28 differences between Harley Benton SC-550 and SC-550 Plus

[@iloveitall]

We, the customers, at least those who still have an interest of what we buy in detail, need to say "Big Thanks!" to you for investigating this deep! I think you do a great job and this work may avoid getting into trouble after buying.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Thanks @iloveitall!

[@harbonip]

😎👍🏼 great job .

[@Novembrine616]

"An insignificant one, but still a difference!" And THAT is what makes your reviews and overall channel so unique. You go to THAT level of detail. I'm soooo glad I suscribed about a year a go

[@aakaashbulani9237]

The old SC 550 is sounding just AWESOME.......

[@MaxSoloMusic]

I tend to like it more on clean!

[@81giorikas]

@@MaxSoloMusic Yeah the plus comes alive under distortion but the differences are quite small miced.

[@benallmark9671]

@@MaxSoloMusic Don’t blame ya

[@EytschPi42]

You are clearly UTTERLY insane! But that makes you unique!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

That's the whole point, right? :)

[@81giorikas]

@@MaxSoloMusic Nice very nice review. However, do something to showcase the sound differences (if any). In most of your videos (remember the fusion series?) they all tend to sound alike. If that's the case then so be it, yet even if the mic doesn't let them come through...point them out I guess... You change guitars on the peavey and it's almost inaudible.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

@@81giorikas I hear you and I know what you mean. My best guess is that I sound like me no matter what guitar, amp or pedal I play. That might not be the best quality when you're trying to demonstrate differences. But at the same time, I try to eliminate as many other variables as possible, therefore in my videos I don't use reverb or any other effects that alter the sound. Whatever comes from the amp and the cab sim - that's what you hear. If one needs an audio equivalent of a microscope to find the difference in sound of two guitars (amps, pedals, etc), maybe they're not that different after all :)

[@dasczwo]

Well he IS a engineer!

[@dasczwo]

Btw: spotzed another diffrrence: one is brown the orher orangey ;-)

[@guitarristasinfo]

The level of detail in your videos is amazing. Every video is a chance to learn new things,

[@jamesduckworth9117]

From Ohio, USA here. I’ve been researching the 550 Plus and I’m pretty sure it’s my next purchase as guitars go and my first Harley Benton. Thanks for the video!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Hey James. If you decide to pull the trigger on it, please let us know how it goes. Both, the shipping to the US and your first impression on the guitar.

[@jamesconradtucker]

Thanks for the comparison! I like the sound of the regular SC550 better than the Pro 550 version. Besides the regular has a shielded cavity, and I can add my own humbuckers. HB makes a descent LP. I still have my go to 71' Gibson LP Custom but I'm still very impressed with what HB is accomplishing for the bulk of musicians that want a relatively good axe.

[@winteroutside7014]

1971 plywood gibson

[@johnwayne9103]

The shielding isn't as necessary on the plus than on the older version, because of the active humbuckers. Their signal is much stronger and less sensitive.

[@jamesconradtucker]

@Winter Outside well no it isn't pkywood. So, care to be wrong again?

[@davesuchy5130]

Another great deep dive guitar review. I love the consistency and the fact that they are INTERESTING! Thank you!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Thanks Dave!

[@sleepwait9613]

Great job in comparing these two guitars. I prefer the distorted sound of the emg's and the clean sound of the passive pickups.

[@gjm1971]

Nice review as always!!! ✔ To my ears the SC500Plus with the EMG pickups is much better for Crunch and Hi Gain sounds. It has tight bass and good definition.The SC500 with the Roswell Pickups is better for cleaner sounds, it has a sweet tone, but with Hi Gain sounds muddy.

[@carlosclaptrix]

They are 550ties.

[@Bo-Yan]

Hello, thank you for the professional high quality, cool and interesting videos! Especially this one helped me much to learn and know the 2 guitar models differences between it! I found your channel by searching on KZbin for this HB 550 guitar model. Greetings from Bulgaria! :)

[@marcioeidt9026]

Fantastic video! I just bought a SC550-Plus EMG and it's an amazing, I mean an AMAZING guitar! Cheers from Portugal!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Awesome! What color is yours?

[@marcioeidt9026]

@@MaxSoloMusic Faded Tobacco Flame. And it's beautiful!

[@DREOS7777777]

What a great channel! Great and huge job, as always. Congrats man.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Thanks Daniel!

[@hc3215]

Man! It’s the most complete review I’ve seen! Thanks!

[@emerinahmetasevic]

great video. when you playeed guitars, i closed my eyes focusing on differences in tones. i did not noticed big difference.

[@mikehurley5052]

Old SC550 sounded better to my ears.

[@damien2729]

Need to clean those ears, 550+ sounded way cleaner, old 550 sounded muddy and slightly overly distorted when he was on the crunch tone

[@Defucto1980]

⁠​⁠@@damien2729old 550 maybe sounded muddy and slightly overly distorted but way better that new one with emgs

[@Briansgate]

Thanks for digging so deep.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

My pleasure!

[@timvanboening9432]

Fantastic review! I’m looking to get a SC-550, so I am watching all the videos I can. Tim from Tacoma, Washington, USA!

[@dowaliby1]

Did you ever purchase one? If so, what is your opinion of it?

[@deanmccaskill5495]

Great video. I’m glad you told me about the bridge. I bought a 450 not long ago and tried to tweak the intonation.... strrrrip. That’s the Phillips style. So next order I got them to throw in a HB brand bridge. I think it was like twenty bucks. Solved. I think these are the two styles we’re looking at here. I think I’m gonna pick up a Std. I’m mot crazy about active. I dunno maybe one of each. I like the old finish better. It’s different

[@TreadTalk247]

Your video came up as a suggestion as I’ve been REALLY wanting to learn to play badly, I’m thinking if I invest in a nice guitar that it will give me more inspiration to buckle down and take lessons! Great video and I enjoyed watching it from beautiful Key West Florida!

[@doyouthinkitsdead]

did you pick and up and start learning?

[@trashbirdie]

I like this style of comparison video between two similar models, good job!

[@petestaint8312]

Excellent review! I'm addicted to ur channel. 👍

[@stephanematis]

Wonderful work Max, love your thorough teardowns.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Many thanks!

[@stephenmcmahonmusic8275]

Great video, Stephen McMahon from Wales UK, keep up the good work 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🎸

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Thank you kindly

[@peevee605]

Dude! Love the way you lay out the details of these guitars. The Plus is the winner to my taste.

[@waterlilypool]

New York, USA. This review is awesome. I own SC custom II, awesome guitar. I really like the Roswell pickups. Comparing to my Gibson trad and classic, the $300 HB is actually a better playing guitar! My ideal guitar: a single cut with FR, fast neck, belly cut, contour heel, passive pups, with coil split functions, and traditional LP depth (not like a LTD). -- there is no such guitar yet...

[@greenslider]

Great fun video Max. 🙂. On second listen to the sounds clip, I still think the sc550 rocks a bit more down and dirty.. and the plus has a bit of depth and clarity. Two different guitars indeed. I think the Roswells suit the classic Lp vibe a bit more but nothing wrong with Emg's..love them. My SlatxmgQ3-6 is my Emg girl..and she screams like a banshee.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Strange thing, I tend to like how those Roswells sound in this particular guitar(s) a bit more! Maybe because I'm so familiar with them. Those are the exact same Roswells with mystery magnets found in Dullahans. And Dullahan has been my go to guitar for the past couple of months

[@benallmark9671]

That’s an awesome comparison and I’m greatful for it. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦 !

[@jackiedixon5076]

Thanks, I always enjoy the research you do. I was just checking the differences in the two models.

[@The_Macaroon]

Great deep dive. High quality video 👍

[@bobpratt4816]

A good review and a very well put together video, very professional, nice.

[@kelvynification]

Absolutely amazing review overview of the differences. Coool😎

[@Phoboss32]

With the v2 of SC550 Standard it would be so helpful if you would compare it to the SC550 Plus. The obvious upgrades are: - Lighter - Stainless Steel frets - New, better Pickups

[@johncox6204]

and the deluxe

[@candrelsrosa]

Better pickups can be subjective... I, for once, don't like active pickups that much, but ok ;)

[@philliplaclede6269]

It was interesting to see the lack of strap locks on the plus, I guess they assume you'd want to put your own on. I also thought it was interesting the plus had the open style switch. I always assumed a closed style was a better switch.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

I expected a closed switch but that open style one actually feels more solid. I believe there isn't much difference as long as the guitar is shielded

[@che2335]

Closed switches are cheap the open is all mechanical and can be cleaned or adjusted. When a closed goes bad throw it out.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

@@che2335 a closed switch can easily be opened, cleaned, fixed, whatever. Done that many times

[@harlequin5817]

Australia; fave guitar so Far is an LP kit guitar I built with lots of upgrades. Good work mate.

[@DudemanSwede]

Wow, best comparising EVER!❤️

[@johncollins5552]

Enjoyed your most informative video, I am in Ireland and researching a secondhand 550 with wilkinson zebra pickups, know I can check if they are active or not, dont really care either is Better than my epi lp special I expect!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Active pickups require a battery. So if there's no battery compartment anywhere those will more probably be passive pickups. Other than that, the only active model that was stock on SC-550 is EMG RetroActive and they have EMG logo on them, so they're easy to spot

[@СергейЧетвериков-й6ч]

Hi, Max! Very thorough review. Thank. To be honest, the main question - is it worth paying 100 euros for new modifications - remained open. The body of the guitar has become thinner. And the specificity of the LP sound is how to make out with a massive body, a rather thick neck made of dense wood. The price in-crease is mainly with more expensive pickups and tuners. The EMG sound from the Roswell sound. But the difference is very small. EMGs sound a little clearer, tighter and may have a higher kickback. Roswells pro-duce a more unclear sound. Moreover, in another reviewed review, the same can be noted for pickups with covers. Lock tuners WSC Schaller style J07LKF are unknown to me. Probably the same for most guitar-ists. On my guitars I dealt with Grover, PRS, Fender, Schaller. These mechanisms work smoothly and relia-bly. Even options that do not have lock locks. If the decision was made to go on increasing the birth of models, it was worth installing the tuners of the same Schaller. Their price difference from WSC Schaller style is small. The change of the manufacturer's plant for us buyers means little. It is clearly not connected in response to the wishes of buyers. Instability of quality in the form of minor paint defects and inconven-ient logistics are more likely causes. Hopefully the old SC 550 models will remain in the HB catalog. The buyer will have a cheaper base for modification according to their preferences. It is upsetting that the packaging has not changed at all. Tuning levers and tremolo bags continue to roll around the box. Epiphone ships similarly priced products in a more durable box with air bubble film spacers. Good luck.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

The packaging has changed. The 500 Plus is made by Cort, packed in their boxes. The same as Ibanez, Cort themselves and many other brands. Those boxes have a separate compartment for tools

[@profissaoglobal2]

I am from Brazil. What a great review!!

[@harbonip]

Great job on the differences . 😎👍🏼

[@benadia1812]

awesome video, Ben here from Malaysia, keep up the good review.

[@roblabo2108]

Excellent comparison. I have the same regular SC-550, and it's amazing for the price. The one area I would have liked you to compare was the build quality details. Specifically, the binding. My SC-550 is wonderful, except there is some weird discoloration in spots on the binding that were just poor quality control in manufacturing. It's like they didn't wait for the stain to dry before putting on the clear coat. I would be curious to see if the switch to the different mfg location improved the little details of the construction (I realize that's only cosmetic, but it all counts when you're laying down your hard-earned cash). Otherwise, I'm surprised at the sound similarity between the two. The difference is much less than I anticipated. It looks like the only thing I'm really missing, of real significance, is the locking tuners. Those would be nice, but otherwise, probably not worth an upgrade to the Plus. Greetings from Oregon, USA. Keep up the great work!

[@the.communist]

Those imperfections is normal on cheaper guitars, i owned a cort classic rock custom which is more expensive than these ones n had the same binding imperfections

[@lacgugolator]

Awesome review! Love it. I’m from Delta BC Canada

[@thelolguy007]

Both sound good and it’s probably a preference more than which is better.

[@stevefan781]

A really very good job!! Thanks for it as I'm interested in the 'Plus', I've learned a lot. Very, very good, man Stevie, Germany, Düsseldorf, older ;)

[@robdarimartin]

I like the build quality of the plus but would like some passive mics better. Super meticulous review. I am writing from Caracas.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Cool, thanks!

[@scordatura5006]

Wow! You really dug deep! Thank you so much for the video!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

My pleasure!

[@CustomTele52RI]

Heynow Max - greetings from Southern California! My quest for the best Les Paul experience available for under $1000 US leaked onto your site. I decided on the used Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Limited Edition, which comes with genuine Gibson Burstbucker 2&3 pickups, for $700 which left enough budget to replace the bridge & tail hardware with a Faber Master Kit. I also buffed out the factory satin body to a glossier finish with Meguiars ScratchX and darkened the laurelwood neck with some walnut stain so that it looks *exactly* like the rosewood fretboard on my relic Strat by Dan Strain (Danocaster). The Faber hardware is a solid upgrade and I think it looks better AND more authentic now. It's not really a problem but I could do with a little less gain - I may buy a Gibson Burstbucker 1 for the neck and move the BB2 down to the bridge, keeping the stock bridge BB3 as a spare. I'm a hobbyist who has been playing nearly 50 years and has owned about 8 electric guitars, mostly the very famous ones plus a big ol' cheap 1970's hollowbody knockoff I ditched long ago. I've historically been a Fender / Martin man but have always been curious about Gibson / Taylor and have toured the Taylor factory locally (recommended :o) My favorite guitar is my 1963 Danocaster double-cut, which won out in a head-to-head with an actual 1957 Strat at the Guitar Center - 'nuff sed.

[@jasujokelainen5073]

Thank you for great DEEP review.

[@johnmac8084]

Very thorough review, thanks

[@xenophonkirby]

The SC550 standard sounds more vintage to me...I think i'll try one out.

[@deviantme9601]

Did you notice any neck dive on the SC-550 Plus? thanks for this awesome comparison.

[@IndyRockStar]

I may buy one of these SC 550 plus guitars for heck of it because its only $359....If it sucks I'll donate it.

[@petaralargic]

Great vid and review, but great riffs as well... your stuff?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Yeah, mostly random notes :)

[@petaralargic]

@@MaxSoloMusic hope you will wrap it up in some tracks, good stuff

[@paanokayaitotv1726]

This is microscopic!! I like it a lot. You covered all that oftenly are not used to talked about when considering e guitar quality.

[@bjunk5344]

Long story short, if you are on a tight budget, have a busy lifestyle, very limited time to chillax, live pay cheque to pay cheque then you still get yourself a decent Les Paul copy if you can't stretch the extra for the Plus. I would love to own the James Bond 60s Aston Martin but I'm doing alright in 2024 with my 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen SE.

[@MrThan42]

Hello ! Since you've reviewed the SC-550 plus and the amarok series, can you compare them sound wise because they have both very similar harwdare, the only thing that differs is the body shape. Thank you for the review, great content as always :)

[@yoyoyuyu234476]

hi, from the Netherlands, I like single coils mostly

[@randymiles904]

Nice review and demo man! Very informative. Both guitars have qualities I like but overall, I'd have to go with the pro. I can shield it myself. 🤘

[@jitsroller]

I've been waiting for this. I just started the video here we go. Great content. I have a SE PRS. I heard these are made in a couple of the same factories. I'm really curious about the quality.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Yep, SE are made by Cort as well

[@jitsroller]

@@MaxSoloMusic I didn't know that. How the setup and frets on the corts?

[@DennisAlvarezMusic]

I preferred the tone of the passive 550 pickups.

[@dunnigan66]

Killer review dang!!! Thanks

[@schniggedagges74]

Maybe you didn't notice, but they are much different in colour as well 😉

[@MaxSoloMusic]

How could I possibly miss that! 😆 The funny thing is, they are called the same in the specs

[@maerlobo]

Awesome video! I really enjoyed. I come from Athens, Greece.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Hey @maerlobo. Thanks! I've been to Athens a few years ago and really enjoyed it!

[@OnTheFritz602]

Wow, quite a dramatic difference between those two besides the pickups!

[@Thrashpotato]

dude i'm glad i started making cheesy guitar vids, i'm getting all these cool channels recommended to me right on man!!

[@JimijaymesProductions]

They both sounded way more similar than I expected, clean I could hear the difference but the EMGs did not sound much like emgs to me. I am guessing the construction and overall finish is better given how good indonesian guitars have become.

[@alexkuti1130]

Great review man!!!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Thanks Alex!

[@markpell8979]

You would probably find that Thomann sources production batches of Harley Benton guitars in purchase orders that are then sourced out ("vendorized") to one or more of at least a few different SE Asian factories in China, S Korea, Indonesia and/or Viet Nam. This is not necessarily a bad thing as generally they are all capable of comparable quality work, depending on specs and price, but they each might use different machinery, tools and techniques to arrive at the final product. At the factory level, materials, hardware and supplies are sourced in much the same way. Then craftsmanship and available parts and materials can vary with location and shift so sometimes you may get a better or worse guitar than average for a given model's specs. Some or many of the physical differences observed in these two very similar HB guitars (as well as with other well-known name brands that have 'budget' lines of their product made in these same factories) might vary on the next two you sampled, just depending on when and where they were made and what it took to keep the factory running that day or week to fill and ship orders. Most of the differences you noted in these two otherwise same guitars probably come from the simple fact that they were built in different factories.

[@PM-wc1lp]

The newest SC 500 (I just bought) has changed from the one you have. No more strap locks and the fretboard is a Asian cherry. Also the body is weight relieved. You missed that the SC 500 has a 4A top, the Plus is 3A. I bought the Desert Flame Burst and it looks great. I am adding Hipshot locking tuners.

[@MaxSoloMusic]

SC-500 and SC-550 are different guitars. The 500 might have gotten a facelift already

[@maxmustardman298]

The old 550 has a weight relief as well

[@PM-wc1lp]

@@MaxSoloMusic Sorry, typo. Bought the SC 550 w/the Desert Burst. I think both guitars are great options. I have four HBs.

[@aakaashbulani9237]

Hello max can you please tell me the nut width of sc 550 pls with emg pickups?

[@davidmartinez927]

best reviews on yt

[@thiago.alcantara]

Thanks! From Brazil!

[@buckellard]

I haven't seen quite as thorough a comparison on these before.

[@Angelopes]

SC-550 Plus have a hotter pickups( Metal) but the SC-550 have a brighter sound. IMO

[@johnriley8314]

Good video, great info.... I'm fixing to get a Guitar from Thomann.... glad I waited... the new plus seems a little nicer to me.wished it had passive pups tho🤔,but at least they are EMG'S LOL ☮️

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Thanks. If it makes you feel any better, Retro Actives are not exactly what active pickups are meant to be. They are nothing but common passive EMG HZs with a preamp screwed to the bottom. So they have stronger magnets and magnetic field than traditional active pickups and everything that comes with it

[@johnriley8314]

@@MaxSoloMusic ....well holy sheep shiznit brother....cool nuff... Pre amp,stronger mags,etc sound pretty good 2 me.....I just LOVE EMG;s period tho lol....

[@perrar1na]

The most important differenxe for me was fretjob and pickups

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

The unwound G string sounds much brighter clean on the plus. Another big difference is price.

[@boatfaceslim9005]

Personally I preferred the sound of the original. The pickups have a bit more chime, less boxy lower mid.

[@nardo5888]

hey just looking for HB comparisons , i just cant believe how affordable they are, i may get there V Clasic and replace the pickups w S.D Perley Gates. and im in Nwe Jersey USA.

[@stevecolledge8355]

Great review.

[@Tarsan97]

I prefered the standard sound honestly

[@Acncan]

I'm brand new to guitars i cant yet play the cowboy chords. what would you suggest as first guitar that maximizes features value and durability while minimizing cost?

[@villimagg]

Thanks! Watching from Norway. Do you have any comparison between the SC-550+ vs. SC-Custom?

[@mauriciogarcia925]

Excelente explicación hermano

[@clanyongco2908]

Does the 550 plus with emg clears well when you rollback the volume knob?

[@tomas-wi8dy]

Hey Max! Have Thomann some gretch like solid-body sigle-cut with BT(like) pickup, something that mimic (somehow) Gretch 5220 Electomatic BT, rather then LesPaul ?

[@DarkMatterEclipse]

Which model Harley Benton has the thinnest neck, you've reviewed quit a few. I contacted them and they said the Amarok ... after watching your Amarok review it's not as thin as they claim, was hoping you measured them on these 550's but no luck.

[@Hexspa]

3:33 knobs aren’t just taller. One has a reflective top and the other isn’t.

[@Chad5ter]

Which one sounded warmer to your ears ? I really like the Les Paul look. I can't afford a true Gibson, so I'm looking for good alternative sounding and quality guitar. I juggle between a 2021 Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s and a Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG. Can you help me on that ?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

I haven't played an Epi in years and can't tell anything about their recent guitars. The 550 Plus on the other hand is a very solid guitar from the quality perspective

[@REBELSCL]

Have you tried the SC550 ll ? I wonder if it has an actual maple top or just a veneer… The pickups are different too…

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Yes! I played it a little bit but didn't have time to dig deeper. The best SC-550 model so far

[@superrookie-1]

Do you know the measurements for the vintage looking tuners on the regular SC550?

[@marcobanti788]

Thanks for this real awesome review. a question: I'd like to play songs from Slash and guns n'roses...Which one do you recommend for ? thank you

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Hey Marco. Either of these two will do and both have just the right look

[@nicksonthevet]

What is the difference btn passive and active pups? What is the advantage or disadvantage of each?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Active pickups is like having a buffer inside a guitar. Lets you use longer cables without that much high end loss. Allows using weaker (smaller) magnets, so the pickups pull the strings a bit less. Not that it ever bothered me though :)

[@nicksonthevet]

@@MaxSoloMusic thanks

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Wish the standard was built like the plus but the regular pickups !

[@MaxSoloMusic]

The new SC-550 II is built like a plus or even better. Comes with Tesla pickups and maintains traditional construction

[@shughy1]

The old model for clean tones and the new one for distortion 👍

[@ryant3600]

I have both and the plus in person sounds way better.. So much so, that I have put fat 55's in other guitars..

[@RichardPuou]

What did you think of the sound of them. I thought it sounded the same, how about you?

[@fengsi]

On my SC-550 Plus, the tone and volume knobs seem to have been switched (top two are volume and bottom two are tone). Is that also the case on yours?

[@joachimleinfelder1200]

So is there a 100 Euro difference build. and soundwise? Which one do you prefer, Max?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

I’m keeping the Plus. It’s one of the best Bentons at the moment from the quality perspective

[@neilholliday8708]

Love my Harley's