AudioFu

Best ST Style Guitars Under $2,000 2026

Affordable st style guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

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
Solar Guitars A1.6ATG MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Solar Guitars A1.6ATG MKII

by Solar Guitars
Rock Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Solar Guitars A1.6ATG MKIIElectric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile: C-ShapeSolar logo...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601532
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton S10 HSS Transparent Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Larry Carlton S10 HSS Transparent Green

by Larry Carlton
Blues Pop Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Larry Carlton S10 HSS Transparent GreenElectric GuitarBody: AlderTop: Solid poplarNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 584524
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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 Jersey Star AW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Kramer Guitars Jersey Star AW

by Kramer Guitars
Rock Indie Pop
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Kramer Guitars Jersey Star AWElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck: MapleFretboard: MapleFretboard radius: 16"Scale: 648...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 465792
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR S BCH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR S BCH

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

Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR S BCHElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted maple3-Piece neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 363455
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars 1983 Baretta Reissue Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Kramer Guitars 1983 Baretta Reissue Ebony

by Kramer Guitars
Funk Rock Indie
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Kramer Guitars 1983 Baretta Reissue EbonyElectric GuitarBody: MapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 623224
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Red Reign - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Red Reign

by Schecter
Blues Country Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Red ReignElectric GuitarSwamp ash bodySet-in multi-piece maple / padauk neck with carbon...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 458028
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Baretta White Lotus D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Kramer Guitars Baretta White Lotus D

by Kramer Guitars
Pop Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Kramer Guitars Baretta White Lotus DElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606360
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim Henson - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim Henson

by Ibanez
Funk Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim HensonElectric GuitarTim Henson (Polyphia) Signature modelBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: roasted...

⭐ 4.4/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597438
$1,711
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPB

by Ibanez
Blues Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPBElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: Maple / walnutFretboard: MapleNeck profile: Super Wizard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 510138
$1,594
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM DK24 HH 2PT CM MLBU SUNS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Charvel PM DK24 HH 2PT CM MLBU SUNS

by Charvel
Rock Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Charvel PM DK24 HH 2PT CM MLBU SUNSElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck: caramelised mapleFingerboard: caramelised maple4 mm...

⭐ 5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 583564
$1,231
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal HH FR 3TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal HH FR 3TSB

by Charvel
Blues Pop Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal HH FR 3TSBElectric GuitarPro-Mod SeriesBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Maple with graphite...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 560774
$1,055
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez KRYS10 Scott LePage - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez KRYS10 Scott LePage

by Ibanez
Country Blues Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Ibanez KRYS10 Scott LePageElectric GuitarScott LePage (Polyphia) Signature modelBody: AshBolt-on neck: Roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 556295
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars SR1.6AFRMNS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Solar Guitars SR1.6AFRMNS

by Solar Guitars
Rock Indie Funk
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Solar Guitars SR1.6AFRMNSElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard: EbonyFluorescent Luminlay Dot side...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603216
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez AZ26P1-BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez AZ26P1-BK

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

Ibanez AZ26P1-BKElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonyMother of pearl dot...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620948
$1,539
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.

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