AudioFu

Best Single Cut Guitars Under $5,000 2025

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

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
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
Maybach Lester Blue Burst Custom Aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Maybach Lester Blue Burst Custom Aged

by Maybach
Classic Rock Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock sound and feel
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent upper fret access
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Higher price point typically
  • • May lack brightness for some styles

Maybach Lester Blue Burst Custom AgedElectric GuitarOne-piece body: MahoganyTop: AAAAA flamed mapleNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 570469
$3,839
Buy at Thomann View Details
Duesenberg Alliance Series Dave Baksh - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Duesenberg Alliance Series Dave Baksh

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

Duesenberg Alliance Series Dave BakshElectric GuitarAlliance Series Dave Baksh (Sum41) Signature ModelBody:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 552485
$3,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Lester Black Velvet 57 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Maybach Lester Black Velvet 57

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

Maybach Lester Black Velvet 57Electric GuitarTwo-piece mahogany bodyTwo-piece set-in maple topMahogany neckFretboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 419470
$2,529
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul 58 Iced Tea VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Gibson Les Paul 58 Iced Tea VOS

by Gibson
Hard Rock Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
✗ CONS
  • • Neck dive possible with light bodies
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Gibson Les Paul 58 Iced Tea VOSCustom Shop Electric GuitarLes Paul 1958arched maple topMahogany body (Swietenia...

⭐ 5.0/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 459294
$4,839
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s GT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s GT

by Gibson
Rock Metal Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich midrange presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Excellent upper fret access
✗ CONS
  • • Less twangy than single-coil guitars
  • • Heavier than other guitar types

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s GTElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)Cream-coloured body bindingTop:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 462504
$2,688
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Trans Fu - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Trans Fu

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

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Trans FuElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodTrapeze...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601384
$2,639
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul 54 Goldtop VOS LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Gibson Les Paul 54 Goldtop VOS LH

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

Gibson Les Paul 54 Goldtop VOS LHElectric GuitarLefthand / left-handed modelCustom Shop ModelVOS - Vintage Original...

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 549962
$4,939
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Convair Custom Special PB 59 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Maybach Convair Custom Special PB 59

by Maybach
Classic Rock Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Great for overdriven tones
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Higher price point typically

Maybach Convair Custom Special PB 59Electric GuitarCustom Shop modelBody: MahoganyTop: Solid mapleSet-in neck: Solid...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606663
$3,409
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Trans.BB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Trans.BB

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

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Transp. BBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 569907
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G6134TFM-NH Nigel Hendroff AF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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 Cherry Lane 58 aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Maybach Lester Cherry Lane 58 aged

by Maybach
Jazz Hard Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
  • • Great for overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for some styles
  • • Higher price point typically

Maybach Lester Cherry Lane 58 agedElectric GuitarTwo-piece mahogany bodyTwo-piece set-in maple topNeck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 367141
$2,474
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul 57 Goldtop DB VOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gibson Les Paul 57 Goldtop DB VOS

by Gibson
Rock Blues Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock sound and feel
  • • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other guitar types
  • • Higher price point typically

Gibson Les Paul 57 Goldtop DB VOSCustom Shop Electric GuitarLes Paul 1957Arched maple topMahogany body (Swietenia...

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 459290
$4,948
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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