Budget Les Paul Comparison - Vintage vs Harley Benton

[@canadianintheukbrian]

I just picked up a V100 in February, I did some reading and learned that Seth Lover and Trevor Wilkinson worked on the humbucker design , Seth being the father of the PAF , really explains the tone of these humbuckers, in my mind you are getting a PAF Humbucker without the massive cost because of name, with that it has that vintage Les Paul tone, best way I can compare is V100 more Vintage sound ( no pun intended ) and the HB more modern Humbucker tone, but I will say this , HB switching to a newer Humbucker Brand is a great idea changing things up from the Roswell's, I have not seen anything new from Trevor Wilkinson in terms of pickups, maybe this is an opportunity for Vintage to update the model with a new brand of Humbuckers, and options you mention John, tone wise I like them both, that democracy lolol,

[@DareBear2099]

I’ve owned two Vintage V100’s and I always looked at them as Modding platforms. The guitar has it where it counts, long neck tenon, Wilkinson Hardware. In both of mine I’ve had fit and finish issues. Usually a high fret here and there. Needs a fret polish, fretboard treatment, pickup swap and new capacitors and the guitar really comes to life

[@petaralargic]

I am interested in the long neck tenon aspect mentioned,haven't had an opportunity to know that about v100 so far...(i am ware that Trev Wilkinson mentioned it in regard of the Fret King singlecut, though) Thank you!

[@pads-zr9ln]

I have a v100 with irongear pickups, I'm guessing the previous owner got it set up because the action is so low with no buzzing, I put on locking tuners and plays brilliantly with 11s

[@jonimusprime4544]

​@@pads-zr9lnI installed irongear standard rolling Mills in mine couldn't be happier

[@JBM_71]

I was surprised how well the Harley Benton cleaned up via the volume control with no real lack of actual volume. Nice one! 👍

[@beku73]

One big plus for HB are the stainless steel frets.

[@kyleduncan7304]

I've played a harley benton, own a epiphone and own a black v100. Honestly the v100 to me is the most comfy I've played especially on the lower frets. Also all the wilkinson hardware holds really well. Tuning stays well pickups you adjust the height a bit and the equalizer pins it'll change up sound a bit so far haven't felt the need to really do a heavy set up on it cause it sounds so goos

[@MJG817]

I love my tobacco sunburst one... outstanding

[@philoshaughnessy906]

Have a V100. Looks great and the Wilikinson PAF's are pretty good. Although if you buy one it's a good idea to invest in a bass strap and strap locks to keep the strap on as the V100 is heavy.

[@worldofameiso5491]

Sounds the Vintage has more mid range but sounds a bit more muddy that the HB.

[@calbrockocat8728]

The Vintage sounds to me lke the low end is pushed out easier than the high end, making it growl when overdive is stomped on. The HB's pickups sound more versatile and bright in comparison. Still, they both have that LesPaul power, heating up the mids.

[@smkh2890]

I am a fan of Vintage but even in a blindfold test would prefer the tome of the Vintage V100 here. I tend to swap out the pickups to get closer to the originals, but the Wilkinson pickups here sound fine. BTW, the price of the Vintage in Rimmers is 300 quid and the HB is now 315 !

[@domformula1]

I have to say I did tend to prefer the vintage, I’ve had two lemon drops in the past and it wasn’t until I tried other single cuts that I seriously began to regret parting with them. That brand does know how to knock together a good LP. That said, not knocking the Harley Benton either, sounded great.

[@PeteAxeShields]

Both very nice guitars. For me, in all honesty, of the two, I would take the Harley Benton regardless of the price difference. I just preferred it both tonally and aesthetically. I take your points though John and I am sure there would be some who would much prefer the Vintage. I always enjoy these comparison video's. Nice one brother.

[@jhkuno88]

Gay

[@johnbrooke9948]

Ive had both and in the end i kept the vintage as it had the edge in terms of quality and sound.

[@samok.8861]

​@@jhkuno88 You?

[@jhkuno88]

@@samok.8861 gay

[@MrRafaztar]

The vintage does not cost £450, rimmers is selling it new 300 and GAK has other v100 for less than £350

[@rob8482]

Some tight licks in there, John! Good job!

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Excellent john the bar is raised 👍

[@Adipsia1]

It would be ridiculous to criticise the HB... it's half the price of the Vintage. Even if you want something heavier sounding - like the Vintage - just replace the pickups. You'd still be quids in. Great playing as ever.

[@gearViewmirror]

I love all my HBs, but they do need some work on the nut and intonation. Other than that they are outstanding quality for the price! 🎸🤘🎸

[@leemaiorano5875]

Vintage is darker then the HB and as you said , more beefy. HB is brighter when cleaned up, more articulate IMO.

[@dragan4658]

The Hb is a much better all around LP and much less expensive! Thanks Mr Robson!

[@johnbrooke9948]

I had both and i decided to keep the vintage on terms of sound, playability and qc.

[@roryoconnor861]

The Vintage sounds better to me. It just has more substance

[@CagedPaps]

Uninterestingly HB used to use Wilkinson pickups before their Roswell branded ones. Not sure if they're using Wilkinson bridge/tailpiece though. Worth noting if you're in the UK you'll find Vintage guitars being flogged well below RRP. For a bit of fun I picked up a V100 Icon (distressed LP) for £230, still with the plastic on. It was from a small guitar shop in Yorkshire selling some stock on eBay. Also worth nothing their lemondrop variant is modelled after the Peter Green / Gary Moore LP, so same looking tuners, no scratchplate, knobs are different and pickups wired to mimic that phase sound in the middle setting. Beyond that, I wouldn't be surprised if they're out the same factory so finishing is likely to be the same.

[@kieranroberts9119]

The harley benton in my opi ion stands out head and shoulders and at half the price it looks better and sounds better Im not sure if I preferred the vintage on high gain but I think if the tone control was turned down on the benton it would probably achieve a similar tone? Personally I would go for the harley so much so I want to buy one even though I have a new guitar on order 😂🎸

[@johnbrooke9948]

I have had both and i kept the vintage as it is the closest to a les paul standard.

[@BrentAdams]

My vote would be for the Harley Benton....in every way.

[@axilleas]

I have owned both a V100 (2011 model, post Wilkinson but pre neck heel cut) and an SC-450plus (2023 model, Roswell pickups). Got both of them new. The V100 was miles ahead of the same era Epiphones, thinner neck, better woods, etc. It was a bit of a boat anchor. Nice pickups, crappy electronics, swapped all of them out to suit my tastes better. The guitar was nice, especially for the money I paid for it back then (somewhere around 300 euros), but not great. Several fit and finish issues, some crooked screws etc. Nothing major but quite a few annoying things. The Harley Benton cost me around half that money, came with no fit and finish issues, slightly better electronics, pickups that fit my needs much better and a weight that is much more manageable. The neck is massive, I'd have liked a thinner one but I don't really mind it. Funny story, while I owned the V100 I, also, got a Gibson Standard. That was back in 2013. The frets were all over the place, there were finish issues and I didn't care for the pickups. For me the V100 was just a better guitar all around, so the Gibby went back. I'd have to say the Harley Benton is an even nicer guitar. I guess the point I am trying to make is that yesterday's mid level is below todays bottom level and these times we live in are great gear-wise.

[@MJG817]

I've not played a harley benton LP stye but I suppose I agree with the clean sound of the V100... it's ok... takes a bit of amp/guitar tweaking to get a smooth clean tone. It's quite a crunchy sounding guitar which excells at gain/overdrive without a doubt.

[@daveuk5129]

I had to send my SC550 II back as the bridge pickup was not fitted parallel to the neck pickup and was so far from being central that 3 of the pickup poles were not even under the corresponding strings.Apart from that I was so impressed with it I have asked for a replacement.

[@johnbacica2847]

My new SC 550 ll came with 2 positions not working, my neck pickup was not working this made my neck and middle positions not work. I didn't send my back I fixed my, with the Tohmann disapproval I fix it anyway.

[@johnbrooke9948]

In my experience i would pay a little extra and purchase the vintage v100.

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

Yesterday I ordered an agile be my second one first one had P 90 great Guitar this one has humpback pick up.

[@Barbarapape]

Great comparison, for me the Harley Benton had a better smoother clean sound. The Vintage always added a raspy edge to the sound. Save a fair chunk of money and head to Thomann's website, and pray you get a good one.

[@vincebartlett1939]

I'm pleased with my 550 II but it needed some fiddling to sort out. It was delivered with a back bow to the neck. It was easily sorted with a bit of truss rod adjustment but there seems to be a bit of variability with the QC, but for £240ish they're a bit of a bargain.

[@padawan9127]

Ya, I’d say be wary with all these reviews of impeccable examples from KZbinrs. QC will drop for sure

[@zoso2850]

Got mine and all I did to it was tune it..literally just tuned it..neck was perfect intonation spot on and BELIEVE it or not string height was perfect as well...NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER. Bought a guitar that didn't need some sort of set up..even my epiphone classic had to have neck adjustment and set up done to make it feel comfortable..changed tuners on the Harley Benton they just were not up to par...and I'll eventually change the pups

[@johnbrooke9948]

In my experience i would pay a little extra and get the vintage v100.

[@chrislynch9364]

I purchased a HB 550 2 dfb, arrived last week. I was amazed it was almost in tune out of the box. Brilliant neck and the pickups warm and fulsome. It’s a keeper like a loveable dog from the rescue kennels with it’s bent ear and strange mismatched eyes, loads of character.

[@JBEJSting]

Do you think that you can get a sound like whitesnake is this love solo with the HB 550 II

[@chrislynch9364]

@@JBEJSting using the bridge pickup into a nux steel singer and into an ehx attack decay was pretty close, a good plexi pedal into the attack decay might nail that tone.

[@JBEJSting]

@@chrislynch9364 Nice, thank you a lot, i was thinking about to buy the SC550 II or wait to the Plus EMG

[@leonthompson8988]

In case you didn't know John the v100 doesn't have a maple cap. They use a veneer on the burst finishes. The AFD Vintage model does have a maple cap with veneer. Both brands only have a. 5 inch maple cap like the PRS SE. I believe the Gibson l.p. tribute only has a. 5 inch maple cap as well. Cheers!

[@johnbrooke9948]

I have a cherry burst vintage and can confirm it does have a mapel cap.

[@murraymusic2633]

HB's are just bloomin' good value guitars, end of, I have a Vintage V100 gold top which I love, but my HB's are my go-to guitars now.

[@CoalvilleQuad]

A great comparison and I'm definitely interested in the HB SC550. However when reviewers are discussing the neck shape/profile/feel, I do get quite irritated when they say " a little bit like an early sixties Gibson etc etc". How would I know what a guitar neck way beyond my means now feels when I'm looking at the opposite end of the cost spectrum. Hands up, I did have a 1960''s es335 in my photo profile picture but I sold it over 50 years ago and my muscle memory has forgotten ! I would rather compare it to something in another lower cost bracket, say if it's slim, "its a bit like a skinny Squier Strat" etc. Rant over.

[@Chip_57]

HB for me John. More clarity. Vintage is darker. Won't be on the livestream tomorrow sadly. Have a good un.

[@MJG817]

Getting the tobacco sunburst v100 from santa 🎅 in the morning 🎅🔥🎸

[@Oscarhobbit]

Hi John, I have been watching and enjoying your channel for a while. I stumbled on a video last night blind testing and comparing a Vintage Lemon Drop V100 to a Gibson Les Paul, I was very shocked by the outcome. That Vintage had Wilkinson WVC pickups. I was on the Vintage website last night and presently shocked to find that they are a British company, this would be another reason to make very intrested in their guitars. I was really looking for a gold top, but Vintage seem to have gone down the whole relic guitar look. I am of a certain age and not into a guitar that looks as if it was pulled out of a skip, to be honest I think the whole relic guitar thing is a fad. I own a 30 year old US Strat, it has playing marks and the plastic is going a little cream, but it was looked after and dosn't look as if someone used it to knock down a wall. Do you know where I could do more research on Wilkinson pickups? I'm looking for a big, warm, earthy growe, like the roar of a hot rod engine or a lion. Something I found out that these v100 guitar's may have a one peice neck.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Cheers mate. Here you go: wilkinsondirect.com/

[@17YuNgA]

I have a beautiful natural finish 2011 Gibson Les Paul, it has a lovely tone but is as heavy as a battleship. I have a Vintage brand Greenie Moore lemon drop which I actually prefer and costs a Iot less. It still has great sustain but isn't uncomfortably heavy if gigging for a couple of hours. I can vouch for Vintage brand LP style build and sound quality. Harley Benton looks and sounds great at the price. Come on Gibson, get your act together........

[@leightnite3056]

I agree w you!

[@scotteza]

Hey John, what model is the background guitar on the right with the P90’s and the maple fretboard?

[@JRobsonGuitar]

It's a Subzero Paradigm mate 👍

[@scotteza]

@@JRobsonGuitar cheers!

[@jimmyjames2022]

Vintage drives pretty well but HB drives and low volumes / cleans sound great. HB means Hard to Beat.

[@malcolmspillett8172]

To my ears - which are somewhat compromised at the moment - the HB certainly sounds better, particularly the clean tones.

[@jamescvarnell4850]

Another good LP is a Sheridan...i can vouch for that...

[@howardwright6961]

Thomman price doesn't include UK vat or import costs?

[@colinfalcon-original]

It does now Howard, the Thomman price is 'all in' (import fee's, shipping etc)

[@johntchb]

Yeah just after l pulled the trigger on a 300quid strat plus vat etc came in at 392.regrets lve had a few.but there again cellavie

[@Hogman666]

Now my good chap maybe not the cost of the treble bleed bits but the cost of them getting wired in where there would be more to go wrong in the factory!! . Interesting video though the biggest change on my Studio Les Paul has been pickups.

[@Hogman666]

ace vid by the way

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Cheers mate 👍

[@paultraynorbsc627]

I had a Jedson les paul bass in black £70. pounds in 1973

[@stevewelsh8560]

don't forget to add on the tax etc on the Harley Benton if you buy it from THomann, an extra £60/£70 roughly

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Not any more, mate. That whole "hidden extras" thing has been sorted for some time now. The price you see on the site is the price you pay - VAT is included in the price shown & there are no additional import charges.

[@OzzyMandias]

I'd swap the electrics on either one so it comes down to neck, weight and looks...maybe the HB wins that too but I think the Vintage is likely better nailed together...

[@johncollins5552]

The HB is glued together, no nails I hope😊

[@pads-zr9ln]

the vinatge you can get for £350 in black and £299 fora burst, i would gladly pay £65 prmium to try it in a shop

[@Kamil92Zgon]

After video i prefer v100, but .. HB is cheap and you can make an upgrade, im example buing Duncan sh4 and then ... Probably it will be better deal

[@Ardolynk]

Wilkinson pickups have their own "saturated harsh" tone. It sounds great on foo-casters but is it applicable in case of Les Paul? I really don't know.

[@ILLRICARDO]

the vintage v100 used to be £230 bucki dont why they have gone up in price so much, i got mine for £230 on amazon 3 years back

[@ranman1959]

Could the HB have a treble bleed circuit on the volume pot? That would explain why it still sounds so bright when you turned down the volume.

[@christoguichard4311]

These are both made in the same factory in Vietnam John.

[@richardrichard5409]

Incorrect and misinformation, not even built in same country😅

[@kenvorland]

Awesome video all my harley benton guitars I sent to guitar techian bad intonation bad frets bad nut bad pots stay safe rock on 🎸🎸🎸😎

[@John_Doe657]

The harley benton sounded better imo, however the V100 sounded better with distortion on the neck pickup.

[@guitarbobification]

HB for me. In my experience price seldom follows a direct line to sound quality.

[@Silmarieni1]

John, do you have an opinion: HB SC550II vs Yamaha Pacifica 311H ?

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Both are great. It depends if you prefer the Fender (25.5") scale length... Buy the Pacifica, or if you like the Gibson (24.75") scale length... Buy the Revstar 👍

[@KM-302]

I own a very early Vintage v6 strat copy. It is an exceptional guitar with a beautifully made neck/frets. Generally quality and set up is as good as it gets. I can't speak for newer Vintage guitars but I recently purchased a new HB fusion T hh with roasted maple neck. Looked amazing at a glance but was a very poor guitar overall. Many manufacturing faults and zero set up from the factory. Beyond repair or a professional setup. Leaves a bitter taste. I would never buy another.

[@paulburton5150]

The Vintage brand was great value a few years back, but hasn’t really done much new since Trev left, and with HB and other brands now offering similar quality (or better) for much less money Vintage now look less appealing. They are still great guitars, but not so competitive these days.

[@richardrichard5409]

Great post, spot on, pre 2014 era Vintage are excellent guitars, worth seeking out.

[@adrian_V99]

The playability of Vintage I will take any day over the Harley Benton. Vintage uses good hardware and electronics. Can't go wrong with Trevor Wilkinson. Of course, it's nearly double, but it's a keeper.

[@jessecanarte5545]

I think how it sounds can’t really be judged invested time and energy until I know it feels good plating, is comfortable, and if the neck feels good. Everything else can’t happen unless those first two criteria are met

[@LarrytheMan-uc4ev]

Can't use Epiphone anymore they are back to high end guitars and Rightly so its great..

[@bertalanduka]

Vintage v100 mahagony body and neck Harley Benton meranti body and neck.

[@nealflett1813]

Can I throw a new name into the ring . I am nearly 62 been playing for 7 years. I am always looking for a bargain. The name is artist guitars . I think they originated in Australia . I picked up a Lp copy for £75 . It has a set neck wilkinson humbuckers It is a B stock or customer return . Although no warranty. I took the risk. Usually £150 .worth a look at ?.

[@bluesdude1194]

I think the HB is the overall better sounding guitar.

[@Adipsia1]

If I lend you a friend's Private Stock PRS for review, is there any chance that you can drive the price down by a few thousand ? ;)

[@gusdogbrownlab435]

Got a V100, bought it second hand for £200. Great guitar but the price and spec of the HB has got me wondering. What's the weight like John? My V100 is classed as a commercial vehicle...it's so heavy

[@JRobsonGuitar]

The SC550 is on the light side of normal for this kind of guitar 👍

[@colinfalcon-original]

To my aged, untrained ears the Vintage is crying out for some Vanson Classic 57 humbuckers. The pickups just sound 'flubby' if that makes sense?

[@andyholmes9485]

Stuck some 59 SDs on the V100 and helped it immensely. Will look into treble bleed mod though.

[@smkh2890]

Actually the Wilkinson pickups are always sharp to my ears. I have dropped in some pickups off a Gibson LP into the Vintage V100 , and it's ace!

[@SergeiSmalkov]

I am disappointed with how obvious the difference is. Had to part with my V100 the old model. Bought it it ridiculously cheap used. Thought of it as chipo. Now wanted to buy HB 550. And with this video I have to admit V100 sounds much better for a Led Zeppelin GnR kind of tone. V100 is overpriced though, when did the rase the prices?

[@650thunderbird]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@batphink2655]

That Vintage guitar sounds a little too distorted for my ears even on the clean setting!

[@stardawg77]

Thanks for the review but any guitar you play that rediculous "amp" set up is gonna sound the same.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

How come these sounded different then? Oh, and "rediculous"? Spell check is a wonderful thing.

[@stevewelsh8560]

I have 3 Harley Bentons and love them, but the prices are far greater now so I am finding it hard to find a great value guitar from Thomann now. Too much extra to import now.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Mate, that post Brexit price hassle has been sorted for some time now. The price you see on the website is the price you pay. No import duties, VAT or other hidden extras any more

[@fretworkband3204]

You may want to have a Doctor check out that Epi-cough. 😉