AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars 2026

Top-rated single cut guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 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 Blues For Jazz For Metal For Classic Rock For Hard Rock
BRANDS: Gibson ESP Harley Benton Epiphone Gretsch Larry Carlton Maybach Hagstrom PRS DAngelico Heritage Guitar Stanford Kramer Guitars
Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB

by Heritage Guitar
Metal Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Heritage Guitar H-150 DLBElectric GuitarSingle cutMahogany bodyMaple topSet-in mahogany neckRosewood fretboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 447318
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton L7V TS New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Larry Carlton L7V TS New Gen

by Larry Carlton
Jazz Classic Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Larry Carlton L7V TS New GenElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleBolt-on neck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyWhite...

⭐ 4.8/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 611211
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton L7 BK New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Larry Carlton L7 BK New Gen

by Larry Carlton
Blues Jazz Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Higher price point typically

Larry Carlton L7 BK New GenElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleBolt-on neck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyWhite...

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611204
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton L7 TBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Larry Carlton L7 TBL

by Larry Carlton
Jazz Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Larry Carlton L7 TBLElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany (Toona sureni)Top: Maple with flamed maple veneerGlued-in neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 487542
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton L3 P90 Black Satin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Larry Carlton L3 P90 Black Satin

by Larry Carlton
Hard Rock Classic Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Higher price point typically

Larry Carlton L3 P90 Black SatinElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingebroard: RosewoodWhite Pearloid...

⭐ 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 594131
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton L3 P90 Tobacco Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Larry Carlton L3 P90 Tobacco Sunburst

by Larry Carlton
Hard Rock Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Higher price point typically

Larry Carlton L3 P90 Tobacco SunburstElectric GuitarBody: : MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboar: RosewoodWhite...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 594125
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton I5T Candy Apple Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Larry Carlton I5T Candy Apple Red

by Larry Carlton
Classic Rock Metal Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Larry Carlton I5T Candy Apple RedElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack abalone block...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610950
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBK w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBK w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Metal Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Higher price point typically

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBK w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBK*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542130
$526
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton L7V GD Top - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Larry Carlton L7V GD Top

by Larry Carlton
Hard Rock Classic Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Larry Carlton L7V GD TopElectric GuitarMahogany bodyMaple topGlued-in mahogany neckEbony fingerboardTrapezoid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 536996
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Set

by Harley Benton
Classic Rock Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Higher price point typically

Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Line*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 533696
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB Bigsby - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB Bigsby

by Heritage Guitar
Jazz Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB BigsbyElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleCream...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619379
$2,859
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Assault Plus Bengal Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Kramer Guitars Assault Plus Bengal Burst

by Kramer Guitars
Rock Metal Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Kramer Guitars Assault Plus Bengal BurstElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606359
$857
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Blues Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 603124
$374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Custom III VBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton SC-Custom III VBK

by Harley Benton
Jazz Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Harley Benton SC-Custom III VBKElectric GuitarBody: MerantiSet-in neck: MerantiFingerboard: roasted jatobaWhite...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 570149
$373
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF

by Harley Benton
Rock Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Higher price point typically

Harley Benton SC-550 II FTFElectric GuitarDeluxe SeriesChambered body: MerantiArched top: AAA flamed mapleSet neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 521047
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Single 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 single 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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