Swap
Swap
Ibanez JBM9999
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
VS
Playability
72
Sound
73
Build
77
Value
59
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability
77
Sound
72
Build
59
Value
79
Score
69
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logo
Add more to comparison

Ibanez JBM9999 vs Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG

Reasons to Get
Ibanez JBM9999 over Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Pickup Mods
Parallel Split vs None
Connects pickups in parallel to brighten tone
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Number of Frets
27 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.709'' (18mm) vs 0.807'' (20.5mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.886'' (22.5mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
17'' (431.8mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG over Ibanez JBM9999

Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
EMG vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.807'' (20.5mm) vs 0.709'' (18mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.886'' (22.5mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 17'' (431.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
79 vs 59
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Ibanez JBM9999 vs Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG

Bridge Pickup
JBM9999 custom vs EMG Retro Active Hot 70
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
JBM9999 custom vs EMG Retro Active Hot 70
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Okoume
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Nyatoh
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Jatoba
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Ibanez JBM9999 vs Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez JBM9999 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's 69 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez JBM9999 wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG is the better choice.

The Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez JBM9999 meets only 5. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez JBM9999
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Ibanez JBM9999 Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2022 JBM series
  • Jake Bowen Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 17" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple/Walnut neck
  • Bound Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: JBM9999 custom (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: JBM9999 custom (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gibraltar Elite bridge
  • JBM Bolt-On neck
  • 27 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2021 Deluxe series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Okoume body
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Harley Benton bridge
  • Harley Benton Modern C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • WSC Schaller Style J07Lkf Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Ibanez JBM9999

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG

Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
Nyatoh
Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba
Okoume wood pattern used for guitar building
Okoume

Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

Jatoba is a hard and dense wood that emphasizes the mid-lows, giving a fuller, more round sound than, for example, Mahogany. However, it also has a lot of clarity in the top end. Find out more about Jatoba.

Okoume is an affordable wood and one of the first to replace Mahogany when the prohibitions started. It's generally softer than Mahogany and the tone has warmer lows.

Winner: Ibanez JBM9999.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG pickups from a more specialized brand than the Ibanez JBM9999. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Heavy Metal and similar genres.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's online:

The Ibanez JBM9999's pickups are Passive while the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Ibanez JBM9999 gives you 5 switch options while the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG gives you 3. This means that the Ibanez JBM9999 gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Ibanez JBM9999 comes with some kind of pickup modification: Parallel Split.

The Parallel Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in parallel. When wired in parallel, the result is a very bright tone. This is the wire technique used in most Stratocaster guitars, and it's what gives them their signature transparent and clear sound. This is because the pickups' inputs and outputs are wired together, which reduces the signal's travel distance to the output jack.

Ibanez JBM9999 pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez JBM9999's switch options
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Ibanez JBM9999.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez JBM9999
Pickups 60
Sustain 85
Versatility 65
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 73
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 46
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 72

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Ibanez JBM9999 compares to the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Ibanez JBM9999 is built in Japan while the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG is made in Indonesia.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Ibanez JBM9999

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Ibanez JBM9999 has a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

On the other hand, the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG comes with a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Winner: Ibanez JBM9999.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

They both have locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Ibanez JBM9999 has a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

On the other hand, the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG comes with Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Ibanez JBM9999.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez JBM9999
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Parallel Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
  • Locking Tuners
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez JBM9999
Quality of materials 61
Features 70
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 77
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
Quality of materials 51
Features 60
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 59

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Ibanez JBM9999 Nut Width
Ibanez JBM9999 Nut Width
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG Nut Width
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez JBM9999 has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez JBM9999, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Ibanez JBM9999's Scale Length
Ibanez JBM9999's Scale Length
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's Scale Length
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Ibanez JBM9999 has the longest scale: 25.5". The Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Ibanez JBM9999 Neck Profile
Ibanez JBM9999's neck profile
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG Neck Profile
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Ibanez JBM9999 and the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Ibanez JBM9999 Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez JBM9999's Fingerboard radius
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG Fingerboard Radius
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez JBM9999's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Ibanez JBM9999.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Ibanez JBM9999 favors large hands more than the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Ibanez JBM9999:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez JBM9999 Frets Size
Ibanez JBM9999's Frets Size
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG Frets Size
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's Frets Size

The Ibanez JBM9999 has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Ibanez JBM9999
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 80
Playability 72
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 70
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez JBM9999 vs Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
General Ibanez JBM9999 Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG
Brand: Ibanez Harley Benton
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Indonesia
Series: JBM Deluxe
Colors: Blue Black, Blue, Orange, Red
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Okoume
Bridge: Gibraltar Elite Harley Benton
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads WSC Schaller Style J07Lkf Locking
Fretboard: Bound Ebony Jatoba
Neck Material: Maple/Walnut Nyatoh
Decoration: JBM special White Pearloid Trapezoids
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: JBM Harley Benton Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.709'' (18mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm)
Frets: 27 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 17" 13.78"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Plastic
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: JBM9999 custom (Humbucker / Passive) EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: JBM9999 custom (Humbucker / Passive) EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Parallel Split None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 0 1