Review of the Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series Electric guitar. Where to buy it?

I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series guitar. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar items so you can compare.

  • Classic Series
  • Body: Basswood
  • Arched top
  • Glued neck: Maple
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Roseacre
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Trapeze inlays
  • Cream-coloured bindings on body and neck
  • 22 Medium jumbo frets
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Double Action truss rod
  • Pickups: 2 Classic covered humbuckers
  • 3-Way pickup selector switch
  • 2 Volume controls and 2 tone controls
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Closed Diecast machine heads
  • Strings (ex works): Harley Benton .010 – .046
  • Colour: Cherry Burst High Gloss

review harley-benton-sc-450-cb-classic-series

This guitar usually has a price around 118.00 €

Now that we’ve seen the features of this guitar Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series watch these related videos to learn more.

Harley Benton SC 450 CB Classic Series Electric Guitar Review

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Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:

Comment:

Visually flawless (no cracks, gaps, runs or other nasties, NONE!) except the fretboard was very dry but a bit of oil fixed that up. The action was extremely high, even the nut seemed too high. The nut popped off without drama and I sanded the flat bottom but then I took off *too* much and had to shim it. The bridge end was a simple adjustment of the two screws holding up the TuneOMatic style bridge. Oh, yeah, I loosened the truss rod about 1/3 revolution. Now it’s about as low (and quick) as you could reasonably expect, although on the low E string it buzzes on the two highest frets. I may run a whetstone over them a time or two next time I change the strings. All other frets are buzz-free and don’t fret out on big bends either. The 2nd fret failed the rocker test (using an old credit card) but a couple taps with the plastic handle of a large screwdriver fixed that, too.

As far as playing it, it’s quite different from the HSS Strat copy I was playing before, but I’m getting used to it (4 days now). I wasn’t impressed so much by playing individual notes, but the first time I played a cowboy style G chord I had to sit back a bit. I’ve never had a guitar that sounded this rich. One last thing, I read in reviews that the tuners and plastic pieces are "meh", but these tuners hold a tune and are geared much lower than any I remember having before, I don’t have to hold my tongue just right hoping I don’t overshoot the pitch. I also read about casting flash on the plastic pieces, but I see no evidence of that or even the seams of a mold.

Actually I wanted an HB SC-450Plus even though the web page said it’d take 2-3 weeks to get in stock, but as I waited that went up to 5-6 weeks and I asked to switch to this HB SC-450 CB which was available immediately. Once I switched, it took 10 days to get here to the East Coast USA in spite of the US Postal Service misrouting it one time.
Would definitely buy again!

EDIT: I’ve had it about a month now, and I still stand by my comments above. No additional issues have popped up in the meantime. I wouldn’t have felt ripped off if I’d paid $500 – $600 for this guitar.

Comment:

USA buyer; bought this as a gift for my 10 year old nephew as a first guitar. Figured the looks alone would make him want to play it. It was backordered for quite a while, but the Thomann CS team communicated well and I decided to wait for it.

Once in stock, the guitar shipped and arrived quickly, though shipping was expensive at over 58 eur. It came with a cord, but no strap, and the folks at Thomann even included an actual, old-school photo of the guitar, as this particular unit was the model used for the product images on the website, complete with wood imperfection below the tailpiece, which i thought was pretty cool!

Out of the box it was in good shape, though the included stings did not feel to be of great quality and the action was very high, and the frets were a teeny bit off. I paid to get it set up and now it plays like a dream! Very warm and rich tones, and individual notes are bright and clear now that there are good strings on it. As others mentioned the tuners aren’t great, but they hold tune reasonably well, though tuning will be required fairly regularly. Definitely will work for a kid’s first, though it’s pretty heavy.

My purchasing decision was between this HB and an Epiphone Les Paul Studio for $250 at a local store. Really glad I chose this one. I’ve been playing a USA-made Gibson LP Junior for years and this HB is actually comparable. I almost don’t want to give it as the gift it was intended to be!

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series vs Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series

The guitar Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Seriesis usually 17 € cheaper than Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series
  • Classic Series
  • Body: Basswood
  • Arched top
  • Glued neck: Maple
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Roseacre
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Trapeze inlays
  • Cream-coloured bindings on body and neck
  • 22 Medium jumbo frets
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Double Action truss rod
  • Pickups: 2 Classic covered humbuckers
  • 3-Way pickup selector switch
  • 2 Volume controls and 2 tone controls
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Closed Diecast machine heads
  • Strings (ex works): Harley Benton .010 – .046
  • Colour: Cherry Burst High Gloss
  • Vintage Series
  • Body: Basswood
  • Arched top
  • Set-in maple neck
  • Neck profile: C shape
  • Fretboard: Blackwood (Pinus Radiata)
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Fretboard inlays: Block
  • 22 Frets
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Double action truss rod
  • Pickups: 2 Vintage style humbuckers
  • 3-Way pickup toggle switch
  • 2 Volume- and 2 tone controls
  • Gold DLX hardware
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • DLX machine heads
  • Strings: Harley Benton .010 – .046
  • Colour: Black high-gloss

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series

My new Guitar HARLEY BENTON SC 500 BK - FULL REVIEW

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series review

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series vs Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series

The guitar Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series is usually 33 € more expensive than Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series
  • Classic Series
  • Body: Basswood
  • Arched top
  • Glued neck: Maple
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Roseacre
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Trapeze inlays
  • Cream-coloured bindings on body and neck
  • 22 Medium jumbo frets
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Double Action truss rod
  • Pickups: 2 Classic covered humbuckers
  • 3-Way pickup selector switch
  • 2 Volume controls and 2 tone controls
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Closed Diecast machine heads
  • Strings (ex works): Harley Benton .010 – .046
  • Colour: Cherry Burst High Gloss
  • Body: Basswood
  • Bolt-on neck: Maple
  • Fretboard: Amaranth
  • Fretboard inlays: Dots
  • Neck profile: Modern C
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Double action truss rod
  • 22 Frets
  • Pickup: 1 Humbucker (bridge) and 2 single coils (middle and neck)
  • 1 Volume control and 2 tone controls
  • 5-Way pickup switch
  • Synchronised tremolo
  • Die-cast machine heads
  • Black hardware
  • Ex-factory stringing: .009″ – .042″
  • Colour: Black, matte

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series

Harley Benton ST 20HSS SBK Standard Series

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series review

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series vs Harley Benton CST-24T Black Flame

The guitar Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Seriesis usually 93 € cheaper than Harley Benton CST-24T Black Flame.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

Harley Benton CST-24T Black Flame
  • Classic Series
  • Body: Basswood
  • Arched top
  • Glued neck: Maple
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Roseacre
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Trapeze inlays
  • Cream-coloured bindings on body and neck
  • 22 Medium jumbo frets
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Double Action truss rod
  • Pickups: 2 Classic covered humbuckers
  • 3-Way pickup selector switch
  • 2 Volume controls and 2 tone controls
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Closed Diecast machine heads
  • Strings (ex works): Harley Benton .010 – .046
  • Colour: Cherry Burst High Gloss
  • Deluxe Series
  • Mahogany body
  • Flamed maple arched top
  • Set-in mahogany neck
  • Roasted jatoba fretboard
  • “C” Neck profile
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • 24 Frets
  • Pearloid dots fretboard inlays
  • Neck and body binding
  • Scale: 635 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Graphite nut
  • 2 Roswell HAF AlNiCo-5 open coil humbucker pickups
  • 3-Way switch
  • 1 Volume- and 1 tone control with push/pull function for coil split
  • DLX chrome hardware
  • Wilkinson WVPC tremolo
  • DLX machine heads
  • Colour: Black Flame

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton CST-24T Black Flame

$200 Guitar... and it's Not Total 💩|| Harley Benton CST-24T Demo/Review

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton CST-24T Black Flame review

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series vs Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style

The guitar Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series is usually 52 € more expensive than Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style
  • Classic Series
  • Body: Basswood
  • Arched top
  • Glued neck: Maple
  • Neck profile: C
  • Fretboard: Roseacre
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • Trapeze inlays
  • Cream-coloured bindings on body and neck
  • 22 Medium jumbo frets
  • Scale: 628 mm
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Double Action truss rod
  • Pickups: 2 Classic covered humbuckers
  • 3-Way pickup selector switch
  • 2 Volume controls and 2 tone controls
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Closed Diecast machine heads
  • Strings (ex works): Harley Benton .010 – .046
  • Colour: Cherry Burst High Gloss
  • Complete DIY (do it yourself) kit
  • Bolt-on neck attachment
  • Rengas body (wood colour may vary)
  • Maple neck
  • Double action truss rod
  • Amaranth fretboard
  • Dots fretboard inlays
  • Radius: 350 mm
  • 22 Frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Nut width: 42 mm
  • Truss rod
  • 3 Ceramic single coil pickups
  • Electronics: 1 Volume, 2 Tone, 5-Way switch
  • Chrome hardware
  • Diecast machine heads
  • Tremolo
  • .009 – .042 Strings
  • Colour: Natural

Note: The body and neck have been primed with pore filler, making them suitable for the direct application of lacquer finishes. Before the application of stains or other surface treatments, the primer must be first removed via sanding.

Note: A certain degree of skill in handiwork is required for successful assembly of the guitar.

Below have a look to the video of this guitar Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style - Unboxing, Assembling, and Sound Demo (no talking)

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit ST-Style review

Where to buy the guitar Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

Thomann

  • Free Shipping.
  • Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
  • 100% reliable payment.
  • Leader in trouble-free shipping.
  • Usually Best price.
  • Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
  • Sometimes better price.
  • He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

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Jaime Echagüe

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