AudioFu Chart · October 2026
Best Lefthanded Guitars for Beginner 2026
The top pick is Harley Benton ST-20LH SB ($100). Harley Benton JA-60LH SB Vintage Series leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 149 models across 22 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyPoplar body
This lefty Harley Benton ST-20LH SB is an absolute steal. It’s a solid starter guitar or a fun, affordable project instrument—the build quality is surprisingly good for the price. If you're a left-handed player looking for a classic Strat vibe without spending a fortune, this is a great option.
Pros
- Poplar body provides a surprisingly resonant and balanced tonal foundation.
- Modern C neck profile is comfortable and fast for a wide range of playing styles.
- Roseacer fretboard offers a smooth playing experience with good durability.
Cons
- Synchronized tremolo system can feel a bit 'floaty' and requires careful setup.
- ST-style single coils lack the nuanced complexity of higher-end pickups.
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- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyPoplar body
This is a solid left-handed guitar for players who need a reliable workhorse without breaking the bank. The poplar body and maple neck give it a classic feel, while the dual action truss rod makes maintenance simple. It suits beginners and pros alike who want a straightforward instrument with standard single-coil tones.
Pros
- Left-handed design for righty players playing backwards
- Affordable price point for budget-conscious musicians
- Modern C neck profile offers comfortable playability
Cons
- Single coil pickups prone to magnetic interference
- No bridge or weight specifications provided in text
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- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale565 mm (22.24")
- Frets24 frets
- BodyPoplar body
This lefty RG-Junior is a seriously impressive value. It's perfect for younger players, beginners, or anyone wanting a hard-hitting rock tone on a budget. The shorter scale makes it comfortable, and those humbuckers pack a surprising punch for the price.
Pros
- Poplar body provides a surprisingly resonant and balanced tonal foundation.
- Maple neck offers a snappy feel and good sustain, typical of bolt-on construction.
- Dual humbuckers deliver a thick, aggressive sound suitable for rock and metal.
Cons
- Roseacer fretboard can feel a bit 'slick' for some players, requiring a break-in or alternative finish.
- 3/4 scale length limits low-end response and may feel cramped for larger hands.
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- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius350 mm (13.78")
- Neck profileC-shape neck
This lefty SC-400 is a seriously impressive value. It nails that classic, slightly scooped rock tone, and the build quality is surprisingly good for the price point. Ideal for players wanting a vintage vibe without the vintage price tag – especially good for classic rock, blues, and some heavier styles.
Pros
- Solid poplar body provides a surprisingly resonant and balanced tone
- Maple neck with a comfortable 'C' profile enhances playability
- Classic Open humbuckers deliver a warm, vintage-inspired rock sound
Cons
- Poplar body can be slightly prone to finish checking with age
- Roseacer fingerboard might feel a touch less refined than ebony or maple
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$156 now$156€139 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets21 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- BodyBasswood body
This lefty Harley Benton is a real steal for players craving a classic Tele vibe. The Roswell pickups are a standout, providing a surprisingly vintage-voiced tone. It’s a fantastic starting point for beginners or a fun, budget-friendly option for experienced players wanting a quirky, reliable instrument.
Pros
- Roswell pickups deliver surprisingly articulate and warm vintage-voiced tones.
- Caramelized maple neck offers a smooth, fast feel with a subtle sweetness.
- Bolt-on construction provides a bright, snappy response and easy adjustability.
Cons
- Basswood body lacks the sustain and resonance of more premium tonewoods.
- Bolt-on neck can sound less 'integrated' compared to set-neck designs.
60AudioFu
Index↓ 6.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$179 · Aug 17$168 now$168€149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- Frets24 frets
- Neck profileC-shape neck
- BodyBasswood body
This lefty DC-580 is a seriously impressive package for the price. The vintage vibe and humbucker tone make it a great choice for rock, blues, and classic hard rock players who want a solid, playable instrument without spending a fortune. It’s a real workhorse guitar for the budget-conscious player.
Pros
- Basswood body delivers surprisingly warm, resonant low-mids.
- Canadian maple neck provides stability and a comfortable, familiar C profile.
- Vintage-style humbuckers offer a thick, crunchy tone suitable for rock.
Cons
- Basswood can feel a bit 'soft' under a heavy pick, lacks premium sustain.
- Cherry high-gloss finish, while attractive, is prone to fingerprints and scratches.
53AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$156 now$156€139 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets21 frets
- Neck profileC-shape neck
- BodyBasswood body
This lefty Harley Benton is a seriously cool vintage-inspired machine. Those P90s deliver a raw, bluesy growl, and the bolt-on neck makes it comfortable to play for hours. It's a fantastic option for players wanting that classic P90 vibe without spending a fortune.
Pros
- Basswood body delivers a warm, resonant, and surprisingly balanced tone
- Roswell P90s provide that classic, gritty vintage tone with plenty of character
- Bolt-on neck with caramel maple offers a comfortable, familiar feel and easy playability
Cons
- Fixed bridge limits tremolo/vibrato capabilities and future upgrade options
- Basswood, while warm, lacks the sustain and punch of mahogany or ash
58AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$179 now$179€159 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- Neck profileC-shape neck
This left-handed Harley Benton ST-62CC is a seriously impressive value. The caramelized neck feels fantastic, and the Roswell pickups offer a surprisingly authentic vintage Strat tone – bright, snappy, and ready for classic rock or blues. It's an ideal instrument for beginner to intermediate players seeking a quality feel and vintage vibe on a budget.
Pros
- Caramelized maple neck and fretboard offer surprisingly smooth playability and feel.
- Roswell STA pickups deliver a surprisingly articulate and vintage-voiced single-coil tone.
- Bolt-on neck construction provides a bright, snappy response characteristic of vintage Strats.
Cons
- Basswood body, while lightweight, lacks the sustain and resonance of more premium woods.
- Synchronized tremolo system can feel a bit 'budget' and might require tweaking for stability.
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$179 now$179€159 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius350 mm (13.78")
- BodyPoplar body
This guitar is perfect for left-handed players who want built-in effects without buying a separate unit. The modern C neck feels easy to hold, and the affordable price keeps it accessible. Just note that some specs like the bridge and weight aren't listed, so check the full manual before buying.
Pros
- Built for left-handed players with standard righty specs
- Includes built-in multi-effects unit with five modes
- Modern C neck profile offers comfortable playability
Cons
- Lacks a bridge specification in the provided details
- Roseacer fingerboard material may vary in quality
46AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$156 now$156€139 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyBasswood body
This lefty TE-40 LH TBK is a seriously impressive value. The ash top gives it a touch of class, while the Roswell pickups deliver a surprisingly warm and powerful tone perfect for rock, blues, and even some heavier styles. It’s a fantastic entry point for left-handed players or anyone on a tight budget wanting a quality instrument.
Pros
- Ash top adds visual flair and subtle resonance
- Roswell HAF pickups deliver surprisingly thick, warm tones
- Bolt-on neck provides snappy attack and easy playability
Cons
- Basswood body can feel a bit lifeless compared to mahogany
- Pau Ferro fretboard might require a bit of initial seasoning
49AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$168 now$168€149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 149 lefthanded guitars
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Harley Benton Extreme-76LH BKHarley Benton48Stable$168€149$168€149Check ↗
- 12
Harley Benton TE-52 NA LH Vintage SeriesHarley Benton · 3 finishes51Stable$179€159$179€159Check ↗
- 13
Harley Benton ST-LH DIY-KITHarley Benton29Stable$100€89$100€89Check ↗
- 14
Harley Benton TE-LH KITHarley Benton27Stable$100€89$100€89Check ↗
- 15
Harley Benton Extreme-76LH BK w/BagHarley Benton48Stable$179€159$179€159Check ↗
- 16
Harley Benton MS-60LH VW Vintage SeriesHarley Benton · 4 finishes51Stable$190€169$190€169Check ↗
- 17
Harley Benton R-446LH Graphite MetallicHarley Benton · 2 finishes47Stable$179€159$179€159Check ↗
- 18
Harley Benton ST-Modern MN HSS LH SPHarley Benton · 3 finishes49Stable$201€179$201€179Check ↗
- 19
Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MultiScaleHarley Benton · 3 finishes54Stable$224€199$224€199Check ↗
- 20
Harley Benton TE-90FLT LH VW Deluxe SeriesHarley Benton · 4 finishes51Stable$224€199$224€199Check ↗
- 21
Harley Benton SC-1000LH SBK Progressive LineHarley Benton · 2 finishes47Stable$224€199$224€199Check ↗
- 22
Ibanez GRX70QA GioGRX70QAL-TBB GIO · Ibanez57Stable$268€238$268€238Check ↗
- 23
Harley Benton JA-Baritone LH BKHarley Benton46Stable$235€209$235€209Check ↗
- 24
Yamaha PAC112VM Pacifica HSSPacifica 112JL BL · Yamaha · 2 finishes49Stable$246€219$246€219Check ↗
- 25
Squier Sonic Strat MN LH BlackSquier34↑ 4.7%$199€177$199€177Check ↗
- 26
Harley Benton Extreme-76LH BK BundleHarley Benton29Stable$186€165$186€165Check ↗
- 27
Ibanez GRG121DX GioGRG121DXL-WNF · Ibanez50Stable$266€236$266€236Check ↗
- 28
Harley Benton RG-Junior BK LH JamPack BundleHarley Benton26↑ 5.6%$213€189$213€189Check ↗
- 29
Harley Benton SC-450PlusLH GT Vintage BundleHarley Benton30Stable$253€225$253€225Check ↗
- 30
Fender Player II TelecasterPlayer II Tele LH RW CGR · Fender · 3 finishes81↓ 7.0%$899€799$899€799Check ↗
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Fender Player II StratocasterPlayer II Strat LH RW PWT · Fender · 3 finishes78↓ 2.4%$899€799$899€799Check ↗
- 32
Gibson Les Paul Standard '50sLes Paul Standard 50s HCS LH · Gibson · 2 finishes66Stable$3,037€2,699$3,037€2,699Check ↗
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Ibanez RG550 Genesis CollectionRG550L-DY · Ibanez64Stable$1,203€1,069$1,203€1,069Check ↗
- 34
Gibson SG StandardSG Standard HC LH · Gibson · 2 finishes64↓ 10.3%$1,664€1,479$1,664€1,479Check ↗
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Fender American Ultra II StratocasterAm Ultra II Strat LH EB TXT · Fender · 2 finishes63↑ 5.3%$2,700€2,399$2,700€2,399Check ↗
- 36
PRS SE Custom 24 Electric GuitarSE Custom 24 BG LH · PRS61↓ 11.1%$950€844$950€844Check ↗
- 37
Sire Larry Carlton L7L7 New Gen Amber Burst LH · Larry Carlton · 4 finishes60↓ 4.1%$787€699$787€699Check ↗
- 38
Gibson Les Paul Custom "Norlin Era" Electric Guitar 1970 - 1985Les Paul Custom EB LH · Gibson59Stable$5,624€4,998$5,624€4,998Check ↗
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Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple BurstHarley Benton · 6 finishes58Stable$303€269$303€269Check ↗
- 40
Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH LH RW QDGHarley Benton · 8 finishes58↓ 4.0%$539€479$539€479Check ↗
- 41
Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH SPHarley Benton · 7 finishes57Stable$393€349$393€349Check ↗
- 42
Epiphone SG Tribute PlusSG Tribute Plus VS LH · Epiphone · 3 finishes56↓ 9.0%$388€345$388€345Check ↗
- 43
Epiphone Les Paul Tribute PlusLes Paul Tribute Plus HCS LH · Epiphone · 3 finishes55Stable$426€379$426€379Check ↗
- 44
Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH LH RW SGDHarley Benton · 5 finishes55Stable$505€449$505€449Check ↗
- 45
Schecter C-6 DeluxeC-6 Deluxe LH SB · Schecter55Stable$562€499$562€499Check ↗
- 46
Yamaha Revstar II Standard RSS20Revstar RSS20 Lefthand Black · Yamaha54Stable$874€777$874€777Check ↗
- 47
Ibanez RGA42AHRGA42FML-BLF · Ibanez53↓ 8.4%$494€439$494€439Check ↗
- 48
Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block Double-Cut with V-StoptailG2622 Streamliner GM LH · Gretsch53Stable$652€579$652€579Check ↗
- 49
Epiphone SG CustomSG Custom EB LH · Epiphone53Stable$719€639$719€639Check ↗
- 50
Schecter Omen Extreme-6Omen Extreme 6 BCH LH · Schecter53Stable$730€649$730€649Check ↗
Lefthanded Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 249 models we track, not a sample.
Median $539 — half of all lefthanded guitars here cost less.
median of 231 models · 41.3 mm (1.63")–48 mm (1.89")
median of 231 models · 628 mm (24.72")–648 mm (25.51")
median of 141 models · 21–24
most common · 197 models
How to choose the best lefthanded guitars
Neck Profile
This is HUGE for beginners. A thin, easy-to-grip neck like a 'C' shape will be far more forgiving than a chunky vintage profile. You want something that allows your hand to move freely without fatigue.
Action & Setup
A high action (string height) makes barre chords a nightmare. A proper setup - low action, intonation dialed in - is absolutely crucial for a beginner to develop good technique and avoid frustration. Budget for a setup if it isn't done well at the factory.
Pickup Voicing
Bright, ice-picky pickups can be fatiguing and make it hard to hear what you're playing. Look for something balanced - a little warmth in the low-mids, decent clarity in the highs, but not overly aggressive. It's easier to add distortion later than to remove harshness.
Body Wood & Construction
Don't get hung up on exotic woods at this stage. A mahogany body will generally give you a warmer, more resonant tone, while alder tends to be brighter and more versatile. Bolt-on necks are common on beginner guitars and perfectly serviceable, but a set-neck (though less common on budget left-handed guitars) can offer a bit more sustain.
Hardware Quality
Cheap tuners will have you constantly retuning, and a flimsy bridge will impact sustain and intonation. It's a trade-off - you're not going to get boutique hardware on a budget guitar, but look for something that feels solid and functional.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're left-handed and just starting out? Fantastic! Finding a good lefty guitar shouldn't be a headache, but the selection is understandably smaller, and you need something that'll actually be fun to learn on. A poorly set-up guitar will kill your motivation faster than a dropped power chord. We're focusing on instruments that prioritize playability and won't break the bank while you're figuring out where that sweet spot between a bluesy growl and a clean chime actually lives.
Honestly, a guitar that's well-set up is more important than the brand name. Don't be afraid to buy used - you can often get a much better instrument for the same price. Pay attention to the neck - look for straightness and minimal fret buzz.
And seriously, budget for a professional setup; it's the best money you'll spend.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 249 lefthanded guitars from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are all left-handed guitars just flipped right-handed guitars?
Not quite. While the body shape is mirrored, electronics and pickup placement can sometimes be different to maintain balance and tone. Also, the neck inlays are reversed.
What's the best brand for lefty beginner guitars?
Squier (by Fender) and Epiphone (by Gibson) consistently offer good value and decent quality. Yamaha also makes some solid, reliable options.
Should I buy online or in a store?
Ideally, try before you buy. But if that's not possible, read reviews and check the return policy. Online retailers often have better prices, but a local shop can do a setup for you.
What's a 'setup' and why do I need one?
A setup involves adjusting the action, intonation, neck relief, and pickup height to optimize playability. It makes a huge difference in how easy the guitar is to play and how well it sounds.
Can I learn to play with a heavier guitar?
Sure, but it'll be harder. A lighter guitar is easier to hold and maneuver, especially when you're just starting out. It's less about the weight itself and more about how it affects your stamina and technique.
