AudioFu

Best Double Cut Guitars Under $5,000 2026

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

Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 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 HH Cherry - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Music Man Valentine HH Cherry

by Music Man
Fusion Lead Guitar Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May lack some single-cut warmth
  • • Can be more expensive

Music Man Valentine HH CherryElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: Roasted flamed mapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605717
$3,519
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Albatroz 65-2 PAF TV Yellow - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Maybach Albatroz 65-2 PAF TV Yellow

by Maybach
Metal Technical Playing Lead Guitar
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Great for lead guitar work
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Can be more expensive
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Maybach Albatroz 65-2 PAF TV YellowElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFretboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 433158
$2,441
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha Revstar RSP20X R. Br. Charcoal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Yamaha Revstar RSP20X R. Br. Charcoal

by Yamaha
Lead Guitar Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Weight distribution varies
  • • May lack some single-cut warmth

Yamaha Revstar RSP20X R. Br. CharcoalElectric GuitarProfessional SeriesChambered mahogany body with carbon fibre...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 539406
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS S2 McCarty594 Thinline MTS '24 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

PRS S2 McCarty594 Thinline MTS '24

by PRS
Rock Fusion Technical Playing
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Weight distribution varies
  • • Complex electronics in some models

PRS S2 McCarty594 Thinline MTS '24Electric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyNeck binding: Faux...

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 590287
$2,639
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG ´63 Special LightningBarULA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Maybach Lester Jr '59 Double Cut SP AW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Maybach Lester Jr '59 Double Cut SP AW

by Maybach
Jazz Fusion Metal
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
  • • Great for lead guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Can be more expensive

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

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 607213
$2,419
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG ´61 Standard TT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Gibson SG ´61 Standard TT

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

Gibson SG ´61 Standard TTElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodTrapeze fingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 583959
$2,010
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS CE 24 Fire Red Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

PRS CE 24 Fire Red Burst

by PRS
Technical Playing Lead Guitar Jazz
Key Feature:
• Comfortable playing position
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Complex electronics in some models

PRS CE 24 Fire Red BurstElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyArched top: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601862
$3,134
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Lester Jr '59 Double Cut SP VW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
ESP LTD Volsung Oxblood Satin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

ESP LTD Volsung Oxblood Satin

by ESP
Technical Playing Rock Lead Guitar
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Complex electronics in some models
  • • May not suit all musical styles

ESP LTD Volsung Oxblood SatinElectric GuitarLars Frederiksen (Rancid) Signature ModelBody: MahoganyThree-pieceset-in...

⭐ 4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584661
$2,058
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson LP Junior 58 Doublecut TVY VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gibson LP Junior 58 Doublecut TVY VOS

by Gibson
Fusion Lead Guitar Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Balanced tone and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • May lack some single-cut warmth

Gibson LP Junior 58 Doublecut TVY VOSElectric GuitarModel: Les Paul 1958 Custom ShopBody: mahogany (Swietenia...

⭐ 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 459249
$4,399
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG ´63 Sp Lightning Bar VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson SG ´63 Sp Lightning Bar VOS

by Gibson
Technical Playing Metal Lead Guitar
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations
  • • Great for lead guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Complex electronics in some models
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Gibson SG ´63 Special LightningBarVOSElectric GuitarCustom Shop ModelVOS - Vintage Original SpecificationsOne-piece...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 523029
$3,849
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS CE 24 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

PRS CE 24 Black

by PRS
Lead Guitar Rock Technical Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Comfortable playing position
✗ CONS
  • • Complex electronics in some models
  • • May not suit all musical styles

PRS CE 24 BlackElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyArched top: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleMaple headstock with PRS...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 527143
$2,858
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson LP Junior 58 DC TVY VOS LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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 LP Junior 58 Doublecut CR VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gibson LP Junior 58 Doublecut CR VOS

by Gibson
Technical Playing Jazz Lead Guitar
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable playing position
  • • Great for lead guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Complex electronics in some models
  • • Weight distribution varies

Gibson LP Junior 58 Doublecut CR VOSElectric GuitarModel: Custom ShopBody: mahoganyNeck: mahoganyFretboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 459247
$4,069
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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