Lockdown Licks no. 371. SC500 new guitar ‘first impressions’ &

“The Boys Are Back In Town” by Thin Lizzy. Intro power chords/riff & signature riff in standard tuning. Played on a brand new HB-SC500 guitar on neck pick up into a NUX M8 amp set to ‘superlead’ with gain on 6 & slight reverb. (Original is tuned to E flat.) Using a ‘Trio’ pedal created drum rhythm.

These were the very first played chords & riffs on the new guitar after removing packing & tuning it up!

“The Boys Are Back in Town” is a song by Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy. The song was originally released in 1976 as the first single from their album Jailbreak. It is considered by Rolling Stone to be the band’s best song, placing it at No. 272 on the 2021 edition of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

SC500 first impressions..

Having not owned and played Les Pauls or copies since the 1990s, I was looking to find a good Les Paul style guitar which wouldn’t break the bank!

Playing a riff where at least one of Lizzy guitarists played on a Les Paul gave the guitar a perfect test for me.

Trying to capture that LP almost growling heavy rock full power chord sound & sustain rich but smooth lead tone.

I was more than pleased with the playability

& sound!

The vintage humbucker neck pick up exceeding expectations for me on today’s Thin Lizzy lockdown lick! Coupled with the buzz free ‘low and easy action C shape set neck, this feels ‘up there’ with the best real Les Pauls & copies I’ve played before.

One slight tweek half a turn on one saddle screw for intonation to be spot on was great!

I normally shy away from gold color hardware, but with the almost flawless black & white/gold trim paint job & binding it looks cool to me. Reminds me of those original mid 70s Les Paul colour schemes.

Considering how it sounds and plays

to me like a good Vintage style Les Paul should

Only £111 paid for it, when new Gibson Les Pauls can be around £4k is insanely cheap

vintage humbuckers that pack a punch with the set neck adding tone

Low and easy buzz free action with custom easy single cut body for reaching higher frets

Minimal set up required

Noise free tone/volume controls

solid feeling cable input

Cool mid 70s LP colours

Insanely affordable

My score 4.5 out of 5!