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Best ST Style Guitars Under $500 2026

Affordable st style guitars under $500 - 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
Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Canvas White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Canvas White

by Sterling by Music Man
Blues Funk Indie
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Canvas WhiteElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612727
$380
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Electric Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted FBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted FBB

by Harley Benton
Rock Pop Funk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted FBBElectric GuitarErgonomically shaped body: NyatohTop: flamed maple veneerBolt-on...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 537645
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FBB w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FBB w/Case

by Harley Benton
Indie Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FBB w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB FBB*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 544750
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted Bundle

by Harley Benton
Country Indie Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted WM*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557923
$466
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted WM

by Harley Benton
Blues Funk Country
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted WMElectric GuitarBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted Canadian mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 540221
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB FBLB w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB FBLB w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Funk Indie Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB FBLB w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB FBLB*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 531166
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton S3 SSS MG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Larry Carlton S3 SSS MG

by Larry Carlton
Rock Blues Indie
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Larry Carlton S3 SSS MGElectric guitarBody: MahoganyNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: RosewoodIvory Dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 572712
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted SBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted SBK

by Harley Benton
Country Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted SBKElectric GuitarErgonomically shaped body: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted...

⭐ 5.0/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 503287
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton ST-80FR MN Lime Sparkle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton ST-80FR MN Lime Sparkle

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

Harley Benton ST-80FR MN Lime SparkleElectric GuitarBody: American basswoodBolt-on neck: Roasted Canadian...

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 579894
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CST-24T Purple Burst w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton CST-24T Purple Burst w/Case

by Harley Benton
Pop Rock Indie
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Harley Benton CST-24T Purple Burst w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24T Purple Burst*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 578457
$356
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Ocean Flame w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Ocean Flame w/Case

by Harley Benton
Blues Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Ocean Flame w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Ocean Flame*Electric...

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 617081
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Black Flame Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Black Flame Bundle

by Harley Benton
Rock Funk Indie
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Black Flame Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24T P90 Black Flame*Electric...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 578449
$347
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton ST-80FR MN HH Radiant Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton ST-80FR MN HH Radiant Red

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

Harley Benton ST-80FR MN HH Radiant RedElectric GuitarBody: American basswoodBolt-on neck: Roasted Canadian...

⭐ 4.4/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 579914
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton X5 TBKS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Larry Carlton X5 TBKS

by Larry Carlton
Rock Pop Funk
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Larry Carlton X5 TBKSElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Ash veneerNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite Pearloid/Abalone...

⭐ 4.8/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584431
$494
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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