Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

I've played this piece for about a year now, so I've been through it all with this. The features are the same you would find on any factory Les Paul. But I've yet to try any high end Les Paul unfortunately, so I really can't be trusted with a comparison. But for me, an enthusiastic player and a student with limited budget, this did the trick for me. I've enjoyed playing it since I got it. Unfortunately the real quality is starting to show. It doesn't really hold up on the usage. The parts feel a bit cheap or finnicky and probably are due a replacement. The fret buzz rings more and more every week. And the truss rod adjustment feels very odd. I just don't feel like spending extra on this instrument that might not last another year of hard usage (or almost everyday).

Really great guitar for someone who is just starting out. You won't notice anything wrong with it. You'll get a lot of hours in with this with a great price.

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.

I purchased this guitar as my 9 years old first electric guitar so to " hook him up" and start studying a bit more.Bought this for the looks of it and the price of it ,thinking that no guitar can be good for the money i had to spend ,so why at least not look awesome?
Next scene... I was playing myself till five thirty in the morning!!
Awesome build,very detailed and careful manifactured.The body is awesome,the neck is so smooth to slide your hands like touching velvet.The fretboard too...You can slide and play whatever you want and it feels almost like a les paul gibson.The strings keys have no label but they are strong and stable,the knobs,nothing impressive but they are ok.No noise,perfect tones and sound.The only cons are that the last,last, last fret at the bottom E string is kind of dead,doesnt make a sound.The pickguard is kind of ...meh...but this is not important and it s the cheapest thing to replace if you dont like it.It s just aisthetic...Not about the guitars performance.The colour and the fonish are incredible,it s a solid guitar.
I ve read and read and read about these guitars and took a risk but found out that they are awesome!! No 144 euros guitar in the world can top this...And if you change the humbackers and key strings it s like a 1700 euro guitar. I own myself a fender tele and an sg gibson. And i can say for sure that this guitar is really awesome. I wont let the kid play with it :P :P