AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars Under $2,000 2025

Affordable single cut guitars under $2,000 - 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
Schecter Solo II Custom ABSN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Schecter Solo II Custom ABSN

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

Schecter Solo II Custom ABSNElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Maple3-Piece mahogany neckNeck profile: Thin C22 X-Jumbo...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 486715
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Matt Heafy LP Custom OriginsEB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Epiphone Matt Heafy LP Custom OriginsEB

by Epiphone
Jazz Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Epiphone Matt Heafy LP Custom OriginsEBElectric GuitarMatt Heafy (Trivium) Signature ModelBody: Mahogany"Modern...

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 534559
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy AJBM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy AJBM

by Epiphone
Blues Metal Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy AJBMElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionBody:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588457
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico DLX Atlantic Bariton Solid BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DAngelico DLX Atlantic Bariton Solid BLK

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

DAngelico DLX Atlantic Bariton Solid BLKBaritone Electric Guitarback and sides: AlderNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553320
$1,517
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite IGS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite IGS

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

Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite IGSElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyMahogany neckFingerboard: Rosewood22 FretsPickups: 1 490R...

⭐ 5.0/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 569731
$1,407
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Roundhouse MBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Reverend Roundhouse MBK

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

Reverend Roundhouse MBKElectric GuitarBody: KorinaTop: MapleSet-in neck: KorinaFingerboard: RosewoodWhite block...

⭐ 4.5/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592344
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx Black B7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx Black B7

by Stanford
Classic Rock Hard Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx Black B7Electric GuitarChambered body: OkoumeSet-in neck: Solid mahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608963
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Music City Sp. EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gibson Les Paul Music City Sp. EB

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

Gibson Les Paul Music City Sp. EBElectric Guitarlimited edition - limited to 650 units per colour worldwideBody:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620161
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Studio Tobacco Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Gibson Les Paul Studio Tobacco Burst

by Gibson
Classic Rock Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Gibson Les Paul Studio Tobacco BurstElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany"Ultra modern weight relief" -...

⭐ 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610359
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Solid Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Solid Black

by DAngelico
Classic Rock Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Higher price point typically

DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Solid BlackElectric Guitarback and sides: AlderNeck: Maple/walnut/mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553318
$1,623
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard DCS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard DCS

by Epiphone
Metal Jazz Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Epiphone Les Paul 59 Deep Cherry Sunb.Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 608488
$1,418
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy AJBM LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Epiphone Matt Heafy LP Custom OriginsBW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Epiphone Les Paul Custom Ebony IGC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Ebony IGC

by Epiphone
Classic Rock Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Ebony IBGElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson CustomBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 588239
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-01 FT Vintage Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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