AudioFu Chart · October 2026
Best ST Style Guitars Under $800 2026
The top pick is Ibanez AZES40 Essentials ($320). Harley Benton ST-62 SB Vintage Series gives you the most for the money at $166. Sire Larry Carlton S7 FM leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 170 models across 15 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale635 mm (25")
- Fingerboard radius250 mm (9.84")
- BodyPoplar body
- FingerboardJatoba fingerboard
The AZES40-TUN is a surprisingly well-equipped guitar for the price. It's a great entry point for players wanting a ST-style platform with some Ibanez DNA – the neck profile is comfortable, and the pickup system offers a wider range of sounds than you'd expect. Ideal for beginners or players seeking a versatile, budget-friendly workhorse.
Pros
- Jatoba fingerboard offers a surprisingly smooth, snappy playing feel.
- dyna-MIX9 system provides versatile tonal options, surprisingly good cleans.
- Bolt-on maple neck provides excellent clarity and responsiveness.
Cons
- Plastic nut can introduce tuning instability and a less premium feel.
- Tremolo system is basic, limiting more complex vibrato techniques.
72AudioFu
Index↓ 10.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$359 · Aug 17$320 now$320€287 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster
Affinity Strat HSS LR MH MBK · Squier
227 for sale on Reverb4 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets21 frets
- Fingerboard radius241 mm (9.49")
- Neck profileC-shape neck
This Affinity Strat is a solid entry point into the Strat world. The HSS configuration gives it a wider range of tones than a standard Squier, and the bolt-on neck makes it easy to play. It's perfect for beginners or players needing a versatile, budget-friendly instrument for practice and gigging.
Pros
- Poplar body offers a balanced tone, not overly bright or muddy.
- ’C’ neck profile is comfortable and familiar for most players.
- Humbucker in the bridge provides a surprisingly thick, rock-ready tone.
Cons
- Pickups are ceramic, lacking the nuance of alnico pickups.
- Synchronized tremolo can feel a bit 'floaty' and needs setup.
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$300 now$300€269 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- BodyPoplar body
The GRX70QA-TKS is a solid entry point into Ibanez's world, offering a surprisingly good package for the price. It's perfect for beginner to intermediate players wanting a modern feel and a touch of visual style, especially those drawn to a slightly heavier rock or alternative sound. The build is decent for the budget, and it’s ready to plug in and play.
Pros
- Quilted maple top adds visual flair and a touch of brightness.
- Infinity pickups deliver surprisingly hot, versatile high-output tones.
- GRX neck profile is comfortable and fast for various playing styles.
Cons
- Poplar body can feel a bit lightweight and resonant.
- T106 tremolo is functional, but not a high-end, stable unit.
69AudioFu
Index↓ 10.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$255 · Aug 17$230 now$230€206 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyAlder body
- FingerboardWalnut fingerboard
The Pacifica 112J RM is a seriously solid entry point for players wanting a versatile ST-style guitar. The alder body and HSS pickup combo give it a broad tonal palette, and the walnut fingerboard feels really comfortable. It's a great choice for beginners or gigging musicians looking for a reliable, affordable workhorse.
Pros
- Alder body provides a balanced, resonant tone with good sustain.
- Walnut fingerboard offers a unique feel, smoother than rosewood.
- HSS pickup configuration delivers versatility from bright cleans to crunchy distortion.
Cons
- Bolt-on neck construction lacks the inherent warmth of a set-neck design.
- Walnut fingerboard can be prone to slightly more visible wear over time.
68AudioFu
Index↓ 6.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$278 · Aug 17$261 now$261€234 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width41.9 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets24 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- BodyAlder body
The AZ24S1F-VLS is a seriously impressive guitar for the money. It blends modern playability with a touch of vintage vibe, making it a great choice for players who want a versatile instrument for rock, metal, and even some blues. The roasted maple neck is a real highlight, and the pickups deliver a ton of punch.
Pros
- Roasted maple neck offers exceptional stability and a remarkably smooth feel.
- Jatoba fingerboard provides a unique snap and clarity compared to rosewood.
- Ibanez Modern Custom pickups deliver a powerful, articulate, and modern high-gain tone.
Cons
- Alder body might feel a little lightweight for some players’ preference.
- Jatoba fingerboard can be a bit harder on the fingers than rosewood initially.
67AudioFu
Index↓ 2.7%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$612 · Aug 17$595 now$595€534 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets24 frets
- BodyPoplar body
- FingerboardPurpleheart fingerboard
The GRG121DX-MGS is a seriously good deal for players wanting a modern feel and aggressive tone. That purpleheart fingerboard looks slick, and the IBZ-6 pickups give you plenty of crunch for rock and metal without getting muddy. It’s a fantastic starter guitar or a reliable workhorse for gigging musicians on a budget.
Pros
- Purpleheart fingerboard offers a snappy, articulate feel and unique aesthetic.
- IBZ-6 humbuckers deliver a surprisingly powerful and versatile high-output sound.
- Bolt-on neck provides a bright, responsive tone and easy playability.
Cons
- Poplar body, while lightweight, lacks the resonance of mahogany or alder.
- Synthetic nut can impact sustain and tuning stability compared to bone or graphite.
64AudioFu
Index↓ 6.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$278 · Aug 17$261 now$261€234 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Sire Larry Carlton S7 FM
S7 HSS CAR New Gen · Larry Carlton
13 for sale on Reverb16 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Neck profileC-shape neck
- BodyAlder body
This Larry Carlton S7 HSS is a seriously well-equipped guitar for the price. The SIRE pickups are surprisingly versatile, handling blues, rock, and even some funk with ease. It's a great option for players looking for a vintage vibe with modern playability and a comfortable C-profile neck.
Pros
- Alder body provides a balanced, resonant tone with good sustain
- Maple top adds clarity and a touch of sparkle to the overall sound
- SIRE LC pickups offer a versatile range from warm cleans to crunchy overdrive
Cons
- Bolt-on neck construction can lack the warmth of a set-neck
- Candy Apple Red finish may be polarizing for some players
64AudioFu
Index↓ 17.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$779 · Aug 17$646 now$646€579 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- Neck profileC-shape neck
This guitar feels like a classic 60s model with its bolt-on maple neck and warm Alnico-5 pickups. The synchronized tremolo lets you dive-bomb notes while the dual truss rod keeps the neck straight. It suits players who want a vintage vibe without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Vintage ST-style Alnico-5 pickups for warm tone
- Bolt-on maple neck for solid stability
- Synchronized tremolo system for bending
Cons
- No electronics jack specified in description
- No weight listed despite being a full guitar
63AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$166 now$166€149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale635 mm (25")
- Fingerboard radius350 mm (13.78")
- Neck profileC-shape neck
- BodyMeranti body
This CST-24 is a seriously impressive offering for the price. The roasted fingerboard and Roswell pickups give it a surprisingly refined feel and a warm, punchy sound that’s great for rock, blues, and even some heavier styles. It’s a fantastic option for players seeking a quality instrument without the premium-priced tag.
Pros
- Flamed maple top adds visual flair and slight resonance.
- Roasted jatoba fingerboard offers stability and a smooth feel.
- Roswell HAF pickups deliver a surprisingly thick, vintage-voiced tone.
Cons
- Meranti body, while decent, lacks the resonance of ash or alder.
- Graphite nut can feel a little slick for some players, requiring adjustment.
62AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$322 now$322€289 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Jackson JS Series JS32Q DKA HT Dinky Archtop with Amaranth Fretboard
JS32Q DKA HT TRS GRN BRST · Jackson
70 for sale on Reverb8 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width42.9 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets24 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- BodyPoplar body
This guitar looks sharp with its quilted maple top and green burst finish. The strings run through the body for a punchy sound, and the amaranth fingerboard feels nice to play. It's a solid choice for players who want a classic bolt-on neck without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Quilted maple top adds visual flair and resonance.
- Strings pass through the body for solid tone.
- Amaranth fingerboard offers smooth playability.
Cons
- No weight rating provided in description.
- Compound radius might confuse new players.
62AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$378 now$378€339 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 170 ST style guitars
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Jackson JS Series Dinky JS20 DKQ 2PTJS20 DKQ TR TOB · Jackson · 4 finishes61↓ 5.4%$273€245$273€245Check ↗
- 12
Ibanez RGA42AHRGA42AH-BKS · Ibanez · 5 finishes61↓ 7.5%$456€409$456€409Check ↗
- 13
Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai JEM Junior SignatureJEMJR-BK · Ibanez60Stable$592€531$592€531Check ↗
- 14
Ibanez AZ22S1F StandardAZ22S1F-VLS · Ibanez · 3 finishes60Stable$601€539$601€539Check ↗
- 15
Harley Benton ST-20 BK Standard SeriesHarley Benton · 32 finishes59Stable$99€89$99€89Check ↗
- 16
Yamaha PAC112VM Pacifica HSSPacifica 112VM SP RL · Yamaha · 5 finishes59↓ 13.3%$313€281$313€281Check ↗
- 17
Harley Benton Fusion-IV HH RW QRGHarley Benton · 32 finishes59↓ 4.0%$534€479$534€479Check ↗
- 18
Ibanez RG460DX StandardRG460DX-BLH · Ibanez · 2 finishes59Stable$545€489$545€489Check ↗
- 19
Ibanez RG450DXB StandardRG450QMB-SPB · Ibanez · 4 finishes59Stable$623€559$623€559Check ↗
- 20
Ibanez RG470AHM StandardRG470DXW-CA · Ibanez · 7 finishes59Stable$623€559$623€559Check ↗
- 21
Ibanez AZ22S2 StandardAZ22S2-BK · Ibanez · 2 finishes58↓ 7.2%$471€422$471€422Check ↗
- 22
Ibanez AZ24S2 StandardAZ24S2-BK · Ibanez · 2 finishes58↓ 3.8%$476€427$476€427Check ↗
- 23
Jackson JS Series JS11 Dinky with Amaranth FretboardJS11 Dinky MR AH · Jackson · 3 finishes57Stable$188€169$188€169Check ↗
- 24
Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS FBLBHarley Benton · 20 finishes57Stable$445€399$445€399Check ↗
- 25
Squier Paranormal Stratocaster DeluxeParanormal Strat Deluxe LPB · Squier · 3 finishes57Stable$534€479$534€479Check ↗
- 26
Ibanez AZ22S1F StandardAZ22S1F-TKS w/Bag · Ibanez57Stable$630€565$630€565Check ↗
- 27
Jackson JS Series Surfcaster JS22 HTJS22 Dinky BLK AH · Jackson · 4 finishes56Stable$272€244$272€244Check ↗
- 28
Ibanez GRGA120QA GIOGRGA120-BKN · Ibanez · 2 finishes56Stable$317€284$317€284Check ↗
- 29
Larry Carlton S5 BlackLarry Carlton · 8 finishes56↓ 12.5%$389€349$389€349Check ↗
- 30
Schecter Omen Extreme-6Omen Extreme 6 Gloss Natural · Schecter · 2 finishes56Stable$679€609$679€609Check ↗
- 31
Squier Affinity Stratocaster JuniorAffinity Strat Junior HSS 3TS · Squier · 2 finishes55Stable$262€235$262€235Check ↗
- 32
Ibanez GRG120QASP GioGRG120QASP-BGD · Ibanez · 2 finishes55↓ 3.7%$291€261$291€261Check ↗
- 33
Harley Benton ST-80FR HolographicHarley Benton · 17 finishes55↓ 5.7%$367€329$367€329Check ↗
- 34
Ibanez GRG320FA GioGRG320FA-TBS · Ibanez · 2 finishes55↓ 3.7%$381€342$381€342Check ↗
- 35
Ibanez RG421DX-TWSIbanez · 9 finishes55↓ 4.9%$476€427$476€427Check ↗
- 36
Jackson X Series Soloist SLXDX HTX Series SLXDX HT Gloss BLK · Jackson · 3 finishes55Stable$724€649$724€649Check ↗
- 37
Jackson JS Series JS12 Dinky with Amaranth FretboardJS12 Dinky AH BLK · Jackson · 2 finishes54Stable$211€189$211€189Check ↗
- 38
Squier CV 70S STRAT HT HSS LRL MOCSquier · 8 finishes54↓ 9.8%$420€377$420€377Check ↗
- 39
Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai JEM Junior SignatureJEMJR-WH · Ibanez54↓ 2.8%$541€485$541€485Check ↗
- 40
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH EB BKHarley Benton · 5 finishes53↓ 14.3%$333€299$333€299Check ↗
- 41
Ibanez GRG170DX GioGRG170DX-SV · Ibanez · 4 finishes53Stable$333€299$333€299Check ↗
- 42
ESP LTD M-200DX NTLTD M-200DX NT PB · ESP · 2 finishes53Stable$556€499$556€499Check ↗
- 43
Fender Standard Strat MN WPG OWTFender · 7 finishes53↓ 1.7%$634€569$634€569Check ↗
- 44
Harley Benton R-446 Blood MetallicHarley Benton · 12 finishes52Stable$177€159$177€159Check ↗
- 45
Harley Benton ST-Modern HH PMHarley Benton · 10 finishes52Stable$177€159$177€159Check ↗
- 46
Ibanez GRX40 GioGRX40-CA · Ibanez · 4 finishes52↓ 2.1%$211€189$211€189Check ↗
- 47
Ibanez SA260FM StandardSA260FM-BRG · Ibanez · 3 finishes52↓ 7.2%$434€389$434€389Check ↗
- 48
Ibanez GRX120SP GioGRX120SP-VRD · Ibanez · 4 finishes51↓ 4.8%$222€199$222€199Check ↗
- 49
Ibanez GRG131DX GioGRG131DX-BKF · Ibanez51↓ 1.8%$239€214$239€214Check ↗
- 50
Ibanez GSA60 Gio 2008 - 2018GSA60-WNF Gio · Ibanez · 2 finishes51Stable$264€237$264€237Check ↗
ST Style Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 613 models we track, not a sample.
Median $345 — half of all ST style guitars here cost less.
median of 517 models · 42 mm (1.65")–43 mm (1.69")
median of 593 models · 635 mm (25")–648 mm (25.51")
median of 325 models · 241 mm (9.49")–400 mm (15.75")
most common · 145 models
How to choose the best ST style guitars
Pickups
This is the area where budget guitars often fall short. Expect something serviceable, but don't anticipate boutique-level clarity or that searing high-end bite. We're looking for pickups that offer a decent balance of warmth and articulation, avoiding that muddy low-end or ice-pick harshness.
Neck Profile & Feel
A chunky, uncomfortable neck is a deal-breaker. We're assessing the neck profile (C, D, U shapes) and overall finish – is it sticky, smooth, or somewhere in between? A comfortable neck is crucial for hours of gigging or recording.
Hardware & Tuning Stability
Cheap tuners and a flimsy tremolo system will make your life miserable on stage. We’re checking tuning stability under moderate bending and vibrato, and assessing the overall build quality of the hardware – does it feel like it'll last?
Finish & Aesthetics
Let’s be honest, looks matter. While a flawless nitro finish isn't realistic at this price point, we're evaluating the overall finish quality and aesthetics. Are there obvious flaws or a plasticky feel? Does it look and feel like a guitar you'd be proud to play?
Setup & Playability
A bad setup can ruin even a great guitar. We’re evaluating the action (string height), intonation, and fretwork. A playable guitar straight out of the box is a huge win – less hassle, more playing.
Buying guide
Alright, so you want that classic ST vibe without dropping a grand? Totally get it. I've seen too many players hamstringing their tone with budget guitars that just don't cut it. We're focusing on guitars under $800 that actually deliver a playable, gig-worthy experience – meaning decent pickups, a setup that doesn't require a doctorate in luthiering, and a neck profile you can actually live with.
At this price point, compromises are inevitable. Don't expect premium woods or custom-wound pickups. Focus on a guitar with a comfortable neck, decent pickups, and a setup that's reasonably close to playable.
Paying a little extra for a model with a roasted maple neck (better stability and feel) or upgraded tuners can make a big difference in the long run.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 613 ST style guitars from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are the stock pickups really that bad?
They're usually… fine. They'll get you by, but if you're chasing a specific tone, a pickup swap is often the first upgrade. Expect a bit more noise and less nuance compared to higher-end options.
Can I expect a floating tremolo?
Possibly, but be prepared for tuning instability. A hardtail bridge is generally more reliable at this price point, offering better sustain and tuning stability – especially for beginners.
Is it worth getting a professional setup?
Absolutely. Even a 'playable' setup from the factory can be improved. A proper setup will optimize the action, intonation, and overall feel of the guitar, making it much more enjoyable to play.
What’s the deal with ‘roasted’ maple necks?
Roasted maple is kiln-dried at high temperatures, which reduces moisture content and improves stability. It’s generally smoother, more resistant to warping, and feels a little more premium than standard maple – a worthwhile upgrade if you can find it.
Should I buy online or from a local shop?
Ideally, try before you buy. But if that's not possible, buy from a retailer with a good return policy. A local shop can also often perform a basic setup for you, which is a huge time-saver.
