AudioFu

Best ST Style Guitars 2026

Top-rated st style guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 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 Pop For Country For Funk For Indie
BRANDS: Fender Ibanez Harley Benton PRS Jackson Squier Kramer Guitars Suhr ESP Charvel Yamaha Larry Carlton Mooer Schecter Music Man Solar Guitars Cort Evh Sterling by Music Man Xotic Guitars Maybach Friedman
Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic White

by Sterling by Music Man
Blues Country Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic WhiteElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609734
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Daphne Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Daphne Blue

by Sterling by Music Man
Rock Indie Country
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Daphne BlueST-Style Electric GuitarBody: PoplarNeck: Roasted mapleFretboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 549580
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Baretta Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Kramer Guitars Baretta Ebony

by Kramer Guitars
Country Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Kramer Guitars Baretta EbonyElectric GuitarBaretta seriesMaple body3-Piece bolt-on maple neckMaple fingerboardBlack dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 533542
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton S7 WH New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Larry Carlton S7 WH New Gen

by Larry Carlton
Blues Rock Indie
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Larry Carlton S7 WH New GenElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleDot fingerboard inlaysNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611254
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+

by Solar Guitars
Indie Funk Blues
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+Electric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonySolar logo...

⭐ 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 607842
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Volante HHFR Defender Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Kramer Guitars Volante HHFR Defender Red

by Kramer Guitars
Funk Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Kramer Guitars Volante HHFR Defender RedElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot...

⭐ 5.0/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616994
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green

by Kramer Guitars
Indie Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald GreenElectric GuitarBody: MapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606483
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton S3 HSS AWH New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Larry Carlton S3 HSS AWH New Gen

by Larry Carlton
Pop Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Larry Carlton S3 HSS AW New GenElectric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodDot fingerboard...

⭐ 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 611241
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH HT Roasted FBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH HT Roasted FBB

by Harley Benton
Funk Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH HT Roasted FBBElectric GuitarPro SeriesErgonomically shaped Nyatoh bodyFlamed maple veneer...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537587
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Xotic Guitars XSC-1 MN BM Medium Aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Xotic Guitars XSC-1 MN BM Medium Aged

by Xotic Guitars
Blues Country Indie
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Xotic Guitars XSC-1 MN BM Medium AgedElectric GuitarCalifornia Classic SeriesBody: AlderNeck: 5A roasted flamed maple...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561216
$4,619
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars A1.6TBOP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Solar Guitars A1.6TBOP

by Solar Guitars
Pop Indie Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Solar Guitars A1.6TBOPElectric GuitarBody: AshSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonySolar Logo fingerboard inlay at 12th...

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610357
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FBLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FBLB

by Harley Benton
Rock Country Funk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FBLBElectric GuitarErgonomically shaped body: Nyatoh"Ultra Flame" maple...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 521092
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Electric Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Electric Blue

by Sterling by Music Man
Rock Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Electric BlueElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Amaranth...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612678
$380
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Volante HHFR Intruder Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Kramer Guitars Volante HHFR Intruder Black

by Kramer Guitars
Blues Rock Indie
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Kramer Guitars Volante HHFR Intruder BlackElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616988
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Music Man Stingray II Cory Wong Model CM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Music Man Stingray II Cory Wong Model CM

by Music Man
Blues Indie Country
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Music Man Stingray II Cory Wong Model CMElectric GuitarCory Wong Signature modelBody: AlderNeck: Roasted flamed...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 607369
$3,739
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best ST Style 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 st style 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

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

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