AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars 2026

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

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 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 OSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Heritage Guitar H-150 OSB

by Heritage Guitar
Hard Rock Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Higher price point typically

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

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 447317
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 VCSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Heritage Guitar H-150 VCSB

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

Heritage Guitar H-150 ACSBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleSet-in neck: MahoganyFretboard: Rosewood...

⭐ 4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 384750
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton L7V TS New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Solar Guitars GC1.6NC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Solar Guitars GC1.6NC

by Solar Guitars
Rock Metal Blues
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Solar Guitars GC1.6NC FTBElectric GuitarNocturno Culto (Darkthrone) Signature ModelBody: AlderSet-in neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 553961
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars GC1.6GK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Solar Guitars GC1.6GK

by Solar Guitars
Metal Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Solar Guitars GC1.6GKElectric GuitarDeveloped in collaboration with the Greek guitarist George Kapa (Six For Nine)Body:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598845
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Metal Hard Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 522887
$380
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Heritage Guitar H-150 Ebony

by Heritage Guitar
Hard Rock Blues Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Heritage Guitar H-150 EbonyElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleGlued neck: MahoganyFretboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 498424
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Assault Figured Magenta - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Kramer Guitars Assault Figured Magenta

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

Kramer Guitars Assault Figured MagentaElectricc GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: AAA flamed mapleSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606355
$901
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Vintage SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Vintage SB

by DAngelico
Jazz Blues Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Vintage SBElectric GuitarAlder topback and sides3-Strip maple/walnut/maple neck with satin...

⭐ 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 514522
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton I5T Candy Apple Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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 Agufish STD Signature BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton Agufish STD Signature BK

by Harley Benton
Blues Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton Agufish STD Signature BKElectric GuitarHunter Engel "Agufish" Signature ModelWeight reduced...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 575587
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II BCF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton SC-550 II BCF

by Harley Benton
Hard Rock Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-550 II BCFElectric GuitarDeluxe SeriesChambered body: MerantiArched top: AAAA flamed mapleGlued-in...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 521050
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S Bundle

by Harley Benton
Blues Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HB-80R Celestion*Combo Amplifier...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 371455
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB Bigsby - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Larry Carlton L7 Skyburst Sparkle New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Larry Carlton L7 Skyburst Sparkle New Gen

by Larry Carlton
Jazz Metal Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Larry Carlton L7 Skyburst Sparkle New GenElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 611210
$824
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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