Best Single Cut Guitars Under $800 2025

Affordable single cut guitars under $800 - 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

Larry Carlton L7V TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Larry Carlton L7V TS

by Larry Carlton

Jazz Rock Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic rock sound and feel

✓ PROS

• Rich midrange presence
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

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

Larry Carlton L7V TSElectric GuitarMahogany bodyMaple top with flamed maple veneerGlued-in mahogany neckEbony...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 536995

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton I5S Tobacco Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Larry Carlton I5S Tobacco Sunburst

by Larry Carlton

Classic Rock Metal Rock

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Great for overdriven tones
• Excellent upper fret access

✗ CONS

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

Larry Carlton I5S Tobacco SunburstElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleWhite pearloid / abalone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 610974

$714

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton L7 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Larry Carlton L7 BK

by Larry Carlton

Blues Hard Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Classic rock sound and feel

✓ PROS

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

✗ CONS

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

Larry Carlton L7 BKElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet-in neck: MahoganyFretboard: EbonyTrapeze fretboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 513016

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton L7 TBL LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Larry Carlton L7 TBL LH

by Larry Carlton

Blues Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Rich midrange presence
• Excellent upper fret access

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other guitar types
• Higher price point typically

Larry Carlton L7 TBL LHLeft-hand SC-style electric guitarBody: MahoganyTop: Maple with flamed maple veneerNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 548263

$582

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Agufish STD Signature BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Agufish STD Signature BK

by Harley Benton

Blues Classic Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone

✓ PROS

• Rich midrange presence
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for some styles
• Less twangy than single-coil guitars

Harley Benton Agufish STD Signature BKElectric GuitarHunter Engel "Agufish" Signature ModelWeight reduced...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 575587

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Epiphone Les Paul Classic Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone Les Paul Classic Ebony

by Epiphone

Blues Hard Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Great for overdriven tones

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Great for overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• Higher price point typically
• Heavier than other guitar types

Epiphone Les Paul Classic EbonyElectric GuitarModern CollectionBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyFretboard: Indian...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 482192

$582

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBK

by Harley Benton

Jazz Hard Rock Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent upper fret access

✓ PROS

• Great for overdriven tones
• Classic rock sound and feel

✗ CONS

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

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBKElectric GuitarDeluxe SeriesBody: OkoumeSet-in neck: NyatohFingerboard: JatobaWhite...

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 497998

$516

Buy at Thomann View Details

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Worn Denim Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Worn Denim Burst

by Hagstrom

Blues Hard Rock Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for overdriven tones

✓ PROS

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

✗ CONS

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

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Worn Denim BurstElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodTop: MapleSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 612012

$659

Buy at Thomann View Details

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured MOF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured MOF

by Epiphone

Classic Rock Metal Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic rock sound and feel

✓ PROS

• Excellent upper fret access
• Rich midrange presence

✗ CONS

• Higher price point typically
• Neck dive possible with light bodies

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured MOFElectric GuitarBody: Mahagony/OkoumeUltra Modern Weight Relief - weight-reduced...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 483567

$714

Buy at Thomann View Details

Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic Fireburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic Fireburst

by Epiphone

Rock Jazz Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Great for overdriven tones
• Excellent upper fret access

✗ CONS

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

Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic FireburstElectric GuitarNancy Wilson (Heart) Signature Nighthawk modelBody: MahoganyTop:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 507992

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin Bundle

by ESP

Metal Blues Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent upper fret access

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Rich midrange presence

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other guitar types
• Higher price point typically

ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin*Electric Guitar*Body:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 520672

$659

Buy at Thomann View Details

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s EB

by Epiphone

Blues Metal Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for overdriven tones

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Great for overdriven tones

✗ CONS

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

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s EBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: AA flamed mapleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: Indian...

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 607462

$736

Buy at Thomann View Details

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black Gloss

by Hagstrom

Jazz Blues Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
• Excellent upper fret access

✗ CONS

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

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black GlossElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodTop: MapleGlued-in neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 581610

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

ESP LTD EC-200DX CHB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

ESP LTD EC-200DX CHB

by ESP

Hard Rock Jazz Metal

Key Feature:

• Excellent upper fret access

✓ PROS

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

✗ CONS

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

ESP LTD EC-200DX CHBElectric GuitarBody: PoplarTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 593613

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton I5T Butterscotch - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Larry Carlton I5T Butterscotch

by Larry Carlton

Rock Blues Metal

Key Feature:

• Rich midrange presence

✓ PROS

• Classic rock sound and feel
• Rich midrange presence

✗ CONS

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

Larry Carlton I5T ButterscotchElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack abalone block...

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 610947

$714

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 $800 2025

Larry Carlton L7V TS

Larry Carlton I5S Tobacco Sunburst

Larry Carlton L7 BK

Larry Carlton L7 TBL LH

Harley Benton Agufish STD Signature BK

Epiphone Les Paul Classic Ebony

Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG VBK

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Worn Denim Burst

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured MOF

Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic Fireburst

ESP LTD EC-256 Black Satin Bundle

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s EB

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black Gloss

ESP LTD EC-200DX CHB

Larry Carlton I5T Butterscotch

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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