TEST: Harley Benton SC-550 II Gotoh PAF vs. Gibson Les Paul Custom 1968

Yes, I know that you can't really speak of fairness in this comparison test, but a low-end vs. high-end test always has a certain appeal. Some will look forward to having their prejudices confirmed, but others may be surprised that the expected differences are much bigger or much smaller than they initially expected. Well then, it is indeed David against Goliath in the field of single cut against each other, or rather a Harley Benton SC-550 II Gotoh PAF against a Gibson Les Paul Custom year of manufacture 1968. The Harley Benton has a retail price of 349, - €, the LP Custom 68' is traded depending on the condition with about 30,000 - 40,000 €, one could throw as very roughly in the room that the Gibson is about 100 times more expensive than the HB. To take the core statement right away, even if the Harley Benton would be made of pressboard and the Gibson of 100 years aged mahogany, it is impossible that a regular playable instrument sounds a hundred times "better" than another. But what are really the differences in detail or is the comparison test already complete nonsense from the beginning?

A touch of history must be

In principle it means to carry owls to Athens, if one wants to write something about the history of the Les Paul in a musician magazine, however there are regarding the value development a few points, which one should consider again briefly. One or the other reader will wonder why I would not use an old Standard for the comparison test. Well, the reason is found relatively quickly, unfortunately none was available to me. Of course, it would have been great to have one of the legendary LP Standards from 1958 - 1960 at hand, of which allegedly about 2,000 copies were built, but the only colleague I know personally, who owned an original 59' LP, has sold the same some time ago for almost 200,000 € and the rest of these instruments are in the hands of well-heeled rock stars or ekes out a sad existence as a capital investment in air-conditioned bank lockers of even better-off businessmen.

After 1960, it was to take 17 years until Gibson reissued the "original" LP Standard in 1976 as its creator Lester Polfuss had planned. However, the quality of the instruments was nowhere near the level of the legendary 3-year period, so the biggest price explosion of all time in the field of electric guitars can only be found in this segment. Today, no instrument can be bought for less than a quarter of a million, the average price is around half a million, and when it comes to legends such as the "Greeny", which went from Peter Green to Gary Moore to Kirk Hammet, it can easily reach seven figures.

On place 2 of the most sought-after Les Pauls with humbuckers are then but also the Customs of 1968, because from 1969 the body consisted of 2 parts. No difference in sound, but collectors prefer the one-piece version. The Paula presented for the comparison test is original in large parts, only the frets and the bridge were so played down, respectively rotten, that they had to be replaced. Which fool drilled an additional hole for a strap holder on the backside can't be told after 55 years, unfortunately.

The gold layer is almost completely played down, many screws are heavily affected by rust, but the paint is comparatively well preserved. I personally like the "violin shaping" of the top, which was characteristic for the models of that time.

A small specs comparison overview

Many points seem similar at first sight, but there are big differences in detail. First of all, the Harley Benton SC-550 II Gotoh PAF must be credited with a good first impression. Made in Indonesia, the instrument is impeccable in terms of manufacturing quality and factory settings. Moreover, at just under 3.4 kg, the instrument is very light for a Les Paul copy, which is due to the fact that it is a "chambered body", meaning that the body is hollowed out in some areas, which reduces the weight of the instrument and leads to a more "hollow" sound. The top is an intensively stained maple top, which only has veneer thickness and therefore only has a visual and not an acoustic effect.

In contrast, the 68' LP Custom, also known as "Black Beauty" due to its deep black ebony fingerboard, offers everything that has made this instrument genre famous, popular and also infamous. Infamous is perhaps not really appropriate, because with just over 4 kg the instrument is comparatively light for a solid mahogany body plus a maple top about 1.5 cm thick and still far from the "minimum 5 kg". bolides of the eighties Les Pauls. In addition, almost everything about this instrument is "solid" and "angular". Anyone who has ever played in the higher registers of a Vintage Paula is certainly familiar with the struggle against the hard corners of the 7-ply binding, which only reluctantly gives up its right-angled edge even after thousands of hours of use.

Also familiar, of course, is the "half baseball bat" league of neck shaping, which comes across as truly massive. The 68' Paula, despite its massive appearance, nevertheless has an Achilles heel in terms of stability. Until about the beginning of 1970, these instruments were manufactured without "knobs" at the headstock transition, which meant that due to the strongly angled headstock, even the smallest fall, for example from a guitar stand, could lead to the infamous "base of the skull fracture". Although today any well-trained guitar maker can repair this damage, the collector's value decreases immensely with such damage, unless the instrument previously belonged to a celebrity, then such quirks are even more conducive to sales.

The Harley Benton SC-550 II Gotoh PAF feels much smoother. Especially in the neck foot area, the edge area has been softened and the transition to the body has been slanted and thus made more ergonomic. The instrument is definitely not designed for a "fight with the guitar", but for a cozy rendezvous. In general, the approach of the instrument is not to come up with an identical LP copy as possible, but rather to fuse the visual approach of a legend with the conveniences of a modern guitar. Nevertheless, visually several details, such as the different colors of the humbucking coils (which were used at the time for lack of stock) try to point to the original.

The sound!

That it is an unfair competition, as I said, has already been discussed in advance, but should you see the instruments in direct comparison, I spontaneously think of an analogy from fencing. If one would call the Harley Benton SC-550 II Gotoh PAF with a foil or if necessary still with a sword, one would not even come with a saber with the Gibson Les Paul Custom 1968, but would have to act already with the designation sword. The instrument has everything you can pack into an electric guitar in terms of mass, and that's exactly how it sounds. Every attack has the force of a fist punch and cojones the size of ostrich eggs.

Of course, one can only estimate how many playing hours an instrument of 55 years has on the hump, but if it were only about 30 minutes a day, one comes to over 10,000 hours. It goes without saying that the woods used are tuned to the point of no return. The tonal yield is correspondingly massive and rich in sustain, whereby one has the feeling that one could strike a chord, get a coffee and the chord still vibrates. It should be mentioned, however, that corresponding vintage instruments are usually not high-gain enthusiasts. The output of the pickups, despite humbucking circuitry, is not far from corresponding single coils and therefore really worth appreciating at most up to lead characteristic.

In parallel, it beats the Harley Benton SC-550 II Gotoh PAF really well, although once again the used in-house Tesla pickups can not really convince, but probably a prerequisite for the very low retail price. In fairness, however, one must admit that the Tesla pickups gain in quality with increasing gain, but cannot match the Gibson humbuckers in character. A corresponding investment in high-end pickups would probably push the retail price even at a low price easily over the 500, - € limit and thus call new competitors in this price segment on the scene. However, it remains to be seen whether one simply exchanges the pickups and takes over the very good wood properties of the HB at a small price. Therefore, soldering iron thrown on and just try once.

Additional Informations:

- Harley Benton is a brand owned by the German music retailer Thomann. The brand specializes in musical instruments and equipment, offering a wide range of products including guitars, basses, amps, effects pedals, and accessories at affordable prices.

Harley Benton was founded in 1997 and has since become a popular brand among musicians of all levels. The brand's mission is to offer high-quality instruments and equipment at prices that are accessible to everyone, from beginners to professionals.

One of the brand's most popular products is their line of electric guitars, which includes a wide range of models that are inspired by classic designs. These guitars feature solid construction, quality hardware, and versatile pickups, making them ideal for a variety of playing styles and genres.

In addition to their electric guitars, Harley Benton also offers a range of acoustic guitars that are designed for both beginners and experienced players. These guitars feature high-quality construction and materials, making them a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable instrument.

Harley Benton's product line also includes a variety of bass guitars, including both electric and acoustic models. These basses are designed to provide a full, rich tone, and are perfect for players of all levels.

In addition to guitars and basses, Harley Benton offers a wide range of amplifiers, effects pedals, and other accessories. These products are designed to work seamlessly with the brand's guitars and basses, providing musicians with a complete setup that is perfect for recording or live performance.

One of the reasons for Harley Benton's success is their commitment to quality. All of their products are designed and manufactured to the highest standards, ensuring that they are reliable, durable, and easy to use. The brand also offers a range of warranty and customer support services, making it easy for customers to get help if they need it.

Another reason for Harley Benton's popularity is their commitment to affordability. The brand's products are priced well below the competition, making them accessible to musicians of all levels and budgets. This has helped to make Harley Benton a favorite among beginners and students who are just starting out, as well as more experienced musicians who are looking for high-quality instruments and equipment at a reasonable price.

In conclusion, Harley Benton is a brand that offers high-quality musical instruments and equipment at affordable prices. Their product line includes a wide range of guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories that are designed for musicians of all levels and styles. With a commitment to quality and affordability, Harley Benton has become a favorite among musicians around the world.

- Gibson Guitars is a legendary American company that has been producing guitars since the late 19th century. The company has a long and storied history in the music industry, and its guitars have been used by some of the greatest musicians of all time.

Gibson was founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson, and initially produced mandolins and other stringed instruments. In the 1920s, the company began producing guitars, and quickly became known for their high-quality craftsmanship and innovative designs.

One of Gibson's most famous guitars is the Les Paul, which was first introduced in the 1950s. The Les Paul is a solid-body electric guitar that has been used by some of the greatest guitarists of all time, including Jimmy Page, Slash, and Eric Clapton.

Gibson also produces a range of other electric and acoustic guitars, including the SG, the Explorer, and the J-200 acoustic. These guitars are known for their high-quality construction, versatile tone, and iconic designs.

In addition to their guitars, Gibson also produces a range of amplifiers and effects pedals, which are designed to complement their guitars and provide musicians with a complete setup that is perfect for recording or live performance.

One of the reasons for Gibson's success is their commitment to quality. All of their guitars are made from high-quality materials, and are built to exacting standards to ensure that they are reliable, durable, and easy to play. Gibson also offers a range of warranty and customer support services, making it easy for customers to get help if they need it.

Another reason for Gibson's popularity is their commitment to innovation. The company has a long history of pushing the boundaries of guitar design, and has introduced many groundbreaking features and technologies over the years. For example, the Les Paul was one of the first solid-body electric guitars, and the SG was one of the first guitars to feature a double-cutaway design.
In recent years, Gibson has faced some challenges, including financial difficulties and controversies surrounding their management and business practices. However, the company has remained committed to producing high-quality guitars and equipment, and continues to be a favorite among musicians around the world.

In conclusion, Gibson Guitars is a legendary American company that has been producing high-quality guitars and equipment for over a century. Their guitars are known for their iconic designs, versatile tone, and high-quality craftsmanship, and have been used by some of the greatest musicians of all time. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Gibson remains a favorite among musicians and guitar enthusiasts around the world.