I've seen videos where Henning has said something negative about a product that sponsors him. That's why I actually listen to his opinions and actually take what he says seriously.
I dont mean to be off topic but does anybody know a way to log back into an instagram account? I was dumb lost my account password. I would love any tips you can give me.
I was ordering a Harley Benton sc550.. when a saw & heard a review from another you tuber, last night ..which totally convinced me this is the one I want .. I ordered today its winging its way to me .. However ur video just endorsed I made the right choice.. the sheer joy you both had playing the guitar..the fit and finish was amazing.. can't wait to receive it .. As a post note I rang Thomann to enquire if there was any likehood of fitting, in the future, emg pick ups in the HB35 plus .. because I'm ordering that guitar next week in lemon 🍋 .Great review very forthright .. 👍
I have 3 thomman guitars, and the EMG pickup upgrade is one of the first things I did to them... Nice to see EMG coming from the factory. Already ordered one.
I saw a review of this model that said that the factory claims the top is a 6mm maple cap, not a veneer! Can't wait to get one of these with its EMG Fat 55 pickups!
Love the transparency and just raw reviews. You actually saved me tons of dollars with this review. And am I going to make it big? Lol only in my dreams but at least there is a real deal reviewer such as you! Thank you
It was terrific that the guitar was tested with different amps. That proved that is sounds great in different situations! I made a modest review of this Harley Benton and I agree 100% with Henning that you just need to buy it NOW, it is worth it! (if you need a les paul-ish type of guitar, of course) :)
I have an older model of it (SC-550) with Wilkinson Pickups, I think they were used before they used Roswell. They sound very smooth. They are actually three wire versions although the split coil/tap coil function has not been implemented by default. I am think of putting either switches or push-pull pots in to make them "switchable". However this guitar was a real bargain (I bought it used for 170 EUR) and I dont see me getting any other Les Paul. This one fits me perfectly.
Watching this while holding the same sexy guitar on my lap.... Been playing for years acoustic, but always those electric squeels. I'm a happy old dude😁
I bought a HB DC custom in white and after owning guitars 3 and 4 times the price i'd happily gig this in a heartbeat it has a great clean tone and holds its own with my SG that was 3x the price
I love your channel man :) you're as honest as it gets :) my only Harley Benton is an Emerald Quilt Burst Amarok 6 :) I've also been thinking of buying one of their basses. Their single cut guitars are amazing :) seriously considering the SC550+ as my next point of call :D wish they'd make a CST 24 + model :)
I bought the Harley Benton SE 550 probably about five years ago so I had the Mark/1 cost me £250 nowadays it’s mostly alright play sound is great the way the guitar plays is great I would still like to get my frets polished at some point and maybe we know the parts and the nut at the head stock looks cheap other than that it’s a very good guitar I love it❤
How did I missed this vid? Hennings vids are always entertaining with interesting content & beautiful Hb products at very reasonable pricing & I'm NOT being paid to say this lol. Cheers Henning & every1 else!
You can see Henning is impressed, he is way less chatty then normal and seems to enjoy playing it more then i ussually see on the channel (other then shabat/macmull). The guitar looks so freaking nice and sounds really good too. But i have a SC550 tabacco fade.... but but butt... i want this one too... Or better if Harley makes a few more modern with exciting colours. (flames and bursts) very nice review, it genuinely looks like you enjoy them. (conspiracy mode on: well thats because of the big bucks thomann pays him) (i cant believe some dumbasses would actually claim that....)
Now that they changed the SC-550 later this year they can do an SC-550 2018 Reissue and charge 3x as much for it because it has vintage 2018 features like non-active pickups and that wonderful 2018 SC-550 neck profile. Plus authentic polyurethane finish and the top is affixed to the body with real wood glue.
Well, I tried ordering the Kramer Aztec Nightswan and the Ibanez Rg 565 here in the states. Both are on back order for a few months or longer. I was going to wait for either to become available and I told myself those two are the only guitars I'm going to get this year and maybe near the end of the year the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar. But, I logged onto youtube this morning saw your video and I was I enjoy watching your video's they put me in a good mood, so I'm watching and of course I ordered a 550 plus. Says it should be here in a week. But, seriously man. A nice looking maple top single cut, w/ locking tuners and EMG's, built by Cort who know how to make decent guitars & shipped to me here in Alaska for under 450 bucks. WHAT!! I felt it was my economical responsibility to order one... Thanks Henning.. however if my wife finds out.. I'm blaming you!!! as I always do.. :) Great video, great sell. I used your link to order it as well. Can't wait to hook this up to my headrush...
Exactly! Active pick ups were actually used for Jazz but because they became popular with metal people think that's ALL they are for smh 🤦🏻♂️, you can get a great 'PAF' sound out if good active pick ups 👍🏻
I don't like them because the damn 9V battery is always dying at an inopportune moment (no such thing as an opportune moment.) I have an Ibanez with EMGs and I think I'm going to rip them out and put in some passives. As it is, I never play that guitar because the battery is always dead.
I've just got a new guitar last week. It's also a HB (TE-52) and I am very happy with it. This one is tempting as I don't have a singlecut but do I need it? Not really. Do I want it though? That's another story but my wife would probably kill me if I bought another one so quickly!
Well Bollocks to the Nay sayers, I bought a HB 35 plus based on your review ( and many others...) They're great beginner guitars so thanks for reviewing them (even if you're getting paid).
Definitely a notch up from my 550 deluxe - in several ways - good thing I love it or it would be in trouble ;-). At some point they’ll figure out I’d pay another hundred on top of the new price for stainless frets and a really nice nut. 150 if the bridge was better. At that point we’d be talking about a legit high end guitar through all the bits that really matter.
Great video! Waiting for the comparison video with the SC-Custom II with EMG pickups. Especially because of the price difference of interest. The SC Custom II is cheaper as the SC-550 Deluxe. But with the Plus it is the other way round.
Nice review!!! ✔ About the Okoume body: "Makers like the Fender Custom Shop, Jackson, and Charvel love Okoume for its dynamic and balanced tone and Mahogany-like grain" (taken from the StewMac site). About the Nato or Nyatoh neck wood : Is more dense from mahogany with more upper mids and highs!!! ...I have to try this guitar 🤘
1:26 now that's the money shot. Why doesn't this channel half a million subscribers yet? Yes a Henning video and a cup of coffee. Good way to start the morning. These guys need a U.S. distributor. I like, but I've read too many shipment horror stories.
Your guitar playing improved! Your chops sound great and you seem to be already prepared for some of the things you play on the video. Great job man fantastic sounds and fantastic review overall very easy to watch upload! 👍
This is the best HB SC 550+ review I have seen. I love your emotional and at the same time measured videos. As for the guitar HB SC 550+. They sound good. Better than the old SC 550. But inspired by the 2020 Gibson Epiphone, this is a more faithful replica of the LP. And they have more thorough packaging. I'll see if your channel has an Epiphone 2020 review. Then I'll make a choice. Good luck.
I just subscribed to your channel. You remind me of someone that grew up in the Bronx NY except with a German accent. You are a no shit kind of guy and I can appreciate that, plus you are a really good guitarist. I absolutely love music especially classic blues and blue grass rock. I've seen the Grateful Dead over 100 times starting in 79 as well as a couple dozen other bands. The Stones, The Who Deep Purple and many more. I became disabled a couple years ago and I've been sitting on my ass very depressed. However about a month I snapped out of it and decided to do something about it so I started playing guitar and I freakin love it. I bought a Shecter C6 plus but I'm not very satisfied with it. So I think I'm going to try the 550 plus. Now I noticed there are two versions one is 550 plus pdf and the other is a ftp I think those are the letters after the word plus, what is the difference between the two. Can you please let me know I would appreciate it thanks. You n yours be safe peace brother. 😎✌🤪💨💨💨🌈🐻🌅🌌
I don't chase brands and have no problem with budget brands. I look for a quality instrument and don't really care what is on the headstock. My favourite go to guitar is a Vintage wine red LP copy and a Epiphone 1960 Tribute LP. That said I probably will never get a Harley Benton because the name is SOOOO uncool. LOL
Actually they all were made in cort owned/run factories. Easy to see because they all have the elipse (where gibsons have the diamond) that Cort has had on its guitars for a long time. The elipse in the HB sc models is a cort symbol
Awesome I just ordered this guitar because my absolute favourite guitar ever is my LTD Les Paul from that factory with Seymour Duncan PAFs. I got that as B stock 300 bucks off (display model with a scratch) and now I found this as B stock for 348 with name brand PAFs, which in the LTD are an absolute highlight, way better than my Epiphone PAFs. And only 50 bucks above budgwt, I was going to get the 550 II in DFB or BCF, which would have been 20 bucks less but no EMGs... you see I had to. There was simply no choice.
I really hope Harley Benton will deliver more "plus", Indonesian-manufactured products. With Fusion II they proved they know how to do it. This SC550+ confirm it once again. Higher grade wood, better QC, all in the 400-500 euro range. A CST-24 plus (without active pups though) would be nice.
Hi EytschPi42. I unintentionally saw 2 or 3 of your vids. Do not really know what to think 'bout. Hmm, funny guy, but is he real or is he absurd. Now I found and watch this vid, and I must say: Really, really great. I love watching it and of course, you're also paid for it, but is this reprehensible ? NO, it isn't !! You cut to the chase and i read from some others, that you also point out the flaws of a good. So, keep on rockin' and: thanks... I subscribe... Stephan
I know he Likes this guitar..WHY..HE has not stop. Playing it ..Henning your a little kid with toy...but this is how you know this guitar kix azz...its on the list...thanks for the honest reviews...Henning nice work!!!
I have a Cort GT200... It absolutely rocks but, more improtantly, the fit, finish and playability are outstanding! If this HB is even halfway close then this is a good guitar! :-)
Nice guitar. Have a Harley Benton GT P90 that I love-cheapest guitar I’ve ever purchased. I put slash Seymour Duncans in my HB-35 and while it doesn’t play anywhere as nice as my Slash LP it barks at the amp more frighteningly. My only question is aren’t you a celebrity?
I wish they had used steel frets on all their higher value guitars. Refrets will easily cost you 200€ and are bound to be necessary within a few years if you play the guitar regularly.
Thats why you get many guitars.. don't have to worry about the frets.. :) But my oldest guitar still in my collection that got played everyday for 7 years was a Chibson and the frets are still great. I have a 94 Fender Strat it doesn't get played every day but they still look and feel brand new. I think people give the cheaper frets a bad name cause they're not stainless. I mean if you're going to play aggressively everyday for hours I can see them wearing down. But I have never had that be an issue yet.
@@ryant3600 Hobbyist collecting is one thing, but if you have a main guitar for gigs and rehearsals and that's the exact tool you need, it will be played for hours a day and will wear down sooner rather than later.
Right I’ve taken delivery of this instrument. Well....... it is flawless. So so well made. Sounds are not les Paul like Henning has said but they are great. Put it this way, think prs se with much better pickups in it. The neck is probably the best neck I’ve ever played with access to the higher register than any Lester. Mines around 8lbs which is great. Love the emg pups. This really has shocked me, cost was 266 £ English plus 74£ import duty and vat so 350 pounds total gets you a pro level guitar for gigging and recording. I do feel this is a real attempt to get Thomann’s business. It is a very special guitar. Unbelievable really.
I was into this until I heard it didn't have a mahogany body, and the fretboard is the dreaded jatoba, I just can't jive with that wood on a fretboard, and not into active pickups AT, ALL.
I liked the original SC range that were much more authentic looking Les Pauls. The ones in recent years are a result of “caving” to Gibson! Regardless of what Henning says, the SC are bought mostly by people wanting a more affordable “Les Paul” alternative! I recently acquired 2 “Les Paul” type guitars which are more authentic looking, an “Artist LP59” by “Artist Guitars” which is very competitively priced with the Harley Benton models.And a Burny RLC85JP Jimmy Page Les Paul (a bit more expensive), both of which look stunning and play beautifully! Don’t get me wrong, I like HB guitars, I have 3 of them but they are all more authentic looking representations which I have upgraded! Personally, the only SC models I would buy are the “first generation” models (which are quite accurate Les Paul copies and sought after) which I was looking for when I came across the Artist LP59!
Man... I was going to get one of the new IIs with Teslas, agonising over which to get and then they had this as B stock for 348€. 20 bucks more than the BCF SC550 II with EMG PAFs.... I was going to mod it with better tuners and PAF style pickups, which would have easily raised it to 500 bucks, with the Irongear pickups I was looking at, and this actual EMGs... they must sell so many guitars that it's worth it for EMG to give them a great deal. With name brand PUs like that and better hardware it would have been 600 bucks, twice the original cost. And I have an LTD single cut from alledgedly that same factory in Indonesia and it is by far the best sounding and most beautifully built instrument I have (even against a high end Epi and a limited edition Gibson) at half the price of the LTD, which was heavily discounted B stock and 1/3 price of my heavily discounted Gibson (I'm happy to spend less and accept a few scratches, all my guitars suffer them sooner or later so may as well get them scratched up from the get go). I hope this one is good. Very excited. Also with the money I "saved" it's easier to justify getting a slightly cheaper one to ad P90s. Been working overtime and I will justify this as, occasionally treating myself to something (at great value like this) keeps me motivated to work harder. If it works and I maintain my current hours I'd be earning a lot more and in a way you could say this guitar is going to raise my standard of livibg substantially! Haha... so much so I can afford a mini Plexi :). I do understand it when some people react in shock to my 6 guitars, but they're all very unique and pretty at least I don't have 12 Strats. Them I might question myself. I do need a second Strat though... but an Affinity, let's stay fiscally responsible.
Henning, thanks a lot! Great review, as always. When can we expect your review about the custom II EMG? I'm very curious about it. Actually I can't decide whether to order the 550+ or the custom II. And I'm with you one should get these great bargains asap due to the highly booked cort factory. And your opinion would be a big help, at least for me.
I am most curious about playing this guitar with a Marshall amp. Playing Through the Revv and Fender sounded great, but the JTM like (?) Achillies sounded like it's trying to cough out a hair ball. There is no more iconic pairing than a Marshall and a Les Paul style guitar. Can this guitar play well with a Plexi style amp? Wonderful review, buy the way.
You keep saying it has a veneer. I have an SC-450. When I took out the pickups, you can see that it has a mahogany-type wood on back and then a 1/2 inch thick piece of maple on top. It may have a higher end veneer on top, but it does have a thick piece of maple.
I'm beginning to suspect that those couple of 90's punk tracks off my old band's album may have subliminally influenced you. Well, I would like to perhaps think so anyway : ) "squee!" How in the motor licking helicopter dance does Thomman top tier(ish) spec these out like that for such an insane low list price?! I'm absolutely baffled, and seriously gassing for one dag nabbit! Well done Henning. Best Regards ; )
If you live in the US returning a guitar to Thomann because you don't like it isn't a practical option. The cost is well over $200. The cost of the return may exceed the cost of the guitar or at the least be a loss of $200+. I have purchased multiple guitars from Thomann and received both good and bad guitars. The only returns that are free in the US are damaged or nonfunctional guitars. If you don't like the guitar it is on your dime. If it weren't for this issue I would probably purchase a few more but because of my negative experience I doubt that I ever will.
Henning nice video. So since it doesn't sound or plays like a Les Paul, which Harley Benton would you say does sound and plays like a Les Paul, if any?
HB are doing a very good job. I would not have a problem buying one (probably a Fusion II or an Amarok 7. Probably both, I have uses for them!). HP is also doing a great job and I appreciate his honesty. And if you, HP, have any influence on HB, would you suggest they slightly change the headstock on the SCs? It's a bit too flat at the top.
Henning, a great channel! I still have a question, compared to your Hp42 Signature, is it just a matter of taste or do the models differ in quality? I guess both are best to get of HB? Best regards
Ostern war zu retten!!!!! Ein echt gei.es Teil. Dein Video war in keinster Weise übertrieben - ganz im Gegenteil! Bleibt natürlich bei mir!! BTW, ist natürlich längst ausverkauft - und das mit Recht (oder heißt es zu Recht??) ;-)!
A quick question, the sc 550 plus or amarok for 70’s-90’s metal? I’m thinking sabbath, priest, megadeth, early Metallica, and maybe a bit of AC/DC from time to time?
For the Comparison Video,can you please use one of these Marshall 20 Watt heads? It sounded great with the engl but come on you know, everyone wants to hear a Single Cut with a Marshall, cause that's the amp Sinle Cuts are made for ;)
These guitars are made now at the CORT-factory in indonesia...? Aha, very interesting. Where are the brandnew HB SC-550 II guitars being made??? At the same CORT-factory in indonesia, too...? Thanks, HP.
I bought this one BEFORE watching your review, I also bought the Harley Benton SC Special TV Yellow at the same time based on your review. They have not arrived yet. Should I keep both? :)
@@EytschPi42 What more do I need? :D I am new to guitar since this year. Been playing keys for about 15 years. I already bought some guitar pedals you have recommended. For amp I have the Mooer Hornet black. I think it is an awesome newbie amp with tuner etc. Cheers aus Schweden
@@EytschPi42 Actually I don't know if I am unlucky but I am sending the SC550 EMG back. I really love the Special TV Yellow except the tuners. Thanks! It felt and played better than the SC550 and despite noisier that P90 sound is awesome. The SC550 also had several flaws. Maybe I was just unlucky with that one I got.
I find the impedance mess on guitars weird. Manufacturers should have agreed on a nominal impedance that every component in the signal chain is designed to. Often it is 50, 75, 100 or 120 Ohm. Could also be 1k. This would allow to design to a common standard, so that you know what to expect sound wise and make stuff better interoperable.
I love him, he's always honest and says if something sucks.
what is this a circle jerk, is honesty at that level of a premium, are everyone else such fucking liars? his work sucks
@@johnpike5836 Hahaha, you silly boy, hahaha.
I've seen videos where Henning has said something negative about a product that sponsors him. That's why I actually listen to his opinions and actually take what he says seriously.
He did a vid about his self-conception, the needs of this job and the Go'S and No-Go's. That one is quite convincing.
Damn man. You are killing it. Playing sounds great. I have the old 550. Love it.
For sure. He actually knocked the HB CST-24T and said go with the hardtail becuz the tremolo was garbage. He was reviewing the tremolo version lol.
I dont mean to be off topic but does anybody know a way to log back into an instagram account?
I was dumb lost my account password. I would love any tips you can give me.
@Watson Cassius Instablaster =)
This video pushed me to buying this exact guitar. I cannot wait for it to arrive
I was ordering a Harley Benton sc550.. when a saw & heard a review from another you tuber, last night ..which totally convinced me this is the one I want .. I ordered today its winging its way to me .. However ur video just endorsed I made the right choice.. the sheer joy you both had playing the guitar..the fit and finish was amazing.. can't wait to receive it ..
As a post note I rang Thomann to enquire if there was any likehood of fitting, in the future, emg pick ups in the HB35 plus .. because I'm ordering that guitar next week in lemon 🍋 .Great review very forthright .. 👍
I have 3 thomman guitars, and the EMG pickup upgrade is one of the first things I did to them... Nice to see EMG coming from the factory. Already ordered one.
I saw a review of this model that said that the factory claims the top is a 6mm maple cap, not a veneer! Can't wait to get one of these with its EMG Fat 55 pickups!
Love the transparency and just raw reviews. You actually saved me tons of dollars with this review. And am I going to make it big? Lol only in my dreams but at least there is a real deal reviewer such as you! Thank you
It was terrific that the guitar was tested with different amps. That proved that is sounds great in different situations! I made a modest review of this Harley Benton and I agree 100% with Henning that you just need to buy it NOW, it is worth it! (if you need a les paul-ish type of guitar, of course) :)
Love your videos. Thank you for doing us all a favour, by doing these reviews. I even bought a few guitars from Thomann, because of your videos.
I do like your blunt honesty.
I have an older model of it (SC-550) with Wilkinson Pickups, I think they were used before they used Roswell. They sound very smooth.
They are actually three wire versions although the split coil/tap coil function has not been implemented by default. I am think of putting either switches or push-pull pots in to make them "switchable".
However this guitar was a real bargain (I bought it used for 170 EUR) and I dont see me getting any other Les Paul. This one fits me perfectly.
Maaaassssive props for the Loner shoutout at the end!!!!
Watching this while holding the same sexy guitar on my lap....
Been playing for years acoustic, but always those electric squeels.
I'm a happy old dude😁
Good demo!! Convinced me that this is not the sound I want, so thanks for helping me decide!
I had a SC-500 BK Vintage Series and it had the most beautiful head stock of any guitar I have ever had.
Another amazing review, even if you are a Thomann slave. The SC550+ Metals, Blues's, Rocks, Jazzs and Funks. It even Les Pauls quite nicely.
As further point I have Fender & Gibson.. but the Harley Benton reviews made it impossible to ignore ...
Haven’t been here for a while,
I missed you Henning :3
I bought a HB DC custom in white and after owning guitars 3 and 4 times the price i'd happily gig this in a heartbeat it has a great clean tone and holds its own with my SG that was 3x the price
I love your channel man :) you're as honest as it gets :) my only Harley Benton is an Emerald Quilt Burst Amarok 6 :) I've also been thinking of buying one of their basses. Their single cut guitars are amazing :) seriously considering the SC550+ as my next point of call :D wish they'd make a CST 24 + model :)
I bought the Harley Benton SE 550 probably about five years ago so I had the Mark/1 cost me £250 nowadays it’s mostly alright play sound is great the way the guitar plays is great I would still like to get my frets polished at some point and maybe we know the parts and the nut at the head stock looks cheap other than that it’s a very good guitar I love it❤
How did I missed this vid? Hennings vids are always entertaining with interesting content & beautiful Hb products at very reasonable pricing & I'm NOT being paid to say this lol. Cheers Henning & every1 else!
always great stuff MATE . Thanks for the review
You can see Henning is impressed, he is way less chatty then normal and seems to enjoy playing it more then i ussually see on the channel (other then shabat/macmull).
The guitar looks so freaking nice and sounds really good too. But i have a SC550 tabacco fade.... but but butt... i want this one too... Or better if Harley makes a few more modern with exciting colours. (flames and bursts)
very nice review, it genuinely looks like you enjoy them. (conspiracy mode on: well thats because of the big bucks thomann pays him) (i cant believe some dumbasses would actually claim that....)
@Livercool Harley Benton are bullies... they want all our moneys...
Now that they changed the SC-550 later this year they can do an SC-550 2018 Reissue and charge 3x as much for it because it has vintage 2018 features like non-active pickups and that wonderful 2018 SC-550 neck profile. Plus authentic polyurethane finish and the top is affixed to the body with real wood glue.
haaaaaa
SC 550 is still the same guitar. this is a plus version
@@themplar hello friend. This was a joke. Thank you for your concern.
@@CheddarKungPao ah, kinda suspected it. But good you say it.
Authentic 2018 nut height.
CST-24T is next in line for some upgrades I guess?
This looks very promising! Waiting for the comp with the new custom :) thanks for the demo!
Well, I tried ordering the Kramer Aztec Nightswan and the Ibanez Rg 565 here in the states. Both are on back order for a few months or longer. I was going to wait for either to become available and I told myself those two are the only guitars I'm going to get this year and maybe near the end of the year the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar. But, I logged onto youtube this morning saw your video and I was I enjoy watching your video's they put me in a good mood, so I'm watching and of course I ordered a 550 plus. Says it should be here in a week. But, seriously man. A nice looking maple top single cut, w/ locking tuners and EMG's, built by Cort who know how to make decent guitars & shipped to me here in Alaska for under 450 bucks. WHAT!! I felt it was my economical responsibility to order one... Thanks Henning.. however if my wife finds out.. I'm blaming you!!! as I always do.. :) Great video, great sell. I used your link to order it as well. Can't wait to hook this up to my headrush...
The body looks exactly like the Cort CR250 VB. Cort has been making those for quite a while, no wonder they're good at it.
They are probably made in the cord factory
You sold me on the pickups at least. Every demo of EMGs it seems sounds like they're plugged into a beehive. Gain, gain, gain...... METALLL!!!
Exactly! Active pick ups were actually used for Jazz but because they became popular with metal people think that's ALL they are for smh 🤦🏻♂️, you can get a great 'PAF' sound out if good active pick ups 👍🏻
I don't like them because the damn 9V battery is always dying at an inopportune moment (no such thing as an opportune moment.) I have an Ibanez with EMGs and I think I'm going to rip them out and put in some passives. As it is, I never play that guitar because the battery is always dead.
I've just got a new guitar last week. It's also a HB (TE-52) and I am very happy with it. This one is tempting as I don't have a singlecut but do I need it? Not really. Do I want it though? That's another story but my wife would probably kill me if I bought another one so quickly!
You just have to make clear to your wife its an essential guitar to have aswell. Plus she wants to see you happy right?
Love the locking tuners but batteries bug me so I’d get the passive one.
If that speck bothers you, you need more help than me!
You should realize the SC-550 Has no locking tuners. (but i love the guitar none the less)
Nice guitar, I have a Tokai Les Paul, so don't need another, but looks good value for money.
Well Bollocks to the Nay sayers, I bought a HB 35 plus based on your review ( and many others...) They're great beginner guitars so thanks for reviewing them (even if you're getting paid).
Definitely a notch up from my 550 deluxe - in several ways - good thing I love it or it would be in trouble ;-). At some point they’ll figure out I’d pay another hundred on top of the new price for stainless frets and a really nice nut. 150 if the bridge was better.
At that point we’d be talking about a legit high end guitar through all the bits that really matter.
Great video! Waiting for the comparison video with the SC-Custom II with EMG pickups. Especially because of the price difference of interest. The SC Custom II is cheaper as the SC-550 Deluxe. But with the Plus it is the other way round.
The headstock looks a lot like the Vintage headstock. Maybe same factory?
His friends call him Eddie, as I feel you should. As always, for me equal parts informative and high entertainment value.
shape is reminiscent of the old Aria Pro II single cuts from the late 70s early 80s
Exactly! PE-R80 and others ;-)
Nice review!!! ✔ About the Okoume body: "Makers like the Fender Custom Shop, Jackson, and Charvel love Okoume for its dynamic and balanced tone and Mahogany-like grain" (taken from the StewMac site). About the Nato or Nyatoh neck wood : Is more dense from mahogany with more upper mids and highs!!! ...I have to try this guitar 🤘
This combination with the upgraded pickups sounds so different from the original SC-550 which sounds like it's sneezing.
@@eloysuopunki7926 ...sneezing 😂😂😂😂
Lot of silica in Okuma.
1:26 now that's the money shot. Why doesn't this channel half a million subscribers yet? Yes a Henning video and a cup of coffee. Good way to start the morning. These guys need a U.S. distributor. I like, but I've read too many shipment horror stories.
Your guitar playing improved! Your chops sound great and you seem to be already prepared for some of the things you play on the video. Great job man fantastic sounds and fantastic review overall very easy to watch upload! 👍
oh... I am always ZERO prepared for what I play... I try to let the guitar guide me. if it's really good, then I play well!
This is the best HB SC 550+ review I have seen. I love your emotional and at the same time measured videos. As for the guitar HB SC 550+. They sound good. Better than the old SC 550. But inspired by the 2020 Gibson Epiphone, this is a more faithful replica of the LP. And they have more thorough packaging. I'll see if your channel has an Epiphone 2020 review. Then I'll make a choice. Good luck.
I don’t review Gibson or Epiphone because they are bullies
This is now mine , just ordered.
Harley benton ha fatto molti passi avanti, presentando molti strumenti dal suono stupendo! ottimo anche il riguardo al dettaglio degli strumenti !👍
I want one of those but you have to wait 11 weeks or so for delivery
I can't wait🎸they are great guitars im sure, Probably for the money untouchable
I just subscribed to your channel. You remind me of someone that grew up in the Bronx NY except with a German accent. You are a no shit kind of guy and I can appreciate that, plus you are a really good guitarist. I absolutely love music especially classic blues and blue grass rock. I've seen the Grateful Dead over 100 times starting in 79 as well as a couple dozen other bands. The Stones, The Who Deep Purple and many more. I became disabled a couple years ago and I've been sitting on my ass very depressed. However about a month I snapped out of it and decided to do something about it so I started playing guitar and I freakin love it. I bought a Shecter C6 plus but I'm not very satisfied with it. So I think I'm going to try the 550 plus. Now I noticed there are two versions one is 550 plus pdf and the other is a ftp I think those are the letters after the word plus, what is the difference between the two. Can you please let me know I would appreciate it thanks. You n yours be safe peace brother.
😎✌🤪💨💨💨🌈🐻🌅🌌
I think it's just the shorts for the kind of paint job.
I bought one. Without seeing this review, glad I made the right choice.
Have ordered one?
I don't chase brands and have no problem with budget brands. I look for a quality instrument and don't really care what is on the headstock. My favourite go to guitar is a Vintage wine red LP copy and a Epiphone 1960 Tribute LP. That said I probably will never get a Harley Benton because the name is SOOOO uncool. LOL
Actually they all were made in cort owned/run factories. Easy to see because they all have the elipse (where gibsons have the diamond) that Cort has had on its guitars for a long time. The elipse in the HB sc models is a cort symbol
Awesome I just ordered this guitar because my absolute favourite guitar ever is my LTD Les Paul from that factory with Seymour Duncan PAFs. I got that as B stock 300 bucks off (display model with a scratch) and now I found this as B stock for 348 with name brand PAFs, which in the LTD are an absolute highlight, way better than my Epiphone PAFs. And only 50 bucks above budgwt, I was going to get the 550 II in DFB or BCF, which would have been 20 bucks less but no EMGs... you see I had to. There was simply no choice.
Beautiful playing!
You can send it back LMAO!! I ordered my first HB, should be here this week.
I really hope Harley Benton will deliver more "plus", Indonesian-manufactured products. With Fusion II they proved they know how to do it. This SC550+ confirm it once again. Higher grade wood, better QC, all in the 400-500 euro range. A CST-24 plus (without active pups though) would be nice.
Hi EytschPi42.
I unintentionally saw 2 or 3 of your vids. Do not really know what to think 'bout.
Hmm, funny guy, but is he real or is he absurd.
Now I found and watch this vid, and I must say: Really, really great. I love watching it and of course, you're also paid for it, but is this reprehensible ? NO, it isn't !!
You cut to the chase and i read from some others, that you also point out the flaws of a good.
So, keep on rockin' and: thanks... I subscribe...
Stephan
I know he Likes this guitar..WHY..HE has not stop. Playing it ..Henning your a little kid with toy...but this is how you know this guitar kix azz...its on the list...thanks for the honest reviews...Henning nice work!!!
Sounds like my epiphone inspired by 2020 standard les paul. Which is great, I think the harleys pickups are even better
I have a Cort GT200... It absolutely rocks but, more improtantly, the fit, finish and playability are outstanding! If this HB is even halfway close then this is a good guitar! :-)
my new favorite channel
Thank you for your vidéo ! I want the futur HB35 coming from Cort factory !
Nice guitar. Have a Harley Benton GT P90 that I love-cheapest guitar I’ve ever purchased. I put slash Seymour Duncans in my HB-35 and while it doesn’t play anywhere as nice as my Slash LP it barks at the amp more frighteningly. My only question is aren’t you a celebrity?
A lot of HB's are made in the same factories that make ibanez and epiphone.
Why are people still shocked that they are great guitars?
Because ibanez and epiphones still suck
Looks like the Old Aria Pro ii PE range. Highly revered. I have an original form '79. Matsumoko factory.
Seems a good buy for the price.
Yes but those old arias were much better guitars in my opinion
Nice one. Bring the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG FR plz!
I wish they had used steel frets on all their higher value guitars. Refrets will easily cost you 200€ and are bound to be necessary within a few years if you play the guitar regularly.
Thats why you get many guitars.. don't have to worry about the frets.. :) But my oldest guitar still in my collection that got played everyday for 7 years was a Chibson and the frets are still great. I have a 94 Fender Strat it doesn't get played every day but they still look and feel brand new. I think people give the cheaper frets a bad name cause they're not stainless. I mean if you're going to play aggressively everyday for hours I can see them wearing down. But I have never had that be an issue yet.
@@ryant3600 Hobbyist collecting is one thing, but if you have a main guitar for gigs and rehearsals and that's the exact tool you need, it will be played for hours a day and will wear down sooner rather than later.
Right I’ve taken delivery of this instrument. Well....... it is flawless. So so well made. Sounds are not les Paul like Henning has said but they are great. Put it this way, think prs se with much better pickups in it. The neck is probably the best neck I’ve ever played with access to the higher register than any Lester. Mines around 8lbs which is great. Love the emg pups. This really has shocked me, cost was 266 £ English plus 74£ import duty and vat so 350 pounds total gets you a pro level guitar for gigging and recording.
I do feel this is a real attempt to get Thomann’s business. It is a very special guitar. Unbelievable really.
I was into this until I heard it didn't have a mahogany body, and the fretboard is the dreaded jatoba, I just can't jive with that wood on a fretboard, and not into active pickups AT, ALL.
same here. 100% agree
I liked the original SC range that were much more authentic looking Les Pauls. The ones in recent years are a result of “caving” to Gibson!
Regardless of what Henning says, the SC are bought mostly by people wanting a more affordable “Les Paul” alternative!
I recently acquired 2 “Les Paul” type guitars which are more authentic looking, an “Artist LP59” by “Artist Guitars” which is very competitively priced with the Harley Benton models.And a Burny RLC85JP Jimmy Page Les Paul (a bit more expensive), both of which look stunning and play beautifully!
Don’t get me wrong, I like HB guitars, I have 3 of them but they are all more authentic looking representations which I have upgraded!
Personally, the only SC models I would buy are the “first generation” models (which are quite accurate Les Paul copies and sought after) which I was looking for when I came across the Artist LP59!
I really enjoyed this one! Might getting one soon :-)
Man... I was going to get one of the new IIs with Teslas, agonising over which to get and then they had this as B stock for 348€. 20 bucks more than the BCF SC550 II with EMG PAFs.... I was going to mod it with better tuners and PAF style pickups, which would have easily raised it to 500 bucks, with the Irongear pickups I was looking at, and this actual EMGs... they must sell so many guitars that it's worth it for EMG to give them a great deal. With name brand PUs like that and better hardware it would have been 600 bucks, twice the original cost. And I have an LTD single cut from alledgedly that same factory in Indonesia and it is by far the best sounding and most beautifully built instrument I have (even against a high end Epi and a limited edition Gibson) at half the price of the LTD, which was heavily discounted B stock and 1/3 price of my heavily discounted Gibson (I'm happy to spend less and accept a few scratches, all my guitars suffer them sooner or later so may as well get them scratched up from the get go). I hope this one is good. Very excited. Also with the money I "saved" it's easier to justify getting a slightly cheaper one to ad P90s. Been working overtime and I will justify this as, occasionally treating myself to something (at great value like this) keeps me motivated to work harder. If it works and I maintain my current hours I'd be earning a lot more and in a way you could say this guitar is going to raise my standard of livibg substantially! Haha... so much so I can afford a mini Plexi :). I do understand it when some people react in shock to my 6 guitars, but they're all very unique and pretty at least I don't have 12 Strats. Them I might question myself. I do need a second Strat though... but an Affinity, let's stay fiscally responsible.
Henning, thanks a lot! Great review, as always. When can we expect your review about the custom II EMG? I'm very curious about it. Actually I can't decide whether to order the 550+ or the custom II. And I'm with you one should get these great bargains asap due to the highly booked cort factory. And your opinion would be a big help, at least for me.
I am most curious about playing this guitar with a Marshall amp. Playing Through the Revv and Fender sounded great, but the JTM like (?) Achillies sounded like it's trying to cough out a hair ball. There is no more iconic pairing than a Marshall and a Les Paul style guitar. Can this guitar play well with a Plexi style amp?
Wonderful review, buy the way.
yes it can
@@EytschPi42 Thank you!
Commander Adama approves your joke:) And a review too.
The Sweet Child O Mine moment was wonderful
Thank you for the review. Do you think that you’ll be reviewing the new SC550 ii at some point?
yes, it is on the way
@@EytschPi42 Brilliant! Thank you for your reply.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you don’t hate it as I’ve already ordered one 😀
Intonation maybe needs an adjustment as slightly out of tune on G'nR lick 👍
You are so different in appearance and funny I like that 😁 and a hell of a guitar player🎸🎸🎸🎸💪
Jan from Denmark
What do I think of Henning? Do I like Henning? Do I not like Henning?
Super Video!!! Der HB klingt einfach geil!!! 👍👍👍😃😃😃
It looks thinner than the regular sc-550. Is it so?
I think a little bit
@@EytschPi42 Thanks for the answer Henning!
You keep saying it has a veneer. I have an SC-450. When I took out the pickups, you can see that it has a mahogany-type wood on back and then a 1/2 inch thick piece of maple on top. It may have a higher end veneer on top, but it does have a thick piece of maple.
but what you see is a veneer
I'm beginning to suspect that those couple of 90's punk tracks off my old band's album may have subliminally influenced you. Well, I would like to perhaps think so anyway : ) "squee!"
How in the motor licking helicopter dance does Thomman top tier(ish) spec these out like that for such an insane low list price?!
I'm absolutely baffled, and seriously gassing for one dag nabbit!
Well done Henning.
Best Regards ; )
If you live in the US returning a guitar to Thomann because you don't like it isn't a practical option. The cost is well over $200. The cost of the return may exceed the cost of the guitar or at the least be a loss of $200+. I have purchased multiple guitars from Thomann and received both good and bad guitars. The only returns that are free in the US are damaged or nonfunctional guitars. If you don't like the guitar it is on your dime. If it weren't for this issue I would probably purchase a few more but because of my negative experience I doubt that I ever will.
Henning nice video. So since it doesn't sound or plays like a Les Paul, which Harley Benton would you say does sound and plays like a Les Paul, if any?
But whats with the fretboard? Is ist thin like jackson or ibanez?
Great sounds.
Wouldn't risk shipping 12k miles around the world though.
HB are doing a very good job. I would not have a problem buying one (probably a Fusion II or an Amarok 7. Probably both, I have uses for them!).
HP is also doing a great job and I appreciate his honesty. And if you, HP, have any influence on HB, would you suggest they slightly change the headstock on the SCs? It's a bit too flat at the top.
Henning, a great channel! I still have a question, compared to your Hp42 Signature, is it just a matter of taste or do the models differ in quality? I guess both are best to get of HB? Best regards
I feel that these + models are a bit higher quality than my signature… I might be wrong about that… just a feeling
@@EytschPi42 thanks a lot, you're great! Keep on going
What's that white pedal that is maybe first in the chain it looks interesting?
FFX Pedals - All you can boost
Hi Henning, ich habe mir das Teil gerade über Deinen Link bestellt!! So ist Ostern vielleicht doch noch zu retten!
Ostern war zu retten!!!!! Ein echt gei.es Teil. Dein Video war in keinster Weise übertrieben - ganz im Gegenteil! Bleibt natürlich bei mir!! BTW, ist natürlich längst ausverkauft - und das mit Recht (oder heißt es zu Recht??) ;-)!
Why aren't these Available? Smh
Is the back of the neck sticky?
Generally, I don’t like finished necks.
Not really
A quick question, the sc 550 plus or amarok for 70’s-90’s metal? I’m thinking sabbath, priest, megadeth, early Metallica, and maybe a bit of AC/DC from time to time?
SC550 II
@@EytschPi42 awesome - thanks!
I took guitar lessons at a school that was owned by the actor who played col klink.
This Cort factory, is the first time they use it, or is it the same factory where they build Fusions?
I think the Fusions are built somewhere else
For the Comparison Video,can you please use one of these Marshall 20 Watt heads? It sounded great with the engl but
come on you know, everyone wants to hear a Single Cut with a Marshall, cause that's the amp Sinle Cuts are made for ;)
Still waiting for the comparison with the sc custom + :/
These guitars are made now at the CORT-factory in indonesia...?
Aha, very interesting. Where are the brandnew HB SC-550 II guitars being made???
At the same CORT-factory in indonesia, too...?
Thanks, HP.
So how does it compare to the HP42??
I bought this one BEFORE watching your review, I also bought the Harley Benton SC Special TV Yellow at the same time based on your review. They have not arrived yet. Should I keep both? :)
yes, they are different instruments, keep both for sure!
@@EytschPi42 What more do I need? :D I am new to guitar since this year. Been playing keys for about 15 years. I already bought some guitar pedals you have recommended. For amp I have the Mooer Hornet black. I think it is an awesome newbie amp with tuner etc. Cheers aus Schweden
@@totallyg1112 Well, you have gear enough. Now you just need to practice.
@@EytschPi42 Actually I don't know if I am unlucky but I am sending the SC550 EMG back. I really love the Special TV Yellow except the tuners. Thanks! It felt and played better than the SC550 and despite noisier that P90 sound is awesome. The SC550 also had several flaws. Maybe I was just unlucky with that one I got.
I find the impedance mess on guitars weird. Manufacturers should have agreed on a nominal impedance that every component in the signal chain is designed to. Often it is 50, 75, 100 or 120 Ohm. Could also be 1k. This would allow to design to a common standard, so that you know what to expect sound wise and make stuff better interoperable.
"Not you ... the other people..." 🤣