In this post, we will be looking at the Best Jazz Guitars.
Jazz guitar creates a beautiful sound.
The sound is so full and rich, it can take you on a journey of your imagination.
There’s something about the way that jazz guitarists play their instruments, with such smoothness and ease. Yet somehow they are still able to put some interesting mechanics in there too.
It’s such a popular genre of music to play on guitar and rightfully so.
So, you want to learn how to play the guitar, but you don’t know what type of guitar.
You have two options: electric or acoustic. But which one is right for you?
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a jazz guitarist is an old man playing in a smoky café with his hat out for tips. That’s not always the case!
Jazz guitars can be played by anyone and they come in all shapes and sizes just like any other instrument.
There are so many choices….
There are a lot of factors that go into deciding what guitar is best for jazz.
For instance, if you have a hollow body electric then it will be difficult to get the tone and sustain necessary for Jazz.
On the other hand, if your guitar has humbuckers rather than single coils it will also be hard to get that jazzy sound.
To help you decide which guitar is perfect for Jazz, I have decided to outline some of these different types of guitars. I hope that this post can guide you on your quest!
We’re going to give our top picks so you can make the best purchasing decision.
What is Jazz Music?
Jazz music is one of the oldest styles of popular music.
It originated in African American communities in the late 19th century.
This type of music is extremely broad and can include everything from big bands to small combos, solos instruments on up to full orchestras!
Some of the most popular artists are Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Tatum, Charlie Parker, and more!
There are too many sub-genres to count! Some common categories include swing, bebop, and cool jazz just to name a few.
Best Overall Jazz Guitar
Gretsch Guitars Electromatic Double Cutaway Hollowbody Electric Guitar
The Electromatic Double Cutaway Hollowbody electric guitar is one of the most popular guitars on the market.
It has a sleek and stylish design, and it produces a warm and mellow sound that is perfect for Jazz and blues music.
This guitar is also great for rock music, and it can be used to create a variety of different tones.
The Electromatic Double Cutaway Hollowbody electric guitar has a body made from mahogany, and it features dual Gretsch humbucking pickups.
These pickups are designed to produce a wide range of tones, and they provide plenty of power for playing rock music.
The guitar also has a maple neck, which adds brightness and clarity to the sound.
The Electromatic Double Cutaway Hollowbody electric guitar is designed for players who love to experiment and create unique music. It offers a wide range of different sounds.
This guitar has a sleek and stylish design that makes it stand out from other Gretsch models. The slick body is comfortable to hold.
What makes this guitar our pick for the best?
The contrasting white binding on this model increases its visual appeal.
The Electromatic Double Cutaway Hollowbody electric guitar has 22 medium-jumbo frets that make it easy to play clean chords and riffs.
It also has a 1-5/8 inch nut width, which provides plenty of space between each string so you can easily fret them with your fingers.
The neck finish on this Les Paul style guitar is satin making it great on the hands.
The Gretsch Electromatic Double Cutaway Hollowbody electric guitar is perfect for jazz and blues music, but it can also be used to play rock music.
This guitar has a sleek and stylish design, and it features dual Gretsch humbucking pickups that provide plenty of power for playing rock music.
The maple neck on this guitar adds brightness and clarity to the sound, while the mahogany body provides warmth and mellowness.
The 22 medium jumbo frets make it easy to play clean chords and riffs, and the 1-5/8 inch nut width provides plenty of space between each string.
Pros
Pros:
- Sleek and stylish design.
- Dual Gretsch humbucking pickups.
- Maple neck.
- Satin finish on the neck.
- 22 medium jumbo frets.
- 1-5/8 inch nut width.
Cons
Cons:
- Slight feedback due to semi-hollow nature.
Best Guitar for Jazz on a Budget
Ibanez 6 String Semi-Hollow-Body Electric Guitar
The Ibanez AS53TKF semi-hollow electric guitar is a budget-friendly choice that still packs a powerful punch.
The body of this guitar is made from basswood, and it has a spruce top to produce a rich and warm sound.
This guitar also features two humbucker pickups with Alnico magnets for increased sustain and resonance on the low end.
The Ibanez semi-hollow electric guitar has a sleek design that makes it stand out from other similar guitars
This semi-hollow electric guitar has a mahogany neck that is slim and easy to play.
This guitar also has a bound fretboard and chrome hardware that gives it a high-end look and feel.
This model is the perfect choice for jazz and blues music, but it can also be used to play other styles of music.
The Ibanez semi-hollow electric guitar is a budget-friendly choice that still packs a powerful punch.
Pros
Pros:
- Great for jazz and blues music.
- Sleek design.
- Alnico magnet humbucker pickups.
- Slim neck for easy playability.
- Good price point.
Cons
Cons:
- Might need to change the stock strings right away because they are not of high quality.
Best Jazz Guitar for Beginners
IYV Jazz Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Tobacco Sunburst
The IYV IJZ-300 TSB jazz solid-body electric guitar is the perfect choice for beginners who are looking for an affordable and durable guitar.
This guitar is made from basswood, a lightweight and durable wood that is perfect for beginner guitars.
It also features a rosewood fingerboard and 22 frets to make it easy to play chords and melodies.
The IYV Jazz solid-body electric guitar has a tobacco sunburst finish that gives it a classic look, and it also comes with a gig bag for easy transport.
This is an excellent choice for beginners who are looking for an affordable and durable guitar.
The basswood body is lightweight and durable, and the rosewood fingerboard makes it easy to play chords and melodies.
The 22 frets make a great choice for beginners who are still learning.
The tobacco sunburst finish gives it a classic look, and the gig bag makes it easy to transport.
The IYV Jazz solid-body electric guitar is the perfect choice for beginners who are looking for an affordable and durable guitar.
Another option in the line of super affordable guitars is Grote. Check out our article on them right here: Grote Guitar Review.
Pros
Pros:
- Lightweight and durable.
- Easy for playing chords and melodies.
- Classic tobacco sunburst finish.
- Easy to transport.
- Great for beginners.
- Sleek tobacco sunburst.
Cons
Cons:
- Action may need to be adjusted.
Best Guitar for Jazz Under $500
Ibanez Artcore Hollow-Body Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst
The Ibanez Artcore AF55 hollow-body electric guitar is a great choice for anyone who is looking for an affordable jazz guitar.
This guitar has a mahogany body and a maple top to produce a warm and rich sound.
It also features two Ibanez Classic Elite humbucking pickups with Alnico magnets for increased sustain and resonance on the low end.
The Ibanez Artcore AF55 hollow-body electric guitar has a bound fretboard and chrome hardware that gives it a high-end look and feel.
This guitar is perfect for jazz and blues music, but it can also be used to play other styles of music.
The mahogany body and maple top produce a warm and rich sound, and the two Ibanez Classic Elite humbucking pickups with Alnico magnets increase sustain and resonance.
The bound fretboard and chrome hardware give it a high-end look and feel, making it perfect for jazz and blues music.
The Ibanez Artcore AF55 hollow-body electric guitar is a great choice for anyone who is looking for an affordable jazz guitar.
Pros
Pros:
- Great for jazz and blues music.
- High-end look and feel.
- Good quality pickups at this price point.
- Affordable price point.
- The sleek design makes it stand out from other similar guitars.
Cons
Cons:
- Slight string buzzing on higher frets.
Best Guitars for Jazz Under $1200
PRS Guitars 6 String SE Hollowbody Standard Fire Red Burst with Case
The PRS Guitars 6 string SE Hollowbody standard fire red burst with case is the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a high-end jazz guitar.
This guitar features maple/nickel hardware, vintage nickel-covered soap bar pickups, and a wide-fat neck carve that makes it easy to play chords and melodies.
The PRS Guitars 6 string SE Hollowbody Standard Fire Red Burst with Case has a beautiful red finish that looks great in any setting.
It also comes with a hardshell case so you can be sure your guitar stays safe when you are not using it.
All of these features combine to make an excellent choice for anyone who loves jazz music or other styles of music but doesn’t want to sacrifice quality sound.
The maple/nickel hardware and vintage nickel-covered soap bar pickups give this guitar a great jazz tone, and the wide-fat neck carve makes it easy to play chords and melodies.
The beautiful red finish looks great in any setting, and the included hardshell case means your guitar stays safe when you are not using it.
This guitar is the perfect choice for anyone who loves jazz music or other styles of music but doesn’t want to sacrifice quality sound.
Pros
Pros:
- Beautiful red finish.
- Hardshell case included.
- Maple/nickel hardware and vintage nickel-covered soap bar pickups.
- Wide-fat neck carve makes it easy to play chords and melodies.
- Excellent choice for anyone who loves jazz music or other styles of music.
Cons
Cons:
- Action may need to be adjusted.
Guild Guitars Starfire II ST Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar
The Guild Guitars Starfire II ST Semi-Hollow Body electric guitar is a great choice for anyone who wants high-end features and great sound.
This guitar has a highly figured maple laminate top, arched spruce arched mahogany back and sides, and the company’s SlimTaper neck to offer a classic jazz tone and easy playability.
The vintage-style rosewood bridge with steel saddles gives this guitar excellent sustain and resonance.
Guild Guitars designed this particular guitar to look like a vintage model from the 50s, which means it looks as good as it sounds.
With all of these features combined, you can rest assured that your guitar will produce an awesome sound every time you play it.
The highly figured maple laminate top, arched spruce arched mahogany back and sides and Guild’s SlimTaper neck all combine to create a classic jazz tone that players will love.
The vintage-style rosewood bridge with steel saddles gives this guitar excellent sustain and resonance.
The Guild Guitars Starfire II ST Semi-Hollow Body electric guitar is a great choice for anyone who wants a high-end guitar in the style of a classic 1950s model.
Pros
Pros:
- Highly figured maple laminate top.
- Arched spruce arched mahogany back and sides.
- Guild’s SlimTaper neck for easy playability.
- Vintage-style rosewood bridge with steel saddles.
- Looks and sounds like a classic 1950s guitar.
Cons
Cons:
- Action may need to be adjusted.
Best Signature Model Jazz Guitar
Ibanez LGB30 George Benson Signature Hollowbody Electric Guitar Natural Satin
The Ibanez LGB30 George Benson signature Hollowbody electric guitar is the perfect jazz guitar for anyone who loves jazz music.
This guitar has a maple top, sides, and back that produce a warm tone. It also features George Benson’s favorite DiMarzio pickups with an edge zero 2 bridge pickup.
The Ibanez LGB30 George Benson signature Hollowbody electric guitar comes with great hardware like individual volume and tone knobs plus a 3-way toggle switch.
Comes in either natural satin or vintage sunburst finish to give it more of a traditional look while still giving you the option to personalize your sound.
These high-end features combined make this one of the best jazz guitars for anyone who loves jazz music and wants a guitar that looks and sounds great.
The maple top, sides, and back produce a warm tone that works well in any setting.
It also features George Benson’s favorite DiMarzio pickups with an edge zero 2 bridge pickup to give it the classic jazz sound you crave.
The individual volume and tone knobs plus a 3-way toggle switch mean this guitar gives you full control over your sound. This let’s you experiment all you want while still getting a great tone.
This guitar comes in either natural satin or vintage sunburst finish to give it more of a traditional look while still giving you the option to personalize your sound if desired.
Pros
Pros:
- Warm tone
- George Benson’s favorite DiMarzio pickups with an edge zero 2 bridge pickup
- Individual volume and tone knobs plus a 3-way toggle switch for full control over your sound, natural satin, or vintage sunburst finish.
- Maple top, sides, and back.
- A great choice for anyone who loves jazz music.
Cons
Cons:
- More expensive of an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let us take a look at some frequently asked questions.
What is a good jazz guitar?
This can vary depending on what person feels is a good jazz guitar. Generally speaking, the best jazz guitars are going to be those with narrow fretboards, thin necks, and pickups near the bridge allowing them to produce a warm tone.
What is the most popular jazz guitar?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference.
However, some of the most popular jazz guitarists include George Benson, Pat Metheny, and John Scofield.
These musicians are all highly respected in the Jazz community and have helped to shape the genre over the years.
Each of them has its unique style, which makes them stand out from the rest. If you’re interested in learning more about jazz guitar, then be sure to check out their music! You won’t be disappointed.
What kind of guitar should I get for jazz?
A jazz guitar is typically a hollow-body electric guitar that has a mellower sound than a solid-body guitar.
It is important to get a jazz guitar that feels comfortable for you and has the features you need to play jazz.
There are many different types of jazz guitars available, so it is important to do your research before you buy one.
You should consider the size of the body, the type of pickups, and the overall feel of the instrument.
What is the best solid body guitar for jazz?
Are Les Pauls used for jazz?
Les Pauls can be used for jazz.
There are many different types of guitars available on the market, and each one has its unique capabilities and features.
Some guitar enthusiasts may prefer to use a solid body guitar for playing Jazz. Others may feel that a hollow body guitar is better suited for this genre.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual guitarist to decide which type of guitar is best for them.
That being said, there are some things to consider when choosing between a solid body and a hollow body guitar.
For instance, a solid-body guitar is typically louder and brighter than a hollow-body guitar. This can be advantageous for players who want to be heard in a band or orchestra.
What are the characteristics of Jazz music on Guitar?
Jazz is an improvisational style of music that features a lot of chord progressions and harmonic substitutions.
It can be difficult to learn how to play jazz guitar, but it is a rewarding experience once you get the hang of it.
There are many different techniques that jazz guitarists use, such as legato, vibrato, and slurs.
It is important to be able to play these techniques fluently to sound like a professional jazz musician.
Jazz music has that smooth tone that just makes you want to play all night long.
No matter what happens, whether it’s a party or jam session these awesome instruments will deliver the right sound every time.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned jazz guitarist or just starting, there are many different types of guitars to choose from.
It can be overwhelming trying to decide which one is best for you.
Hopefully, this article has helped to provide some information on the best jazz guitars available on the market today.
Each of these instruments has its unique features and capabilities, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase.
In the end, the best guitar for jazz is the one that feels comfortable in your hands and allows you to create the sounds you desire.
So don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect guitar for you!
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what is the best guitar for this awesome genre.
Each jazz guitarist has their unique style and preferences, which means that no one guitar is perfect for everyone.
However, there are some factors to consider when choosing a jazz guitar. These include the size of the body, the type of pickups, and the overall feel of the instrument.
So, do your research and find the jazz guitar that is perfect for you! You won’t regret it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We have hope you have found it helpful.
Remember to always have fun and in this case Jazz on!
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