Best Single Cut Guitars Under $200 2025

Affordable single cut guitars under $200 - great value without compromising quality

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

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series

by Harley Benton

Rock Blues Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic rock sound and feel

✓ PROS

• Classic rock sound and feel
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone

✗ CONS

• Higher price point typically
• Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage SeriesElectric GuitarVintage SeriesBody: PoplarArchtopSet-in neck: MapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 362633

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

by Harley Benton

Metal Rock Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Great for overdriven tones
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

• Neck dive possible with light bodies
• Higher price point typically

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic SeriesElectric GuitarClassic SeriesBody: PoplarArchtopSet-in neck: MapleNeck Profile:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 362544

$153

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit Single Cut - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit Single Cut

by Harley Benton

Jazz Blues Metal

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Great for overdriven tones
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for some styles
• Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit Single CutElectric Guitar Kit SC-StyleComplete DIY (do it yourself) kitNeck...

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 115992

$120

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic Series

by Harley Benton

Jazz Metal Blues

Key Feature:

• Excellent upper fret access

✓ PROS

• Excellent upper fret access
• Rich midrange presence

✗ CONS

• Neck dive possible with light bodies
• Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic SeriesElectric GuitarClassic SeriesBody: PoplarTop: archedSet-in neck: MapleNeck...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 362546

$164

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Series

by Harley Benton

Metal Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Classic rock sound and feel
• Great for overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• Neck dive possible with light bodies
• May lack brightness for some styles

Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage SeriesElectric GuitarVintage SeriesBody: BasswoodArched topSet-in neck: MapleNeck...

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 362634

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Series

by Harley Benton

Blues Classic Rock Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Rich midrange presence

✗ CONS

• Neck dive possible with light bodies
• Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic SeriesElectric GuitarClassic SeriesBody: PoplarArched topSet-in neck: MapleNeck...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 362542

$164

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Rock Hard Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Great for overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• Less twangy than single-coil guitars
• Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic...

⭐ 5.0/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 371457

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Classic Series

by Harley Benton

Hard Rock Jazz Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent upper fret access

✓ PROS

• Excellent upper fret access
• Great for overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for some styles
• Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Classic SeriesElectric GuitarClassic seriesBody: PoplarArched topSet-in neck: MapleNeck...

⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 362533

$142

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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Best Single Cut Guitars Under $200 2025

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series

Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit Single Cut

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic Series

Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Series

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Series

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S w/Bag

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Classic Series

How to Choose the Best Single Cut Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying single cut guitars?

How much should I spend on single cut guitars?

Are expensive single cut guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for single cut guitars?

Should I buy single cut guitars online or in-store?

Related Best Lists

Best ST Style Guitars

Best Humbucker Pickups

Best Distortion Pedals

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

Best 4-String Basses

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