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Best ST Style Guitars Under $5,000 2025

Affordable st style guitars under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 19, 2025 • Next update: November 26, 2025

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 Xotic Guitars Sterling by Music Man Maybach Friedman
Xotic Guitars XSC-1 MN BM Medium Aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Xotic Guitars XSC-1 RW BLK Super Heavy Aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Xotic Guitars XSC-1 RW BLK Super Heavy Aged

by Xotic Guitars
Country Indie Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Xotic Guitars XSC-1 RW BLK Super Heavy AgedElectric GuitarCalifornia Classic SeriesBody: AshNeck: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 446976
$4,069
Buy at Thomann View Details
Friedman CALI-AMCHH+ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Friedman CALI-AMCHH+

by Friedman
Funk Indie Rock
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

Friedman CALI-AMCHH+Electric GuitarFinest seasoned woods and Plek'd-finished fretworkBody: AlderBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610230
$3,959
Buy at Thomann View Details
Music Man Stingray Dustin Kensure DI - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Music Man Stingray Dustin Kensure DI

by Music Man
Country Funk Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Music Man Stingray Dustin Kensure DIElectric GuitarBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodDot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 611509
$3,628
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 55 Strat MN Black ClosetClassi - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender 55 Strat MN Black ClosetClassi

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

Fender 55 Strat MN Black ClosetClassiElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleMicarta black...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620324
$4,888
Buy at Thomann View Details
Music Man Sabre Blurple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Music Man Sabre Blurple

by Music Man
Indie Funk Rock
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Music Man Sabre BlurpleElectric GuitarBody: OkoumeTop: Flamed mapleNeck: Roasted flamed mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605738
$4,729
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Stradovari Masterbuilt 3TSB HR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Maybach Stradovari Masterbuilt 3TSB HR

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

Maybach Stradovari Masterbuilt 3TSB HRElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Solid mapleFingerboard: RosewoodDot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 618267
$4,389
Buy at Thomann View Details
Friedman Vintage-S AMMTB-SSH-2NB42 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Friedman Vintage-S AMMTB-SSH-2NB42

by Friedman
Indie Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Friedman Vintage-S AMMTB-SSH-2NB42Electric GuitarFinest seasoned woods and Plek'd-finished fretworkBody:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610208
$4,069
Buy at Thomann View Details
Music Man Stingray II Cory Wong Model CM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Fender Am Ultra II Strat HSS MN SFL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender Am Ultra II Strat HSS MN SFL

by Fender
Funk Rock Blues
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

Fender Am Ultra II Strat HSS MN SFLElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays: 7...

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595884
$2,639
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez S6570Q-NBL Prestige - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ibanez S6570Q-NBL Prestige

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

Ibanez S6570Q-NBL PrestigeElectric GuitarTop: Quilted mapleBody: Mahogany5-Piece neck: Maple / Walnut with KTS TITANIUM...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 405950
$2,474
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AV II 61 STRAT RW FRD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Fender AV II 61 STRAT RW FRD

by Fender
Pop Country Indie
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Fender AV II 61 STRAT RW FRDElectric GuitarAlder bodyMaple neckBlock-glued slab board rosewood fingerboardClay dot...

⭐ 4.9/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 548695
$2,408
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AV II 57 STRAT MN 2TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender AV II 57 STRAT MN 2TS

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

Fender AV II 57 STRAT MN 2TSElectric GuitarAlder bodyOne-piece maple neckMaple fingerboardBlack dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 548516
$2,298
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez RG5120M-FCN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ibanez RG5120M-FCN

by Ibanez
Indie Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Ibanez RG5120M-FCNElectric GuitarBody: African mahoganyTop: AshBolt-on neck: Maple/WengeFretboard: Birdseye mapleMother...

⭐ 4.4/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 456253
$2,155
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AM Pro II Strat RST PIN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender AM Pro II Strat RST PIN

by Fender
Country Blues Funk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Fender AM Pro II Strat RST PINElectric GuitarBody: roasted pineBolt-on maple neckRosewood fingerboardNeck profile: Deep...

⭐ 5.0/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 500474
$2,144
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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