AudioFu

Best ESP Single Cut Guitars 2025

Premium ESP single cut guitars - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

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 Harley Benton ESP Epiphone Gretsch Larry Carlton Maybach Hagstrom PRS DAngelico Stanford Heritage Guitar Kramer Guitars
ESP LTD EC-01 FT Vintage Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

ESP LTD EC-01 FT Vintage Burst

by ESP
Classic Rock Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

ESP LTD EC-01 FT Vintage BurstElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany3-Piece neck-thru-body: MahoganyFingerboard: Macassar...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584612
$1,242
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP E-II RZK-II Fluence - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

ESP E-II RZK-II Fluence

by ESP
Metal Classic Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

ESP E-II RZK-II FluenceElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck: 3-Piece mapleConstruction: Neck-ThruNeck Profile: Thin...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 565408
$3,729
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP E-II Eclipse See Thru BKCSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

ESP E-II Eclipse See Thru BKCSB

by ESP
Classic Rock Hard Rock Rock
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

ESP E-II Eclipse See Thru BKCSBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted MapleNeck: MahoganyConstruction: Set-ThruNeck...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 565379
$3,519
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM VGS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM VGS

by ESP
Rock Hard Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM VGSElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck-through-body neck: MahoganyFingerboard: Macassar...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 535868
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Eclipse FM SD STBLKCSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

ESP Eclipse FM SD STBLKCSB

by ESP
Jazz Classic Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Higher price point typically

ESP Eclipse FM SD STBLKCSBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed maple3-Piece set-in neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 602890
$6,159
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-01 FT Olympic White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

ESP LTD EC-01 FT Olympic White

by ESP
Hard Rock Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

ESP LTD EC-01 FT Olympic WhiteElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany3-Piece neck-thru-body: MahoganyFingerboard: Macassar...

⭐ 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584610
$1,275
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-2025 50TH Anniv MG ltd - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

ESP LTD EC-2025 50TH Anniv MG ltd

by ESP
Hard Rock Metal Blues
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

ESP LTD EC-2025 50TH Anniv MG ltdElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile: Thin...

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608682
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Eclipse USA Raspberry - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

ESP Eclipse USA Raspberry

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

ESP Eclipse USA RaspberryElectric GuitarESP Custom Shop USABody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614987
$7,149
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM FM VS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM FM VS

by ESP
Metal Hard Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM FM VSElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleNeck-through: MahoganyFretboard: Macassar...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 535861
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin Bundle

by ESP
Metal Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Higher price point typically

ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin*Electric Guitar*Body:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 520672
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Eclipse USA Aqua Marine SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

ESP Eclipse USA Aqua Marine SB

by ESP
Metal Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

ESP Eclipse USA Aqua Marine SunburstElectric GuitarESP Custom Shop USAMahogany Body and NeckMaple TopEbony...

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614986
$6,599
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-200DX CHB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

ESP LTD EC-200DX CHB

by ESP
Hard Rock Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

ESP LTD EC-200DX CHBElectric GuitarBody: PoplarTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 593613
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Eclipse Custom Tiger Eye SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

ESP Eclipse Custom Tiger Eye SB

by ESP
Metal Hard Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

ESP Eclipse Custom Tiger Eye SBElectric GuitarESP Custom Shop JapanBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614980
$8,799
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Eclipse Custom SLMB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

ESP Eclipse Custom SLMB

by ESP
Blues Jazz Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

ESP Eclipse Custom SLMBElectric GuitarHandmade custom shop modelBody: Honduras MahoganyTop: MapleSet-in neck: Honduras...

⭐ 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603114
$7,479
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-200DX BLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

ESP LTD EC-200DX BLB

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

ESP LTD EC-200DX BLBElectric GuitarBody: PoplarTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 593614
$514
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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