Harley Benton SC-Custom III: Les Paul or Strat—so many guitarists are divided on this question. No other models have been copied and reinterpreted as much. Harley Benton, in particular, seems to have a soft spot for the most legendary of all singlecuts, judging by the sheer number of SC models they have built. Today, there is a new addition to the range.
Harley Benton SC-Custom III: New models for Custom Line series
Today, the manufacturer presents twelve new variants of the SC-Custom III range. They all share the same Les Paul body shape: the single cut. HB also uses the same woods for all models: Meranti for the neck (glued in, modern C-profile) and body, and roasted Jatoba for the fretboard, just like they did with the SC-Custom II. The white crown perloid inlays are also back.
Furthermore, they also stayed with 22 medium jumbo frets and a 13.78″ (350mm) fretboard radius. All twelve models also come with two pickups, a three-way switch for switching and combining, and a WSC Tune-O-Matic bridge. But this is where the differences begin.
Humbuckers, P90s and more – differences between the models
Nine of the twelve models feature two Tesla TM VR-Nitro Alnico 5 pickups in bridge and neck positions, respectively. All of these models also feature a push/pull tone control to switch to single-coil mode via coil splitting. A wide range of sounds should be possible, from creamy Paula riffs to bell-like Strat sounds.
There are also two models, one in black and one in white, with active pickups – a rarity for HB. HB uses Tesla TM AH-5 active humbuckers for new SC-Custom III models. Push/pull is missing due to the design. These models are even a bit cheaper than the standard SC-Custom III models.
There is also a model in the range where HB uses two P90 pickups. One model stands out in terms of price: the SC-Custom III FR Vintage Black. Although the woods and pickups do not differ here, a Floyd Rose 1000 Locking Tremolo bridge has been added, while the pickups are standard Alnico5.
Ocean Flame, Purple Burst, and more!
The standard models in the SC-Custom III series are available in Vintage Black, Vintage Black Left-Handed, Lemon Flame, Ocean Flame, Desert Flame Burst, Purple Burst, Gold Top, and Satin Paradise Amber Flame. All twelve models are now available at Thomann.
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