Best Poplar Body Sterling Electric Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Poplar body Sterling electric guitars. It's similar to Alder in terms of tone as it has a fat low-end with strong mids, but it's a lot cheaper and softer. It's a bit heavier so it's mostly used for tops.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Sterling Cutlass Short Scale

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Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
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Playability 82
Sound 66
Build quality 55
Value for money 78
Overall Score 68

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $349.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $349.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

2. Sterling StingRay SR50

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Sterling StingRay SR50
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 66
Build quality 60
Value for money 70
Overall Score 65

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $520.29 >
  • From Sterling's 2017 StingRay series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • StingRay Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $520.29 >
  • From Sterling's 2017 StingRay series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • StingRay Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling StingRay SR50
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

3. Sterling Cutlass CT30SSS

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Sterling Cutlass CT30SSS
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 68
Build quality 55
Value for money 75
Overall Score 65

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noisy (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $314.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2021 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $314.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2021 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT30SSS
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS

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Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 68
Build quality 55
Value for money 75
Overall Score 65

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $249.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $249.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

5. Sterling Cutlass CT50SSS

Compare
Sterling Cutlass CT50SSS
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 68
Build quality 59
Value for money 76
Overall Score 66

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noisy (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $420 >
  • From Sterling's 2021 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $420 >
  • From Sterling's 2021 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT50SSS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Sterling Cutlass CT50HSS

Compare
Sterling Cutlass CT50HSS
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 68
Build quality 59
Value for money 76
Overall Score 66

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $449.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2021 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $449.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2021 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT50HSS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. Sterling Stingray

Compare
Sterling Stingray
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoReverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 66
Build quality 55
Value for money 75
Overall Score 65

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoReverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $399.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2020 StingRay series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • StingRay Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $399.99 >
  • From Sterling's 2020 StingRay series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • StingRay Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Stingray
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

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