Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
Harley Benton
SC-550 Plus EMG FTF
Product Info
Article Number:
497997
Brand:
Harley Benton
Model:
SC-550 Plus EMG FTF
Category:
Single Cut Guitars
Price:
$438.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
This SC-550 Plus is a seriously impressive offering for the price. The EMG pickups give it a modern edge while retaining a classic vibe, and the roasted jatoba feels fantastic under the fingers. It's a great choice for rock, blues, and heavier styles where you want a powerful, articulate tone without spending a fortune.
Product Description
- Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF
- Electric Guitar
- Deluxe Series
- Body: Okoume
- Top: AA flamed maple
- Set-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: 350 mm
- Scale: 629 mm
- Nut width: 43 mm
- Nut: Graphite
- 22 Medium jumbo stainless steel frets of 2.7 mm height
- Pickups: 2 EMG Retro Active FAT 55 Covered PAF Style Alnico-5 humbuckers
- Controls: 2 Volume and 2 tone
- 3-Way swtich
- WSC LP17 Tune-O-Matic bridge
- WSC Schaller Style J07LKF locking machine heads
- Nickel hardware
- Original strings: .010 - .046
- Colour: Faded Tobacco Flame Gloss
PROS
- • Okoume/flame maple body offers a resonant, balanced tone with attractive aesthetics.
- • EMG Retro Active FAT 55 pickups deliver thick, articulate, and powerful output.
- • Roasted jatoba fingerboard provides a smooth, stable playing surface resistant to moisture.
- • Schaller-style locking tuners ensure reliable tuning stability under heavy use.
CONS
- • Okoume can be prone to slight finish checking with temperature fluctuations.
- • Nyatoh neck, while stable, isn't as premium feeling as maple or mahogany.
- • The '60s C neck profile might not suit players preferring a flatter feel.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Material
Okoume with AA flamed maple top
Neck Material
Nyatoh
Fingerboard
Roasted Jatoba
Pickups
EMG Retro Active FAT 55 Covered PAF Style Alnico-5 humbuckers
Scale Length
629 mm (24.76 in)
Frets
22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel
Bridge
WSC LP17 Tune-O-Matic
Weight
Approximately 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs) – typical for a set-neck guitar with this wood combination
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Frequently Asked Questions
They're designed as a Retro Active recreation, capturing much of the PAF character but with slightly higher output and modern reliability – a great compromise.
Harley Benton’s QC has improved, but a professional setup is always recommended to optimize playability, especially given the stainless steel frets.
The finish itself has minimal impact, but the thinner finish can allow a bit more of the wood's resonance to project – a subtle but positive effect.
