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Best Single Cut Guitars Under $2,000 2025

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

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 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
Solar Guitars GC1.6GK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Hagstrom Super Swede XSOP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Hagstrom Super Swede XSOP

by Hagstrom
Blues Classic Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Hagstrom Super Swede XSOPElectric GuitarMahogany body3/4" Maple top with top-grade flamed maple veneerSet-in...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 564434
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hagstrom Swede Gold - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Hagstrom Swede Gold

by Hagstrom
Rock Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Hagstrom Swede GoldElectric GuitarMahogany body3/4" maple top with top-grade flamed maple veneerSet-in mahogany...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564442
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured Ant Na - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured Ant Na

by Gibson
Metal Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Higher price point typically

Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured Ant NaElectric GuitarBody with Ultra Modern Weight relief: MahoganyTop: MapleSet-in...

⭐ 4.8/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609001
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Contender 290 MBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Reverend Contender 290 MBK

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

Reverend Contender 290 MBKElectric GuitarBody: KorinaSet-in neck: KorinaFingerboard: RosewoodWhite block fingerboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612966
$1,253
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fleetwood Amber Burst B7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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 CherrySunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gibson Les Paul Studio CherrySunburst

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

Gibson Les Paul Studio Cherry SunburstElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany"ultra modern weight relief" -...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596746
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-1000ET QM DBSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

ESP LTD EC-1000ET QM DBSB

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

ESP LTD EC-1000ET QM STBElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis)Top: Quilted maple3-Strip Set Thru Neck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 431595
$1,561
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fleetwood Onyx Black B7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Matte Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Matte Walnut

by DAngelico
Rock Hard Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Matte WalnutElectric GuitarTop: flamed mapleBack and sides: swamp ashNeck: 3-piece...

⭐ 4.8/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 514524
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Studio Wine Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson Les Paul Studio Wine Red

by Gibson
Metal Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Gibson Les Paul Studio Wine RedElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany"ultra modern weight relief" - weight-reduced...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596748
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Alex Lifeson LP Custom A LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Epiphone Alex Lifeson LP Custom A LH

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

Epiphone Alex Lifeson LP Custom A LHElectric GuitarLefthand / left-handed modelAlex Lifeson (Rush) Signature ModelBody:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 567488
$1,309
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-01 FT Vintage Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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 LTD EC-FR Black Metal BLKS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

ESP LTD EC-FR Black Metal BLKS

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

ESP LTD EC-FR Black Metal BLKSElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFretboard: EbonyNeck profile: Thin...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 514911
$1,099
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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