Best ST Style Guitars Under $800 2025

Affordable st style guitars under $800 - great value without compromising quality

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

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Sherwood Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Sherwood Green

Indie Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Sherwood GreenElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green

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
Kramer Guitars Baretta Jumper Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Kramer Guitars Baretta Jumper Red

Funk Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Kramer Guitars Baretta Jumper RedElectric guitarBaretta seriesBody: MapleNeck: Maplethree-strip bolt-onFingerboard:...

5.0/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB FBLB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB FBLB Bundle

Blues Country Indie
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

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

4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Larry Carlton S5 HSS OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Larry Carlton S5 HSS OW

Blues Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Larry Carlton S5 HSS OWElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays: DotsNeck...

4.8/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted w/Case

Indie Pop Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted FNT*Electric...

4.9/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Larry Carlton S7 AWH 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Larry Carlton S7 AWH 2nd Gen

Funk Country Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Larry Carlton S7 AWH 2nd GenElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: roasted mapleNeck profile: CFingerboard: roasted...

5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Larry Carlton S7 HSS BK New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Larry Carlton S7 HSS BK New Gen

Blues Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Larry Carlton S7 HSS BK New GenElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleDot fingerboard...

5.0/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Charcoal Frost - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Charcoal Frost

Pop Indie Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Charcoal FrostElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Larry Carlton S7 CGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Larry Carlton S7 CGM

Indie Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Larry Carlton S7 CGMElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: roasted mapleNeck profile: CFingerboard: roasted...

4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Kramer Guitars Baretta Vintage Pewter Gray - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Kramer Guitars Baretta Vintage Pewter Gray

Pop Blues Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Kramer Guitars Baretta Vintage Pewter GrayElectric GuitarBody: MapleNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard:...

4.9/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Larry Carlton S5 HSS Dark Navy - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Larry Carlton S5 HSS Dark Navy

Country Indie Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Electronics may need shielding

Larry Carlton S5 HSS DNElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays: DotsNeck...

4.9/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR Roast. w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR Roast. w/Case

Funk Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ 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 Roast. w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR Roasted...

4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roast Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roast Bundle

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

Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roast Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted...

4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Larry Carlton S7 HSS SB New Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Larry Carlton S7 HSS SB New Gen

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

Larry Carlton S7 HSS SB New GenElectric GuitarBody: AlderTop: MapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodFingerboard...

5.0/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10

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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