AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars Under $5,000 2026

Affordable single cut guitars under $5,000 - 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
Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB Bigsby - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB Bigsby

by Heritage Guitar
Jazz Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB BigsbyElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleCream...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619379
$2,859
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 P90 OSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Heritage Guitar H-150 P90 OSB

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

Heritage Guitar H-150 P90 OSBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleCream bindingFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 619385
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 VCSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Heritage Guitar H-150 VCSB

by Heritage Guitar
Jazz Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Heritage Guitar H-150 ACSBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleSet-in neck: MahoganyFretboard: Rosewood...

⭐ 4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 384750
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico DLX SS Barit. Satin Trans Wine - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DAngelico DLX SS Barit. Satin Trans Wine

by DAngelico
Blues Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

DAngelico DLX SS Barit. Satin Trans WineBaritone Electric GuitarStyle: Semi-Hollow with centre blockback and sides:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553356
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Lester Earl Grey 60 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Maybach Lester Earl Grey 60

by Maybach
Metal Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Higher price point typically

Maybach Lester Earl Grey 60Electric Guitar2-Piece mahogany body2-Piece set-in maple topNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 387365
$2,528
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul 56 Goldtop VOS LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gibson Les Paul 56 Goldtop VOS LH

by Gibson
Hard Rock Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Gibson Les Paul 56 Goldtop VOS LHElectric GuitarLeft-hand modelLes Paul 1956 - custom shop modelArchtop: MapleBody:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612120
$4,949
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G6134TFM-NH Nigel Hendroff AF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Gretsch G6134TFM-NH Nigel Hendroff AF

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

Gretsch G6134TFM-NH Nigel Hendroff AFElectric GuitarNigel Hendroff (Hillsong United) Signature modelTop: flamed...

⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 545697
$3,628
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Lester 53-3 Wild Cherry 60 SLA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Maybach Lester 53-3 Wild Cherry 60 SLA

by Maybach
Jazz Hard Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Maybach Lester 53-3 Wild Cherry 60 SLAElectric GuitarBody: two piece mahoganyTwo piece glued-on top: MapleNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596823
$3,080
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s BB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s BB

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

Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s BBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodTrapezoid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 462510
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 OSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Heritage Guitar H-150 OSB

by Heritage Guitar
Hard Rock Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Higher price point typically

Heritage Guitar H-150 OSBElectric GuitarSingle cutMahogany bodyMaple topSet-in mahogany neckRosewood fretboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 447317
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s IT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s IT

by Gibson
Rock Blues Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s ITElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)Cream-coloured body bindingTop: AA...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 462509
$2,739
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Ebony

by Gibson
Metal Blues Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s EbonyElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleMahogany neckFingerboard: RosewoodTrapeze...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 578073
$2,716
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s DT TB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s DT TB

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

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s DT TBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608495
$2,444
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-150 Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Heritage Guitar H-150 Ebony

by Heritage Guitar
Hard Rock Blues Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Heritage Guitar H-150 EbonyElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleGlued neck: MahoganyFretboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 498424
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s HCS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s HCS

by Gibson
Metal Hard Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich midrange presence
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s HCSElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyCream-colored body bindingTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyVintage...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 462505
$2,688
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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