AudioFu

Best Double Cut Guitars Under $5,000 2026

Affordable double cut guitars under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Metal For Jazz For Fusion For Lead Guitar For Technical Playing
BRANDS: PRS Gibson Epiphone Harley Benton Yamaha Larry Carlton Gretsch Guild Danelectro ESP Hagstrom Maybach
Music Man Valentine Trans Buttermilk - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Music Man Valentine Trans Buttermilk

by Music Man
Technical Playing Rock Fusion
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Weight distribution varies
  • • Complex electronics in some models

Music Man Valentine Trans ButtermilkElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: Roasted flamed mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605710
$3,628
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Lester Jr '59 Double Cut SP VW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Maybach Lester Jr '59 Double Cut SP VW

by Maybach
Fusion Technical Playing Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Weight distribution varies

Maybach Lester Jr '59 Double Cut SP VWElectric GuitarBoyd: MahoganySet-in neck: Solid mahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 607211
$2,419
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson LP Junior 58 DC TVY VOS LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Gibson LP Junior 58 DC TVY VOS LH

by Gibson
Fusion Metal Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
  • • Great for lead guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Weight distribution varies
  • • Can be more expensive

Gibson LP Junior 58 DC TVY VOS LHElectric GuitarLefthand / left-handed modelCustom Shop modelBody: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 549957
$4,069
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG ´61 Standard Pelham Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gibson SG ´61 Standard Pelham Blue

by Gibson
Metal Rock Technical Playing
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack some single-cut warmth
  • • Can be more expensive

Gibson SG ´61 Standard Pelham BlueElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyMahogany neckFingerboard: RosewoodNut: Graph...

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589500
$2,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson LP Special 60 Cherry Red VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gibson LP Special 60 Cherry Red VOS

by Gibson
Lead Guitar Technical Playing Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Great for lead guitar work
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Complex electronics in some models
  • • Weight distribution varies

Gibson LP Special 60 Cherry Red VOSElectric GuitarModel: Custom ShopBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFretboard: RosewoodNeck...

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 459269
$4,069
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Albatroz 65-2 PAF Wine Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Maybach Albatroz 65-2 PAF Wine Red

by Maybach
Jazz Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Weight distribution varies
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Maybach Albatroz 65-2 PAF Wine RedElectric GuitarMahogany bodyMahogany neckRosewood fretboard22 Frets2 Amber Spirit of...

⭐ 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 433157
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG Custom EB GH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Gibson SG Custom EB GH

by Gibson
Lead Guitar Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Great for lead guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Gibson SG Custom EB GHElectric GuitarCustom ShopBody: Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)Neck: Mahogany (Swietenia...

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 459716
$4,728
Buy at Thomann View Details
Duesenberg Falken Tremolo Silver - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Duesenberg Falken Tremolo Silver

by Duesenberg
Rock Metal Technical Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • Complex electronics in some models

Duesenberg Falken Tremolo SilverElectric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodDuesenberg Wings...

⭐ 4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 587776
$3,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG Supreme Wine Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Gibson SG Supreme Wine Red

by Gibson
Lead Guitar Technical Playing Fusion
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May lack some single-cut warmth
  • • Complex electronics in some models

Gibson SG Supreme Wine RedElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Grained AAA flamed mapleMahogany neckFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 569740
$3,179
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG Standard ´64 Maestro CH VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Gibson SG Standard ´64 Maestro CH VOS

by Gibson
Metal Rock Technical Playing
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Weight distribution varies

Gibson SG Standard ´64 Maestro CH VOSElectric GuitarCustom Shop ModelVOS - Vintage Original SpecificationsOne-piece...

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 459362
$4,520
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG Modern TBF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gibson SG Modern TBF

by Gibson
Technical Playing Fusion Lead Guitar
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Great for lead guitar work
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Complex electronics in some models
  • • Can be more expensive

Gibson SG Modern TBFElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla - origin: India/ Indonesia)Top: AA Flamed...

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 462528
$2,353
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG ´63 Special LightningBarULA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson SG ´63 Special LightningBarULA

by Gibson
Jazz Fusion Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Great for lead guitar work
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Complex electronics in some models
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Gibson SG ´63 Special LightningBarULAElectric GuitarMurphy Lab Custom Shop ModelOne-piece mahogany neckMahogany...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 549925
$4,949
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha Revstar RSP02T Sunset Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha Revstar RSP02T Sunset Burst

by Yamaha
Fusion Metal Jazz
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Great for lead guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • May lack some single-cut warmth
  • • Can be more expensive

Yamaha Revstar RSP02T Sunset BurstElectric GuitarProfessional SeriesChambered mahogany body with carbon fibre...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 539424
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG 61 Standard Maestro VC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Gibson SG 61 Standard Maestro VC

by Gibson
Fusion Metal Lead Guitar
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • May lack some single-cut warmth
  • • Can be more expensive

Gibson SG 61 Standard Maestro VCElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Slim...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 462534
$2,221
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG Standard '61 Faded Maestro - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gibson SG Standard '61 Faded Maestro

by Gibson
Fusion Lead Guitar Jazz
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Weight distribution varies

Gibson SG Standard '61 Faded MaestroElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodTrapezoid...

⭐ 4.4/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 546653
$2,034
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Double Cut Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced double cut guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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