Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF

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Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF

Harley Benton

SC-550 Plus EMG FTF

4.8 Expert Rating

Product Info

Article Number: 497997
Model: SC-550 Plus EMG FTF
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.

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