AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars Under $2,000 2026

Affordable single cut guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

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
Epiphone Matt Heafy LP Custom OriginsBW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Epiphone Matt Heafy LP Custom OriginsBW

by Epiphone
Blues Hard Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Epiphone Matt Heafy LP Custom OriginsBWSignature Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleModern weight reliefBinding:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 534557
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fleetwood Amber Burst B7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Stanford CR Fleetwood Amber Burst B7

by Stanford
Classic Rock Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Stanford CR Fleetwood Amber Burst B7Electric GuitarChambered body: OkoumeSet-in neck: Solid mahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608966
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Studio Silver Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Gibson Les Paul Studio Silver Burst

by Gibson
Rock Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Higher price point typically

Gibson Les Paul Studio Silver BurstElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany‘Ultra Modern Weight Relief’ - weight-reduced...

⭐ 4.4/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620942
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard WBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard WBB

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

Epiphone Les Paul 59 Washed Bourbon B.Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608491
$1,396
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy AJBM LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy AJBM LH

by Epiphone
Jazz Metal Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy AJBM LHElectric GuitarLleft-handed modelInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588461
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico DLX Atlantic Baritone Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

DAngelico DLX Atlantic Baritone Walnut

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

DAngelico DLX Atlantic Baritone WalnutBaritone Electric Guitarback and sides: AlderNeck: Maple/walnut/mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553319
$1,588
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico DLX SS Baritone Satin Honey - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

DAngelico DLX SS Baritone Satin Honey

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

DAngelico DLX SS Baritone Satin HoneyElectric Baritone GuitarStyle: Semi hollow with centre blockback and sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553347
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Alex Lifeson LP Custom Axcess - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Epiphone Alex Lifeson LP Custom Axcess

by Epiphone
Metal Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Higher price point typically

Epiphone Alex Lifeson LP Custom AxcessElectric GuitarAlex Lifeson (Rush) Signature ModellBody: Mahogany with...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 567477
$1,297
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard ITB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard ITB

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

Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard ITBElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Collection (2025)Body: MahoganyTop: AAA...

⭐ 4.8/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614955
$1,506
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-01 FT Vintage Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx Black

by Stanford
Blues Metal Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx BlackElectric GuitarChambered body: OkoumeSet-in neck: Solid mahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608949
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Cort MBM-2H Manson Meta SUS SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Cort MBM-2H Manson Meta SUS SB

by Cort
Metal Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Higher price point typically

Cort MBM-2H Manson Meta SUS SBElectric GuitarManson Guitar Works Meta SeriesMatthew Bellamy (Muse) Signature ModelBody:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 542229
$1,098
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Jeff Beck Oxblood 1954 LesPaul - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Epiphone Jeff Beck Oxblood 1954 LesPaul

by Epiphone
Hard Rock Metal Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Epiphone Jeff Beck Oxblood 1954 LesPaulElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618235
$1,528
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars GC1.6GK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured IT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured IT

by Gibson
Classic Rock Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured ITElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany"Ultra Modern Weight Relief" - weight-reduced...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620939
$1,979
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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