Best Single Cut Guitars Under $1,000 2026

Affordable single cut guitars under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality

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

Kramer Guitars Assault Figured Magenta - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Kramer Guitars Assault Figured Magenta

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
Kramer Guitars Assault Plus Bengal Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Kramer Guitars Assault Plus Bengal Burst

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
Solar Guitars GC2.6BOP+ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Solar Guitars GC2.6BOP+

Classic Rock Hard Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Solar Guitars GC2.6BOP+Electric GuitarBody: SungkaiSet-in neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted mapleSolar logo...

4.5/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Larry Carlton L7 BK New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Larry Carlton L7 BK New Gen

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
Larry Carlton L7 CAR New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Larry Carlton L7 CAR New Gen

Metal Jazz Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Larry Carlton L7 CAR New GenElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyWhite pearloid...

4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Hagstrom Fantomen Cosmic Black Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Hagstrom Fantomen Cosmic Black Burst

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

Hagstrom Fantomen Cosmic Black BurstElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: flamed mapleSet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard and...

4.7/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Larry Carlton L7 Metallic Gold New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Larry Carlton L7 Metallic Gold New Gen

Blues Metal Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Higher price point typically

Larry Carlton L7 Metallic Gold New GenElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyWhite...

4.8/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino LP Custom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino LP Custom

Classic Rock Metal Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Higher price point typically

Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino LP CustomElectric GuitarJerry Cantrell "Wino" Signature ModelBody: MahoganyTop:...

4.6/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone Les Paul Custom EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Epiphone Les Paul Custom EB

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

Epiphone Les Paul Custom EBElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson CollectionBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Larry Carlton L7 Skyburst Sparkle New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Larry Carlton L7 Skyburst Sparkle New Gen

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
Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured MB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured MB

Rock Blues Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured MBElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany"Ultra Modern Weight Relief" - weight-reduced...

4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone 1959 LP Standard Outfit ADB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Epiphone 1959 LP Standard Outfit ADB

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

Epiphone 1959 LP Standard Outfit ADBElectric GuitarLimited editionTop: flamed mapleBody: MahoganyNeck:...

4.9/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Hagstrom Fantomen Mystique Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Hagstrom Fantomen Mystique Burst

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

Hagstrom Fantomen Mystique BurstElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard and nut: Resinator...

4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine WH

Metal Classic Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine WHElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson CollectionBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

4.4/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Guild Aristocrat P90 VSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Guild Aristocrat P90 VSB

Blues Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Guild Aristocrat P90 VSBElectric GuitarStyle: Chambered Body ArchtopTop: SprucelaminatedBody: MahoganylaminatedBody...

4.4/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10

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.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more