L
Great design, build, & tone; iffy quality control
This is a giggable LP tribute that's also a strong platform for electronics upgrades. I've ended up with 2 of these: #1 is a 2018 (blackwood fretboard) Honeyburst model, ordered new from Thomann. # 2 is a slightly earlier (rosewood fretboard) Vintage Burst, bought used from my guitar tech's store.
Here are my actual ratings, on a scale of 5. I'll average the 2 guitars, to provide a random sample of what you're likely to receive. Overall, my experience seems consistent with other reviewers':
5 for value and tone, especially at this price.
4.5 to 5 for design, basic build quality, and playability.
5++ for Thomann's responsiveness and service.
1.5 to 4.5 (yes, very wide range) for cosmetics and finish.
1.5 for quality control (QC).
The SC450+ is an affordable (obviously) LP copy that follows the classic vintage recipe, while adding some clever innovations.
The low price, iffy QC, and value are all real, and all share the same source: Thomann contracts directly with a factory in China, eliminating a wholesaler. So, for about half the price of (e.g.) an Epiphone LP, you get a vintage build recipe, better materials and components, and better ergonomics. You also get a combination of deep '50s neck, flush modern heel, and nice color schemes ? a combination that Gibson won't sell you at any price.
PRO'S:
The flush neck heel is brilliantly designed to solve the traditional LP problem of upper-fret access. Up to the 20th fret, access here is actually easier than on a Strat (because the heel is so sculpted). Up to the 22nd fret, it's still pretty easy. Better access than on a PRS Singlecut (SC/SE 245, etc.). Which is why I chose this.
The Roswell alnico 5 bridge pickup is wonderful. I swapped it for a Gibson Super '57 on my first SC450+, then found I missed it. (This is why I've kept my 2nd copy stock.) This pickup is bright without shrillness, and has body with no nasal honk. Surprisingly great tones, ranging from Allman Brothers to twang.
Split-coil sounds are very usable.
Full maple cap under the flame-maple veneer. (You can see the maple in the treble-side cutaway.)
Long-tenon neck joint, reputedly. (I haven't checked this, but the expected rich tone is definitely there.)
Weight is reasonable, around 9 lbs.
CON'S:
Cosmetic flaws are common (read on, and see other reviews).
Mahogany back on your copy might be anywhere from 2?4 pieces. (I've heard of, but not seen, 5. Mine are, respectively, 2 and 3 pieces.)
3-piece neck, counting a scarf joint and butt joint. (But this construction doesn't seem to degrade the tone.)
Neck binding runs fatter than Gibson spec, and looks plasticky.
NEUTRAL:
The Roswell neck pickup is punchy and entirely giggable, but a bit blunt. It's not muddy ? more like middy. Doesn't have the articulation of a good Gibson, PRS, or even Epi neck pickup. Fast attack from the alnico 5, which you might like for some styles.
Blackwood has replaced rosewood fretboards, to meet CITES export restrictions. Tonally, it's supposed to be very similar. But blackwood can have pronounced grain/color variations, which you might find either interesting or distracting. It also has an unusual feel, which takes a while to get used to: Strings slide around on it. If you've ever tried Ernie Ball's slippery Cobalt strings, regular strings feel like that on blackwood.
The fat neck binding on my Honeyburst copy developed some tiny cracks. I actually like the resulting, slightly distressed look. (Because I don't like plastic binding at all. I'd love a Harley Benton that omitted neck binding, as some LP Studio Deluxes and PRS Singlecuts/SC's do.)
By ordering one of these, you're taking a chance: You'll get a boxed copy that hasn't been inspected in Germany. Shipping to you is very inexpensive, because Thomann subsidizes it. Overseas return shipping is expensive. My experience has been that if you get a copy with problems, Thomann will offer you reasonable options for resolving it.
Here's what I actually got:
My Honeyburst copy sounds righteously full, and has great playability. (Low action with no buzzes.) The top has a pretty, faded-cherryburst finish, on a lightly flamed maple veneer. The back is 3-piece, cut so that the neck fits entirely into the middle piece. Both the back and neck are natural-finished mahogany, with faint grain. Setup was reasonably low and quite buzz-free, straight out of the box.
Problems? There's a sizable spraying blotch under the top's pretty finish, south of the bridge. There's another spraying blotch in the cutaway (which no one but me will see.) The blackwood fretboard has some pronounced color variations, fading to nearly bleached in some places. (The fretboard doesn't look at all bad, just unusual.) The neck binding is fat and also a bit uneven in width, tapering wider toward the upper frets. As mentioned above, it cracked slightly since arriving.
Thomann asked me to email them photos of the build flaws, then offered me the option of keeping the guitar for a partial refund. After staring at the guitar for a few days (and of course listening to it), I decided I could live with the cosmetic flaws, and took this option. I've since upgraded its pickups to a Gibson 57 Classic and Super '57. The guitar sounds nice, plays well, and has held stable action and tuning.
(Side notes: Thomann was outstandingly responsive, courteous, and helpful in resolving the cosmetic glitches, and also with an apparent wiring glitch that turned out to be a false alarm. I actually can't say enough good things about their customer service, and their English is better than most North Americans'. Also, the gummy coil-tap stickers that bothered some earlier SC450+ reviewers are gone. These are now PET stickers, which peel off easily and cleanly.)
My second SC450+ has a Vintage Burst top finish (2-color tobacco burst), over a lightly flamed veneer. Very elegant and classic look. One tiny blemish on the top, not sure if that's from the factory or the prior owner.
This copy also has a natural-finished mahogany back, but with nicely deep grain swirls. The back is 2 symmetrical pieces. (Unlike Epiphone/Gibson, Thomann doesn't veneer over back joins, so you can clearly see how many pieces are involved.)
As an older model, it's got a rosewood fretboard, with light grain and no cosmetic flaws. Same thick neck binding.
This copy required some setup to shake out some fret buzz. But I bought it used, so I can't blame Thomann for how its original owner adjusted or stored it. It set up fine, now plays well, and sounds robust and punchy with its stock pickups.
To sum up: You take pot luck when you order one of these, given the spotty QC. You might get anything from a near-perfect gem to a solid guitar with obvious cosmetic flaws. I can't say that you can't go wrong. But Thomann seems determined to ensure that you'll end up happy ? variously with a great guitar, a great deal, or a return. I'm doubly happy with two of them.
Here are my actual ratings, on a scale of 5. I'll average the 2 guitars, to provide a random sample of what you're likely to receive. Overall, my experience seems consistent with other reviewers':
5 for value and tone, especially at this price.
4.5 to 5 for design, basic build quality, and playability.
5++ for Thomann's responsiveness and service.
1.5 to 4.5 (yes, very wide range) for cosmetics and finish.
1.5 for quality control (QC).
The SC450+ is an affordable (obviously) LP copy that follows the classic vintage recipe, while adding some clever innovations.
The low price, iffy QC, and value are all real, and all share the same source: Thomann contracts directly with a factory in China, eliminating a wholesaler. So, for about half the price of (e.g.) an Epiphone LP, you get a vintage build recipe, better materials and components, and better ergonomics. You also get a combination of deep '50s neck, flush modern heel, and nice color schemes ? a combination that Gibson won't sell you at any price.
PRO'S:
The flush neck heel is brilliantly designed to solve the traditional LP problem of upper-fret access. Up to the 20th fret, access here is actually easier than on a Strat (because the heel is so sculpted). Up to the 22nd fret, it's still pretty easy. Better access than on a PRS Singlecut (SC/SE 245, etc.). Which is why I chose this.
The Roswell alnico 5 bridge pickup is wonderful. I swapped it for a Gibson Super '57 on my first SC450+, then found I missed it. (This is why I've kept my 2nd copy stock.) This pickup is bright without shrillness, and has body with no nasal honk. Surprisingly great tones, ranging from Allman Brothers to twang.
Split-coil sounds are very usable.
Full maple cap under the flame-maple veneer. (You can see the maple in the treble-side cutaway.)
Long-tenon neck joint, reputedly. (I haven't checked this, but the expected rich tone is definitely there.)
Weight is reasonable, around 9 lbs.
CON'S:
Cosmetic flaws are common (read on, and see other reviews).
Mahogany back on your copy might be anywhere from 2?4 pieces. (I've heard of, but not seen, 5. Mine are, respectively, 2 and 3 pieces.)
3-piece neck, counting a scarf joint and butt joint. (But this construction doesn't seem to degrade the tone.)
Neck binding runs fatter than Gibson spec, and looks plasticky.
NEUTRAL:
The Roswell neck pickup is punchy and entirely giggable, but a bit blunt. It's not muddy ? more like middy. Doesn't have the articulation of a good Gibson, PRS, or even Epi neck pickup. Fast attack from the alnico 5, which you might like for some styles.
Blackwood has replaced rosewood fretboards, to meet CITES export restrictions. Tonally, it's supposed to be very similar. But blackwood can have pronounced grain/color variations, which you might find either interesting or distracting. It also has an unusual feel, which takes a while to get used to: Strings slide around on it. If you've ever tried Ernie Ball's slippery Cobalt strings, regular strings feel like that on blackwood.
The fat neck binding on my Honeyburst copy developed some tiny cracks. I actually like the resulting, slightly distressed look. (Because I don't like plastic binding at all. I'd love a Harley Benton that omitted neck binding, as some LP Studio Deluxes and PRS Singlecuts/SC's do.)
By ordering one of these, you're taking a chance: You'll get a boxed copy that hasn't been inspected in Germany. Shipping to you is very inexpensive, because Thomann subsidizes it. Overseas return shipping is expensive. My experience has been that if you get a copy with problems, Thomann will offer you reasonable options for resolving it.
Here's what I actually got:
My Honeyburst copy sounds righteously full, and has great playability. (Low action with no buzzes.) The top has a pretty, faded-cherryburst finish, on a lightly flamed maple veneer. The back is 3-piece, cut so that the neck fits entirely into the middle piece. Both the back and neck are natural-finished mahogany, with faint grain. Setup was reasonably low and quite buzz-free, straight out of the box.
Problems? There's a sizable spraying blotch under the top's pretty finish, south of the bridge. There's another spraying blotch in the cutaway (which no one but me will see.) The blackwood fretboard has some pronounced color variations, fading to nearly bleached in some places. (The fretboard doesn't look at all bad, just unusual.) The neck binding is fat and also a bit uneven in width, tapering wider toward the upper frets. As mentioned above, it cracked slightly since arriving.
Thomann asked me to email them photos of the build flaws, then offered me the option of keeping the guitar for a partial refund. After staring at the guitar for a few days (and of course listening to it), I decided I could live with the cosmetic flaws, and took this option. I've since upgraded its pickups to a Gibson 57 Classic and Super '57. The guitar sounds nice, plays well, and has held stable action and tuning.
(Side notes: Thomann was outstandingly responsive, courteous, and helpful in resolving the cosmetic glitches, and also with an apparent wiring glitch that turned out to be a false alarm. I actually can't say enough good things about their customer service, and their English is better than most North Americans'. Also, the gummy coil-tap stickers that bothered some earlier SC450+ reviewers are gone. These are now PET stickers, which peel off easily and cleanly.)
My second SC450+ has a Vintage Burst top finish (2-color tobacco burst), over a lightly flamed veneer. Very elegant and classic look. One tiny blemish on the top, not sure if that's from the factory or the prior owner.
This copy also has a natural-finished mahogany back, but with nicely deep grain swirls. The back is 2 symmetrical pieces. (Unlike Epiphone/Gibson, Thomann doesn't veneer over back joins, so you can clearly see how many pieces are involved.)
As an older model, it's got a rosewood fretboard, with light grain and no cosmetic flaws. Same thick neck binding.
This copy required some setup to shake out some fret buzz. But I bought it used, so I can't blame Thomann for how its original owner adjusted or stored it. It set up fine, now plays well, and sounds robust and punchy with its stock pickups.
To sum up: You take pot luck when you order one of these, given the spotty QC. You might get anything from a near-perfect gem to a solid guitar with obvious cosmetic flaws. I can't say that you can't go wrong. But Thomann seems determined to ensure that you'll end up happy ? variously with a great guitar, a great deal, or a return. I'm doubly happy with two of them.
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K
Great for the price (only 10% of a Les Paul Standard)
I was looking for a copy Les Paul to practice on and also to change the strings to 11 guage. I am fortunate enough to have access to a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul and a Fender Stratocaster but as I spend 99% of my time practicing 'unplugged' I wasn't too worried about the quality of this practice guitar. The Harley Benton guitar I ordered from Thomann came and I was 100% impressed by the quality (except the scratch plate which was very badly scratched but Thomann have replaced this free of charge)
The finish is excellent. The neck has exactly the same feel as the Custom Shop Les Paul but the sustain when unplugged is fantastic! I like to play in the style of Paul Kossoff (from Free) and even unplugged and with full finger vibrato (even with the original 10-46 strings that came with the guitar) I managed to sustain a note on the 13th fret of the 3rd string for 7 seconds and even a Les Paul unplugged can't do that!
Plugged in, it doesn't of course have the quality of a Les Paul but when you think that this Harley Benton (with a mahogany body and neck and the maple cap) is only about 10% of the cost of a genuine Les Paul Standard in the UK it is fantastic value.
My only small cristism is as this guitar's first two knobs are push up and down to switch between a Humbucker sound and a single coil (which is great) and there are two labels inserted under these knobs telling you of this. Instead of having an 'easy peel' sticker they were stuck so hard to the bodywork that it took me two hours to get them off using my fingernails, cigarette lighter fuel and a pair of tweezers. Fortunately the varnish is so good it didn't appear to damage the guitar but perhaps Thomann could get this problem sorted out with their suppliers as all it needs is a simple supermarket type sticker around the knobs or a leaflet in the box. We only need to be told once. P.S. I used a 2mm plectrum to get that Paul Kossoff sound.
The finish is excellent. The neck has exactly the same feel as the Custom Shop Les Paul but the sustain when unplugged is fantastic! I like to play in the style of Paul Kossoff (from Free) and even unplugged and with full finger vibrato (even with the original 10-46 strings that came with the guitar) I managed to sustain a note on the 13th fret of the 3rd string for 7 seconds and even a Les Paul unplugged can't do that!
Plugged in, it doesn't of course have the quality of a Les Paul but when you think that this Harley Benton (with a mahogany body and neck and the maple cap) is only about 10% of the cost of a genuine Les Paul Standard in the UK it is fantastic value.
My only small cristism is as this guitar's first two knobs are push up and down to switch between a Humbucker sound and a single coil (which is great) and there are two labels inserted under these knobs telling you of this. Instead of having an 'easy peel' sticker they were stuck so hard to the bodywork that it took me two hours to get them off using my fingernails, cigarette lighter fuel and a pair of tweezers. Fortunately the varnish is so good it didn't appear to damage the guitar but perhaps Thomann could get this problem sorted out with their suppliers as all it needs is a simple supermarket type sticker around the knobs or a leaflet in the box. We only need to be told once. P.S. I used a 2mm plectrum to get that Paul Kossoff sound.
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D
Great Guitar But Needs Work
The shipping was fast. About a week to get from Germany to Texas. I ordered 2 other instruments and honestly, I was not impressed with how it was packaged but thankfully everything survived in fact the body on this guitar looked perfect. No dings or dents or marks that others have said to have. The main issue was the frets, strings, and tuners. The frets were rough and had some grime on them. I immediately took the strings off and polished the fretboard. I then put on a new set of Ernie Ball strings. Readjusted the pickup placement and knob placement. I then set up Intonation as best I could which honestly was pretty hard. Although it has a the tunomatic style bridge I never could get the intonation that close. This might be due to the tuners which are the worst part of this guitar. If you don't plan on ever using this live. It is not an issue. Overall it is an amazing guitar. Beautiful finish and a good feeling neck. Feels like a instrument 3 times its price after the small work I put into it. Out of the box it's fine but not its best.
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bb
super guitare pour le prix
Juste un détail ! le chevalet monté à l'envers, après avoir changer le cordage quand j'ai reçu la guitare j'ai remarqué que l chevalet était monté à l'envers, il faut faire une gymnastique pas possible pour avoir accès aux vis de mise en accord d'octave, Au prochain changement de cordes je ferai la rectification et réaccorderai le tout ....
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J
Better than expected
Arrived in great shape. Abs no faults. For the price it's outstanding. Stayed in tune straight away. Decent action and worth investing in some quality strings. Beautiful finish. Flawless apart from a small amount of smudging between the fretboard and neck. Very pleased all in all. Recommended.
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A
Good product
Really nice looking guitar and plays well
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JM
Shipping to USA is hit or miss.
I've purchased a few guitars from Thomann and I never know what to expect when I receive the delivery. This one had a broken 3 way toggle switch which isn't cheap to have repaired or replaced. Also shipping choices are not good. I waited 12 weeks once and about 10 weeks for this Harley Benton sc. After all that I have said the guitar is a goodie. The broken toggle was a shipping failure and maybe a cheap part but the guitar plays well and sounds good too.
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Lb
Great Guitar
Started using using this guitar for stage use - at the price - not too bothered if it gets bash about a bit. BUT for the price it is an amazing guitar! Just needed to tweak the setup of the truss rod and the bridge height and the guitar is great to play. Some excellent features like push pull Volume pots for coil tap on BOTH pickups. Guitar was well packed and arrived in excellent condition. One thing I might do is change the machine heads, they do feel a bit cheap but a new set of grovers or schallers still mean you have a great guitar at a very cheap price. Can't go wrong.
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M
Great allrounder
Nothing to dislike about this guitar, it was set up and playable right out of the box, major dislike are the stickers on the pull push knobs, change them to paper ones that pull off, we know what they are for but the stickers when taken off leave a terrible residue that takes ages to get off.....
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JJ
HB SC-450PLUS HB VINTAGE SERIES REVIEW
- NICE FAT HUMBACKING TONES FROM PICK-UPS
- EXCELLENT FINISH AND OVERALL APPEARANCE
- PICKGUARD, TUNERS & SWITCHES/TOGGLES NEED A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT
- ACCEPTABLE WEIGHT & FRET FINISH
- GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY/PRICE
- HIGH ACTION (REQUIRES QA/QC SET-UP IMPROVEMENT)
- EXCELLENT FINISH AND OVERALL APPEARANCE
- PICKGUARD, TUNERS & SWITCHES/TOGGLES NEED A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT
- ACCEPTABLE WEIGHT & FRET FINISH
- GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY/PRICE
- HIGH ACTION (REQUIRES QA/QC SET-UP IMPROVEMENT)
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