LTD EC 256 vs Harley Benton SC550 plus / SC custom plus

[@fliesandpigs]

That's great editing, those perfectly timed cuts really show the differences in sound

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks ! That's the best way I have found to reveal the differences in my comparison videos.

[@metallixro]

Best video yet! the HB headstock is sadly fugly otherwise imo its a better choice if you dont have a spare pickup around to upgrade the LTD bridge pup.

[@ToroKchannel]

Too bad that Harley Benton's headstock on single cut models is so... let's say ordinary, deprived of any personality.

[@mtrich8113]

This is why it's good to own multiple guitars to have multiple sounds.

[@ToroKchannel]

I can only agree with this statement ! Each guitar's got its own voice :)

[@Lola_Santoro]

EXACTLY!!

[@JamesPetroff]

The HB SC Custom is a clone of the ESP Eclipse too. I have always really liked the blue ocean flame one I got. I think it may have some neck dive but I have such a good leather strap on it, that you would never notice. I never changed the Roswells. It is still fun after 3 years

[@ToroKchannel]

I consider the SC custom of the Eclipse when the SC 550 is a clone of a LesPaul. Last time I have played the Roswell LAF Alnico I didn't have the same amp so I guess I should give them one more try with my current rig. They'll never be as good as EMG retro active for metal though.

[@che2335]

I prefer the darker neck humbucker of the 256 i put a JB in the bridge of everything anyway

[@omgnerv]

i hope HB will include belly cut on future models/ updates. also I'd love to see purple SC versions. though I'm desperately waiting for updated DC versions too...

[@ToroKchannel]

I might not have mentionned it but the Sc Custom plus has a belly cut :) Harley Benton guitars mostly remain copies of existing models made by more famous brands. So if they make a copy of a LesPaul, they will not include a belly cut. But on several indonesian bentons, the belly cut is present (Amarok, Sc custom plus, EX-84 modern / classic). If they make a new version of the DC, I hope it will be better than the current one !

[@dragan4658]

I'm a little surprised that the Hb came a little ahead of the Ltd as the Ltd are good quality. I have two Ltd guitars, S and T styles and both are very good quality! Thanks for sharing!

[@ToroKchannel]

Those Harley Benton are surprisingly good. I only wish they came with Xtra Jumbo frets and not with medium jumbo. But LTDs are great guitars indeed !

[@dragan4658]

@@ToroKchannel Yes indeed xtra jumbo frets would definately be easier to play, I prefer them over the medium jumbo myself. I'm stuck between getting a Hb LP or a Gibson.

[@ToroKchannel]

@@dragan4658 I suggest you should try the Benton first, especially if you live in Europe so you can use Thomann's 30 days free return policy. The closets from a Gibson LP you can find is the SC Custom II (with Tesla Opus 1 pickups). And of course if you enjoy EMG pickups, the SC 550 plus is an excellent choice !

[@dragan4658]

@@ToroKchannel I'm in North America and I think I prefer the SC Custom as it is a lighter GUITAR, or the AIO/Wolf WLP 750 which is $499 USD. My next guitar will most likely be the Revstar rs820, then the Gibson LP unless I come across a super deal on the Gibson first.

[@che2335]

The Ltd flame veneers are great for the price better than sc plus. The pickups arent bad for rock and blues but thats to taste on any guitar. Frets cant be easily changed. The purple cobalt blue natural and brownburst are awesome. Theyre all i play anymore a thicc body EC400VF amber sunburst flame and a black beauty clone EC256P p90s for cleaner stuff.

[@ToroKchannel]

frets can easily be changed ? You mean they can easily be polished ?

[@che2335]

@@ToroKchannel i mean the jumbo frets are better on the 256 at this price point and should be considered vs the ease of changing pickups on a 256 vs the SC.

[@ToroKchannel]

Oh ok ! I do agree, totally. I really prefer Xjumbo frets, I wish Harley Benton features some Xjumbo in their guitars. And as far as the price goes, my luthier told me that changing frets on a guitar would cost something like 200-250€, so yes, it's really worth thinking about it.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Sorry, but your sound is so unreal, it's the best on U-tube for me. Holy Cats 😄👏👏👏👏👍🤷‍♂️ I think Harley Benton got a huge hit with the 55s because they give a clear sound in the low end, they don't sound muddy. I love these pickups Am i wrong or did you improved your sound again again ??? THX for the disclaimer 👍👏👏👏 🐈

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks Yetimatze :D If I compare the sound in this demowith the review of the EC-256 I have just pushed the volume of the rhythm guitars a little bit (and the mix is the same for both guitars of course :) Now, if you're talking about the part where I play the guitar alone, yes it's another setup I have tried to bring more headroom and less compression.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

@@ToroKchannel very cool 😄👍

[@nicopoppe4838]

those emgs are schrill as fuck… its like a 59‘ paf but brighter

[@lloydnorval1989]

Maybe an unpopular opinion but I thought the Sc550 sings more than the LTD in solos :)

[@ToroKchannel]

why should this opinion be unpopular ? :)

[@lloydnorval1989]

@@ToroKchannel because I thought people may disagree and think the LTD would wipe the floor with the Harley :p I'm thinking of getting a normal SC550 and upgrading the pickups with some nicer passive ones. The plus is a LITTLE out of my price range bit I LOVE the EMGs I have the hot 70 set on my Amarok 6 which is also why id rather have the 550 plus than the custom plus :)

[@ToroKchannel]

Those EMG Fat 55 are really excellent, very different fom the classic EMG 81/60/85. If you go for a classic SC-550 then upgrade the pickups, it will eventually be more expensive than waiting to have enough money to aford this one. And when the classic SC-550 returns - hopefully soon - it will come with Tesla passive pickups. Don't know how they sound but the guitar will be reviewed on the channel for sure !

[@gaddebeli]

Are the pickups in LTD ceramic or alnico? Couldn't find this info anywhere online, so I assume they're ceramic? Great review, as always!

[@ToroKchannel]

Excellent question ! Haven’t seen the info anywhere but, according to the sound I also assume these are ceramix magnets. Thanks :)

[@Piracsek]

Ceramic in LTDs 256s.

[@Herman138]

Hi,i know u recorded this video 2yrs ago but my question is,the neck on LTD 256 is much better from HB SC 550 ii?i mean the feel and playability?

[@ToroKchannel]

Already 2 years ! But I remember the neck of the SC-550 pretty well. The thickness is identical but the shape is different. U shape on the LTD so the back of the neck is flat, when you have a C shape on the Harley Benton so the back of the neck is rounded. If you have already played a Schecter guitar you will realize that the neck of this Harley Benton is very close to it. It’s a matter of feel but I think they both are comfortable.

[@Herman138]

@@ToroKchannel Thanks for the reply,so i think i will go for much cheaper HB with the Tesla pickups,if the neck is nice and smooth and good acess to the last Frets I want to try out one...

[@stonkpuppets6393]

LTD 4 me

[@nicopoppe4838]

the wsc brand is okaish… bridge is from sung Il bm003 and the tuners where jin-ho 14:1 ratio…

[@ToroKchannel]

thanks for those clarifications !

[@daemonoid666]

Torn between a ec401 used vs a new sc550 ii or plus new

[@ToroKchannel]

The tone on the SC 550 II is very different from what you'd get on a LTD EC-401 with EMG 81/60, and even from the EMG fat 55 on the SC-550 plus. I've made several EMG pickup comparison videos, you should take a look at it and make yourself an idea about the differences between Fat 55 and EMG 81/60, I think it would help you chose.

[@ferowmaster6981]

Are originals the EMG Humbuckers of the SC Custom or are only copies from Harley Benton with the name of the brand changed?

[@ToroKchannel]

Harley Benton is not a poir chinese brand that sells bogus copies. So yes, of course, these are original EMG pickups.

[@ferowmaster6981]

@@ToroKchannel But, how Harley Benton can add real EMG pickups in a 414€ guitar? Only the pickups cost the half of the price

[@ToroKchannel]

The retail prive for these EMG is 180€. A half of this is distributor mergin. I guess if you order 5000 sets you have a discount so maybe they pay 60-70€ per set. Maybe even less cos the electronics inside the benton is not the EMG solderless kit you ger when you buy them on retail.

[@haku8550]

Song?

[@ToroKchannel]

A track I have written and untitled "Purple night assault".

[@haku8550]

@@ToroKchannel can i heard in spotify?

[@ToroKchannel]

@@haku8550 I'm afraid no, not yet. I will release several demos on spotify later this year and this one is in the list. I'll let you know.

[@carsonjudd6614]

Definitely Metallica style riffs 🤘

[@ToroKchannel]

I guess this band will always be an inconscious influence :)

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

Harley is bright and harsh. I’ll pass

[@ToroKchannel]

active pickups.