Best T Style Guitars Under $800 2026

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

Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 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 Country For Blues For Rock For Punk For Indie For Alternative

BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Squier Larry Carlton Suhr Reverend ESP Maybach Schecter FGN Ibanez PRS

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Daphne Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Daphne Blue

by Sterling by Music Man

Funk Pop Country

Key Feature:

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching

✓ PROS

• Excellent sustain and playability
• Comfortable body contours

✗ CONS

• Requires quality amplifier
• String bending can cause tuning issues

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Daphne BlueElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 609731

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic White - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic White

by Sterling by Music Man

Blues Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Comfortable body contours

✓ PROS

• Comfortable body contours
• Excellent sustain and playability

✗ CONS

• May be too bright for heavy metal
• Single-coils can pick up interference

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic WhiteElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 609734

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kramer Guitars Baretta Vintage Pewter Gray - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Kramer Guitars Baretta Vintage Pewter Gray

by Kramer Guitars

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

Art. 465980

$714

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton T7 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Larry Carlton T7 TS

by Larry Carlton

Indie Punk Country

Key Feature:

• Classic Telecaster twang

✓ PROS

• Versatile for clean and dirty tones
• Classic Telecaster twang

✗ CONS

• Single-coils prone to hum
• Bridge pickup can be harsh

Larry Carlton T7 TSElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted mapleAbalone dot...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 512944

$596

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH EB BK Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH EB BK Bundle

by Harley Benton

Pop Rock Indie

Key Feature:

• Excellent sustain and playability

✓ PROS

• Comfortable body contours
• Great for clean and overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• Electronics may need shielding
• String bending can cause tuning issues

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH EB BK Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III HH EB BK*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 530244

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton S7 SG 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Larry Carlton S7 SG 2nd Gen

by Larry Carlton

Rock Funk Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent sustain and playability

✓ PROS

• Great for clean and overdriven tones
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can pick up interference
• May be too bright for heavy metal

Larry Carlton S7 SG 2nd GenElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted mapleAbalone Dot...

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 487426

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton S5 HSS 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Larry Carlton S5 HSS 3TS

by Larry Carlton

Country Indie Blues

Key Feature:

• Comfortable body contours

✓ PROS

• Comfortable body contours
• Great for clean and overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can pick up interference
• May be too bright for heavy metal

Larry Carlton S5 HSS 3TSElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: CFingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 611013

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton S5 Olympic White LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Larry Carlton S5 Olympic White LH

by Larry Carlton

Blues Indie Country

Key Feature:

• Excellent sustain and playability

✓ PROS

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
• Comfortable body contours

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can pick up interference
• May be too bright for heavy metal

Larry Carlton S5 Olympic White LHElectric GuitarLefthand / left-handed modelBody: AlderNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 584518

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green

by Kramer Guitars

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

Art. 606483

$659

Buy at Thomann View Details

Larry Carlton S7FM TBK 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Larry Carlton S7FM TBK 2nd Gen

by Larry Carlton

Indie Funk Pop

Key Feature:

• Great for clean and overdriven tones

✓ PROS

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
• Classic single-coil brightness

✗ CONS

• Requires quality amplifier
• Single-coils can pick up interference

Larry Carlton S7FM TBK 2nd GenElectric GuitarBody: AlderTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 561609

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted Burst

by Harley Benton

Rock Pop Blues

Key Feature:

• Comfortable body contours

✓ PROS

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
• Great for clean and overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• May be too bright for heavy metal
• Requires quality amplifier

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted BurstElectric GuitarBody shape: Arched Modern ComfortBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 479366

$604

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roast w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roast w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Country Pop Indie

Key Feature:

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching

✓ 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

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

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 543625

$516

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH Roasted Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH Roasted Bundle

by Harley Benton

Country Indie Funk

Key Feature:

• Excellent sustain and playability

✓ PROS

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
• Classic single-coil brightness

✗ CONS

• String bending can cause tuning issues
• Requires quality amplifier

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH Roasted Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH Roasted FBB*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 531178

$560

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Charcoal Frost - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Charcoal Frost

by Sterling by Music Man

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

Art. 585131

$758

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted B w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted B w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Rock Blues Pop

Key Feature:

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching

✓ PROS

• Excellent sustain and playability
• Classic single-coil brightness

✗ CONS

• May be too bright for heavy metal
• Single-coils can pick up interference

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted B w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 558096

$622

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best T 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 t 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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TOP

Best T Style Guitars Under $800 2026

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Daphne Blue

Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic White

Kramer Guitars Baretta Vintage Pewter Gray

Larry Carlton T7 TS

Harley Benton Fusion-III HH EB BK Bundle

Larry Carlton S7 SG 2nd Gen

Larry Carlton S5 HSS 3TS

Larry Carlton S5 Olympic White LH

Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green

Larry Carlton S7FM TBK 2nd Gen

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted Burst

Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roast w/Bag

Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH Roasted Bundle

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT50HSS Charcoal Frost

Harley Benton Amarok-6 BKRD Quilted B w/Bag

How to Choose the Best T Style Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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