Arriving in the subtly named Paradise Amber Flame and Autumn Flame Burst colorways, the LP-inspired single-cut looks to appease GN'R fans on a budget
(Image credit: Harley Benton)
In today’s edition of ‘Harley Benton has released an affordable take on a popular electric guitar’, the champion of cheap gear has unveiled a new Tribute Series model that looks to be inspired by some of Slash’s go-to pieces.
Available in Paradise Amber Flame and Autumn Flame Burst – as well as in a left-hand configuration – the SC-550SL most likely looks to harness the aesthetics of both Slash’s Appetite For Destruction era Kris Derrig copy and November Burst Gibson Les Paul Standard, and it does a pretty good job of doing so.
The Autumn Flame Burst, with its black sunburst colorway and black open-coil humbuckers, is almost a dead-ringer for the axe Slash wielded while he toured with Velvet Revolver, while the subtly named Paradise Amber Flame version is a slightly darker take on the Derrig clone but with flipped zebra pickups.
(Image credit: Harley Benton)
In terms of specs, the SC-550SL features a chambered mahogany body with an arched, flamed maple top, as well as a pau ferro fretboard-topped set mahogany neck. Ergonomically, it flashes a 12” radius ‘board, 22 stainless steel frets and a ‘60s-inspired neck profile, as well as a 24.72” scale – awfully close to Gibson’s own 24.75” scale.
Elsewhere, the guitar comes equipped with a graphite nut and Gotoh Kluson tuners, and calls upon a DLX Tune-O-Matic-style bridge and stop bar tailpiece. Other notable specs include trapezoid inlays, which further add to the Gibson-y vibe.
Tones come by way of a pair of Tesla Opus-1 Alnico-5 humbuckers, which are at the mercy of the typical Les Paul control layout: two volume knobs, two tone knobs and a three-way toggle switch.
(Image credit: Harley Benton)
As is the case with most Harley Benton guitars, it looks to be a promising bet, especially at $315. To put that into perspective, some of Slash’s own signature guitars command five-figure sums.
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It’s not the first time Harley Benton has attempted to sway six-string fans with its affordable takes on popular and well-known guitars. Before Christmas, it unveiled an ash-bodied single-cut inspired by Keith Richards’ Fender “Micawber” Telecaster.
Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
