Best Single Cut Guitars Under $500 2025

Affordable single cut guitars under $500 - 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-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

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 VBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

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

Kramer Guitars Assault 220 FR Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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 Plus EMG FTF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Metal Hard Rock Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic rock sound and feel

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

• Less twangy than single-coil guitars
• Heavier than other guitar types

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 522887

$380

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active VBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active VBK

by Harley Benton

Classic Rock Jazz Blues

Key Feature:

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Rich midrange presence

✗ CONS

• Less twangy than single-coil guitars
• Higher price point typically

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active VBKElectric GuitarBody: MerantiSet-in neck: MerantiFingerboard: RosewoodWhite...

⭐ 5.0/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 570157

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Set

by Harley Benton

Hard Rock Metal Blues

Key Feature:

• Great for overdriven tones

✓ PROS

• Classic rock sound and feel
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone

✗ CONS

• Less twangy than single-coil guitars
• Neck dive possible with light bodies

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

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 533707

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black

by Harley Benton

Classic Rock Blues Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic rock sound and feel

✓ PROS

• Rich midrange presence
• Excellent upper fret access

✗ CONS

• Neck dive possible with light bodies
• Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 BlackElectric GuitarBody: MerantiTop: AAAA flamed maple veneerSet-in neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 570217

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

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

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb MNT MET - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb MNT MET

by Gretsch

Metal Hard Rock Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone

✓ PROS

• Rich midrange presence
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

• Neck dive possible with light bodies
• Less twangy than single-coil guitars

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

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 594503

$389

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Bundle

by Harley Benton

Metal Classic Rock Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone

✓ PROS

• Excellent upper fret access
• Great for overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other guitar types
• Neck dive possible with light bodies

Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 533692

$354

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Serie Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Serie Bundle

by Harley Benton

Hard Rock Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Excellent upper fret access
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for some styles
• Neck dive possible with light bodies

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 371727

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

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

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb VWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

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-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle

by Harley Benton

Rock Classic Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Excellent upper fret access

✓ PROS

• Rich midrange presence
• Excellent upper fret access

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for some styles
• Higher price point typically

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

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 371447

$307

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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Best Single Cut Guitars Under $500 2025

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black w/Bag

Harley Benton SC-Custom III VBK

Kramer Guitars Assault 220 FR Black

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG FTF

Harley Benton SC-550 II Silver Burst w/Bag

Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active VBK

Harley Benton SC-400 SBK Vintage Set

Harley Benton SC-Custom III P90 Black

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF w/Bag

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb MNT MET

Harley Benton SC-1000 SBK Progressive Bundle

Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Serie Bundle

Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG PAF

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb VWT

Harley Benton SC-400 SGT Classic Seri Bundle

How to Choose the Best Single Cut Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying single cut guitars?

How much should I spend on single cut guitars?

Are expensive single cut guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for single cut guitars?

Should I buy single cut guitars online or in-store?

Related Best Lists

Best ST Style Guitars

Best Humbucker Pickups

Best Distortion Pedals

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

Best 4-String Basses

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