Harley Benton Sc 550 II vs Custom II : In depth Comparison

Two sub 300€ single cut guitars that are worth much more than their price. Some people say the SC 550 II is the best. Sure ? Let's check it out !
This Harley Benton SC-550 II on thomann : www.thomann.de/de/harley_bent...
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This Harley Benton SC-Custom II on thomann : www.thomann.de/fr/harley_bent...
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PLAN OF THE VIDEO :
Introduction : 00:00
Comparison in the mix : 02:32
detailed specs : 05:32
Playability : 07:51
Guitars alone clean tones : 13:45
Guitars alone lead tones : 14:38
Guitars alone hi gain rhythm tones : 15:52
About the tones : 16:35
Why do people prefer the SC 550 II ? : 18:20
Conclusion : 19:27
Bonus - SC 550 I for rhythm and Sc Custom II for leads : 21:13

[@charlesharper7292]

I like the custom, but i like the way the body is cut at the top where it meets the neck on the 550. The custom has a traditional type body, and the 550 body looks nicer.

[@ToroKchannel]

So you sound torn between the tone of the custom and the design of the 550. If I'm not wrong, you can find the Roswell HAF pickups on retail on another german music store so maybe you can have everything you want :)

[@duesenberger]

Thx for this video! I am a huge fan of the SC Custom II, have one in this colour, too. Just a minor information: As You said, the guitars have both 22 frets. At 8:03 You mention access to the 24th fret. But I think they are not playable at this fret. 😄

[@ToroKchannel]

I sometimes add frets to the 22, I probably have too many axes with 24 ;) Thanks for underlining it :)

[@ASgamerdude]

Great comparison, thanks! Didn't really sway it one way or the other tho... Strange that the more modern custom does not have the ss frets. Love the song too!

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks ! Totally agree about the SS frets, strange choice.

[@miyaaaaw]

550 II is the more traditional one but it has SS frets Custom is more modern but they didn't put ss frets A strange decision IMO Good comparison, not easy to choose between them They really do compliment each other

[@ToroKchannel]

I agree that the SS frets would be a fine addition to the Custom. Wonder why Harley Benton didn’t decide to do it bit as I mentioned in the video, it doesn’t change anything to the playability and feel. Both are great.

[@omgnerv]

interesting to hear your oppinion, as usual. it was also very interesting having the direct sound comparison back to back. if they both had a baby together this would probably be my favourite. i prefer the body & modern look (tuners) and also the coil split feature of the sc custom. on the sc 550 i prefer the neckshape, fretboard wood and stainless frets. i prefer the PU sound of the sc custom. but that’s a personal preference. i swapped the ones in my sc 550 for some filtertrons.

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks ! Do you really sense a difference of feel between the necks of these 2 ?

[@omgnerv]

@@ToroKchannel yes. but difficult to describe. i get more cramps playing on the sc custom. on the 550 it feels much more relaxed. i can't tell if this is due to neck profile, fretboard radius and or different frets (or all these factors combined).

[@elpitaz]

Thanks for this video,nice review! Do you think the custom 2 can be defined as versatile or is it only suitable for metal? I mean, can I play also vintage rock, hard rock? Compared to the sc-550 2 how does the sustsain seem to you?

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks ! Yes the Custom II is versatile - except for the active pickups version - thanks to the splitable pickups. Now it will remain more agressive than the SC 550 that sounds darker. For some vintage rock or rock'n'roll, on a split mode and with the appropriate rig both would do the job. I thinl the SC 550 would be better on a bluesy / jazzy style though.

[@elpitaz]

​​@@ToroKchannel Thanks for your reply! I'm very undecided between the two. I mainly play metal (I have an ex84 EMG) and I would like to have more versatility. I was looking for something that would allow me to explore other sounds (for example LED Zeppelin) but also be able to play classic 80's heavy metal if necessary or try my hand at lead. From the online samples and also from your video the Teslas seem slightly better to me.

[@ToroKchannel]

@@elpitaz for some 70's hard rock early metal tones the SC 550 would be better. It will be ok as well for some 80's heavy metal. The Custom sounds more agressive and more modern I think. It would be fine for some early thrash metal tones but too modern if you wanna get the tone of some early Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Saxon tracks. Now if you're undecided and live in Europe, pick them both and you've got 30 days to return the axe you won't keep and that will be free. Unfortunately, out of Europe, things are not that easy.

[@elpitaz]

Thanks again! I'll get the SC-550 2!

[@metallixro]

My vote goes to: *drum roll* the SC-DLX Gotoh ! :))

[@ToroKchannel]

It’s scheduled :)

[@omgnerv]

:-D i got the cousin - the DC DLX version. i prefer it over the sc custom and 550. for me the body shape feels more comfortable.