Harley Benton SC450 GT P90 demo and review

[@yours_truely]

I saw a B stock for £99 a week ago. Got it delivered yesterday. All it needed was a small neck adjustment to increase relief. Fantastic guitar. Low action, no fret buzz, stays in tune (though not the easiest to tune) and well... you can hear the tone here... Crazy value.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Y T :-) Totally agree with you here and thanks for a report on the B Stock items - nice one. I still have no idea how they do it for the money! Cheers :-)

[@GrooveStationLive]

I've been playing guitar for 30 years and this SC450 is both the cheapest and the best one I've ever owned! I just cannot understand how Harley Benton manage to mass produce such great instruments. Ok, to be honnest, if you really want to get the best of this SC450 you'll probably want to replace the electronic parts and use a bone nut instead of the original one made of plastic, but basically, this guitar just rocks!

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Guillaume :-) Amazing for the money, aren't they? Yes, I guess you could stick some Gibson 90's in and, like you say, change the nut for a bone item. How on earth do they do it? We can only guess at lower priced everything - wood, labour, electronics and so on but they've really done well as it is. Cheers :-)

[@brittsmith8260]

I am a new player (more or less) and I bought this beauty last year. For the life of me I cannot find one flaw with the instrument. It looks flawless and plays like a champ. I was playing last night and I stopped and just went over it with a critical eye and a year on it looks better than it did when I bought it. I was one of the lucky buyers as mine came out of the box ready to play. I polished the frets, checked for high frets (None) and changed the strings and oiled the board and it was ready to go. The neck relief was and is good as well as the action was nice and low like it's supposed to be. I know it's a Basswood body with a plastic nut, but who cares it is a dream guitar for what? 165 USD?? Outstanding value. If you are a modder, then it's a dream platform for new pickups, new full size pots, tuners and maybe a bone nut. However if you are like me and just want something that looks and sounds great as is, then this is the guitar for you.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi the Britt :-) How do they do it for the money!?? I agree with your observations entirely. Keep it like it is and enjoy it or bung a pair nice Gibson 57 Classics in and reap the benefits. Cheers :-)

[@em001868]

I have had the same guitar for a couple of years now because I wanted to try a P90 to see if I should blow the big price for a Les Paul of the same nature. I still have not purchased a Les Paul because there is no justification. The pickups sound just outstanding. I have gig'd this guitar several times because you not need worry about your equipment at this price point. I have done a couple of small modifications but nothing major. I have counter sunk the pick guard screw because it sticks up. I have raised the bridge pickup because it was low. I changed the knobs because I prefer speed knobs on my single cuts, but that's it. Great review.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Pocket Ryder and thanks :-) I sometimes get told off for saying that these are incredible value for money but they are. Perhaps I should just say that they're great guitars, because they are. You're right about it being hard to justify shelling out a load of cash for a Gibson when there's terrific guitars like this out there that are so very good. Sensible mods BTW. Cheers, Gary :-)

[@vincentryanborres]

Again lovely demo review. Thank you!

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Vincent :-) I forgot to mention that it's well worth checking Thomann's website for 'B Stock' guitars. Nothing wrong with them (usually just returned items) and less expensive than the regular stock. Cheers :-)

[@vincentryanborres]

@@FoxysGuitarShow thank you for the tip. Will do!

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Foxy, I think this is a brilliant guitar. I used to play for a living in a country band back before the hair went grey so it had to be a Fender in those days. When I packed it all in and got a "proper" job I sold all my gear and bought a Takamine acoustic just to have a strum on now and again. I hadn't picked up an electric guitar since 2005, but just before Christmas last year I got the urge to bend the strings again. I got hold of a cheap Strat type guitar then one of those Glarry T style jobs. Both were ok for what they were but not even close to the guitars I played back in the day. I've never owned a Gibson and always fancied a Gold Top with P90s so when I saw one of these on the Thomann site I went for it and it was just what I was looking for. It played well right from the box and like you say the sound from those P90s is superb. Does it play as well as a Gibson? I don't know, never had one all I know is it suits me perfectly. Who ever gets that one from ebay will get a great guitar. Sorry this was way too long you'll need a pint after reading this. PS I used to do some gigs not too far from you at Gt. Birchwood Park in Lytham.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hahahahaha, hi Reeldin and thanks :-) As it goes, I'm halfway down a bottle of splosh ATM :-) No two ways about it, these things are astonishing value. I played it back to back with a Gibson Junior and whilst there's just 'something' about a Gibson you can't argue with the price of these for the quality of fit, finish and sound. Speaking of Country, I've been hooked on Billy Strings for the last year or two. Love that flat picking bluegrass sound. Keep rocking buddy! Cheers :-)

[@christoguichard4311]

Ive got TWO of these! Liked the first so much...when another, cheap, one came up on Ebay...I bought it. And it turned out to be the ex John Robson one that he used on his channel.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Christo :-) Yes, his channel is excellent and so are these guitars. I had a little difficulty with the recent SC500 but I made a few changes and it's now brilliant. Cheers, Gary :-)

[@PeterErikson-rd5tj]

I'm gona have to get one.. Run the guitar cable up to aby Splitter box. to Both Tube amp and Boss Katana with TS Drive. DS1 Distortion and delay. Love that Nasty Snarl -- Thanks for the Demo. man..

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Peter and thanks :-) We have another on the way, hopefully. They've got to be the best value guitars on the market. Cheers :-)

[@jonathanpeden9930]

DANG! I already own 2 HB's and I only find out about this guitar now??? LOL I've been looking for a twin P90 guitar and my experience with Thomann means I will be buying this guitar! I have a DC60 Junior (1 x P90) and an SC Custom ll (twin zebra Humbuckers) both Harley Benton and the quality for the price in INSANE!!! Both played out of the box with zero issues regarding neck/action/intonation and both hold their tune really well (Wilkinson and Grover tuners respectively). Now I want the "full on" P90 experience and I think this might be the one I go for. Nice video btw

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Jonathan and thanks :-) Insane value, aren't they? Proper rasping bridge pickup with a choirboy in the neck....lovely, cheers :-)

[@mr.d.572]

The guitar sounds really good. Just wish the postage to the U.S. was not an issue.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there mr D and thanks :-) Just checked the Thomann page and it says the guitar price is roughly $166 with $72 shipping. Don't know about any import duty or taxes but it won't be fortunes! Cheers :-)

[@buzzburb1]

just ordered a Harley Benton JA -60 Jazzmaster copy after watching this vid cheers again for the great vid you really made my mind up to go for the Harley, if you every get the time could you please put the Ziggy tab up on the site it sounds amazing to an old Bowie fan , never heard that tab played that way, cheers Gary

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Andy :-) I have had a few requests for techniques and so on so I'll do my best. I don't know anything about tabs but I'll be happy to do a close-up so it's obvious. Congrats on your new acquisition BTW! I'm stunned how they turn out the quality of instruments for the money.....and perhaps I don't want to know (if you know what I mean). Cheers :-)

[@shawnawesome7770]

Got this same guitar about 2 months ago, love it except the gold is too copper looking so I stripped it and repainted it with the gold nitro from stew Mac.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Shawn :-) Wow! I've tried refinishing as I used to paint cars in a former life but I'll be damned if I can get a guitar to turn out well! Cheers :-)

[@samsungs815]

Great stuff Foxy sounds like a much more expensive instrument. Think ill get one on seeing this, mind you I will need the "Foxy fingers " to do it justice. Keep them coming....

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Sam and thanks :-) More fun and frolics on the way , cheers :-)

[@eamonmcdermott4032]

That's a very nice guitar. Clean tone sounds spot on. It's more a bronze top though, in my opinion. Thanks very much.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Eamon and thanks :-) Yes, I guess bronze would suit the the description better. Great guitars though and unbelievable quality for the money, cheers :-)

[@buzzburb1]

lets hope the the Harley JA 60 is great for all the Ventures stuff, would love to see a review of you playing mr moto on a jazzmaster, harley, squire or fender, through the Blackstar if possible

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Just had a listen to Mr Moto - awesome! Like an upbeat Shadows style. Sadly YT won't let me fully copy any original tunes but what a great number - cheers :-)

[@Bad.At.Guitar]

My brain broke when you played Ziggy Stardust for a second. Haven't heard that riff in a while.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Beidle :-) As Keith Richards famously said "solos come and go but a riff lasts forever", cheers :-)

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Great video Roxy

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Vinnie and thanks :-) Much appreciated - cheers :-)

[@michaelwood3099]

More of a law suit than a law suit really, but Gibson have given up bothering because it's the name that sells and they know it. Blackwood by the way is a mid range tone wood like mahogany and used mainly in ukulele build for a koa type sound, and of course Taylor guitars, as Bob knows he can do what he wants, because it's the name that sells and he knows it. Having said all that I've a sneaking suspicion that they are actually just staining down pine and kind of leading people to believe it's a rosewood alternative. Still wonderful value and Thomann have the same spec B stock guitars for sale at £99, where really they should call them road worn and charge twice the price.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hahahahaha, hi Michael :-) Yes, Gibson know that people are brand conscious so there isn't any real competition, I guess. Thanks for the info about blackwood and I agree it's more likely to be wood that's been coloured because the species you describe sounds like it could be expensive and the whole point of these is the price point. I think you should pitch the idea of 'mojo' or 'roadwork' to Thomann for their 'B' Stock guitars - they may well take you up on it! Cheers :-)

[@bengosling3838]

Apparently... "Blackwood timber is sought after for its impressive appearance and finish qualities. The heartwood is a rich, golden brown, sometimes complimented by reddish streaks or a narrow band of darker colour, indicative of the growth rings. The sapwood can be up to 50mm wide and is much paler in appearance." 🤷‍♂️🤣

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Ben and thanks for the info mate :-) Blimey, I thought it some some old plank that'd been painted black! Much obliged buddy, cheers :-)

[@francescacanova8076]

It would be nice to know which guitar effects are here😺

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Francesca and that's a great question :-) The answer is.....none! I only use the onboard effects in my little Blackstar ID Core 40. The only external effect I occasionally use is a Dunlop wah-wah pedal. Cheers :-)

[@Ribod]

Sounds very much like the intro to Uriah Heep's The Wizard your clean demo.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Ribod and well spotted :-) I like doing this because you can hear every string, cheers :-)

[@birdman316]

sweet les paul clone mate! i wonder if the scratchplate is interchangeable between this model and the humbucker models..... have you tried IYV branded LP clones? theyre lovely guitars brother! and on the cheap!

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Birdman and thanks :-) I've just checked out IYV guitars and they look awesome. If I get the opportunity I'll certainly make a review. Cheers, Gary :-)

[@birdman316]

@@FoxysGuitarShow i have the IYV ILS-300D....it screams "greeny" as in peter greens les paul! i did a proper mod to it and now it has the distinct tone of peters LP and i installed mismatching knobs as well...and for less than 200 USD!

[@BenjaminKanarek]

Did you not mean SC 45O GT P90 and not SC 400?

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Benjamin :-) Yes, you're quite right and thanks for that. I've now amended the title, cheers :-)

[@italiad1013]

Whats that backing track??👍

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there David :-) I generally use Elevated Jam Tracks and just knock out whatever tune out that springs to mind. Apparently, one can't copyright a chord sequence, only a melody - happy days! Cheers :-)

[@650thunderbird]

SC450 👍🏻👍🏻

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi 650 and thanks :-)

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Epiphone and Gibson if I want the real deals

[@jonathanpeden9930]

Um, Harley Benton guitars are the real deal - they can look, feel and play amazingly well and they don't cost an absolute fortune (it's all about the name on the headstock). Fine if you want to sit and look at a Gibson or a Fender - go for it. But I want a playable guitar I can afford so I play Authentic Harley Benton guitars. Also, Because I can't afford stupid prices I have no choice but to go "cheap" but consider this - I have 6 guitars that have a mix of pups: ceramic single coil and Humbuckers to Alnico V P90 and humbuckers, so I have a collection of affordable, well-specced guitars that sound awesome and lets me into a whole range of different tones.

[@Reeldin58]

@@jonathanpeden9930 I completely agree, if a guitar looks, feels and plays well, what more do you want it to do? I stopped gigging a few years ago but if ever I step out on a stage again I would be proud have this guitar in my hands.

[@jonathanpeden9930]

@@Reeldin58 I play just for pleasure these days too! Another advantage - if I do buy an inexpensive guitar and it turns out to be a total dog, then I haven't lost too much over it. Playing is the important part!

[@jimmyz2098]

LOL Always gotta be one guy in the room like you. Congrats!

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Vinnie :-) As you'll have probably gathered from the channel content my favourites are Gibsons. However, if you're just embarking into the guitar world then find out it didn't work for you then at least you didn't blow your wad! Cheers :-)

[@jeffreypowell1656]

Do they weigh 10.5 pounds?

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Jeffrey :-) According to the Harley Benton Owners Club they weigh 4.57 kgs which is 10.07 lbs. Cheers, Gary :-)

[@CastlesMadeOf...]

2:30 😂 400 BHP?

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there JimJam :-) Yes, I've now amended the title to the correct designation which is the 450 model. I can only put my error down to old age and insanity, cheers :-)

[@goss1961]

Me buy now.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Goss :-) I know! These are an absolute 'no-brainer'. Cheers buddy :-)

[@johnroberto384]

Grandads ripped

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Dear John, you are the outright winner of my favourite comment ever! Cheers :-)

[@HappyHermitt]

I bought one then sold it. Regrets.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Dood :-) No regrets required for these. Hop on to Thomann's website and give them £127. They'll send you a spanker! Happy days Cheers, Gary :-)