wait so you can just install them right away into the Harley Benton?
metallica_23 22 yes, totally. You just have to remove the HBZ and put the EMG instead. As easy as they come :)
@@ToroKchannel do they just plug in? If so, then that is incredible
@@n_money1019 well yes that's it. Same 3 pin connector system, so you just unplug the HBZ, you plug in your EMGs and there you are :)
HBZs sounded better than I thought they would, but I could really hear a difference in the clean settings, EMGs were much clearer.
Yeah this is what I struggle with on this guitar. Other thing being, HBZ are microphonic and noisy as hell.
@@jakubsabosz2933 that alone is a reason to swap them out
@@maxmustardman298 i got a guitar with HBZ the "problem "its they have an insane level of output but i assure you that you can have a clear sound by lower the volume button and have a sound as proper as the emg .its insane in clean sound you always have a crunchy sound with volume max never saw that in 18 years of guitar
Active pickups
Obviously HBZ were not meant to be used for crystal clears, but they sounded really good. Good test, thank you.
In time I realize these HBZ are not bad for the price, but as you say, they were never made for clean tones :)
Just bought a used one of the sc 1000 and after watching your video actually think the hbz sounded better
EMG's costs like whole HB guitar....😄
Totally worth it though. Nothing else compares to the gain/voice you get from a good set of actives. The cheap ones from aliexpress are worth the money but still not as good as genuine EMGs or fishmans
From Leo: The HBZ pickups do a very good job. That is a good surprise. I would be satisfied with them.
Well yes' they're really not bad. Now, their level of hum is a matter of luck when you receive the guitar.
HBZ is brighter with sharper and clearer highs. In the tone world the HBZs is an American tone and the EMGs the slightly darker British tone.
Nah, HBZ are just more scooped, not really brighter.
@@Admiral_Bongo yeah depends really on what you want probably. If you're fine with the whole scooped tone it'll be convinient, but EMG's seem to be more versatile
There is no reason to complain about the price difference.
And at 110 db it doesn't matter anyway. 🤗🤗
(written with translator)
At 110 db, nothing matters except the number of minutes you can stand that torture before becoming deaf :)
A set of EMGs costs more than I paid for the SC-1000 guitar, but do they double the quality and value? I don't think so. Yes there is an improvement, but you only notice it in an A/B test. The HBZs are good enough for what I need.
Oh these HBZ sounds very good!!
Not bad indeed. If you play a guitar that features those pickups you will realize more clearly that they are noisy. But the tone is good.
The EMGs seem to really excel in the clean tones compared to the HBZs
Definitely, yes !
@@ToroKchannel I think it's safe to say that for harder rock or even metal the HBZs are sufficient, but not an equal pickup to the EMG
too much output in the HBZ compare to emg (i played on both of them ) but by lowering the volume button you have nice clean tone specially with the neck pickup
I used a 24 volt mod on the hbzs and world of difference 😊
When I have tried a 24v on the HBZ I have noticed no difference.
For me EMG's all the way, 81 sounds aggressive even on drop D.. but I prefer 85 over 60 in the neck position.
HBZs sound fine, but are awfully noisy. For the price of that guitar you can change out pickups, the nut, and tuners and have a nice setup, still on the cheap
That's the right thing to do indeed ! The guitar itself is a good basis for mods, you might need to polish the frets, but once this is done, with good tuners and EMG actives, this thing becomes a huge riff machine ! \m/
My plan exactly! Bought the ST20HH then found a set of Jim Root EMGs for $150, bought GOTOH locking tuners, new graph tech nut, new Genuine Fender 1/4 jack. All for less than $500 total and it’s gonna be a BEAST
@@ryanhill2655but could you go for an esp ltd ec instead? I mean it's adds up to 700$. And a used ec1000 ltd will have better quality at roughly the same price?
Like all things Guitar, once you get to 90% perfect then every 1% improvement costs 20-25% extra in cost.
I could just barely hear any difference, but I have hearing trouble.
Nah, not hearing trouble. High gain metal will usually equalise all pickups ;)
The HBZ's are much noisier! but they are good for stock pups
You’re right, considering their price, it’s not bad at all.
Any chance you have that tab to that first part laying around? That was awesome.
Sorry but I never write the tabs on my tracks. Pretty sure you can learn from watching the video though (beware of string skippings :) )
@@ToroKchannel yep. I’m sure I can work with it. Thanks.
Did you need a different wiring harness or anything to switch them out ? I’ve got same guitar and just got a set of 81/85s off a buddy to try out in it …. Yours sounds freakin great !
I just had to replace the HBZ pickups with the EMGs, nothing else. That's the cool thing about these ancient Harley Benton SC 1000, you just had to pay attention to the screws that hold the pickups in their rings, cos' they're too big for EMG. Apart from that, no change at all and it sounds great indeed :)
@@ToroKchannel awesome, I wasn’t sure if I needed to order a new harness or change the pots. Appreciate the response bro ! Take care and rock on 🤘🏼
Seems to me hbz has more output and more midrange on both pu (middle)? Especially heard on the clean parts. I have the 'simple' sc custom. My next move an 'active' EX 84 natural finish lol
you're right, HBZ have much more output and a bit more mids. My next active will be the HB Amarok with its EMG Hot 70 set :)
@@ToroKchannel hey, l never thought of a baritone model, that Amarok model is very nice...and half the price of a 'Chapman' looking forrward to see that video, stay safe dude!
If everything is ok, I will make a first contact video with the Amarok next week. Stay safe too !
Thank you for the video. Very helpful since I have the same guitar in white. The HBZ's are good pickups but personally EMG's are way better.
Thanks for watching :)
I got the sc-1000 in white as well. Had it one year. Its ok I need a new bridge I got graphtech XL nut. I got a Emg 81 from a friend as gift. I wanna upgrade the bridge an put the pick up in. It's like getting a new guitar. Im doing it in 2 weeks. I cant play any clean stuff there is always some distortion coming threw. There supper hot pick ups. As far a noise I use high gain so I have my noise gate on .. It's a nice guitar.
Yes the guitar is really nice. Now these HBZ pups are really hit or miss. Now I’ve put the EMG Het Set on my SC-1000 and it’s a killer axe !
To me the hbzs sound like passive versions on the emgs
Interesting point of view. In fact the HBZ have an insane amount of output and if you don't roll the volume off, you can hear some buzz surrounding your tone.
I've just bought HB Sc 1000. No, those pickups don't sound well. I prefer my EMG 81/60 on my other (very cheap) guitar. I'm going to change it.
Hi, how did you change the PU´s? Just cut the HBZ and solder on the plugs for the EMGs? I can´t get any tone out of it after the change... Or did you also change the whole wiring?
On my SC-1000 I just had to swap pickups cos they had the same 3 pin connector system as the EMG. On the current SC-1000 you have to change the electronic components and install the EMG solderless kit.
Yo man, i have been thinking of buying this guitar and upgrading it and this is the video that is the final step, i am gonna get the white one with a set of emg 81/60 in white. Kinda like the artic metal from esp. Great video! Really shows thd difference in the upgrade
Thanks for your apprecitation man ! White SC-1000 with white EMGs, that's a great idea ! Once you've done it, could you show me how it looks ?
@@ToroKchannel yeah man for sure, but first i need to save up some money to get them, im close to the guitar now, then the pickups will come
EMG mercilessly slayed those HBZ. And I say this white i am choosing between an Active HB Les Paul or Active HB explorer (i play metal oriented japanese anime's openings)
Thank you . I have a Harley Benton SC1000 and I have a question. Can I use same electrical circuit? Can I change only HBZ for EMG? I'm sorry my English is very bad....
Yes, you can plus your EMGs directly in the guitar, no need to change the electronics :)
Lol the clean hbz. There clearly is a difference. You will also hear the difference playing metal chords on any distortion, however the chord thing in my opinion was always a high point on the emg side
yes those HBZ are not feeling easy on clean sounds ! The EMGs are way better, and I agree that for metal chords, they're on the top of their game.
@@ToroKchannel no they ain't.
Why do you use the string dampener on the first fret? Does it help to reduce unwanted string noise??
yes it does, on single cut guitars it's enough. Now if you have a guitar with string thru construction, the main noise will come from the part of the strings that's between the bridge and the body. A piece of foam will kill it but look ugly. Another solution stands in the Jimmy Clips.
Hi, great Video. What do you think? What ist better the H.B. or a LTD 256? Greets Nico
Hi Nic, thanks ;) I have never played the LTD EC 256 but it’s built on the same basis as the EC-1000 that I know very well. These EC series guitars are super strats in the shape of a single cut. This Harley Benton is on the LesPaul side, much thicker and heavier sounding. Now, in terms of playability, the neck shape is very different. LTD offers a thin U when this Harley Benton offers a C. If you can, try them both and keep the one that best suits you. See you :)
How did you record and mix the voice audio? To me it the effect over your voice and the eq sounded good too here paied with your accent. It sounded lofi, but in a good way. Decent playing too, The 81/60 combo sounded better to me. There is some huge differences with some newer emgs, some older ones, and other pickup brands. The EMGs in that fender slipknot tele are good for clean and dirty to me. Lots of Fender teles themself without emgs could sound good with many genres and I prefer some fender teles over a lot of strats I heard on Tele vs Strat videos so I'd get some tele if I ever got a Fender probably. I don't mind The emg 808s in my 8 string RG2228 honestly, but maybe one day I will get them changed when I have old strings.
hey you ask me the biggest secret of my channel, man ! Seriously, the way I recorded my voice was the McGyver's way. I had a Shure SM58 not too far away + the mic of the camera. I have used deffirent effects in reaper for the sound that came out of the Shure and here's the result :) Now I have a lavalier mic and it's much much easier !
You're right about the differences between old and new EMGs, people whose only EMG reference is the 81/60 set would really be surprised if they listened to some super 77 or fat 55.
About the difference of sound between teles and strats, isn't it just a matter of scale ? Would a single cut sound the same way than a tele with the same pickups ?
Is the hum gone with the emgs ?
As a beginner should i get this one or the EX84 modern, I still havent made my choice and i am struggling
Yes, with EMG pickups, even without the EMG solderless kit, the hum disappears, it really comes from the HBZ pickups. Both are good for a beginner, but in terms of sound, a SC-1000 with EMGs will sound better than the EX-84 modern with its stock Roswell active and you can easily find some EMG 81/85 or 81/60 on the used market for half their retail price. But in terms of tuning stability and overall quality, the EX-84 modern is much better, you won't have to tune it up after playing for 2 hours in a raw. Now, I also know Harley Benton's gonne release an EX-84 modern with EMGs, but I don't know when. It should be around 400 bucks. Hope it helps :)
Awesome video
Thanks !
Do the HBZ come with the same quick connect cables as the EMGs?
When I bought my SC-1000, the HBZ had the same 3 pin connector system as any EMG pickups. The cables were soldered on the pots but you could easily move from HBZ to EMG. Now, they have stopped doing this and the pickups are soldered. I have never seen the HBZ pickups sold alone on retail.
yeah,of course EMG's are better. but also double price.
Much more than double ! Note that I have never seen these HBZ sold on retail but the Roswell Active are sold for some 60€. Now, keep in mind that those 81/85/60 can easily be found on the used market for half the retail price and, if you wanna sell them, you will always find someone to buy them from you. I would not say the same thing about the HBZ or the Roswell active ! :)
@@ToroKchannel i ordered hb ex84 progressive. it is my first guitar. good enough for me lol. it looks amazing. now i need to buy amp
@@jameshetfield507 well the amp is the hardest choice. My only advice is : if you wanna go super cheap, go virtual. Have fun with your EX-84 man !
What is high for neck and bridge hgz pickups i try adjust my one ..?
I set those HBZ the same way than the EMGs, that's 3mm for the bridge and 5mm for the neck. But I roll down the gain on the around 10-15% cos the output on the HBZ is higher.
I have both sets of pickups. HBZ are ok but the EMGs are in another league. More heavy, more body, more clean.
The clean sound of the HBZ is in my oppinion not usable.
Listening to this with noise-canceling headphones the difference in clarity is very noticeable to me. The EMG's are way tighter both clean and with distortion. That doesn't mean the HBZ's are bad though, they just don't sound as tidy and defined as the EMG's.
great video, i agree with you!! by the way i have suscribe!!
Thanks Anawrest and welcome ;)
HBZ's are terrible on clean.
that's the least you can say :)
Salut écouter moi j'ai une très bonne oreilles musical et je dois dire que j'ai trouvé aucune différence les deux marques juste en midle les HBZ ACTIFS CRACHOUILLE UN PEU mais autrement les deux ce Val surtout au niveau du prix EMG c'est juste la marque que vous payez alors que les HBZ ACTIFS c'est fabriqué par Harley Benton et honnêtement Harley Benton a fait vraiment de très gros effort de qualité de fabrication si j'ai juste une petite critique a faire ce sont les mécanique qui ne sont pas très bonne moi je les changerai par des mécaniques autobloquante et Harley Benton font de très bonnes mécanique autobloquante sinon je n'ai rien vu de spécial à redire sur cette guitare électrique Harley Benton