Best Poplar Body Sterling Electric Guitars in 2026
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.
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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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (11 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Cutlass Short Scale | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass | |
| Colors: | Green, Pink | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Fulcrum Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 24" | |
| Shape: | Cutlass | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
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 CT50XHSS
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Show All Specs
| Sterling CT50XHSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2023 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass CT50 Plus | |
| Colors: | White, Blue, Grey | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Vintage Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Roasted Maple (CGR, CK), Rosewood (AGR) | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | White Pearloid Block Inlays | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Music Man Standard | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Humbuckers (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Pickup Mods: | Boost | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling CT50XHSS
Sterling CT50XHSS
- Locking Tuners
- Compensated Nut
- Boost Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- 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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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Won't stay in tune (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noisy (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Cutlass CT30SSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Fulcrum Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Cutlass | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT30SSS
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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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (11 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass | |
| Colors: | White, Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Fulcrum Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Cutlass | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT30HSS
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
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noisy (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Cutlass CT50SSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass | |
| Colors: | Sunburst, Blue | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Vintage Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Cutlass | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT50SSS
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
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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 (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (11 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Cutlass CT50HSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass | |
| Colors: | Gold, White, Brown, Gray, Blue Satin, Pink Satin | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Vintage Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Cutlass | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass CT50HSS
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
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (11 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Stingray | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | StingRay | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Fulcrum Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | StingRay | |
| Frets: | 22 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Stingray
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
8. Sterling StingRay SR50
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (11 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling StingRay SR50 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | StingRay | |
| Colors: | Yellow, Gray | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Vintage Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | StingRay | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling StingRay SR50
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
9. Sterling CT20HSS
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Show All Specs
| Sterling CT20HSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Intro Cutlass - Sterling by Music Man | |
| Colors: | White, Black, Blue, Orange | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Vintage fulcrum tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Hard Maple (BK, CVW), Amaranth (Purple Heart) (ELB, SRO) | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Dot Markers (BK, CVW), White Dot Markers (ELB, SRO) | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Music Man Standard | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Humbuckers (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling CT20HSS
Sterling CT20HSS
- 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
10. Sterling AL40P
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Show All Specs
| Sterling AL40P | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2023 | |
| Configuration: | P90P90 | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Albert Lee P90 | |
| Colors: | Green, Cream | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Vintage Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | White Dot Markers (SHG), White Pearloid Block Inlays (VC) | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Music Man Standard | |
| Frets: | 22 Vintage | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | P90 (P90 / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | P90 (P90 / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling AL40P
Sterling AL40P
- Expensive Wood
- Compensated Nut
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- 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
