Harley Benton SC-200LH BK Student Series

As an elderly, vulnerable person who lives alone, I was quickly put into the 'high risk' category when the pandemic took off in early 2020.
''Sheilding'' meant no human contact - except for those listed as official carers - and one of my two best friends quickly adopted that role.

She knew very well that guitars/music was one of my many interests/passions, so wasn't surprised when I turned my kitchen into a workshop and started builiding guitars again - using almost finished necks and bodies, hardware, and the tools that had been hibernating in the loft since I moved here 17 years ago (post-divorce).
It was at this point she'd told me she always wanted to play guitar so I'd bought her a HB GS Travel Mahogany (I already had one and was impressed) for her birthday.
She was progressing well, so she got this guitar as a 'thank you' when the first wave eased.
I added a small modelling amp .... and she loves both !
Although a mere youngster in her mid-30's, she was brought up listening the music of the 60's, 70's, and 80's - and I don't think there's a genre she doesn't like.
But she has a particular fondness for Sabbath (I blame her father - he brought her up well).
She can now play all those iconic Iommi riffs, and as he's a leftie too, she learned just by watching him.
She'd then listen to the studio versions and fill in any gaps.

The guitar itself arrived almost ready to play.
Just about in tune, the intonation and string height was pefect, and everything did what it was supposed to do.

Just as the HB GS Travel guitar is the perfect beginners acoustic, the HB SC200 LH is the perfect beginner's electric, and will encourage new players - old and young - to keep playing and improve.
I just wish there'd been something as good, as affordable, and as easy to get hold of back in the 60's !

I now have a small, custom built workshop, and am thinking of building her something similar to the famous guitar she talks about all the time - BB King's 'Lucille' !
Problem being she's a 'leftie', obviously, and although I've built a few acoustics, and a bunch of solid-bodies in my time, I've never built a left-handed instrument, or a hollow body electric.
Perhaps it's time to learn ?

So thanks again Thomann - you've made two people very happy.

Nothing to be mentioned on the quality of this guitar. Very nice finish, including the smooth neck - personally grateful, there is no binding! Controls are good quality, it feels good / sound to use them and they are perfectly adjusted to the body. Not the rule with many much more expensive guitars.
The picks are ok, there is nothing to be worried about. I will replace them with - assumed - more powerful ones, but it is also a matter of taste. They can stay, indeed.
The tuners are useable, but I replaced them by better (locking) ones (NB all the tuner holes showed good quality work). Always an improvement to use locking tuners, and they do not cost a fortune.
To summarise - a puristic and - even or maybe because of the gloss black colour - utmost beautiful LP guitar (NP like the simple models, with a flat body) of very good quality. Does not feel and sound like a guitar similar to 3 restaurant visits. Strongly recommended! A purchase of a "no-brainer", a "must-have".

PS - after upgrade not only with HB locking tuners, but also with Vanson '59 PAF humbuckers from UK, a even more attractive guitar, far beyond the expectations of the price. NB - the "internals" (the machine room) - clean, well done.

Well, to start with, I am not a guitarist. I have been learning with various degrees of enthusiasm for over twenty years, but have never quite reached anything approaching proficiency.
That said, I had a go on everything from cheap mass market supermarket guitars to high end Fenders and Gibsons.
Whilst searching for a guitar to buy for my daughter I came across this SC-200 and decided that at the price I had nothing to lose by buying myself a present at the same time.
To say I am pleased with the purchase is a bit of an understatement. Straight out of the box, I tuned the guitar and set about trying it out through a small tube practice amp.
The guitar was set up perfectly and the sound was a revelation. The finish was beautiful and I could find no fault with the hardware. I had seen and read that cheaper guitars often had unfinished fret ends that needed sanding down, but mine were perfect.
As I said, I’m not a guitarist so my review is more about the playability than musicality of the instrument, but after 3 days of ownership I am playing songs with a confidence that I have spent years trying to develop.
If you’re out there thinking of taking the plunge on your first guitar, or, like me, just looking for something to rekindle their interest, you won’t go far wrong with this.

The guitar arrived on a Thursday evening via UPS. Super fast delivery.
I ordered it on the weekend and received it the following Thursday.
The box looked like it made several trips through a pinata testing facility.
It was beat to smithereens.
I was not too happy and was expecting the worst.
But, after opening the inside box, the guitar was intact.
No, scratches, no dings, no dents, no scuffs, no cracks ...nothing!
It was in perfect order!
In fact, I inspected it top to bottom, front to back, inside and out.
And after tuning it up, the intonation was spot on! Sounded great.
While the shipping was hefty, it did make it - what 5-6000 miles?!
For $105.00 (US) plus S&H, I'm absolutely blown away!

Thank you!
...now, time to go play!