Best Lefthanded Guitars Under $100 2026
Alright, lefty players on a serious budget, let's be real. Finding a decent left-handed guitar under $100 is a challenge, but not impossible. You're not going to get a vintage Les Paul vibe, but you can snag something playable for practice, learning, or just having around. We're focusing on bang-for-your-buck here - instruments that won't fall apart after a gig and offer a little bit of character.
Last updated: April 22, 2026 • Next update: April 29, 2026
Harley Benton ST-20LH SB
- • 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.
- • Die-cast tuners provide stable tuning and reliable performance for gigging.
- • Synchronized tremolo system can feel a bit 'floaty' and requires careful setup.
- • ST-style single coils lack the nuanced complexity of higher-end pickups.
- • High-gloss finish can be prone to fingerprints and requires diligent care.
Harley Benton TE-LH KIT
- • Rengas body offers a unique, resonant tone with a pleasing natural aesthetic.
- • Bolt-on maple neck provides a snappy, responsive feel ideal for energetic playing.
- • Amaranth fingerboard is durable and smooth, offering comfortable fretwork.
- • Complete kit allows for a rewarding DIY experience and personalized customization.
- • Assembly requires skill; not suitable for absolute beginners to guitar building.
- • Single coil pickups deliver a bright tone, limiting versatility for heavier genres.
- • Rengas wood color variation means the final finish can be unpredictable.
Harley Benton ST-20LH BK Standard Series
- • Poplar body provides a surprisingly resonant and balanced tonal foundation.
- • Modern C neck profile is comfortable for a wide range of playing styles.
- • Die-cast tuners offer stable tuning and reliable performance.
- • ST-style single coils deliver a bright, articulate tone suitable for many genres.
- • Synchronized tremolo system may require setup and careful use to avoid tuning instability.
- • Roseacer fretboard may exhibit minor fret sprout or buzzing initially.
- • Poplar body, while resonant, lacks the sustain of mahogany or alder.
Harley Benton ST-LH DIY-KIT
- • Rengas body offers a unique, resonant tone with a natural warmth.
- • Bolt-on maple neck provides a snappy feel and easy playability.
- • Amaranth fingerboard is durable and offers a smooth playing surface.
- • Complete kit allows for a rewarding, hands-on building experience.
- • Requires woodworking skills and finishing knowledge for proper assembly.
- • Ceramic pickups offer a bright, slightly harsh tone; limited tonal versatility.
- • Rengas wood coloration can vary significantly, impacting aesthetics.
Harley Benton RG-Junior BK LH
- • 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.
- • Die-cast tuners provide reliable tuning stability, a significant upgrade at this price point.
- • 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.
- • Hardware, while functional, feels budget-oriented and might benefit from future upgrades.
How to Choose the Best Lefthanded Guitars
Playability
The neck profile and action (string height) are crucial. A chunky neck or high action will make learning frustrating, and a poorly set up neck can kill sustain. We're looking for something reasonably comfortable to play, even if it needs a little tweaking.
Pickup Voicing
Don't expect boutique-level clarity or nuanced dynamics. These pickups will likely be generic, but we're assessing their tonal character - are they muddy, thin, or somewhere in the middle? A little bit of that raw, gritty breakup can be a plus.
Hardware Quality
Tuners, bridge, and pots are all potential weak points. Cheap tuners will have tuning stability issues, a flimsy bridge will affect sustain, and scratchy pots are just annoying. We're evaluating how well these components hold up to regular use.
Construction & Materials
We're not expecting mahogany and figured maple. These guitars will mostly be made from basswood or similar tonewoods. We're looking for solid construction and decent finishing - no obvious cracks or sharp fret edges.
Overall Versatility
Can it cover a few different genres? While a $100 guitar won't be a tone chameleon, we're looking for something that isn't completely useless for rock, blues, or even some clean rhythm work.
Buying Guide
At this price point, compromises are inevitable. Expect to spend some time adjusting the action and intonation. The pickups are likely the first thing you'll want to upgrade if you're serious about tone, and the stock tuners will probably need replacing if you want to stay in tune during a gig. Don't expect incredible sustain or a perfectly balanced frequency response - it's about getting a playable instrument for the money.
Our Methodology
We don't just look at specs on paper. We've spent countless hours playing these guitars, plugging them into various amps - from bedroom practice stacks to club rigs - and comparing them head-to-head. We're judging them on how they feel in the hand, how they sound in a band setting, and how reliably they'll perform under the stresses of gigging and recording.
