V
Absolutely STUNNING!
Firstly, I was amazed to find that Harley Benton guitars actually make left-handed models in a range of stunning finishes - as a lefty, I'm used to 'choosing' either black, white or if I'm lucky red. I could quite happily buy one of these in each of the finishes on offer, but I totally fell in love with the Lemon Drop and I'm so pleased I did - it looks awesome in all lights!
Out of the box, my guitar was set-up perfectly - no fret buzz, low action, nice smooth fretboard edges and no cosmetic damage. I'm really impressed, as I had seen some negative reviews about this on youtube etc. This is the first time I've purchased a 'budget' guitar, so I really didn't know what to expect - I own 2 x Fenders and 1 x Gibson.
As soon as I plugged this guitar in I was gobsmacked - it is extremely comfortable to play and it sounds great. I'm really impressed with the pick ups, but I don't rate the coil splitting at all, it makes the sound way to thin to my ear. But that is the only negative thing I can find to say!
So, this is now my go to guitar - the neck is absolutely perfect and is really helping me improve my playing. I also prefer the sound of the pick ups to those in my Gibson (that's probably down to my style of playing). I am a very happy customer and will be back for more guitars in the future!
Out of the box, my guitar was set-up perfectly - no fret buzz, low action, nice smooth fretboard edges and no cosmetic damage. I'm really impressed, as I had seen some negative reviews about this on youtube etc. This is the first time I've purchased a 'budget' guitar, so I really didn't know what to expect - I own 2 x Fenders and 1 x Gibson.
As soon as I plugged this guitar in I was gobsmacked - it is extremely comfortable to play and it sounds great. I'm really impressed with the pick ups, but I don't rate the coil splitting at all, it makes the sound way to thin to my ear. But that is the only negative thing I can find to say!
So, this is now my go to guitar - the neck is absolutely perfect and is really helping me improve my playing. I also prefer the sound of the pick ups to those in my Gibson (that's probably down to my style of playing). I am a very happy customer and will be back for more guitars in the future!
10
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m
A Good Guitar - Excellent Value For Money
If you're looking for a new, budget single cut guitar at a very reasonable price you would be hard pushed to find better, especially if you're in the UK or Europe where delivery is fast and free and returns are pretty hassle free with Thomann should you really need to make one.
I've given it five stars based on the combination of price, quality, features and finish. Understand that you're not buying a Gibson Les Paul and on a budget instrument there are obviously going to be compromises on electronics, machine heads, and (to a degree) pickups. If you don't spend thousands you don't get a top tier instrument and you should not expect to.
However, I have bought two of these in different finishes (Vintage Burst and Lemon Drop) and both have been excellent quality with no serious flaws or problems and both look stunning. They also sound absolutely fine. They have a nice heft to them without being too heavy....obviously weightier than a Strat or a Tele but that is as it should be and shouldn't come as a surprise.
The addition of coil splitting on the Roswell branded humbuckers is a nice touch on a budget LP copy - not needed and maybe not even of interest to a lot of people who want a guitar of this type but it's a nice little extra feature to have on hand and to be able to experiment with.
The only thing both of mine needed were a fret polish - even the factory strings were OK, although I change them out on all new guitars for my preferred brand anyway. Basically, neither of these things were particularly detrimental to their playability out of the box. Both were set up and intonated well and the action on both was fine so any slight changes I made were purely subjective and personal ones.
In conclusion, if you're a beginner or a more seasoned player, it's hard to be critical of this guitar considering how cheap it is. As an entry point into this style of guitar it makes a lot of sense - if you find it really doesn't float your boat, you haven't taken out a mortgage to scratch the itch and you'll have confirmed your own preferences and biases at little financial cost. Even a used base level Epi with a bolt on neck is probably going to cost you more...and I doubt it will be as good.
Personally, I can neither afford, or would want to spend the kind of money a genuine Les Paul demands as I'm only a hobbyist and I'm sure that is the case for many others and absolutely not the case for just as many more. My son's guitar teacher, a staunch Fender guy for 40 years, played mine and was blown away....he loved the sustain, the sound and the feel of this humble instrument so much so that he's now going to spend serious money on a Gibson Les Paul, something he's never wanted until now. I told him to buy an SC450 Plus and save a fortune but he's a very brand conscious type of guy....for him the name on the headstock overrides financial considerations and well, he is a professional musician after all and is used to "the best".
He wasn't just being polite - he has played several of my HB guitars, both electric and acoustic and now happily recommends them to new players just starting out as reliable and decent instruments at a fair price - something which parents of budding little rock stars probably appreciate hugely.
I'm very happy with my purchases of the SC450 Plus and have no qualms about recommending it to others.
I've given it five stars based on the combination of price, quality, features and finish. Understand that you're not buying a Gibson Les Paul and on a budget instrument there are obviously going to be compromises on electronics, machine heads, and (to a degree) pickups. If you don't spend thousands you don't get a top tier instrument and you should not expect to.
However, I have bought two of these in different finishes (Vintage Burst and Lemon Drop) and both have been excellent quality with no serious flaws or problems and both look stunning. They also sound absolutely fine. They have a nice heft to them without being too heavy....obviously weightier than a Strat or a Tele but that is as it should be and shouldn't come as a surprise.
The addition of coil splitting on the Roswell branded humbuckers is a nice touch on a budget LP copy - not needed and maybe not even of interest to a lot of people who want a guitar of this type but it's a nice little extra feature to have on hand and to be able to experiment with.
The only thing both of mine needed were a fret polish - even the factory strings were OK, although I change them out on all new guitars for my preferred brand anyway. Basically, neither of these things were particularly detrimental to their playability out of the box. Both were set up and intonated well and the action on both was fine so any slight changes I made were purely subjective and personal ones.
In conclusion, if you're a beginner or a more seasoned player, it's hard to be critical of this guitar considering how cheap it is. As an entry point into this style of guitar it makes a lot of sense - if you find it really doesn't float your boat, you haven't taken out a mortgage to scratch the itch and you'll have confirmed your own preferences and biases at little financial cost. Even a used base level Epi with a bolt on neck is probably going to cost you more...and I doubt it will be as good.
Personally, I can neither afford, or would want to spend the kind of money a genuine Les Paul demands as I'm only a hobbyist and I'm sure that is the case for many others and absolutely not the case for just as many more. My son's guitar teacher, a staunch Fender guy for 40 years, played mine and was blown away....he loved the sustain, the sound and the feel of this humble instrument so much so that he's now going to spend serious money on a Gibson Les Paul, something he's never wanted until now. I told him to buy an SC450 Plus and save a fortune but he's a very brand conscious type of guy....for him the name on the headstock overrides financial considerations and well, he is a professional musician after all and is used to "the best".
He wasn't just being polite - he has played several of my HB guitars, both electric and acoustic and now happily recommends them to new players just starting out as reliable and decent instruments at a fair price - something which parents of budding little rock stars probably appreciate hugely.
I'm very happy with my purchases of the SC450 Plus and have no qualms about recommending it to others.
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A
I Love it
That is a great guitar, that's way more then I expected, it's to good for this price and it sounds not so far from my gibson les paul tribute, which costs three times as much.
It took 3 week shipping and it was worth it to wait.
Thank you thomann for giving me this great guitar
It took 3 week shipping and it was worth it to wait.
Thank you thomann for giving me this great guitar
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O
I love this guitar!
I bought this guitar a few months ago. I didn't really know what to expect for that low price. But it's a great instrument. Comfortable to play and with a great sound. Beautiful with a perfect finish. I really have nothing to complain about. I have several more expensive guitars but this is the one I play the most. I can really recommend it!
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A
Unbelievable for the price
I've previously owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard and this guitar isn't that far removed. Set up was solid upon arrival. Fretwork is all good. Didn't even need to adjust the truss, action or intonation like I was expecting for a cheap guitar. The only con is the electronics. The pickups are very muddy and will need to be replaced. Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase.
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DC
Versitile
Extremely versatile guitar with the tap in/out pick ups
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N
Well that’s a surprise.
What an excellent guitar. Owned it for some time now and can say it is a superb guitar. Great sounds from the pickups. Fantastic finish.
Only change was replacing the tuners for Wilkinson’s
Kicks the butt off the Gibson les Paul imho
Only change was replacing the tuners for Wilkinson’s
Kicks the butt off the Gibson les Paul imho
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T
As good a guitar as I’ve seen right out of the box I have a Epiphone pro LP and the guitar is better than the epiphone right out of the box the epiphone was nearly 600£
Just buy one you will not be disappointed
Just buy one you will not be disappointed
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b
Increadible!!!
I've been using this guitar for a year. It's exactly the same as Gibson, both in sound and looking. Don't pay huge cash for big brands.
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F
Go to Guitar
Arrived well set up and only required bridge adjustment to get required action. Looks as good as the pictures and materials look high quality and nicely finished. Once tone was dialled in it rapidly became my favoured guitar to play with the band, normally using neck pickup - a good range of sounds available for rhythm and lead. Split coils work okay but no substitute for a dedicated s coil. Easy to play all over neck, which can get slightly clammy in common with other finished necks.
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