Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Series

This is a fabulous guitar for the price. The finish is flawless and is one of the few solid color finished guitars I own. It is a great color. I didn't think the super access heel would make much of a difference but it really makes playing up the neck easy and fast. The headstock is quite nice considering there are only so many ways to change the headstock. The diamond design is very cool. Even nicer that the "G" word diamond, IMHO. It needed only minor adjustments on the set up. It has a good low end growl and a very warm mid range. Action was low. Frets are even and well polished. It weighs a bit more than my other Les Paul' but I will be sitting most of the time so that makes no real difference. I am very excited about this purchase. So much so, I just purchased 4 more Harley Benton guitars with cases for my 2 boys. Yes, I bought them 2 each. The people at Thomann have been wonderful. They have responded very quickly to my questions and have been professional and polite. You can't go wrong with this purchase. Looking for more gear now!!!

I am a semi-pro singer wannabe Randy Rhodes cream LP enthusiast who so far had the choice of the HB, the Burny, or the FGN upto £1400.00 I went with the HB as the reviews read fab. On opening I was really pleased to say the colour leans more towards a cream white than artic and I cannot see any blemishes or scuffs which to me isn't an issue as its gonna be a working guitar. (packaged impeccably - lots of soft stuff and doubled boxed)

On pluggin in, I noticed the action too high for me. Not to screw things up, I rang thomann support and like no other business in the modern world, I didnt get given 12 options to meander through, Thomas pick up the phone and told me to go bridge screws before truss rod. etc. very helpul. Action was lowered and the games began. No fret buzz or loss of note occurred on bends in the 12-21 fret area :-)

I have a GIBSON LP STANDARD in tobacco 1950s, a custom TOKAI (chuckier neck) and this HB is up there. The neck is definately wider at the 10-15 frets but that suits my funny hands. At first I thought there was a definitive fret resistance compared to the LP due to the price and quality etc etc, but through the evening of playing, my left had started to not try too hard and the gliding began. All my standards I play from CRAZY TRAIN to BEAT IT, or IS THIS LOVE were a breeze.
The sustain and easy to bend and hold a note seemed comparable to my Tokai if not better. And in fact the clarity of lick when playing fast seemed better to my ear which gives you confidence to keep fretting better. But that could be my ear and over excited opinion. Please note I practice through a YAMAHA THII 30 and go live with a POD GO so much sound will be pretty generic with any guitar £100 or £5000.
But for me, the fret work was excellent

Compared to other reviews commenting on this, I have tuned the guitar once, and not had to retune and feel the tuners are quite sturdy and reliable but lets see how this go's in the future.

BTW its lighter than my Tokai no idea of actual weight but sat great on my shoulders with no weight distribution issues.

To conclude, I was after a Randy / MIck Ronson guitar look for my new act and this axe works and feels great so ME happy !!

All I can say is Thomann / HB provided a great product and support service to me here in the UK. Ill look at another guitar for sure.

**** Maybe if you request Thomann provide to guitar to a low action during set up prior to delivery, then I am sure they would accomodate to a job ***

Thank you to THomann

* Ill re-review in 3 months if there any updates.

What can I say. After reading lots of reviews online I took the plunge and bought this guitar. I have been playing guitar now for 48 years and have had many guitars during that time. I currently have 8 guitars now including a Gibson Les Paul Custom but I can honestly say this HB is my favourite to play. I had pre conceived ideas that I would have to change out the pickups on this but can honestly say the pickups are really good.

Just a couple of very small issues (which won't spoil things for me) The Gold coloured Bridge and Tail piece are slightly different colours and the pickup selector switch wiggles about ( I am going to replace it) The tuning heads are okay and hold tuning but aren't brilliant, something else I may change in the future. BUT, and I say that in capital letters, this a £149 guitar!!!!!!!! Great, great value for the money even with a few very small niggles

Buy one, you won't be disappointed!