AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars Under $300 2025

Affordable single cut guitars under $300 - 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-Junior Faded Cherry w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry w/Bag

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

Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 580080
$263
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Serie Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Serie Bundle

by Harley Benton
Classic Rock Hard Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Serie Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-450 CB Classic Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 371452
$296
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Seri Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Seri Bundle

by Harley Benton
Hard Rock Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Higher price point typically

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Seri Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Classic Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 371398
$285
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Special Faded White w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton SC-Special Faded White w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Rock Hard Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Harley Benton SC-Special Faded White w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Special Faded White*Electric...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600138
$298
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton SC-450 P90 GT Classic S Bundle

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

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

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 536373
$281
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Junior Vintage Sunbu w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton SC-Junior Vintage Sunbu w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Jazz Metal Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Harley Benton SC-Junior Vintage Sunbu w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Junior Vintage Sunburst*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 468552
$263
Buy at Thomann View Details
Jackson JS22 AH SC Monarkh Snow White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Jackson JS22 AH SC Monarkh Snow White

by Jackson
Classic Rock Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Jackson JS22 AH SC Monarkh Satin WhiteElectric guitarNato bodyBolted neck: Maple "Speed Neck" with graphite...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 462746
$241
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle

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

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Series*Electric...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 426232
$241
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry

by Harley Benton
Classic Rock Metal Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded CherryElectric GuitarVintage SeriesBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 533222
$241
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Classic Rock Metal Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 539060
$296
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Junior Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton SC-Junior Vintage Sunburst

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

Harley Benton SC-Junior Vintage SunburstElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in mahogany neckFretboard: AmaranthFretboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 462659
$241
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Bundle

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

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Classic Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 533702
$274
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Seri Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Seri Bundle

by Harley Benton
Hard Rock Jazz Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Seri Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Classic Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 371397
$252
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow Bundle

by Harley Benton
Metal Blues Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Special TV Yellow*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 539062
$296
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle

by Harley Benton
Rock Classic Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Series*Electric...

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 426233
$263
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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