Harley Benton SC-550 plus VS SC-Custom Plus In Deep Comparison

#harleybenton #EMGpickups
After reviewing these 2 excellent guitars, I had to make this comparison video ! Hope it will help you chose :)
this Harley Benton SC-550 plus on Thomann : www.thomann.de/fr/harley_bent...
this Harley Benton SC-Custom plus on Thomann : www.thomann.de/fr/harley_bent...
And if you order anything from Thomann, please use my partner link : www.thomann.de/de/index.html?...
(You can change the language on top right of the screen, just click the little german flag on top right and chose your own country's)
Here's a list of gear I recommend you on Thomann's Website : thmn.to/thocf/cp8el948z2
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PLAN OF THE VIDEO :
intro : 00:00
comparison in the mix : 01:47
comparison clean +reverb : 02:37
comparison unplugged : 04:17
comparison moderate UK gain : 04:51
comparison moderate US gain : 05:31
comparison moderate US gain + OD : 06:05
comparison Hi gain US + OD : 06:38
Comparison Lead + FX : 08:00
talking about the sound differences : 09:05
specs and neck : 10:49
esthetics and body shape : 12:08
playability : 14:10
price comparisons : 17:51
my personal choice and final thoughts : 21:46
SIGNAL CHAINZ :
Mix :
► Harley Benton SC-550 Plus / SC Custom Plus
► Mooer Hustle drive (Hi Gain Rhythm only)
► Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive (Leads Only)
► Diezel VH4-2 Pedal (Hi Gain Rhythm only)
► Harley Benton GPA-100 Power amp (with Diezel VH4-2)
► Two Notes Audio Torpedo Captor
► Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
► Torpedo Wall Of Sound Cab Simulator (IR)
Clean :
► Harley Benton SC-550 Plus
► Bugera G5 Infinium
► Two Notes Audio Torpedo Captor
► Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
► Torpedo Wall Of Sound Cab Simulator (IR)
► Fx added with Reaper (DAW)
Moderate gain UK :
► Harley Benton SC-550 Plus
► Bugera G5 Infinium
► Two Notes Audio Torpedo Captor
► Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
► Torpedo Wall Of Sound Cab Simulator (IR)
Moderate gain US :
► Harley Benton SC-550 Plus / SC Custom Plus
► Diezel VH4-2 Pedal
► Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
► Torpedo Wall Of Sound Cab Simulator (IR)
Moderate US Gain + OD :
► Harley Benton SC-550 Plus / SC Custom Plus
► Mooer Hustle Drive OD
► Diezel VH4-2 Pedal
► Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
► Torpedo Wall Of Sound Cab Simulator (IR)
Hi Gain + OD :
► Harley Benton SC-550 Plus / SC Custom Plus
► Mooer Hustle drive
► Diezel VH4-2 Pedal
► Harley Benton GPA-100 Power amp
► Two Notes Audio Torpedo Captor
► Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
► Torpedo Wall Of Sound Cab Simulator (IR)
Lead :
► Harley Benton SC-550 Plus / SC Custom Plus
► Mooer Hustle drive
► Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive
► Bugera G5 Infinium (gain at 9 o'clock)
► Two Notes Audio Torpedo Captor
► Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
► Torpedo Wall Of Sound Cab Simulator (IR)
► Fx added with Reaper (DAW)

[@Bassdriver71]

I also decided for the Tobacco, the guitar came three days ago and I am super satisfied. One of your previous videos helped me a lot. Thank you

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks to you ! Nice to know that I've helped you :)

[@wappa2]

Once again, nice review, very helpful. I'll probably order the 550 Plus very soon. Thanks, man.

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks to you ! If you order one, could you please use my partner link ?

[@wappa2]

@@ToroKchannel I'll surely do that. Thanks.

[@JamForThought]

Thank you for this great comparison my friend! Very helpful

[@ToroKchannel]

My pleasure :)

[@Oilid]

Great video, thanks! 👍

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks to you buddy ;)

[@johnradin1273]

I think you forgot to mention that the nut width on the 550 plus is 43mm compared to 42mm on the custom plus. For me this would push me to the SC-550 Plus.

[@ToroKchannel]

Oh you're right ! I haven't felt the difference but I think I'm not very sensitive to nut width.

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

Great sounding guitars! Love the color of the red one :-)

[@ToroKchannel]

yes, very nice red color and it's even nicer in person :)

[@tokla853]

Both sound really close side by side. I love the red one.

[@greenslider]

Great fun! Thanks 🙂🙂.. I'd go for the custom.. purely because I already have a Sc550. Two nice guitars. Interesting how strong the market for single cuts must be, with Thomann doing so many models and still adding more!

[@ToroKchannel]

your choice is logical :) You're right about the single cut market, tons of models from Harley Benton but not only ! Looks like this shape is the guitars players' fav.

[@minkorrh]

So, they are really worth the money? Play that well and stay in tune? I'm on the fence....help me out.

[@SO-bp2uc]

The custom has a better body shape, but the plus sounds better and I like the 4 knobs.

[@masterquan4891]

The 550 uses the Fat 50's pickup, which makes it sound more like a classic rock guitar, whereas the Custom uses the Hot 70's pickup, which makes it sound more modern, very close to Eddie Van Halen's guitar sound. He used a hot 70's pickup. I like both, but I like the looks of the custom model, but I prefer the sound of the Fat 50s. Guess I need both. LOL

[@ToroKchannel]

I thought I would hear more differences of tone between these 2, but they're really very close, even before the video was imported to KZbin with added compression. Maybe that's because, when I've made this video, I was using a 5W valve head with not enough headroom.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Your guitars always look very clean. A few years ago I had my LP from the early 80s at the guitar maker for revision and when it came back it was really in excellent condition and also a bit more clean than before. I just kept cleaning a bit and then I noticed that there was an almost new guitar under the whole patina. All these years I didn't know that you can clean guitars. After playing I only wiped the fingerboard and the strings a little, that was all. Lololoool Now I keep my instruments nice and clean too 🤔😄 Rock on 🐈

[@ToroKchannel]

I always clean my guitars before shooting to avoid showing my fingerprints ^^. I have discovered the good stuff to clea my axes a few years ago and I still have some at home now. Just using Dunlop 65 polish and cleaner and an Ernie Ball polish cloth. Gonna put them in my list on thomann for those interested :) www.thomann.de/fr/thlpg_cp8el948z2.html

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

@@ToroKchannel I have never used a care product other than dunlop lemon oil for the fretboard 😄

[@ToroKchannel]

well try this polish and the polish cloth and you will have your axes shine like a mirror. If you have one that you really want bright as the sun, the ultimate cleaning product is Dunlop's Carnauba wax. I use it once a year only that's enough :)

[@semyonboyk0]

I was convinced Custom has better high fret access than 550. Thank you for proving me wrong.

[@ToroKchannel]

So was I, and I also thought the neck of the SC-550 was thicker than the custom. So I prove myself wrong too :)

[@Esdru221]

@@ToroKchannel and what about the neck of the regular 550? Same thickness than 550 plus and custom?

[@ToroKchannel]

@@Esdru221 on paper, yes, but since I have never had the regular 550 I can't tell you more.

[@stefanchernev4996]

Great review! Not like my shitty one! :) I love the comparison of the upper fret access, it suprised me! :) Thank you for the commitment for this video! :)

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks to you man ! :)

[@stefanchernev4996]

@@ToroKchannel Keep up the good work! I am looking forward for your reviews! :)

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Totally agree The 55's sound great on this guitar. I would like to have both, but I have to keep the zoo small otherwise at some point I won't be able to open the front door. Thank you for the exact shootout. You Rock 👏👏👏👍 🐈

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks Yetimatze ! Well as far as storing guitars goes, I'm gonna run out of space pretty soon too ^^

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

@@ToroKchannel Lololoool 🦧😄

[@AldrLesPaul]

The Custom has a slightly more transparent sound at high gain, including on the neck pickup, which is exactly the same as on the 550. But this difference is not so great that it makes no sense to pay extra for it. In general, very similar guitars and I would also keep the 550 for the better price and because of the electronics in the LP style.

[@ToroKchannel]

I was really surprised that the sound was not more different. I think the metal cap makes them sound lore similar than with open coils.

[@duesenberger]

Thx for this comparison. Yesterday I visited Thomann and compared them myself. What I don't understand - like You - is the price difference, the SC-Custom+ being more expensive than the SC-550+.

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks to you ! When the pandemic is gone, I need to go visit Thomann. Don't know if it's a safe idea for my money but... Well, we see :)

[@cinnamongirl8158]

Great comparison! I think I preferred the SC-Custom in the "Moderate UK Gain" and the SC550 in the "Lead + FX" (though I'm not sure I could tell them apart in a blind test), in every other test they sounded extremely close, if not the same, to me. I've bought some days ago the SC550 (haven't received it yet) because I just couldn't justify the price difference and I also like that classic color better (although I value the belly cut and slight weight reduction in the SC-Custom). Regarding the price, I think that Thomann is experimenting with the price point. The SC550 I think it is priced too low, and I wouldn't be surprised if after the first batch is over, price goes up, the same way it happened with the EX-76. Question: do your links also work when buying from a country other than France? I mean, when I change the language, would I still be using your links?

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks ! I guess you could be right about the price of the 550 plus, might climb up to 400€. About my link : yes it works if you change the language. Thanks for your help :)

[@darthgibsonlp6631]

The 550 Plus is out of stock and I can't help but notice there's a lot of reviewers with this model. I hope that people who get these guitars sent for promo purposes are sending them back because the average player is having less of a chance to pick these up

[@ToroKchannel]

As far as I'm concerned, if you look at the number of subs to my chan, I hope you understand that this guitar was not sent to me for free. Btw I explain at the end of the video that I had to chose one cos' I couldn't afford the 2. So I have paid my SC 500 plus and I have kept it. I guess only big chans (50k subs + ) holders can receive Harley Benton guitars for free. I only know one who has made a review with it and I don't know if he has sent it back. Don't know how many of them were built, hope they will come back soon in stock.

[@darthgibsonlp6631]

@@ToroKchannel Thanks for replying and I totally respect that. It's a very fine model for the price, which seems to sell v fast...hoping they'll do another run of these.

[@ToroKchannel]

I'm pretty sure they will : the guitar is still lister on Harley Benton's website :)

[@MrAlbertDrummer]

Thanks a lot for your comparison! Now i see custom has way more beautiful shape than 550. The choice is made. And definitely i use your link! Oh, but where is it?🤔😔

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks ! Here's my link : www.thomann.de/fr/index.html?partner_id=53268

[@metallixro]

good job, your best video yet!

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks a lot man !

[@themplar]

Very nice guitars. Hope they will do some graphic magic on them too so they become even nicer.

[@ToroKchannel]

Maybe next year :)

[@themplar]

@@ToroKchannel The guitars of HB are outstanding for the price and generally very good. Some guitars look amazing, but generally they have no exciting visuals. I love the old Chapman Ghostfrets for example, they had a black/dark grey flame fading towards a neon green or purple. Those guitars looked so amazing. Or a SC 550 plus in a blood burst flame. Like the Epiphone Prophecy SCs. Heck those pink (peach) HB35s look awesome because they are so different. The new blue SC custom plus looks alot nicer too in that turquise blue.

[@ToroKchannel]

You're right about the finishes, they always remain pretty classic. Apart from those new HB35 - pay tribute to Agufish for this idea :). Now they are able to make amazing guitars, I think they can go and make stunning finishes. The Chapman Ghosfret looks really cool indeed. A blood burst flame or just, more simply, a poplar burl top would be very nice. Maybe that's their next step !

[@martinemesguitar]

Nice demos, I'm a bit surprised how similar those two EMG retro sets sound. You could for sure upload the sound demos separately just as a comparison of the EMG pickups, it might be useful for people to hear how different or not different they sound. When I'm researching pickups I like to see those kind of demos.

[@ToroKchannel]

I was surprised too ! But this sound demo is not totally relevant as a pickups comparison. First because the 2 pickups sets are played in 2 different axes. Second because if you use the same sets with open coils, the difference is more audible (and this far, EMG is not selling those Fat 55 and Hot 70 with metal cap on retail). If you're interested, I've already made several EMG active pickups comparisons, and there are more to come :)

[@SebbTheRiffer]

Great vid

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks !

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

Unplugged .NICE!!!!

[@ToroKchannel]

I'm happy that you appreciate it, I wasn't sure it was such a good idea :)

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

@@ToroKchannel Oh yeah...GREAT that's how you tell how good a guitar is

[@omgnerv]

I hope the partner link worked. Had to change the settings from france/french to switzerland.

[@ToroKchannel]

Did you pass the order today ? If yes, I will be able to tell you if it has worked tomorrow (if your order is shipped tomorrow). But it should be ok. Thanks for your help !

[@omgnerv]

@@ToroKchannel yes I placed the order today. Hope they ship it tomorrow :-D but...it's not one of the guitars. For some reason I urgently needed a bass... ;-)

[@ToroKchannel]

oh well that's an interesting emergency ! So which bass did you chose ?

[@omgnerv]

@@ToroKchannel Nothing fancy - I fell for the Harley Benton JB-20. EDIT: usually I have my guitars in C Standard or drop D. when they uploded a video to the HB chanel I really liked the chord+fingerstyle thing and immediately wanted to try that myself. really like that deep stuff.

[@biguenzo]

I prefer de custom shape

[@ToroKchannel]

So do I :)

[@aliengrey6052]

I ordered the sc 550 + brown sunburst. With fat emg retro. It just sounded head and shoulders above the other.

[@ToroKchannel]

Nice choice :)

[@HeyMoi6511elsolito3]

Salut maestro jaime biens vos video jaime plus la sunburst que la red mais a 59 ans des annees de guitare faire la difference entre deux LP c´est juste du goût a mon imble avis merci pour tout ces travaux de comparatif je m abonne voila salut

[@ToroKchannel]

Eh oui tout est souvent affaire de goût :) merci !

[@HeyMoi6511elsolito3]

@@ToroKchannel merci à vous pour votre impartialité ! Un gentille homme selon mon cœur comme l´ont disait naguère 🫠

[@charlesharper7292]

The 550 also has stainless steel frets and the custom dose not. The custom has active pickups and the 550 dose not. Tough decision!

[@ToroKchannel]

The stainless steel frets don't offer a real advantage in terms of playability. I have noticed in time that you really sense the difference between stainless steel and silver nickel frets when you have Xjumbo frets. Now, for sure, stainless steel frets will last much longer !

[@charlesharper7292]

@@ToroKchannel something else I noticed is the SC Custom which is a more expensive guitar has nickel silver frets. There may be some tonal differences on this type of guitar and pickup combination. Just guessing. I keep changing my mind between the SC 550 II, and the SC Custom. Hopefully I'll have made up my mind by July. Thanks for the reply.🤙

[@cazziebb1707]

Don't like the pick ups