AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Lefthanded Guitars Under $5,000 2026
The top pick is Fender Player II Stratocaster ($859). Harley Benton ST-20HSS LH SBK gives you the most for the money at $124. Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 134 models across 20 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Fender Player II Stratocaster
Player II Strat LH MN AQB · Fender
655 for sale on Reverb3 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius241 mm (9.49")
- BodyAlder body
You get a left-handed Strat with an alder body, a maple neck and three Alnico 5 single coil pickups, so it fits players who want the classic Strat layout. The modern C neck, 22 jumbo frets and 2-point tremolo make it a good pick if you like bending notes and playing a wide range of styles. Since the controls are simple, it suits you best if you want a straightforward guitar to learn on or play live.
Pros
- Alder body paired with a maple bolt-on neck and maple fingerboard
- Three Player Series Alnico 5 Strat single coil pickups with a 5-way switch
- Modern C neck profile with 22 medium jumbo frets and a 9.5 inch radius
Cons
- Single master volume and two tone controls limit independent adjustment
80AudioFu
Index↓ 6.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$914 · Aug 17$859 now$859€769 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Fender Player II Telecaster
Player II Tele LH MN 3TS · Fender
685 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius241 mm (9.49")
- BodyAlder body
You get a left-handed Telecaster style guitar with an alder body, a maple neck and fingerboard, and two Alnico 5 single coil pickups. It has a 25.5 inch scale, 22 Medium Jumbo frets, and a string-through-body bridge, so it suits you if you want a classic Tele layout and play left-handed. Keep in mind it has only one master volume and one master tone control.
Pros
- Alder body paired with a maple bolt-on neck and maple fingerboard
- Two Player Series Alnico 5 Tele single coil pickups with a 3-way switch
- Modern C neck profile with 22 Medium Jumbo frets for easy playing
Cons
- Only one master volume and one master tone control for shaping your sound
78AudioFu
Index↓ 7.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$903 · Aug 17$840 now$840€752 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s
Les Paul Standard 50s HCS LH · Gibson
437 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- BodyMahogany body
This is a left-handed Les Paul with a mahogany body, maple top, and two Burstbucker humbuckers, so you get the classic Les Paul build. It has a vintage '50s neck, a rosewood fretboard, and handwired electronics with Orange Drops capacitors. It suits a left-handed player who wants a traditional Les Paul, and a case comes with the guitar.
Pros
- Mahogany body with a maple top, a classic Les Paul combination
- Burstbucker #2 bridge and Burstbucker #1 neck humbucker pickups
- Vintage '50s neck profile with a 43 mm Graphtech nut
Cons
- Left-handed model, so it only suits left-handed players
66AudioFu
IndexStablesince Aug 17$3,013 · Aug 17$3,013 now$3,013€2,699 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets24 frets
- Fingerboard radius430 mm (16.93")
- BodyBasswood body
You get a left-handed electric guitar with a basswood body, a five-piece maple and walnut neck, and three pickups with a 5-way switch. It has an Edge tremolo, Gotoh machine heads, and 24 jumbo frets, so it suits you if you want plenty of pickup choices and a fast neck. It is made in Japan and comes in Desert Sun Yellow.
Pros
- Basswood body, a lightweight tonewood choice for long playing sessions
- Ibanez V7 and V8 humbuckers with an S1 single coil in the middle for varied tones
- Maple fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and a 430 mm radius for easy playing
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,194 now$1,194€1,069 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
You get a left-handed SG with a mahogany body and neck, a rosewood fretboard, and two pickups with their own volume and tone controls. It suits you if you play left-handed and want a classic electric guitar made in the USA. A soft shell case is included so you can carry it around.
Pros
- Mahogany body and neck give this SG a classic wood foundation made in the USA
- 490R neck and 490T bridge pickups cover the two main playing positions
- Rosewood fretboard with 22 cold-treated Medium frets and trapeze inlays
63AudioFu
Index↓ 10.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,841 · Aug 17$1,651 now$1,651€1,479 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster
Am Ultra II Strat LH EB TXT · Fender
196 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width42.8 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyAlder body
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a left-handed Strat with an alder body, a maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard, made in the USA. Its three noiseless single coil pickups, 5-way switch, and locking tuners suit you if you play left-handed and want a Strat with a tremolo that holds its tuning well. It comes with a deluxe moulded case, so you can take it to a gig or store it safely.
Pros
- Alder body and maple bolt-on neck, made in the USA
- Ebony fingerboard with 7 mm white pearloid dots and a 10 to 14 inch compound radius
- Three Ultra II Noiseless Vintage Strat single coil pickups with a 5-way switch
Cons
- Tone controls are two knobs only: one for neck and middle, one for bridge
63AudioFu
Index↓ 3.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$2,544 · Aug 17$2,455 now$2,455€2,199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale635 mm (25")
- Frets24 frets
- BodyMahogany body
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
If you play left-handed and want a guitar with a classic PRS look, this one is worth a look. It has a mahogany body, a flamed maple arched top, and a wide thin maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It also comes with a gig bag, which is handy if you carry your guitar to gigs or practice spaces.
Pros
- Mahogany body with a flamed maple arched top
- 85/15 S pickups in both the treble and bass positions
- Maple neck with a wide thin profile and rosewood fingerboard
Cons
- Left-handed model, so it only suits left-handed players
61AudioFu
Index↓ 11.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,060 · Aug 17$942 now$942€844 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Fingerboard radius350 mm (13.78")
- BodyBasswood body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
You get a left-handed electric guitar with a basswood body, a bolt-on maple neck, and three pickups you can switch between with a five-way switch. The synchronised tremolo lets you bend notes and change pitch with the bar, so it suits players who want that option. It is a good pick if you are left-handed and want a guitar with a bridge humbucker and two single coils to choose from.
Pros
- Basswood body, a lightweight wood used for many guitar bodies
- Humbucker at the bridge plus two single coils for three pickup sounds
- Five-way switch lets you pick between the three pickups easily
Cons
- Only one volume and two tone controls for all three pickups
60AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$124 now$124€111 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets21 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- BodyBasswood body
This is a left-handed electric guitar with a basswood body, a maple neck, and two single coil pickups. It suits you if you are a lefty who wants a simple guitar with a classic setup for practice and learning. The controls are simple, so you can focus on playing.
Pros
- Basswood body with a caramelised maple neck and maple fingerboard
- Two Roswell TEA-B and TEA-F-CR AlNiCo 5 single coil pickups
- Left-handed model with a 3-way switch and volume and tone controls
Cons
- Only one volume and one tone control for shaping your sound
60AudioFu
Index↓ 6.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$178 · Aug 17$166 now$166€149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Sire Larry Carlton L7
L7 New Gen Amber Burst LH · Larry Carlton
16 for sale on Reverb4 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale629 mm (24.76")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- Neck profileC-shape neck
You get a left-handed electric with a mahogany body, a flamed maple top, and two humbuckers at the neck and bridge. Push/pull tone controls let you split the coils, and the 3-way switch lets you pick between pickup settings. It suits a left-handed player who wants a guitar with a good set of controls to work with.
Pros
- Mahogany body and mahogany set neck give it a wood-based build
- Flamed maple top adds figure over the mahogany body
- Two LC Vintage-2 humbuckers at neck and bridge give you two pickup positions
Cons
- Left-handed model, so it only suits players who play left-handed
60AudioFu
Index↓ 4.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$814 · Aug 17$780 now$780€699 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 134 lefthanded guitars
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Harley Benton JA-60LH SB Vintage SeriesHarley Benton · 6 finishes58Stable$178€159$178€159Check ↗
- 12
Ibanez GRX70QA GioGRX70QAL-TBB GIO · Ibanez58Stable$266€238$266€238Check ↗
- 13
Harley Benton CST-24T LH Ocean FlameHarley Benton · 6 finishes58Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 14
Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH LH RW QDGHarley Benton · 8 finishes58↓ 4.0%$535€479$535€479Check ↗
- 15
Harley Benton SC-400LH SBK Classic SeriesHarley Benton · 5 finishes57Stable$155€139$155€139Check ↗
- 16
Harley Benton ST-62CC MN LH Seafoam GreenHarley Benton · 4 finishes57Stable$178€159$178€159Check ↗
- 17
Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS LH SPHarley Benton · 7 finishes57Stable$390€349$390€349Check ↗
- 18
Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MS w/CaseHarley Benton · 3 finishes56Stable$323€289$323€289Check ↗
- 19
Epiphone SG Tribute PlusSG Tribute Plus VS LH · Epiphone · 3 finishes56↓ 9.0%$385€345$385€345Check ↗
- 20
Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH LH RW SGDHarley Benton · 5 finishes55Stable$501€449$501€449Check ↗
- 21
Schecter C-6 DeluxeC-6 Deluxe LH SB · Schecter55Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 22
Epiphone Les Paul Tribute PlusLes Paul Tribute Plus EB LH · Epiphone · 3 finishes54Stable$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 23
Yamaha Revstar II Standard RSS20Revstar RSS20 Lefthand Black · Yamaha54Stable$868€777$868€777Check ↗
- 24
Harley Benton TE-20HH LH SBKHarley Benton · 4 finishes53Stable$124€111$124€111Check ↗
- 25
Harley Benton DC-580LH CH Vintage SeriesHarley Benton · 4 finishes53Stable$155€139$155€139Check ↗
- 26
Jackson JS Series JS32Q DKA HT Dinky Archtop with Amaranth FretboardJS32-L Rhoads AH SG · Jackson · 2 finishes53↓ 3.4%$385€345$385€345Check ↗
- 27
Ibanez RGA42AHRGA42FML-BLF · Ibanez53↓ 8.4%$490€439$490€439Check ↗
- 28
Epiphone SG CustomSG Custom EB LH · Epiphone53Stable$713€639$713€639Check ↗
- 29
Gibson SG Standard '61 With Stop Bar TailpieceSG ´61 Standard VC LH · Gibson53Stable$2,120€1,899$2,120€1,899Check ↗
- 30
Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s Plain TopLes Paul Standard 60s IT LH · Gibson · 2 finishes53Stable$3,069€2,749$3,069€2,749Check ↗
- 31
Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FBBHarley Benton52↓ 14.3%$334€299$334€299Check ↗
- 32
Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block Double-Cut with V-StoptailG2622 Streamliner GM LH · Gretsch52Stable$646€579$646€579Check ↗
- 33
Schecter Omen Extreme-6Omen Extreme 6 BCH LH · Schecter52Stable$725€649$725€649Check ↗
- 34
Gibson SG ModernSG Modern BBF LH · Gibson · 2 finishes52Stable$2,232€1,999$2,232€1,999Check ↗
- 35
Harley Benton TE-52 NA LH Vintage SeriesHarley Benton · 3 finishes51Stable$178€159$178€159Check ↗
- 36
Harley Benton MS-60LH VW Vintage SeriesHarley Benton · 4 finishes51Stable$189€169$189€169Check ↗
- 37
Harley Benton TE-90FLT LH VW Deluxe SeriesHarley Benton · 4 finishes51Stable$222€199$222€199Check ↗
- 38
Harley Benton HB-35Plus LH Cherry w/BagHarley Benton · 2 finishes51Stable$289€259$289€259Check ↗
- 39
Larry Carlton Q7 Tobacco Sunburst LHLarry Carlton51↓ 11.8%$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 40
Larry Carlton T7 BK New Gen LHLarry Carlton · 3 finishes51Stable$769€689$769€689Check ↗
- 41
Schecter Omen Elite-7Omen Elite-7 MS BL Cherry LH · Schecter51Stable$970€869$970€869Check ↗
- 42
Fender MIJ Trad 60s Strat LH RW OWTFender · 4 finishes51↓ 1.3%$1,651€1,479$1,651€1,479Check ↗
- 43
Gibson Slash Collection Les Paul StandardLes Paul Slash Standard GT LH · Gibson51Stable$3,237€2,899$3,237€2,899Check ↗
- 44
Ibanez GRG121DX GioGRG121DXL-WNF · Ibanez50Stable$263€236$263€236Check ↗
- 45
Yamaha PAC112VM Pacifica HSSPacifica 112JL YNS · Yamaha · 2 finishes50↓ 1.1%$297€266$297€266Check ↗
- 46
Ibanez AZ2402 PrestigeAZ2402L-TFF Prestige · Ibanez50Stable$2,344€2,099$2,344€2,099Check ↗
- 47
Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS LH LPBHarley Benton · 3 finishes49Stable$200€179$200€179Check ↗
- 48
Jackson JS Series Surfcaster JS22 HTJS22-L Dinky BLK · Jackson49Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 49
Harley Benton SC-550LH II PAFHarley Benton · 2 finishes49Stable$356€319$356€319Check ↗
- 50
Larry Carlton H7V VS LHLarry Carlton · 2 finishes49↓ 9.3%$668€598$668€598Check ↗
Lefthanded Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 229 models we track, not a sample.
Median $490 — half of all lefthanded guitars here cost less.
median of 216 models · 41.3 mm (1.63")–48 mm (1.89")
median of 215 models · 628 mm (24.72")–648 mm (25.51")
median of 125 models · 21–24
most common · 185 models
How to choose the best lefthanded guitars
Neck Profile
This is your handshake with the guitar. A comfortable neck is everything for long gigs or tracking sessions. Thick C profiles are classic, but a slimmer D or even an asymmetrical neck can be a game changer depending on your playing style. Don't compromise here.
Pickup Voicing
Cheap pickups often sound brittle and lack sustain. You're not going to get boutique-level clarity under $5000, but you can find pickups with a usable, balanced tone - something that doesn't sound anemic or ice-picky. Think about what genres you play and match the pickups accordingly.
Hardware Quality
Tuners, bridges, and nut material all affect tuning stability and sustain. Cheap hardware will let you down on stage, constantly needing retuning. Look for locking tuners and a solid bridge - even basic versions make a big difference.
Body Wood & Construction
Mahogany offers warmth and sustain, alder is balanced, and ash can have a nice bite. Bolt-on necks are common at this price point, which isn't inherently bad, but expect a little less resonance than a set neck. Construction quality - tight fretwork, clean finish - is key.
Fretwork & Setup
This is often overlooked. Even a great guitar can be unplayable with poorly installed frets. Check for sharp edges, unevenness, and buzzing. A professional setup is almost always worth the investment, regardless of the guitar's price.
Buying guide
Finding a good lefty guitar that won't make your bank account weep is a real challenge. You want something that feels good, sounds decent through a gigging amp, and won't fall apart after a few months on the road. Forget those impulse buys - let's talk about getting the most bang for your buck in the sub-$5000 lefty range, because yeah, good gear exists down here, you just gotta know where to look.
At this budget, you're trading off somewhere. Expect some compromises on hardware or finish compared to guitars costing twice as much. Don't chase aesthetics - prioritize playability and tone.
A good fret job and a proper setup from a qualified tech can elevate a decent guitar to something truly enjoyable. Don't be afraid to buy used - you can often snag a higher-end model for a great price.
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 229 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-mahogany guitars always warm and muddy?
Not necessarily. Mahogany's warmth can be balanced with brighter pickups and a lighter gauge string set. It's about the overall voicing, not just the wood itself. A poorly voiced humbucker in a mahogany body will sound muddy, though.
What's the deal with roasted necks?
Roasted (torrefied) necks are kiln-dried at high temperatures, which supposedly stabilizes them and improves resonance. The effect is subtle, but many players find them more comfortable and stable, especially in changing climates. It's a nice-to-have, not a necessity.
Is a bolt-on neck 'inferior' to a set neck?
Not always. Bolt-on necks are generally easier and cheaper to manufacture. A well-made bolt-on neck can still feel and sound great, though you might lose a bit of sustain and resonance compared to a set neck. It's more about the overall build quality.
I'm a beginner, should I just get the cheapest lefty guitar I can find?
Absolutely not. A cheap, uncomfortable guitar will discourage you from practicing. Invest in something that feels good and inspires you to play. It doesn't need to be fancy, but it should be playable.
What's the best way to tell if a used guitar is worth buying?
Check the neck for excessive bowing or twisting. Examine the frets for wear. Plug it in and listen for any crackling or hum. And most importantly, play it! Does it feel good in your hands and inspire you?
