What does it feel to live with the Harley Benton SC-450Plus VB Vintage Series for years after having bought it? Would I buy it again? I'm looking at the fretwork, playability, pickups, electronics, overall sound and some of the quirkiness of this guitar. Hope you may find it useful and mildly entertaining. Playing through my trusty Peavey ValveKing 212 and a bunch of pedals: Wampler Tumnus, Orange Kongpressor, MXR M68, Way Huge Green Rhino and the Harley Benton Double Jammer. More details in the description.
I've had an HB SC450plus for exactly 2 years and I don't have any of the problems you mentioned in the videos. In terms of tuning, it maintains the same tuning as other much more expensive guitars that I have that don't have looking tuners. Nothing wrong with the frets or volume differences in the pickups. It doesn't have the same playability as my Delux Strat or my Charvel Su-Cal, but it also cost about 10 to 15 times less. And, in fact, the difference in playability is not that big. I only notice the difference when I play with a very high quality guitar and then pick up the HB. If I start playing with the HB I won't even feel the need for another higher quality guitar. It's a guitar you can play without fear of getting damaged. It's the guitar that always stays out of its bag or case and is always ready to make noise.
Yeah, mileage may vary from one guitar to another but in general they’re pretty good. I’ve upgraded it since and it now feels and sounds much better. Can’t wait to get that video out :)
Thank you for this informative video. 🤗 When I mentioned that I was planning on buying the Gold Top version of this guitar, someone commented "Good Luck!" I was NOT sure how to take that. 🤔 Your experience has given me the confidence to "pull the trigger" on an HB as soon as I get the money. 😊
The question about the middle position when you turn one volume all the way down and you get no sound? That is what happens with Les Paul type wiring. My SG does it, also. I don't have the technological knowledge why. There's a simple wiring fix for this, but as it doesn't affect me, I haven't looked into doing that.
In my SC450 the pickup selector lasted less than one week, probably it was hit during the shipping, told to Thomann and they sent me a new one that works fine since 4 years now
I've had my SC-450, (looks like the one in the video), since 2019. The only problem I've had is fret sprout. Which has caused cracks in the binding. On the treble side the clear coat has chipped off. Other than that it's been fine. I did change out the tuners to a set of Wilkinson Deluxe tuning heads. It's done a pretty good job keeping it in tune. That was the only change I made.
That's a really good question! I guess it ultimately comes to what you like. The most important thing about a guitar is that it has to "call" you to play it. So which one beckons? I have no personal experience with the DC, but purely based on specs they seem to be pretty much the same guitar. One thing to note is that SG types tend to be more headstock heavy while my LP type is a bit more body-heavy. Your mileage may vary. Hope this was somewhat helpful 😄
I like this guitar, considering to buy one! Question - what is the neck thickness? It is not specified on Thomann site. I found by googling that the neck thickness is approximately 0.898'' (22.8mm) at the first fret, and 0.931'' (23.6mm) at the twelfth - could you confirm, that it is that thick?
The neck on mine is ~23mm at the 1st and ~24mm at the 12th (measured at the top of the fretboard). It's also ~43mm wide at the 1st and ~53mm wide at the 12th. All in all very comfy - for my hands at least.
I saw the specifications given on the Harley web site were not very consistent, but they appear to have listened to and acted on the criticisms made about the first ones.
My experience with Harley Benton has been exactly the same. My ST-62 started to fall appart gradually as the time went by; fret wear, tuning posts popping out...For the price though, one can not expect these cheap guitars to have the quaity of the more expensive, and professionally crafted ones. Yeah, I know you guys who play cowboy chords once in a blue moon swear by your Harley Bentons, so I don't need to hear from ya yet again.
You must have got a Friday night jobbie mate! I have had mine for a few years now. No change from when I got it. Never done anything to ot since ot came out of it’s beat up cardboard box. Coil splits I use all the time. Just get on with it mate. Stop whingeing! If ypu want perfection, buy a Tokai!
What does it feel to live with the Harley Benton SC-450Plus VB Vintage Series for years after having bought it? Would I buy it again? I'm looking at the fretwork, playability, pickups, electronics, overall sound and some of the quirkiness of this guitar. Hope you may find it useful and mildly entertaining.
Playing through my trusty Peavey ValveKing 212 and a bunch of pedals: Wampler Tumnus, Orange Kongpressor, MXR M68, Way Huge Green Rhino and the Harley Benton Double Jammer. More details in the description.
I've had an HB SC450plus for exactly 2 years and I don't have any of the problems you mentioned in the videos. In terms of tuning, it maintains the same tuning as other much more expensive guitars that I have that don't have looking tuners. Nothing wrong with the frets or volume differences in the pickups. It doesn't have the same playability as my Delux Strat or my Charvel Su-Cal, but it also cost about 10 to 15 times less. And, in fact, the difference in playability is not that big. I only notice the difference when I play with a very high quality guitar and then pick up the HB. If I start playing with the HB I won't even feel the need for another higher quality guitar. It's a guitar you can play without fear of getting damaged. It's the guitar that always stays out of its bag or case and is always ready to make noise.
Yeah, mileage may vary from one guitar to another but in general they’re pretty good. I’ve upgraded it since and it now feels and sounds much better. Can’t wait to get that video out :)
Thank you for this informative video. 🤗
When I mentioned that I was planning on buying the Gold Top version of this guitar, someone commented "Good Luck!" I was NOT sure how to take that. 🤔
Your experience has given me the confidence to "pull the trigger" on an HB as soon as I get the money. 😊
Happy to help. That being said, these things aren’t always consistent in quality but luckily Thomann has customer support. Enjoy your new guitar.
The question about the middle position when you turn one volume all the way down and you get no sound? That is what happens with Les Paul type wiring. My SG does it, also. I don't have the technological knowledge why. There's a simple wiring fix for this, but as it doesn't affect me, I haven't looked into doing that.
Yeah, I gather this is "how it's supposed to be". Sound like it's more of a feature than a bug.
This was useful and mildly entertaining. Thank you : )
In my SC450 the pickup selector lasted less than one week, probably it was hit during the shipping, told to Thomann and they sent me a new one that works fine since 4 years now
I've had my SC-450, (looks like the one in the video), since 2019. The only problem I've had is fret sprout. Which has caused cracks in the binding. On the treble side the clear coat has chipped off. Other than that it's been fine.
I did change out the tuners to a set of Wilkinson Deluxe tuning heads. It's done a pretty good job keeping it in tune. That was the only change I made.
thx
Which guitar do you recommend, the SC-450 plus or DC-580 CH?? 🤘🏻
That's a really good question! I guess it ultimately comes to what you like. The most important thing about a guitar is that it has to "call" you to play it. So which one beckons? I have no personal experience with the DC, but purely based on specs they seem to be pretty much the same guitar. One thing to note is that SG types tend to be more headstock heavy while my LP type is a bit more body-heavy. Your mileage may vary. Hope this was somewhat helpful 😄
I like this guitar, considering to buy one! Question - what is the neck thickness? It is not specified on Thomann site. I found by googling that the neck thickness is approximately 0.898'' (22.8mm) at the first fret, and 0.931'' (23.6mm) at the twelfth - could you confirm, that it is that thick?
The neck on mine is ~23mm at the 1st and ~24mm at the 12th (measured at the top of the fretboard). It's also ~43mm wide at the 1st and ~53mm wide at the 12th. All in all very comfy - for my hands at least.
@@cmusicjourney thanx a lot bro, take care!
60 s neck
I saw the specifications given on the Harley web site were not very consistent, but they appear to have listened to and acted on the criticisms made about the first ones.
I got the 400 changed the magnets to Alnico 2 no problems had my sense 2020
Mine stays in tune all day long
TX!!!
My experience with Harley Benton has been exactly the same. My ST-62 started to fall appart gradually as the time went by; fret wear, tuning posts popping out...For the price though, one can not expect these cheap guitars to have the quaity of the more expensive, and professionally crafted ones. Yeah, I know you guys who play cowboy chords once in a blue moon swear by your Harley Bentons, so I don't need to hear from ya yet again.
I think there’s a lot of it in the style of playing, how hard, how often, how long. All we can d in the end is just share how it worked for ourselves.
You must have got a Friday night jobbie mate! I have had mine for a few years now. No change from when I got it. Never done anything to ot since ot came out of it’s beat up cardboard box. Coil splits I use all the time. Just get on with it mate. Stop whingeing! If ypu want perfection, buy a Tokai!
Hehe! Might be. It’s a very nice guitar. Sounds much better with the new wiring and pickups. Must get around to editing the upgrade video :)
You should teach guitar playing on TH-cam