AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars Under $500 2026

Affordable single cut guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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
Larry Carlton L3 P90 TV Yellow - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Larry Carlton L3 P90 TV Yellow

by Larry Carlton
Classic Rock Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Larry Carlton L3 P90 TV YellowElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodWhite Pearloid Dot...

⭐ 4.4/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 594127
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Classic Rock Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537514
$460
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Custom III VBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton SC-Custom III VBK

by Harley Benton
Jazz Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Harley Benton SC-Custom III VBKElectric GuitarBody: MerantiSet-in neck: MerantiFingerboard: roasted jatobaWhite...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 570149
$373
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF

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

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAFElectric GuitarDeluxe SeriesBody: OkoumeTop: AA flamed mapleGlued-in neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 497996
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Jazz Hard Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF*Electric Guitar*Deluxe...

⭐ 4.4/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 522763
$380
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Serie Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Serie Bundle

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

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Serie Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 371724
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Les Paul Special TV Yellow - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Epiphone Les Paul Special TV Yellow

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

Epiphone Les Paul Special TV YellowElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson CollectionBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFretboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 482397
$480
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF

by Harley Benton
Rock Classic Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTFElectric GuitarDeluxe SeriesBody: OkoumeTop: AA flamed mapleSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 497997
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Assault 220 FR Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Kramer Guitars Assault 220 FR Black

by Kramer Guitars
Metal Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Kramer Guitars Assault 220 FR BlackKramer Guitars Assault 220 Fr Black Electric GuitarMahogany bodySet-in mahogany...

⭐ 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 248370
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF

by Harley Benton
Rock Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Higher price point typically

Harley Benton SC-550 II FTFElectric GuitarDeluxe SeriesChambered body: MerantiArched top: AAA flamed mapleSet neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 521047
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch Strml Jet Clb VWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb VWT

by Gretsch
Blues Metal Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb VWTElectric GuitarBody: NatoNeck: Bolt-on NatoFingerboard: LaurelFingerboard inlays: Pearloid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 594491
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst

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

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver BurstElectric GuitarDeluxe SeriesChambered body: MerantiArchedflamed maple topSet-in...

⭐ 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 521064
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Blues Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 603124
$374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Custom III Gold Top - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Gold Top

by Harley Benton
Metal Hard Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Gold TopElectric GuitarBody: MerantiSet-in neck: MerantiFingerboard: roasted jatobaWhite...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 570233
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Custom III Ocean Flame - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Ocean Flame

by Harley Benton
Classic Rock Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Ocean FlameElectric GuitarBody: MerantiTop: AAAA flamed maple veneerSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 570223
$329
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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

POPULAR

Best 4-String Basses

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more