You've totally convinced me to try out a Harley Benton. There have been a few other youtube channels that have played them and checked them out. But, the comparison makes it real! This guitar is definitely not a waste of $300.
Unless you live in the US and Thomann sends you a dud then tells you it will cost you like $70-$150 to ship it back to them, then you have to pay for new shipping another $70. Happens pretty often, I see it in forums daily.
@@NawImNate I have owned 2 and this has never happened, but Reverb has a US HB store with free shipping. It ends up being about the same price as if you ordered from Germany, but easier return.
@@NawImNate Im sooo lucky I work in Germany about 30 miles from village where Thomann has a store and storage facilities. That place is huge. You can try out any guitar that comes to mind. Im going overthere next month to check out HB sc550 ii. its 320 € with soft case.
Excellent comparison video, Mark! I've seen other vids that compare two guitars, but unlike yours, most of them DON'T play the same riffs and chords for each guitar! Your playing is great and you chose really appropriate bits of riffs/chords to make an accurate comparison, AND you make the bits of playing short and sweet, but long enough to get a good sense of each guitar. I LOVE that you didn't use pedals, which only would make it less easy to judge the attributes of each guitar. Outstanding!
Gibson sounds a little warmer to me. I always wonder however if the cheaper guitar could sound similar if the settings were tweaked. So many ways to adjust electric guitar sound with amp, pedals, controls on guitar. HB is an attractive guitar! First thing I look at on LP's is the headstock and the HB headstock is attractive. Glad to hear the playability is good. The most important thing!
Sure the settings can be tweaked. IMHO the Gibson has an "open" sound the HB and inexpensive humbuckers don't have. I've not been able to tweak that with EQ. If you play with lots of distortion it doesn't matter. Use any old cheap pickup or an expensive one if you want to hear individual notes and you shred. But yes, playability and comfort - so you'll bond with the guitar - are the most important things. Pickups can easily be changed and you can have world class sound in a solid body electric for $300 more - and your favored sound too. If you don't like the guitar in the first place it's kind of pointless to put in awesome pickups.
Well, sound is only one part. For me, this Gibson LP Tribute is the perfect guitar - perfect weight and perfect neck. But yes, the HB actually is a great guitar too. And I think many people would actually prefer the neck. (I like fat necks more than skinny ones.) The HB actually has fairly bright sounding pickups, which is a treat. If it were only 1.5 lbs lighter! Plus, I think many people would say the HB looks better. And you know, suppose the Les Paul was $2,500 or so ... kind of typical for a Les Paul ... again, I'd bet you wouldn't hear much of a difference.
I hear it. The Gibson is so much warmer and deeper and that real classic Gibson sound. If you put both of them in your hands and played them. You'd hear and feel the difference without question. Tough to really hear difference on UA-cam. But like I said before. That Harley still seems like a great guitar for the money. I might get one. Lol
@@Whereyouatyo Yep, that's the right picture. The Harley is fine, but it's not the Gibson. And that's the sound. The feel isn't quite there either. Again, the HB has good fretwork, comfortable neck, etc. But subtle things make a difference. It may not be enough for most people to care, and that's really the question.
Moral of the story: Gibson's are just ridiculously over-priced, and unless you are obsessed with the name on your headstock, a Harley Benton will get the job done just fine and leave a nice large chunk of change in your pocket for buying a great amp.
Thanks for your opinion and comment. I don't agree that the Gibson Tribute line is overpriced. $1,000 for a lifetime guitar and (IMHO) much richer sound - clean especially. For me (not necessarily others) it's a perfect weight, balance, finish and everything. BUT, I do agree that the HB is exceedingly well-priced. Not much one can do with the neck carve and weight, but throw in the right Seymour Duncans (or whatever is your top choice) for $300 or less and you've got a great sounding guitar that plays pretty well. One of the best inexpensive LP copies I have played!
@@ericknapp4352 I own a 2017 Tribute (pre- maple neck thank God), and Ive seen the Harley Bentons.. Keep dreaming buddy. Bentons are glorified Epis. Id rather have an Epi.. Its a good guitar for its price. Nothing more, nothing less. All the comments on these vids make me laugh. Like it says it in the vid.. "Is this a fair comparison? (chuckles) No its not, but...."
Beautiful playing! I’ve got a HB SC-450 plus vintage which I’m quite fond of and use a lot, despite having more expensive and similar (Epiphone and PRS single-cut) guitars to compare to. The HB gets the most use without doubt. Great comparison.
You're right, the pickups on the HB sound nice and articulate and produce a nice clean tone. And the more I listen to your posts, I think I like the tones from the Blackstar a lot too.
Nice video Mark, thank you! Boy, these Harley’s come out very favourably in such comparisons. I’ve had a couple and they have been spot on - and great value, clearly.
Recently I have bought an HB SC-550 in Tobacco Burst colour. First of all this guitar is a looker. Finely crafted and has great details for its price point. I have been playing a Strat replica for ages so humbuckers' darker sound was not easy to accommodate. That is not to say that stock Tesla pickups are dull sounding; on the contrary they are surprisingly doing justice to the Les Paul heritage; and if you do not agree with this opinion you won't hesitate to upgrade them considering how reasonably priced SC-550 is. And thank you for the review it is quite interesting for me to listen the comparison with a genuine Gibson. I wish I could afford one
I just ordered an SC-550 ii BCF today and I'm stoked. Never liked the feel of Les Paul guitars, but I'm on a guitar buying kick lately, and just want a variety. Got a Hard Luck Kings Southern Belle Telecaster a few weeks ago. A nice Tele for anyone looking cheap.
Hi Mike, how did the bcf work out ? I'm on the fence about buying one for myself, I was going to buy the xt-22 but when I seen the ii had chambered body, I was thinking if that instead.
I am a bass player and got very curious about the Harley Benton basses. I ordered a Enhanced MP-4EB in Lake Blue. I have an extensive collection of basses and the HB bass is loaded with great features only found on top knotch basses the only problem is the pickups and preamp that hold this bass back, but for the money it is a thing of beauty with amazing appointments.
Thanks! I've heard a bunch of UA-camrs talk about the HB. Now that my favorite jazz guy gives the thumbs up, I bought one. I got the JA in kit form. I'm looking forward to building the kit and playing on P-90's. My only regret is that shipping cost more than the guitar. Since this is my Christmas present to me, Slower and cheaper would be a better option.
Those Roswell pickups are brighter than I expected. Not harsh but definitely a difference. Although, I guess if you did find it too bright you could replace the pickups with anything you wanted and still be way under the cost of the LP.
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised by the bright sound of the pickups. I might replace the pickups some day, but for now if they're too bright, the tone knob is right there!
I bought my son a Harley Benton left handed Mustang short scale guitar. It had been professionally set up frets polished etc, for the money it’s an excellent guitar the only thing it lacks is the in/out phase switching that’s possible on a Mustang but is a great little guitar
The Benton's are dope. I almost bought one of those tributes on musicians friend and I just don't want to play a non binded Les Paul that cost that much. I bought a Benton EX84 with the off brand active pups and it's such a great guitar for 300 and shipping. I realized looking at the backs of some of these Benton Les Paul models that had clear finishes that showed the wood grain that the body was three pieces of mahogany that where glued together to be big enough to put in the shaping machines to form the guitars shape. I personally love a company trying something different because my guitar sounds awesome and I could have bought 4 for what that Gibson cost. The neck is extremely nice and beautiful. Only thing that bothers me is I wish I could have got the model of my guitar that came with EMGs. I couldnt find a antique white one either so had to get black. That white was perfect
I have the same hb as being played and I love it the Matt finish is all part of the wow factor when you unbox it for that first time, it was how much nah can't be. Just lowered the action slightly.
I can clearly hear the warmer and smoother tones with that LP. OBVIOUSLY. that guitar is going up against one the of best tones. So that being said. For the money. And quality of the HB. pretty nice. Got me thinking I might pick one up. Great playing by the way!
Thanks! I'm in total agreement with you. This particular LP is really perfect for me, with its thin-to-thick profile, volute, satin finish and perfect weight. But yes, the HP is surprisingly good for the price.
I have a similar Harley Benton, mine has a pickguard and coil splits but everything else is similar. The pickups on mine were really dark and muddy, I couldn't get this guitar to sound good on any of my amps. It played beautifully though. I ended up putting Grover tuners and a Seymour Duncan Jazz and JB set, now it is an amazing screamer of a guitar that keeps up with my Gibsons all day.
@@MarkZabel didn't you say the 550 you're talking about new was 270? These 550II is 279 not much of an increase especially considering all the upgrades and built by Cort in Indonesia. Take my extra 9 bucks.
That gibson looks amazing. Personally i am a Harley benton fan. I started with them and i like them. I have a SC 500 and an SC 550 now and more to come someday. For the money and what you get they are unbeatable. Sure one day when i can play really well i might get a solar or chapman explorer style. But to be fair HB is upping their game i might stick to the upper version of HB like the Amarok , SC550 plus, agufish LP or an explorer they make. I just hope they up the game with nicer finishes.
Excellent comparison review. The HB might be for me.... I'm just a hobby player and Gibson is out of my range, if you say it's playable, I'll trust you, and it sounds fine for what I'm gonna do
I liked the HB clean tones but then when I heard the Gibson it hit me immediately what it was missing. The Gibson sounded 20% sweeter to my ears. I'd love to hear the HB with the Gibson pickups in it. On the other hand if you're mostly interested in dirty sounds then I wouldn't bother modding it because the two guitars sounded pretty much the same to me.
Cool! I feel more or less the same. I like the Gibson dirty too, but I'm not at all into high gain. Cheaper pickups (IMHO) do high gain just fine ... although again, I don't use that much.
Gibson at one point was a top notch guitar company, and it's been a while . Gibson makes their guitars pretty much the same way HB make their guitars, CNC shaping, etc. Gibson might have access to better woods, but HB is offering an incredibly affordable and great playing, and sounding guitar. Gibson's idea of value is replacing a rosewood fretboard with a slice of cheap maple with black stain, and skipping the binding, then still selling it for 1200.00 dollars. Gibson needs to work on a value line like they used to have way back, (melody makers, Jr's, remember the firebrand???) They could easily set up a small plant in Mexico and deliver a budget Gibson. I own one HB so far, and I would put it's quality almost on par with the same style Gibson.
Thanks for your comment. I don't think you'll see a value line Gibson. Epiphone is their value line. They sell far more Epiphones and reserve Gibson for people who are willing to pay top dollar for the line. I'm quite happy with the thinner, chambered body and roasted maple fretboard without binding (I prefer the Studio to Standard Les Paul), but the Tributes of today use rosewood. But I also paid $599 for the LP used in this video, not $1,200 - so that's quite a difference. I'm not into "bling" and reject the "tonewood" arguments for solid-body guitars, so I'd never get a Gibson standard. Just doesn't make sense for me - too much for a maple cap and a white strip - and it's heavier too! No thanks. Having said all of that, the HB is a great platform. Great bones. Put decent pickups in it and you've got a very nice guitar. Heavy for my taste, even chambered, but nothing to really complain about. Rivals Epiphone IMHO. I have a Melody Maker that I love. Gibson *does* make Juniors in their Tribute line for under $1,000, but they're still around the $800 mark or so. I wouldn't expect that to change. They're made for people who want a Gibson brand guitar. Plenty of doctors, dentists, and stock brokers to whom $1,000 is nothing. They'll pay. And there's Epiphone for the rest of us. (Or HB)
I,m going to pick up a Harley Benton SC 550 some colouring and specs in about 2 hours. I had never heard of the Brand until I saw the one I ,m picking up. I owned a 2017 Les Paul Studio, but was not s real fan for the $1100. I had to have yanked quickly to ease the sting. Great sounds coming out of the Benton a lot crisper then my Studio guitar, I found it was to muted s little kinda woodsy with the chunky Mahogany body and neck for me. I'm looking forward to plugging in out back in the Barn and giving her a ripp. At $275. in mint condition, if mint is actually a condition a guitar comes in; with original case and that's Canadian Looneys. Be enough left to swing by Molsons for a 2,4 to keep the neighbors hands busy from calling the cops for disturbing their peace. Thanks for the video covered my concerns of sound quality and spec's. CHEERS
Hi Mark, that's a gorgeous Les Paul gold top you've got there, those mini humbuckers definitely give it a more vintage tone than the standard humbuckers and I think those minis suit the instrument better anyway!... 🎸🙂
Hi! I totally agree. Though the HB is fine, but the Gibson has a slightly open tone that I love. And yes, the minis fit the instrument perfectly IMHO. For me it's the perfect guitar - lightweight (for a LP!), LP shape, excellent satin nitro finish, thin to thick neck with volute, 12" radius. And I like the no-frills part of it too. Versatile guitar I can play all night.
@@MarkZabel Hi Mark, great comparison video - I'll keep an eye out for your content. It must be hard to do a totally unbiased review when one of the guitars is a personal long time favourite carrying a bunch of sentimentality! Nevertheless, you did a great job and I'm more convinced about buying a Harley Benton now - especially as I'm considering a 'B stock'. Yours looks perfect!
I just found your video. I thought the HB sounded a little muddy and the Gibson had warmer tone. That said, I have the SC 550 II, which has a Graphite nut, and Tesla Opus-1 AlNiCo-5 humbuckers instead of the Roswell pickups, which is considered a solid upgrade. It would be interesting to see how they compare to your Gibson's pickups. I think the SC 550 was a great deal, but the SC 550 II is a nice upgrade. If they add a SC 550 III with locking tuners, and a bone nut, for an extra $20 or so, they will have one hot product. Also, your playing was solid. It made it easy to just listen.
That HB sounds really nice. Great review. I am looking to get another guitar here in the next little while. Debating on how much to spend (between $300-$500). I did stop in a pawnshop the other day and played a Dean Thoroughbred (LP Style) they had. I loved it for the short time I messed with it. At $550 a bit high though. But so much smoother to play than my Jackson ($179 JS-22 Dinky 3 years old). Made me see what I am missing. This HB gives me another option to think about. Thanks Mark.
Hey Bruce. My experience is that if you play the guitar and like it - that's worth quite a lot. I do the best I can to give sound demos and sound advice, but there's no substitute to picking up the guitar and playing it. For example, while I really do like the HB in this video, it doesn't feel the same as the Gibson in this video. The finish, the extra pound weight, the sharp rather than curved horn, the neck profile. Don't let me discourage you away from the HB, but I'd be remiss if I didn't point that out. $200 or so isn't much if you spread it over 5 to 10 years or even a lifetime of playing. But yes, I was impressed with the HB for the money. Pretty darn solid and the fretwork is great.
Wow, I'm afraid I like the sound of the Harley Benton better, especially on the DIRT!. I just bought a Harley Benton Telecaster, and it rivals a Fender. thanks for the great video.
The ones I have had were well-made. They (the LP style) were a little too heavy for me, so I no longer have them. I still have a couple of Fender-style HBs. Perfectly fine.
Well Mark, when you put it up against the USA Fender I was partial to the Harley Benton, but here 2 completely different sounds. And again, you didnt butcher either guitar view, both fair reviews!! But Gibson wins this round.... and ironically after spending so much time with ya& listening ,the 1st thing I look for in a guitar is maple wood!! ( browsing on reverb, ect..) I watched this clip several times, all I needed to hear was the dirty feedbacks(?)... feeling like a trador ( I like fender..) but the Gibson definitely has the better sound here. Thanks for just plugging in without all the pedals Mark. Honestly you can get a Ibanez, Washburn, Jackson cheaper & brand new... but the Harley Benton is a wonderful guitar with all due respect. Great review Mark thank's love Kris IL 👍👏🎸💯
Thanks Kris! I agree that the Gibson wins here even if the HB does a credible job. I'm biased though, because the Les Paul I'm playing here is probably my 2nd favorite guitar ever. I just love it! Thanks for watching!
For me the sound is not important when I shop for a guitar on a budget because most likely I’m going to upgrade the pickups. The most important thing for me is the way it feels. I have a US Les Paul standard and it is the nicest feeling guitar I have ever owned. I have a Harley Benton SC jr.. And I was actually impressed with the fingerboard but it still just does not compare to my US Les Paul. But I will say I like the way the body feels like you’re holding a substantial SC. I was not totally disappointed in the fingerboard it just not even come close the Gibson fingerboard. But the Gibson cost me $3500 The HB cost me $380 shipped from overseas in 3 days.
At about 5:30 regarding pickguards... I can take it or leave it depending only on whether it makes a particular guitar look better or not, which is in the eyes of the beholder. I've been playing for decades and never scratched a guitar once with a pick. Usually to me a Les Paul looks sexier without a pickguard so if it comes with one I take it off and just put the mounting screws back in. That sexy body shape is one of things I love about traditional single-cuts and pickguards distract from it. Players that mark their guitars up with picks or even fingernails need to calm down and work on their technique and aim. We're supposed to play the strings, not the paint job.
Usefull review and really nice playing 👍🏻, I got Gibsons, and HB's. On Stage I've mostly play the HB's because no one can hear a real difference. But playing my Gibsons...it still feels Magic. Greetz from Germany,🤘🏻
I know the feeling! I use a lighter guitar on stage because of back issues, but I would do the same thing if I could. Yet I feel the same whenever I pick up my Gibsons! :)
Well, our back pain tells us" you're not 20 anymore" but when we're playing Guitar, we are Immortal 🤓 your Videos are very nice and you're a very good Player 👍🏻 maybe u watch my Guitar Videos too. Wish you all the best 👋
I got the sc550 ii with stainless steel frets and Tesla Opus-1 Alnico-5 humbucker pickups have to say I love it. Just a side note. The SC550 II and your version are made in Indonesia, the cheaper Harley Benton's are made in Vietnam and much more hit and miss for quality. Based on others reviews and my own experience the Indonesia ones all seem to be excellent quality in comparison. Just something to consider if you are thinking of buying one.
Thanks Ben. Small correction, my SC550 was made in Vietnam, not Indonesia. Like pretty much all companies these days, they're going to shift production from facility to facility based upon demand and supply of parts and labor.
@@MarkZabel I spoke to Thomman for advice and mentioned reviews saying Vietnam were hit and miss and the ones from Indonesia were better and they told me that the SC550 ii and their more expensive guitars were now made in Indonesia. I love mine but I only have my Fender Acoustic cd 140 to compare it with. Just a beginner a friend who has been playing his whole life recommended HB to me. I didnt know anything about different styles and only bought it because it was the cheapest one they had that was made in Indonesia. You probably think that crazy but it made sense to me at the time.
I found one that’s been slightly modified. Seymour Duncan bridge pickup, not sure about the neck, it looks like it has Gibson Deluxe tuners, and a graphite nut is what I can see. It’s for my Daughter so I hope it checks out okay cause she’s excited about getting one that looks like my Adam Jones Standard Silverburst I have coming.
I've got the SC-25 Anniversary Model now, and it's impressively close to the sound of a Gibson-I'd struggle to tell the difference. It boasts a full P90-type sound with serious punch. In terms of value for money, it gives the LP a real run for its money on tone. However, craftsmanship-wise, it's not quite at the same level. But I'm really taken with the roasted maple neck; it's incredibly smooth, like silk. The pots are decent, but the switch is frankly terrible-I'm planning on replacing it with something better. One standout feature is the stainless steel frets-you'd usually only find those on a LP from the custom shop. Plus, it comes equipped with locking tuners, which may not be essential but are a nice touch. Overall, it's a fantastic platform for modifications. Mine weighs around 8 pounds, which suits me well as an older player-weight matters when you're playing for extended periods. However, it's worth noting that not all SC-25s will be the same weight; Harley Benton guitars are known for their variation in weight. So, if you're in need of an affordable guitar that you can take to gigs without worrying too much about it getting lost or stolen, this is a solid choice. It's reliable and durable, but perhaps not quite at a professional level. I regret selling mine 30 years ago when I was younger-I've since acquired a USA Pro Strat that I'll never part with; you can really feel the difference in its professional-grade construction. That said, if you're after a great platform for modifications, don't hesitate to pick up the SC-25.
As far as sound goes, I'm right with you. In terms of playability and feel (satin nitro vs poly), the Gibson wins. Actually though, I think many would prefer the neck of the Harley Benton. (I don't, but I tend to like fat necks.) So I think you're spot on!
Gibson all the way. Mini hums just have a very unique sound you don't get with full size HB's or even P90's imho. The Harley Benton is nice though for the amount of bucks spent. Also a lot depends on the player. You're an excellent player and you could probably make rubber bands strung up sound good. stay safe
The Gibson clearly has better pickups. Much more mellow, creamy sound. That being said, the HB still sounded great, and the new models have superior pickups. Is comparing a ~$1000 guitar to a ~$250 guitar "fair?" Not really. But this sure won't dissuade someone on a budget or looking for a first time buy from checking out HB.
Depends on which model you talking about. The new models are made in Indonesia. The SC 550 plus for example and the HB35 plus are atleast made there. And they are a good step up from the older ones. Atleast thats what i got from several reviews who also had an older version.
I would say that the HB's stainless steel frets is a real plus as far as lifetime cost of ownership goes. @Mark - how are these two guitars's fret wear holding up? Thank you for the detailed comparison.
Good question. I can't tell you about the HB, as I don't have it any more. The Gibson's frets are still fine. I don't see I'll need to replace them anytime soon. But I have a good number of guitars.
I have a harley b with p 90s a les p shape.upgrades with nut tuners and bridge all help.a bit of a set up too.great player.pick it up more than guitars that cost six times more.
Maybe it's the speakers on my computer, but I couldn't tell much difference between the two. Based on that, I'd be a little more inclined to get the HB. For one thing, you can take it places and play with it. It might get a few dings, but you won't care because it was a $200 instrument, not a $1200 one! Granted, if I needed to sell it I could probably get more money out of the Les Paul, but I never buy a guitar thinking I'm going to sell it later on. Heck, I still have my first acoustic, which I got as a Christmas present in 1983.
The HB is fine. Nothing wrong with it. Pickups aren't that expensive. If you're after sound, buy the *exact* pickups you want. That's 99% of it for the guitar ... I mean besides your fingers and amp.
Personally, I think it's all about playability. If the HB plays great, you have to question the price of the Gibson to see if the playability compares, and paying X amount of £ or $ is worth that playibility. The sound can be eq'd to sound more or less any way you want it and even then if you can't get that sound through the eq then the pickups on the HB can be swapped out if that isn't working for you. Ultimately, the tone of your guitar will come from the SPEAKER(s) in your amp (not the valves), or if you're using digital, your amp sim. That's where the tone really lies.
Totally agree with the sentiment here. The sound demo is what people want, but *personally*, the sound part of the guitar (for a solid body guitar) comes 99.9% from the pickups and their height. If one accepts that, one should not be willing to pay more than, say $300 or so, for any sound differences - the cost (any maybe installation) of the pickups of your choice. I *do* think there's more than playability, although that's also my personal #1 choice. There's also comfort (over 9 lbs just doesn't cut it for me any more), features you're into like smooth tuners or a particular neck joint, style and color for many people, and of course resale value. Then there's the whole amp side, which is really where the action is as you say.
I own two Hatley Bentons. If I was a multi-millionaire I could see spending the difference. They play amazing and so is the fit and finish. I will buy another one.
I think they sounded pretty much identical. Both sound warm and nice but the HB handled the high gain test much better, could be cuz of the full size humbuckers.
Right of the bat the Gibson products a much smoother tone. Worth the money to me. Maybe a comparison between an Epiphone. Replacing the pickups would put you on Epi territory. Do, which of those two would be better? A sick Epi or an upgrade HB? Which has a better neck feel? Also, the HB with Gibson pickups might be worth it. Resulting in half the price.
Yeah, my personal feeling is that the sound is darn near 100% of the pickups. (I mean guitar-wise ... doesn't count your amp or your fingers, which are probably most of the battle.) So the neck and the feel/comfort drive everything for me. Having said that, I do like the more organic sound of the Gibson here. With lots of gain it doesn't matter as much. I think many of the cheaper brands optimize their pickups for heavily overdriven sound - something I'm not much into. But yes, put your favorite pickups into a well-built and great feeling guitar ... it's going to scream the way you want it to.
A lot of people tend to slam Gibson for it's pricing and it's true to an extent, they are overpriced for what they are but on the lower end, Tribute etc, at about $1000 they are not unreasonable considering resale value. That changes outside of the US however, in Europe for example you can get much better guitars for the same money. The HB is NOT a $270 Les Paul killer, it's an affordable alternative that gets you in the ball park tone wise. The same is true of pretty much any sub $500 LP copy. That said, you can pick up a Harley Benton SC 450 Plus (Cheapest HB with a mahogany body) for Under $200 and upgrade it to be every bit as good as a Gibson: Guitar ~ $220 (including a rather high shipping estimate) All Gibson replacement parts including: Bridge, tailpiece, tuners (grover), pickups (57 classics), pots (gibson branded), switch (Gibson branded) - well under $300 You would need some knowhow to install it all or have to pay a luthier/guitar tech to do it, lets just add another $300 (on the high side including a setup) Cost of a decent gig bag ~$100 As you can see, for the average person who doesn't know how to do the work themselves and wants 100% Gibson parts you are creeping very close to Tribute pricing with all those upgrades and you won't be getting the name, nitro finish or "prestige" that the Tribute brings not to mention low resale value. However, just upgrading pickups and using quality non Gibson branded parts where needed you could get that genuine Gibson tone for well under $500 if you are willing to do the work yourself (youtube tutorials abound). That is including Gibson 57 classic pickups. The more you can do yourself the more you save. I guess the TLDR is this: A Tribute is a complete instrument, complete with case/gig bag for about $1000 + setup fee where needed, no upgrades necessary to get the tone you buy a Les Paul for. No fuss, no time investment. A clone will need upgrades that will cost money and take time to install but will save you anywhere up to $500 while still achieving the same tone in a mix, well worth it for the budget conscious.
I love my hb 550 but he’s not lying, mine weighs sooooo much I can only play it standing for about 20 minutes, I weight released it and it’s still a ton.
i have the sc450 plus honey burst put thru a hk nano vintage box head into a 1x12 cab with sheffield 8ohm speaker boss od3 chours and a phaser pedals happy days for me
Nothing wrong with the HB whatsoever. BUT, If you wanted to You could always change out your electronics to anything you wanted too with all the money you saved not buying an over priced Gibson or at least a hard case. But remember HB Guitars are metric and specs are a bit off because they don't need to be sued. example The Tele copies they make Fender Pickguards don't fit. Pickup hole is a bit lower then Fender and shape of cutaway a bit different. If I remember correctly it is closer to neck then Fender.
Dude this is a great reveiw , I'm really thinking of buying your guitar per say. I have a standard and classic thinking of flogging my standard to fund the buy can you tell me how the fit and finish was if you can remember cheers
Thanks Neil! Everything was great, except I *did* have a pro put in a bone nut about a week after I got it. Not sure if bone nuts are stock now - they might be. The point is, I knew I loved it pretty much instantly. BTW, so you know, it has quite a thick neck being a 70s tribute and all. I believe they make others with different neck carves, so spend a little time on that - unless you can find one to play locally first. Good luck. I love the weight relief and overall feel and sound of the guitar.
I think the LP sounds better, but mostly cuz you're probably more comfortable playing it. Also, I don't think it's $1000 better sounding the the HB FWIW
Great video. I will say this they both sound the same setting over in the corner. You are a great player my hats off to you. I think both sound good . I think if you are a beginner or if you want to learn to work on guitars or if you want to mod I would say buy the Harley you have money to work with.
Thanks Alan! I think that's fine in the 2020s, as the HB plays pretty well. My biggest concern with beginners choosing cheap guitars (I'd classify this HB as inexpensive rather than cheap.) is that the guitar play well and stay in tune. I always recommend $30-$100 is spent on the setup after receiving the guitar. A guitar that doesn't play well will be ignored within a week or two for all except the most committed beginners. Sound is almost completely irrelevant. Comfort and playability are far more important for beginners.
Both sound as good as each other to me!! However it’s not really about sound and playability it should be but it’s not!! , people want the history the Gibson name and legacy means a lot to some folk.
On the Harley Benton's side dot's on the binding are not centered in the middle of the binding and I bet that is the main reason that the HB is a B stock guitar.
I own a harley benton s620 the blue one with the floyd rose,I also have a harley benton sc 400 sg style guitar and I have the 20 hh tele style harley benton ,I have a 2004 fender stratocaster and a 2006 kramer striker with a floyd rose ,my start was around $1100 my kramer around $850 my harley benton sc 400 I believe was around $160 shipping included my harley benton s620 $225 including shipping and my harley Benton 20 hh tele style I believe was $168 shipping included, the three harley benton I have play awesome the s620 with the floyd plays as well if not better than my kramer the 20 hh harley Benton plays good as well as my sc 400 harley benton the workmanship is great on all my harley Benton's granted they are budget guitars but there is really a bang for your buck so to speak when it comes to harley benton guitars they are made and play very well to me I'm going to order another harley benton guitar in the near future I'm sure I'm looking at the lower priced les paul style they have theres been good reviews in it ,harley benton customer service is outstanding in my book I've always had a positive experience with thomann on every harley Benton I've ordered I live in Springfield, Missouri and everytime I've ordered a harley benton guitar it's only taken them 4 days to ship it that's the same amount of days as musicians friend took to ship my Kramer and I'm 3hrs from kc where musicians friend is located so shipping from thomann excellent in my opinion, and thomann will stand behind anything they sell the guitars have a 3 yr warranty so that's a plus musicians friend I believe is only 90daya so go figure anyway in book harley benton guitar are outstanding and you get way more quality I think and as I said before thomanns customer service is excellent, so don't be afraid to purchase a harley benton guitar when you do it will surprise the heck out of you and you will say why have I been spending my pay check on $1000 guitars you will be hooked on harley benton trust me try one for yourself you just may be surprised as i said,great videos
Well! If you really want to know! I thought the Gibson sounded different from a "Regular" one, so maybe Maple does make a difference. Personally, I think I'd want a comparison between the Harley Benton and a more "Standard" Gibson Les Paul. I mean, I gotta think that Your Guitar, which is all blinged out with not only the Maple Neck but the Mini-Pick Ups too, is not going to be your "ordinary" Gibson Les Paul. I'd like a more straight-up comparison, I think. Anyway..... (Great Channel. Lovin' your stuff.) 👍
LOL! Thanks, and thanks for your commentary too. I can't afford a Standard Gibson, so the Tribute Series is what I can offer until I get that Gibson endorsement! (I'm laughing!)
@@MarkZabel I'm surprised: I would have assumed that a "tribute" would be more expensive. 💸 💵 💸 💸 💵💵💵💵 Anyway, after watching your channel, Gibson should, you know, do some promotion and give you one! 🎸
The brand Vintage makes good guitars. Their Les Paul copies seem to be around $500. But Heritage guitars are excellent, and basically the same cost as Gibson. You'll be paying $2,500 for a Heritage LP Standard, which is well above Gibson Studios or the Tribute LP series.
A Gibson Les Paul deluxe will NEVER be beaten, spent the money and it will gig for decades, spend the money if you are a gigging guitarist and you wont go wrong.
Hi Mark, hope you staying safe out there. Which pickups have more output an Alnico 2 or an Alnico V? Would you replace the pickups on the Harley Benton with other name brand pickups like a DiMarzio Super Distortion or Seymour Duncan 59? Thank you.
Hi Angel. Alnico 5 typically have more output. If I keep the HB I may change pickups someday. I don't like "hot" pickups like the DiMarzio Super Distortion, so I would go for Seymour Duncan Antiquities or SH's or maybe Mojotone '59 Clones. That's why I like Alnico 2s BTW. But Alnico 5s are the most common. The HB has Alnico 5s. The new Gibson LP Tributes have "409" pickups, which are Alnico 2s.
Hi Mark, thank you for responding. I want to thank you for always taking time out to answer my questions. You seem like such a cool dude man, pardon my colloquial expression, LOL. I was meaning to ask you about what do you think of P90 pickups? Even though they are of course, single coil would you say they are kind of a cross between a true single coil and a humbucker? Sorry for the many questions, but do the P90s have as much output as a mini humbucker? Thanks.
I pick the halley ,but would like rosewoodfretboard.60s slim taper feels alot better to me ,I always do my own frets .The gibson pickups would most likley have to go.I have some dirty fingers and p a f s in a shoe box.
The Gibson sounds muddy compared to the Harley Benton. I like the HB sound a little more than the Gibson, and for the price you’d be paying for the name with the Gibson. I have a HB 355plus that was a blem. It has split coils too and it was well under 200 bucks. It plays excellent.
The Gibson Tribute sounds very good but for the price the HB is fantastic. Thanks Mark, that was a useful comparison.
You've totally convinced me to try out a Harley Benton. There have been a few other youtube channels that have played them and checked them out. But, the comparison makes it real! This guitar is definitely not a waste of $300.
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback. I'm so glad to help.
Unless you live in the US and Thomann sends you a dud then tells you it will cost you like $70-$150 to ship it back to them, then you have to pay for new shipping another $70. Happens pretty often, I see it in forums daily.
@@NawImNate I have owned 2 and this has never happened, but Reverb has a US HB store with free shipping. It ends up being about the same price as if you ordered from Germany, but easier return.
@@NawImNate Im sooo lucky I work in Germany about 30 miles from village where Thomann has a store and storage facilities. That place is huge. You can try out any guitar that comes to mind. Im going overthere next month to check out HB sc550 ii. its 320 € with soft case.
@@NawImNate thank god i live in Germany... 👍😄
Excellent comparison video, Mark! I've seen other vids that compare two guitars, but unlike yours, most of them DON'T play the same riffs and chords for each guitar! Your playing is great and you chose really appropriate bits of riffs/chords to make an accurate comparison, AND you make the bits of playing short and sweet, but long enough to get a good sense of each guitar. I LOVE that you didn't use pedals, which only would make it less easy to judge the attributes of each guitar. Outstanding!
Glad you liked it!
Gibson sounds a little warmer to me. I always wonder however if the cheaper guitar could sound similar if the settings were tweaked. So many ways to adjust electric guitar sound with amp, pedals, controls on guitar. HB is an attractive guitar! First thing I look at on LP's is the headstock and the HB headstock is attractive. Glad to hear the playability is good. The most important thing!
Sure the settings can be tweaked. IMHO the Gibson has an "open" sound the HB and inexpensive humbuckers don't have. I've not been able to tweak that with EQ. If you play with lots of distortion it doesn't matter. Use any old cheap pickup or an expensive one if you want to hear individual notes and you shred.
But yes, playability and comfort - so you'll bond with the guitar - are the most important things. Pickups can easily be changed and you can have world class sound in a solid body electric for $300 more - and your favored sound too. If you don't like the guitar in the first place it's kind of pointless to put in awesome pickups.
A good Boss effects console can make it sound any way you like.
BOSS GE7. Problem solver
I’m not hearing enough difference in sound to warrant the $$$ difference, and just my opinion, the Harley is really a good looking guitar.
Well, sound is only one part. For me, this Gibson LP Tribute is the perfect guitar - perfect weight and perfect neck. But yes, the HB actually is a great guitar too. And I think many people would actually prefer the neck. (I like fat necks more than skinny ones.)
The HB actually has fairly bright sounding pickups, which is a treat. If it were only 1.5 lbs lighter! Plus, I think many people would say the HB looks better.
And you know, suppose the Les Paul was $2,500 or so ... kind of typical for a Les Paul ... again, I'd bet you wouldn't hear much of a difference.
I hear it. The Gibson is so much warmer and deeper and that real classic Gibson sound. If you put both of them in your hands and played them. You'd hear and feel the difference without question. Tough to really hear difference on UA-cam. But like I said before. That Harley still seems like a great guitar for the money. I might get one. Lol
@@Whereyouatyo Yep, that's the right picture. The Harley is fine, but it's not the Gibson. And that's the sound. The feel isn't quite there either. Again, the HB has good fretwork, comfortable neck, etc. But subtle things make a difference. It may not be enough for most people to care, and that's really the question.
@@Whereyouatyo OK. Buy HB and put Gibson pups in it. Case closed.
@@hadeseye2297 its not that simple.. lol
Moral of the story: Gibson's are just ridiculously over-priced, and unless you are obsessed with the name on your headstock, a Harley Benton will get the job done just fine and leave a nice large chunk of change in your pocket for buying a great amp.
Thanks for your opinion and comment. I don't agree that the Gibson Tribute line is overpriced. $1,000 for a lifetime guitar and (IMHO) much richer sound - clean especially. For me (not necessarily others) it's a perfect weight, balance, finish and everything.
BUT, I do agree that the HB is exceedingly well-priced. Not much one can do with the neck carve and weight, but throw in the right Seymour Duncans (or whatever is your top choice) for $300 or less and you've got a great sounding guitar that plays pretty well. One of the best inexpensive LP copies I have played!
New pups, lots of pedals, cables and strings. And a visit at luthier.
And good supper with your girl.
Les Paul Tribute model will mop the floor w a Harley Benton.. lol what a joke.
@@jmo1366 I own both, and you couldn't be more wrong.
@@ericknapp4352 I own a 2017 Tribute (pre- maple neck thank God), and Ive seen the Harley Bentons.. Keep dreaming buddy. Bentons are glorified Epis. Id rather have an Epi.. Its a good guitar for its price. Nothing more, nothing less. All the comments on these vids make me laugh. Like it says it in the vid.. "Is this a fair comparison? (chuckles) No its not, but...."
Once again, Mark is spot on. I have the HB SC 550 and the HB CST 24T and wouldn’t trade them for the world.
That's great!
Beautiful playing! I’ve got a HB SC-450 plus vintage which I’m quite fond of and use a lot, despite having more expensive and similar (Epiphone and PRS single-cut) guitars to compare to. The HB gets the most use without doubt. Great comparison.
Thanks Ben! I like Epiphones (mostly) and PRS too. But the HB single cuts are really good for the money and fun to play! Thanks for watching.
*Leave your comments and questions below!*
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Thanks for the video. I've often wondered this question. Good thing though, the benton has great bones and can be very easily upgraded
Yes, good bones. I like that description.
Fretboard is super flat on them. Your wrist will hurt after any amount of time playing while standing up.
You're right, the pickups on the HB sound nice and articulate and produce a nice clean tone. And the more I listen to your posts, I think I like the tones from the Blackstar a lot too.
Glad you like them! I have really enjoyed playing through the Blackstar HT5R.
Blackstar make excellent amps like a quality Marshall with a bit more versatility and much more competitive pricing
Nice video Mark, thank you! Boy, these Harley’s come out very favourably in such comparisons. I’ve had a couple and they have been spot on - and great value, clearly.
Great value certainly.
Recently I have bought an HB SC-550 in Tobacco Burst colour. First of all this guitar is a looker. Finely crafted and has great details for its price point. I have been playing a Strat replica for ages so humbuckers' darker sound was not easy to accommodate. That is not to say that stock Tesla pickups are dull sounding; on the contrary they are surprisingly doing justice to the Les Paul heritage; and if you do not agree with this opinion you won't hesitate to upgrade them considering how reasonably priced SC-550 is. And thank you for the review it is quite interesting for me to listen the comparison with a genuine Gibson. I wish I could afford one
You're welcome. Thanks for watching.
I just ordered an SC-550 ii BCF today and I'm stoked. Never liked the feel of Les Paul guitars, but I'm on a guitar buying kick lately, and just want a variety. Got a Hard Luck Kings Southern Belle Telecaster a few weeks ago. A nice Tele for anyone looking cheap.
Nice! I'm the opposite. The LP single cut style is always my go-to. They just weigh too darn much!
@@MarkZabel Though I havent touched a LP in about 25 years....so we shall see!!
Hi Mike, how did the bcf work out ? I'm on the fence about buying one for myself, I was going to buy the xt-22 but when I seen the ii had chambered body, I was thinking if that instead.
@@Arkslippy It’s an absolute gem. It’s just perfect and plays amazingly.
I am a bass player and got very curious about the Harley Benton basses. I ordered a Enhanced MP-4EB in Lake Blue. I have an extensive collection of basses and the HB bass is loaded with great features only found on top knotch basses the only problem is the pickups and preamp that hold this bass back, but for the money it is a thing of beauty with amazing appointments.
I picked up an HB five-string fretless for £100 - fantastic instrument!
Thanks! I've heard a bunch of UA-camrs talk about the HB.
Now that my favorite jazz guy gives the thumbs up, I bought one.
I got the JA in kit form. I'm looking forward to building the kit and playing on P-90's.
My only regret is that shipping cost more than the guitar. Since this is my Christmas present to me, Slower and cheaper would be a better option.
Even slow shipping is expensive nowadays. Gonna be that way for a while I think.
Those Roswell pickups are brighter than I expected. Not harsh but definitely a difference. Although, I guess if you did find it too bright you could replace the pickups with anything you wanted and still be way under the cost of the LP.
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised by the bright sound of the pickups. I might replace the pickups some day, but for now if they're too bright, the tone knob is right there!
I bought my son a Harley Benton left handed Mustang short scale guitar. It had been professionally set up frets polished etc, for the money it’s an excellent guitar the only thing it lacks is the in/out phase switching that’s possible on a Mustang but is a great little guitar
Awesome!
The Benton's are dope. I almost bought one of those tributes on musicians friend and I just don't want to play a non binded Les Paul that cost that much. I bought a Benton EX84 with the off brand active pups and it's such a great guitar for 300 and shipping. I realized looking at the backs of some of these Benton Les Paul models that had clear finishes that showed the wood grain that the body was three pieces of mahogany that where glued together to be big enough to put in the shaping machines to form the guitars shape. I personally love a company trying something different because my guitar sounds awesome and I could have bought 4 for what that Gibson cost. The neck is extremely nice and beautiful. Only thing that bothers me is I wish I could have got the model of my guitar that came with EMGs. I couldnt find a antique white one either so had to get black. That white was perfect
Glad you like your HBs. They're pretty darn good for the money.
I have the same hb as being played and I love it the Matt finish is all part of the wow factor when you unbox it for that first time, it was how much nah can't be. Just lowered the action slightly.
The "Secret Spec" cracked me up. Great Demo!
LOL! Glad you enjoyed it - the video and the "secret spec"!
I prefer the sound of the HB, specifically with distortion
Interesting. Thanks for the feedback.
Exactly
Lol
I can clearly hear the warmer and smoother tones with that LP. OBVIOUSLY. that guitar is going up against one the of best tones. So that being said. For the money. And quality of the HB. pretty nice. Got me thinking I might pick one up. Great playing by the way!
Thanks! I'm in total agreement with you. This particular LP is really perfect for me, with its thin-to-thick profile, volute, satin finish and perfect weight. But yes, the HP is surprisingly good for the price.
The quality of les paul copies now are so good compared to years ago when i got into playing.
I have a similar Harley Benton, mine has a pickguard and coil splits but everything else is similar. The pickups on mine were really dark and muddy, I couldn't get this guitar to sound good on any of my amps. It played beautifully though. I ended up putting Grover tuners and a Seymour Duncan Jazz and JB set, now it is an amazing screamer of a guitar that keeps up with my Gibsons all day.
Very cool!
I can't comment on this particular guitar, but I have a H.B. te52, that is just perfect.
Damn they just upraded 550 . stainless steel and new pickups and pao fretboard.
Stainless steel frets are good. I see the price went up a bit too.
I’ve purchased one.
@@MarkZabel didn't you say the 550 you're talking about new was 270? These 550II is 279 not much of an increase especially considering all the upgrades and built by Cort in Indonesia. Take my extra 9 bucks.
That gibson looks amazing. Personally i am a Harley benton fan. I started with them and i like them. I have a SC 500 and an SC 550 now and more to come someday. For the money and what you get they are unbeatable. Sure one day when i can play really well i might get a solar or chapman explorer style. But to be fair HB is upping their game i might stick to the upper version of HB like the Amarok , SC550 plus, agufish LP or an explorer they make. I just hope they up the game with nicer finishes.
I like HB guitars as well ... at least so far. I've had two Fusion II guitars as well. Both were very good.
The gibson can sound way more clear and cleaner,but you can always upgrade the HB later on
my budget go to harley benton..its sounds great for beginner like me. great job mark
Thanks! Yes, they're quite good for budget guitars.
Excellent comparison review. The HB might be for me.... I'm just a hobby player and Gibson is out of my range, if you say it's playable, I'll trust you, and it sounds fine for what I'm gonna do
So far I've tried out 6 Harley Bentons. They were all playable and some have been excellent!
I liked the HB clean tones but then when I heard the Gibson it hit me immediately what it was missing. The Gibson sounded 20% sweeter to my ears. I'd love to hear the HB with the Gibson pickups in it. On the other hand if you're mostly interested in dirty sounds then I wouldn't bother modding it because the two guitars sounded pretty much the same to me.
Cool! I feel more or less the same. I like the Gibson dirty too, but I'm not at all into high gain. Cheaper pickups (IMHO) do high gain just fine ... although again, I don't use that much.
I put some GFS Mean 90s in my HB CST 24t, it sounds incredible. I love it. It is better than my Gibson Les Paul classic for $2,400.
Awesome!
Great comparison. In the hands of a good player the difference is small
I love my Harley Benton. Sounds great.
Awesome
Gibson at one point was a top notch guitar company, and it's been a while . Gibson makes their guitars pretty much the same way HB make their guitars, CNC shaping, etc. Gibson might have access to better woods, but HB is offering an incredibly affordable and great playing, and sounding guitar. Gibson's idea of value is replacing a rosewood fretboard with a slice of cheap maple with black stain, and skipping the binding, then still selling it for 1200.00 dollars. Gibson needs to work on a value line like they used to have way back, (melody makers, Jr's, remember the firebrand???) They could easily set up a small plant in Mexico and deliver a budget Gibson. I own one HB so far, and I would put it's quality almost on par with the same style Gibson.
Thanks for your comment.
I don't think you'll see a value line Gibson. Epiphone is their value line. They sell far more Epiphones and reserve Gibson for people who are willing to pay top dollar for the line. I'm quite happy with the thinner, chambered body and roasted maple fretboard without binding (I prefer the Studio to Standard Les Paul), but the Tributes of today use rosewood. But I also paid $599 for the LP used in this video, not $1,200 - so that's quite a difference. I'm not into "bling" and reject the "tonewood" arguments for solid-body guitars, so I'd never get a Gibson standard. Just doesn't make sense for me - too much for a maple cap and a white strip - and it's heavier too! No thanks.
Having said all of that, the HB is a great platform. Great bones. Put decent pickups in it and you've got a very nice guitar. Heavy for my taste, even chambered, but nothing to really complain about. Rivals Epiphone IMHO.
I have a Melody Maker that I love. Gibson *does* make Juniors in their Tribute line for under $1,000, but they're still around the $800 mark or so. I wouldn't expect that to change. They're made for people who want a Gibson brand guitar. Plenty of doctors, dentists, and stock brokers to whom $1,000 is nothing. They'll pay. And there's Epiphone for the rest of us. (Or HB)
I,m going to pick up a Harley Benton SC 550 some colouring and specs in about 2 hours. I had never heard of the Brand until I saw the one I ,m picking up. I owned a 2017 Les Paul Studio, but was not s real fan for the $1100. I had to have yanked quickly to ease the sting. Great sounds coming out of the Benton a lot crisper then my Studio guitar, I found it was to muted s little kinda woodsy with the chunky Mahogany body and neck for me. I'm looking forward to plugging in out back in the Barn and giving her a ripp. At $275. in mint condition, if mint is actually a condition a guitar comes in; with original case and that's Canadian Looneys. Be enough left to swing by Molsons for a 2,4
to keep the neighbors hands busy from calling the cops for disturbing their peace. Thanks for the video covered my concerns of sound quality and spec's.
CHEERS
Thanks Johnny. Enjoy your new guitar!!
Hi Mark, that's a gorgeous Les Paul gold top you've got there, those mini humbuckers definitely give it a more vintage tone than the standard humbuckers and I think those minis suit the instrument better anyway!... 🎸🙂
Hi! I totally agree. Though the HB is fine, but the Gibson has a slightly open tone that I love. And yes, the minis fit the instrument perfectly IMHO. For me it's the perfect guitar - lightweight (for a LP!), LP shape, excellent satin nitro finish, thin to thick neck with volute, 12" radius. And I like the no-frills part of it too. Versatile guitar I can play all night.
@@MarkZabel Hi Mark, great comparison video - I'll keep an eye out for your content. It must be hard to do a totally unbiased review when one of the guitars is a personal long time favourite carrying a bunch of sentimentality! Nevertheless, you did a great job and I'm more convinced about buying a Harley Benton now - especially as I'm considering a 'B stock'. Yours looks perfect!
I just found your video. I thought the HB sounded a little muddy and the Gibson had warmer tone. That said, I have the SC 550 II, which has a Graphite nut, and Tesla Opus-1 AlNiCo-5 humbuckers instead of the Roswell pickups, which is considered a solid upgrade. It would be interesting to see how they compare to your Gibson's pickups. I think the SC 550 was a great deal, but the SC 550 II is a nice upgrade. If they add a SC 550 III with locking tuners, and a bone nut, for an extra $20 or so, they will have one hot product. Also, your playing was solid. It made it easy to just listen.
Thanks! Would be interesting. Maybe some day.
That HB sounds really nice. Great review. I am looking to get another guitar here in the next little while. Debating on how much to spend (between $300-$500). I did stop in a pawnshop the other day and played a Dean Thoroughbred (LP Style) they had. I loved it for the short time I messed with it. At $550 a bit high though. But so much smoother to play than my Jackson ($179 JS-22 Dinky 3 years old). Made me see what I am missing. This HB gives me another option to think about. Thanks Mark.
Hey Bruce. My experience is that if you play the guitar and like it - that's worth quite a lot. I do the best I can to give sound demos and sound advice, but there's no substitute to picking up the guitar and playing it. For example, while I really do like the HB in this video, it doesn't feel the same as the Gibson in this video. The finish, the extra pound weight, the sharp rather than curved horn, the neck profile. Don't let me discourage you away from the HB, but I'd be remiss if I didn't point that out. $200 or so isn't much if you spread it over 5 to 10 years or even a lifetime of playing.
But yes, I was impressed with the HB for the money. Pretty darn solid and the fretwork is great.
Great comparison vid Mark! I have a HB-SC450 Plus and it sounds killer through my Orange amp.
Thanks!!
Wow, I'm afraid I like the sound of the Harley Benton better, especially on the DIRT!. I just bought a Harley Benton Telecaster, and it rivals a Fender. thanks for the great video.
Hey, no worries. The HB is a good guitar. Glad you liked the video!
Great comparison video,very methodical approach,for my taste the Gibson sounds a little dull but the Harley Benton sparkles.
Thanks!
HB’s are great guitars Mark. I have a few. I leave my Pauls at home now.
The ones I have had were well-made. They (the LP style) were a little too heavy for me, so I no longer have them. I still have a couple of Fender-style HBs. Perfectly fine.
Well Mark, when you put it up against the USA Fender I was partial to the Harley Benton, but here 2 completely different sounds. And again, you didnt butcher either guitar view, both fair reviews!! But Gibson wins this round.... and ironically after spending so much time with ya& listening ,the 1st thing I look for in a guitar is maple wood!! ( browsing on reverb, ect..) I watched this clip several times, all I needed to hear was the dirty feedbacks(?)... feeling like a trador ( I like fender..) but the Gibson definitely has the better sound here. Thanks for just plugging in without all the pedals Mark. Honestly you can get a Ibanez, Washburn, Jackson cheaper & brand new... but the Harley Benton is a wonderful guitar with all due respect. Great review Mark thank's love Kris IL 👍👏🎸💯
Thanks Kris! I agree that the Gibson wins here even if the HB does a credible job. I'm biased though, because the Les Paul I'm playing here is probably my 2nd favorite guitar ever. I just love it! Thanks for watching!
@@MarkZabel thanks Mark, both guitars AWESOME, without a doubt!!I no sarcasm intended!! Thanks Mark!!
For me the sound is not important when I shop for a guitar on a budget because most likely I’m going to upgrade the pickups. The most important thing for me is the way it feels. I have a US Les Paul standard and it is the nicest feeling guitar I have ever owned. I have a Harley Benton SC jr.. And I was actually impressed with the fingerboard but it still just does not compare to my US Les Paul. But I will say I like the way the body feels like you’re holding a substantial SC. I was not totally disappointed in the fingerboard it just not even come close the Gibson fingerboard. But the Gibson cost me $3500 The HB cost me $380 shipped from overseas in 3 days.
At about 5:30 regarding pickguards... I can take it or leave it depending only on whether it makes a particular guitar look better or not, which is in the eyes of the beholder. I've been playing for decades and never scratched a guitar once with a pick. Usually to me a Les Paul looks sexier without a pickguard so if it comes with one I take it off and just put the mounting screws back in. That sexy body shape is one of things I love about traditional single-cuts and pickguards distract from it. Players that mark their guitars up with picks or even fingernails need to calm down and work on their technique and aim. We're supposed to play the strings, not the paint job.
Usefull review and really nice playing 👍🏻, I got Gibsons, and HB's. On Stage I've mostly play the HB's because no one can hear a real difference. But playing my Gibsons...it still feels Magic. Greetz from Germany,🤘🏻
I know the feeling! I use a lighter guitar on stage because of back issues, but I would do the same thing if I could. Yet I feel the same whenever I pick up my Gibsons! :)
Well, our back pain tells us" you're not 20 anymore" but when we're playing Guitar, we are Immortal 🤓 your Videos are very nice and you're a very good Player 👍🏻 maybe u watch my Guitar Videos too. Wish you all the best 👋
@@stratosphere835 Thanks. I'll check out your channel. Thanks for stopping by.
I got the sc550 ii with stainless steel frets and Tesla Opus-1 Alnico-5 humbucker pickups have to say I love it. Just a side note. The SC550 II and your version are made in Indonesia, the cheaper Harley Benton's are made in Vietnam and much more hit and miss for quality. Based on others reviews and my own experience the Indonesia ones all seem to be excellent quality in comparison. Just something to consider if you are thinking of buying one.
Thanks Ben. Small correction, my SC550 was made in Vietnam, not Indonesia. Like pretty much all companies these days, they're going to shift production from facility to facility based upon demand and supply of parts and labor.
@@MarkZabel I spoke to Thomman for advice and mentioned reviews saying Vietnam were hit and miss and the ones from Indonesia were better and they told me that the SC550 ii and their more expensive guitars were now made in Indonesia. I love mine but I only have my Fender Acoustic cd 140 to compare it with. Just a beginner a friend who has been playing his whole life recommended HB to me. I didnt know anything about different styles and only bought it because it was the cheapest one they had that was made in Indonesia. You probably think that crazy but it made sense to me at the time.
I found one that’s been slightly modified. Seymour Duncan bridge pickup, not sure about the neck, it looks like it has Gibson Deluxe tuners, and a graphite nut is what I can see. It’s for my Daughter so I hope it checks out okay cause she’s excited about getting one that looks like my Adam Jones Standard Silverburst I have coming.
Sounds great!
Preffer sound of HB, would be really interesting to have them both in hand and judge the playability :)
Interesting.
I've got the SC-25 Anniversary Model now, and it's impressively close to the sound of a Gibson-I'd struggle to tell the difference. It boasts a full P90-type sound with serious punch. In terms of value for money, it gives the LP a real run for its money on tone. However, craftsmanship-wise, it's not quite at the same level. But I'm really taken with the roasted maple neck; it's incredibly smooth, like silk. The pots are decent, but the switch is frankly terrible-I'm planning on replacing it with something better.
One standout feature is the stainless steel frets-you'd usually only find those on a LP from the custom shop. Plus, it comes equipped with locking tuners, which may not be essential but are a nice touch. Overall, it's a fantastic platform for modifications.
Mine weighs around 8 pounds, which suits me well as an older player-weight matters when you're playing for extended periods. However, it's worth noting that not all SC-25s will be the same weight; Harley Benton guitars are known for their variation in weight. So, if you're in need of an affordable guitar that you can take to gigs without worrying too much about it getting lost or stolen, this is a solid choice. It's reliable and durable, but perhaps not quite at a professional level.
I regret selling mine 30 years ago when I was younger-I've since acquired a USA Pro Strat that I'll never part with; you can really feel the difference in its professional-grade construction. That said, if you're after a great platform for modifications, don't hesitate to pick up the SC-25.
Slightly prefer the Gibson but would probably get the Harley Benton due to the cost! Actually, like them both.
As far as sound goes, I'm right with you. In terms of playability and feel (satin nitro vs poly), the Gibson wins. Actually though, I think many would prefer the neck of the Harley Benton. (I don't, but I tend to like fat necks.)
So I think you're spot on!
@@MarkZabel I thought the Gibson sounded a little warmer but don't ask me to define warmer - I think it's subjective.
HB are great instruments and not just for the price. The best guitar neck I own came with a HB Kit (jaguar) for 100 euros...
The Benton will do just fine
Gibson all the way. Mini hums just have a very unique sound you don't get with full size HB's or even P90's imho. The Harley Benton is nice though for the amount of bucks spent. Also a lot depends on the player. You're an excellent player and you could probably make rubber bands strung up sound good. stay safe
Thanks so much! I feel the same about the guitars. The HB plays well and sounds good. Just a different level IMHO.
What a great video!
You deserve more views, likes and subscribers!
Thanks a lot Mark!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
The Gibson clearly has better pickups. Much more mellow, creamy sound. That being said, the HB still sounded great, and the new models have superior pickups. Is comparing a ~$1000 guitar to a ~$250 guitar "fair?" Not really. But this sure won't dissuade someone on a budget or looking for a first time buy from checking out HB.
My 450 Harley benton with pickup upgrade is my favourite guitar
Cool!
The Harley Benton is pretty cool. I just curious where is it is made.
The website says it's Vietnam. Can't always trust the website, but that's what it says.
Depends on which model you talking about. The new models are made in Indonesia. The SC 550 plus for example and the HB35 plus are atleast made there. And they are a good step up from the older ones. Atleast thats what i got from several reviews who also had an older version.
I would say that the HB's stainless steel frets is a real plus as far as lifetime cost of ownership goes. @Mark - how are these two guitars's fret wear holding up? Thank you for the detailed comparison.
Good question. I can't tell you about the HB, as I don't have it any more. The Gibson's frets are still fine. I don't see I'll need to replace them anytime soon. But I have a good number of guitars.
Love seeing your reviews man!!!!
Thanks brother!
Personally, with the gain in the bridge pickup on both....the HB sounds more articulate the the LP.
Interesting.
I have a harley b with p 90s a les p shape.upgrades with nut tuners and bridge all help.a bit of a set up too.great player.pick it up more than guitars that cost six times more.
Yep. Great players and good sound!
Great video. Very honest review, also you definitely know how to present a guitar. Thank you
Thank you. Glad it was helpful!
New SC-550 II Models available now!
Main Differences: now made in Indonesia, Stainless Steel Frets and Tesla Opus 1 Humbucker ..
About 279€
Considerably more expensive. Don't know about the Tesla Opus 1 Humbucker, but more weight relief would be nice!
Maybe it's the speakers on my computer, but I couldn't tell much difference between the two. Based on that, I'd be a little more inclined to get the HB. For one thing, you can take it places and play with it. It might get a few dings, but you won't care because it was a $200 instrument, not a $1200 one!
Granted, if I needed to sell it I could probably get more money out of the Les Paul, but I never buy a guitar thinking I'm going to sell it later on. Heck, I still have my first acoustic, which I got as a Christmas present in 1983.
The HB is fine. Nothing wrong with it. Pickups aren't that expensive. If you're after sound, buy the *exact* pickups you want. That's 99% of it for the guitar ... I mean besides your fingers and amp.
Personally, I think it's all about playability. If the HB plays great, you have to question the price of the Gibson to see if the playability compares, and paying X amount of £ or $ is worth that playibility. The sound can be eq'd to sound more or less any way you want it and even then if you can't get that sound through the eq then the pickups on the HB can be swapped out if that isn't working for you.
Ultimately, the tone of your guitar will come from the SPEAKER(s) in your amp (not the valves), or if you're using digital, your amp sim. That's where the tone really lies.
Totally agree with the sentiment here. The sound demo is what people want, but *personally*, the sound part of the guitar (for a solid body guitar) comes 99.9% from the pickups and their height. If one accepts that, one should not be willing to pay more than, say $300 or so, for any sound differences - the cost (any maybe installation) of the pickups of your choice.
I *do* think there's more than playability, although that's also my personal #1 choice. There's also comfort (over 9 lbs just doesn't cut it for me any more), features you're into like smooth tuners or a particular neck joint, style and color for many people, and of course resale value.
Then there's the whole amp side, which is really where the action is as you say.
I own two Hatley Bentons. If I was a multi-millionaire I could see spending the difference. They play amazing and so is the fit and finish. I will buy another one.
I feel the same. Good enough to take to the gig and have beer spilled on it!
@@MarkZabel : i take your words for granted 😀
I think they sounded pretty much identical. Both sound warm and nice but the HB handled the high gain test much better, could be cuz of the full size humbuckers.
Right of the bat the Gibson products a much smoother tone. Worth the money to me.
Maybe a comparison between an Epiphone. Replacing the pickups would put you on Epi territory. Do, which of those two would be better? A sick Epi or an upgrade HB? Which has a better neck feel?
Also, the HB with Gibson pickups might be worth it. Resulting in half the price.
Yeah, my personal feeling is that the sound is darn near 100% of the pickups. (I mean guitar-wise ... doesn't count your amp or your fingers, which are probably most of the battle.) So the neck and the feel/comfort drive everything for me.
Having said that, I do like the more organic sound of the Gibson here. With lots of gain it doesn't matter as much. I think many of the cheaper brands optimize their pickups for heavily overdriven sound - something I'm not much into.
But yes, put your favorite pickups into a well-built and great feeling guitar ... it's going to scream the way you want it to.
A lot of people tend to slam Gibson for it's pricing and it's true to an extent, they are overpriced for what they are but on the lower end, Tribute etc, at about $1000 they are not unreasonable considering resale value. That changes outside of the US however, in Europe for example you can get much better guitars for the same money. The HB is NOT a $270 Les Paul killer, it's an affordable alternative that gets you in the ball park tone wise. The same is true of pretty much any sub $500 LP copy.
That said, you can pick up a Harley Benton SC 450 Plus (Cheapest HB with a mahogany body) for Under $200 and upgrade it to be every bit as good as a Gibson:
Guitar ~ $220 (including a rather high shipping estimate)
All Gibson replacement parts including: Bridge, tailpiece, tuners (grover), pickups (57 classics), pots (gibson branded), switch (Gibson branded) - well under $300
You would need some knowhow to install it all or have to pay a luthier/guitar tech to do it, lets just add another $300 (on the high side including a setup)
Cost of a decent gig bag ~$100
As you can see, for the average person who doesn't know how to do the work themselves and wants 100% Gibson parts you are creeping very close to Tribute pricing with all those upgrades and you won't be getting the name, nitro finish or "prestige" that the Tribute brings not to mention low resale value.
However, just upgrading pickups and using quality non Gibson branded parts where needed you could get that genuine Gibson tone for well under $500 if you are willing to do the work yourself (youtube tutorials abound). That is including Gibson 57 classic pickups. The more you can do yourself the more you save.
I guess the TLDR is this:
A Tribute is a complete instrument, complete with case/gig bag for about $1000 + setup fee where needed, no upgrades necessary to get the tone you buy a Les Paul for. No fuss, no time investment.
A clone will need upgrades that will cost money and take time to install but will save you anywhere up to $500 while still achieving the same tone in a mix, well worth it for the budget conscious.
Makes sense to me.
They're a great guitar for the beginner, or even a great guitarist. But yep they have their purpose. Nothing really wrong with them.
I love my hb 550 but he’s not lying, mine weighs sooooo much I can only play it standing for about 20 minutes, I weight released it and it’s still a ton.
i have the sc450 plus honey burst put thru a hk nano vintage box head into a 1x12 cab with sheffield 8ohm speaker boss od3 chours and a phaser pedals happy days for me
Nothing wrong with the HB whatsoever. BUT, If you wanted to You could always change out your electronics to anything you wanted too with all the money you saved not buying an over priced Gibson or at least a hard case. But remember HB Guitars are metric and specs are a bit off because they don't need to be sued. example The Tele copies they make Fender Pickguards don't fit. Pickup hole is a bit lower then Fender and shape of cutaway a bit different. If I remember correctly it is closer to neck then Fender.
Well, the Harley Benton Sounds great but impo the Gibson Sounds a bit warmer.
Dunno if it Sounds 10 times warmer.
Being a fourth of what the Gibson costs, Harley Benton kicks some serious ass.
Dude this is a great reveiw , I'm really thinking of buying your guitar per say. I have a standard and classic thinking of flogging my standard to fund the buy can you tell me how the fit and finish was if you can remember cheers
Thanks Neil! Everything was great, except I *did* have a pro put in a bone nut about a week after I got it. Not sure if bone nuts are stock now - they might be. The point is, I knew I loved it pretty much instantly. BTW, so you know, it has quite a thick neck being a 70s tribute and all. I believe they make others with different neck carves, so spend a little time on that - unless you can find one to play locally first. Good luck. I love the weight relief and overall feel and sound of the guitar.
@@MarkZabel brilliant, I have found one locally ( new) I'm checking out on wedsneday, thanks for you feedback great content aswell keep it coming 👍
I think the LP sounds better, but mostly cuz you're probably more comfortable playing it. Also, I don't think it's $1000 better sounding the the HB FWIW
Hey Danny! I think so too. It has an "open" sound the HB doesn't have. I don't think it's just my comfort playing. Thanks for the comment!
Great video. I will say this they both sound the same setting over in the corner. You are a great player my hats off to you. I think both sound good . I think if you are a beginner or if you want to learn to work on guitars or if you want to mod I would say buy the Harley you have money to work with.
Thanks Alan! I think that's fine in the 2020s, as the HB plays pretty well. My biggest concern with beginners choosing cheap guitars (I'd classify this HB as inexpensive rather than cheap.) is that the guitar play well and stay in tune. I always recommend $30-$100 is spent on the setup after receiving the guitar. A guitar that doesn't play well will be ignored within a week or two for all except the most committed beginners. Sound is almost completely irrelevant. Comfort and playability are far more important for beginners.
Awesome Les Paul HARLEY BENTON‼️😍😍😍😍😍
LOL!
What a great review! Sub clicked
Awesome, thank you!
Both sound as good as each other to me!! However it’s not really about sound and playability it should be but it’s not!! , people want the history the Gibson name and legacy means a lot to some folk.
Of course, Gibson sounds much better but Harley is not that far off! Awesome video. Thanks for posting. 👍
Thanks for watching!
I had a beautiful Korean Samick copy and I am so sorry I sold it.
On the Harley Benton's side dot's on the binding are not centered in the middle of the binding and I bet that is the main reason that the HB is a B stock guitar.
Could be.
I own a harley benton s620 the blue one with the floyd rose,I also have a harley benton sc 400 sg style guitar and I have the 20 hh tele style harley benton ,I have a 2004 fender stratocaster and a 2006 kramer striker with a floyd rose ,my start was around $1100 my kramer around $850 my harley benton sc 400 I believe was around $160 shipping included my harley benton s620 $225 including shipping and my harley Benton 20 hh tele style I believe was $168 shipping included, the three harley benton I have play awesome the s620 with the floyd plays as well if not better than my kramer the 20 hh harley Benton plays good as well as my sc 400 harley benton the workmanship is great on all my harley Benton's granted they are budget guitars but there is really a bang for your buck so to speak when it comes to harley benton guitars they are made and play very well to me I'm going to order another harley benton guitar in the near future I'm sure I'm looking at the lower priced les paul style they have theres been good reviews in it ,harley benton customer service is outstanding in my book I've always had a positive experience with thomann on every harley Benton I've ordered I live in Springfield, Missouri and everytime I've ordered a harley benton guitar it's only taken them 4 days to ship it that's the same amount of days as musicians friend took to ship my Kramer and I'm 3hrs from kc where musicians friend is located so shipping from thomann excellent in my opinion, and thomann will stand behind anything they sell the guitars have a 3 yr warranty so that's a plus musicians friend I believe is only 90daya so go figure anyway in book harley benton guitar are outstanding and you get way more quality I think and as I said before thomanns customer service is excellent, so don't be afraid to purchase a harley benton guitar when you do it will surprise the heck out of you and you will say why have I been spending my pay check on $1000 guitars you will be hooked on harley benton trust me try one for yourself you just may be surprised as i said,great videos
I've had all good experiences with Harley Benton thus far as well.
Way more clarity with the Gibson pickups. Better sonic quality.
I agree. I didn't like the pickups on the HB. Maybe it's okay with a bunch of distortion. Best to replace the pickups though.
Well! If you really want to know! I thought the Gibson sounded different from a "Regular" one, so maybe Maple does make a difference.
Personally, I think I'd want a comparison between the Harley Benton and a more "Standard" Gibson Les Paul. I mean, I gotta think that Your Guitar, which is all blinged out with not only the Maple Neck but the Mini-Pick Ups too, is not going to be your "ordinary" Gibson Les Paul.
I'd like a more straight-up comparison, I think. Anyway.....
(Great Channel. Lovin' your stuff.)
👍
LOL! Thanks, and thanks for your commentary too. I can't afford a Standard Gibson, so the Tribute Series is what I can offer until I get that Gibson endorsement! (I'm laughing!)
@@MarkZabel I'm surprised: I would have assumed that a "tribute" would be more expensive. 💸
💵 💸 💸
💵💵💵💵
Anyway, after watching your channel, Gibson should, you know, do some promotion and give you one!
🎸
@@MartinUToob That would be great. Maybe they'll do that ... maybe not, but it's fun to think about it!
Should’ve pointed out that volute on the back of the headstock they charge 3000 dollars for a LP similar to that these days
Yes, there's a volute on the Tribute LP I'm using. Great guitar all-around.
The HB is a really nice Adam Jones copy for not much money....
Gibson sounds warmer to me...not saying hb is crap. Though..fornthe money can't go wrong.
and for a few more dollars you can get somethign like a Vintage or Heritage or a japanese copy a bit more but well under the gibson tax
The brand Vintage makes good guitars. Their Les Paul copies seem to be around $500. But Heritage guitars are excellent, and basically the same cost as Gibson. You'll be paying $2,500 for a Heritage LP Standard, which is well above Gibson Studios or the Tribute LP series.
A Gibson Les Paul deluxe will NEVER be beaten, spent the money and it will gig for decades, spend the money if you are a gigging guitarist and you wont go wrong.
Hi Mark, hope you staying safe out there. Which pickups have more output an Alnico 2 or an Alnico V? Would you replace the pickups on the Harley Benton with other name brand pickups like a DiMarzio Super Distortion or Seymour Duncan 59? Thank you.
Hi Angel. Alnico 5 typically have more output. If I keep the HB I may change pickups someday. I don't like "hot" pickups like the DiMarzio Super Distortion, so I would go for Seymour Duncan Antiquities or SH's or maybe Mojotone '59 Clones. That's why I like Alnico 2s BTW. But Alnico 5s are the most common.
The HB has Alnico 5s. The new Gibson LP Tributes have "409" pickups, which are Alnico 2s.
Hi Mark, thank you for responding. I want to thank you for always taking time out to answer my questions. You seem like such a cool dude man, pardon my colloquial expression, LOL. I was meaning to ask you about what do you think of P90 pickups? Even though they are of course, single coil would you say they are kind of a cross between a true single coil and a humbucker? Sorry for the many questions, but do the P90s have as much output as a mini humbucker? Thanks.
Hey again Mark, forgot to ask, what are your thoughts on Flying V or Explorer guitars?
I never liked the body design on either of those guitars - always having to play standing up - so I never tried either of them.
I pick the halley ,but would like rosewoodfretboard.60s slim taper feels alot better to me ,I always do my own frets .The gibson pickups would most likley have to go.I have some dirty fingers and p a f s in a shoe box.
The Gibson sounds muddy compared to the Harley Benton. I like the HB sound a little more than the Gibson, and for the price you’d be paying for the name with the Gibson. I have a HB 355plus that was a blem. It has split coils too and it was well under 200 bucks. It plays excellent.
If Jeff Goldblum was a guitarist.
Nice review/comparison btw. ;)
Hey, thanks! I'd need to be stretched a bit though! LOL!
@@MarkZabel 😂