Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF

Electric Guitar

Deluxe Series
Body: Okoume
Top: AA flamed maple
Glued-in neck: Nyatoh
Fingerboard: roasted jatoba
White Pearloid trapezoid fingerboard inlays
Ivory coloured binding
Neck profile: 1960 C - thickness at 1st fret: 20.5 mm, thickness at 12th fret: 22.5 mm
Fingerboard radius: 305 mm (12")
Scale: 629 mm
Nut width: 42 mm
Graphite nut
22 Medium jumbo stainless steel frets of 2.7 mm height
Pickups: 2 EMG Retro Active FAT 55 Zebra PAF Style Alnico-5 humbuckers
Controls: 2 Volume and 2 tone
3-Way switch
WSC LP17 Tune-O-Matic bridge
WSC Schaller Style J01 locking machine heads
Nickel hardware
Original strings: .010 - .046
Colour: Paradise Amber Flame Gloss

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3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since March 2021
Item number 497996
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Colour Amber
Body Okoume
Top Maple
Neck Nyatoh
Fretboard Jatoba
Frets 22
Scale 628 mm
Pickups HH
Tremolo None
Including Case No
Incl. Gigbag No

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108

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF Electric Guitar * Deluxe Series * Body: Okoume * Top: AA flamed maple * Glued-in neck:...

399 €

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107

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF Electric Guitar * Deluxe Series * Body: Okoume * Top: AA flamed maple * Set-in neck: N...

399 €

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399 €

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Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF w/Bag

418 €

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starting from 409 €

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Powered by EMG pickups

Electric guitar: Harley Benton SC-550Plus EMG PAF, front view

Introducing the Harley Benton SC-550Plus EMG PAF, a classic-looking single cut guitar that delivers the iconic tone to match its looks thanks to a duo of original EMG active pickups. Alongside its powerful sound, though, the solid-body SC-550 also features a flamed maple top and a slim-taper neck profile that ensures a comfortable playing feel along the guitar's entire 22-fret fingerboard. Of course, the latter would not be complete without the characteristic block inlays and ivory-coloured binding, which nicely complement the other synthetic parts of this Harley Benton. And despite the affordable price, no corners have been cut when it comes to the hardware: A classic Tune-o-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece combination together with a set of locking machine heads ensure reliable tuning stability at all times.

EMG Humbucker on the flamed maple top of the Harley Benton SC-550Plus EMG PAF

Can you hear me rocking?

The central components of this handsome single cut are its okoume body (a wood also known as Gabon mahogany) and set nyatoh neck. It's an instrument that is especially well-suited to Rock in all its forms, i.e. wherever powerful sounds are called for. The combination of woods used in its construction harmonise well with the two EMG Retro Active FAT 55 humbuckers, governed by the familiar three-way toggle switch to offer a tone spectrum that ranges from warm cleans to gritty overdrive. As one would expect from active EMGs, there are plenty of characterful dynamics to play with, and scarcely any noise: On top of that, each of the pickups has its own volume and tone control, letting guitarists personalise their sound or adapt it to the situation. Fans of slim, 60s-style neck profiles will also love the rounded shape of the neck's back; the Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF is incredibly easy to play from the first fret to the last, thanks also to a graduated profile that goes from 20.5mm thick at the first fret to 22.5mm at the octave.

Rear view of the Harley Benton SC-550Plus EMG PAF with rounded heel

Not just for beginners

At this affordable price point, the Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF is primarily aimed at those just starting out, as well as novice guitarists looking to improve their sound - after all, their budget also has to cover other essentials, like an amplifier. Certainly, the money invested in an SC-550 is well spent, with plenty of guitar for the price – especially the powerful pro-grade, brand-name humbuckers. This feature, which in particular makes the SC-550 a respectable all-round backup instrument, will also appeal to more experienced guitarists who have spent time on stage - as will the reliability and playability ensured by the guitar's solid hardware. Lead guitarists in particular will find the SC-550 very easy to play in the higher registers, thanks to the contoured heel at the neck joint, which isn't a feature always found in guitars of this design.

Harley Benton SC-550Plus EMG PAF, headstock

About Harley Benton

Since 1998, the Harley Benton brand has been catering for the needs of countless guitarists and bassists. In addition to an extensive range of stringed instruments, Thomann's house brand also offers a wide choice of amplifiers, speakers, effect pedals, and other accessories. In total, the range includes over 1,500 products. Built by established names in the industry, all Harley Benton products combine quality and reliability at attractive and affordable prices. The continuous expansion of the range ensures that Harley Benton always provides new, exciting, and innovative products that keep players perfectly in tune with the musical world, day after day.

The epitome of Rock

Quality doesn't have to have a hefty price tag when it comes to guitars – as proven by the Harley Benton SC-550Plus EMG PAF. This solid-body's traditional look makes it an ideal way to get started in the world of single-cut guitars, and its powerful sound (thanks to the output of the two active EMG pickups) is sure to impress beginners and pros alike, the latter perhaps choosing an SC-550 as a backup instrument. The humbuckers are powered by a single 9V battery, which can be easily changed on the back of the guitar, and their active design means that they are even less susceptible to noise than passive humbuckers, which is especially beneficial when playing music that requires a lot of gain. Because the battery starts providing the pickups with power as soon as the cable is plugged in, it's best to unplug the guitar when it is not in use – this should ensure that the battery will last for a long time.

108 Customer ratings

5 90 Customers 4 15 Customers 3 2 Customers 2 0 Customers 1 1 Customer

4.8 / 5

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80 Reviews

Almost perfect

rumaso 20.03.2022

With one initial exception this is a 5 star guitar. Finish is beautiful with absolutely no flaws, action is low, fretboard and frets are level with no buzz anywhere, fret ends are excellent and intonation is spot on. Now, the only issue was that the low E locking tuner was stripped. A quick email with a video was sent and two days later a new tuner was on the way. Excellent service response! It arrived international in 3 days, just like the guitar did previously. Replaced it yesterday and now everything is perfect. I absolutely love the guitar and the active pickups.

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Great guitar!

Jorode 10.03.2021

The guitar came with a very good setup, only minor tweaks to the intonation but it was not really needed. Finish was flawless, could not find any problems. Only con was that the truss rod cover was missing, it has been there so i think it was removed during setup and forgot to put in place after. But i have contacted thomann and i will get one.
Great guitar with awsome pickups, they have very good clarity and does work well whitout battery but i will use the active function with battery because it sound great.

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EXCELLENT

Glon 03.02.2025

This guitar for this price is just a bargain! EMG's, stainless frets, locking tuners and really perfect finish. Nice tone, low string action ( 1.14mmE6 and 0.83mm E1) and no fret buzz (and honestly they don't look to be leveled just proper installed). Price could be easily doubled and still be a no brainer for me. I don't care about name on headstock and am sure if they will keep that quality, the future of this company is bright! And thanks fot Thomann for solving small issue, always helpful.

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My opinion on my HB SC-550

Louveen 24.06.2024

I have it now for almost a year. Great looking guitar. Love the sound. My only concern was the switch that came not working well. It could only switch 2 modes not 3, so i had to buy another to change.

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Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF

Electric Guitar