Best Single Cut Guitars Under $2,000 2026
Affordable single cut guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Desert Gold
by
DAngelico
Blues
Jazz
Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock sound and feel
- • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
- • Neck dive possible with light bodies
- • Higher price point typically
DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Desert GoldElectric GuitarBack and sides: Alder3-Piece neck: Maple/Walnut/MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 514519
$1,429
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Gibson Les Paul Junior EB
by
Gibson
Blues
Jazz
Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock sound and feel
- • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than other guitar types
- • Higher price point typically
Gibson Les Paul Junior EBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Vintage...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 486033
$1,528
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Gibson Les Paul Studio Session BB
by
Gibson
Jazz
Blues
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
- • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
- • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
- • May lack brightness for some styles
- • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
Gibson Les Paul Studio Session BBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: AA flamed mapleSet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...
⭐
4.7/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601264
$1,833
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
ESP LTD EC-01 FT Olympic White
by
ESP
Hard Rock
Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
- • Great for overdriven tones
- • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
- • May lack brightness for some styles
- • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
ESP LTD EC-01 FT Olympic WhiteElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany3-Piece neck-thru-body: MahoganyFingerboard: Macassar...
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584610
$1,275
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
PRS SE McCarty 594 Singlecut BG
by
PRS
Blues
Classic Rock
Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock sound and feel
- • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
- • Neck dive possible with light bodies
- • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
PRS SE McCarty 594 Singlecut BGElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Maple with flamed maple veneerGlued-in neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 559148
$1,025
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.
