Jazz has come a long way from its roots in 19th-century New Orleans, where enslaved people of African and Caribbean origin blended their own traditional music. Today, it's one of the most diverse and influential genres, filling everything from smoky bars to world-famous clubs and theaters. If jazz is your bag, and you’re deep in the world of complex chord voicings, polyrhythms, wild improv, and ending every song on a major 13, then you’ll want to check out the best guitars for jazz.
Jazz has many different sub-genres, and as such the guitar styles within it vary. Sometimes the guitar acts as a backing, providing texture for others, other times it’s the lead instrument, and often it can be used to create complex, improvisational solos that drive the entire performance. With this in mind, the best guitar for jazz will depend entirely on what you need from it.
That said, all the choices on this list will sound great through a clean amp and deliver on the fundamentals of jazz guitar tone. There are no super high-output pickups here. All of these options deliver great clarity, ensuring every note you play is heard. We’ve handpicked them to let you play your style of jazz comfortably and if you need any more advice, go check out our FAQs section.
The D’Angelico Premier EXL-1 is the choice for traditionalists. Made to a very high standard for players seeking a professional instrument, it’s fitted with a Seymour Duncan floating mini-humbucker that delivers warm yet balanced jazz tones.
Great for all types of jazz, the Ibanez AG75G is made well and features some great hardware, plus it’s very reasonably priced. Its two humbuckers take care of all manner of jazz tones and allow it to stray into other musical genres too.
Capable of handling all manner of styles alongside Jazz and being great value for money too, the Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster is a great option for beginner guitarists full stop, and just so happens to be excellent for jazz guitar playing too.
Probably the best guitar for classic straight-up jazz
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Hollow Body
Body Material: Spruce/Maple
Fingerboard: Ovangkol
Pickups: 1 x Duncan Designed Floating Mini-Humbucker
Reasons to buy
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Lovely traditional jazz tones
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Cool art-deco design
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Great playability
Reasons to avoid
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Too limited for some
It doesn’t get much more traditional than this. Based off John D’Angelico’s original design, this guitar is dripping in vintage, jazzy mojo. You wouldn’t use it for much else other than jazz, but that’s why you’re here after all. It’s fitted with a Seymour Duncan designed floating mini humbucker located near the neck for plenty of warmth. It’s also fairly mid-rich so you’re not just getting the lower end frequencies.
It’s built to a very high standard, so if you’re looking for a professional grade jazz guitar for less than a grand, then you’re in the right place. The neck profile is a slim C, making it comfortable for as wide a range of players as possible. If you’re having to perform speedy jazz licks, then this won’t hinder your performance at all. It’s classy, it sounds incredible and it looks the business too!
Best budget
(Image credit: Ibanez)
2. Ibanez AG75G
The best bang for buck jazz guitar
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Hollow Body
Body Material: Linden
Fingerboard: Bound Walnut
Pickups: 2 x Classic Elite Humbuckers
Reasons to buy
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Two great sounding humbuckers
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Versatile
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Decent price
Reasons to avoid
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There are better options when you spend more
As well as being a major player in the world of metal guitars, Ibanez makes some of the best guitars for jazz too. This traditional style hollowbody rings out beautifully, with great sustain and resonance. The hardware - namely the Gibraltar bridge and art-deco style tailpiece - help increase the guitar’s resonance, sustain and tuning stability too. It’s made well, and it’s very well priced.
It’s fitted with a pair of Classic Elite humbuckers that dish out a really cool, vintage tone. Combined with the hollow body, you can get a whole range of jazz tones out of this guitar – that’s essentially what the guitar was made to do. A volume and tone knob for each pickup allows you to find your perfect tone with precision. Whether you’re sitting back playing rhythm in a traditional jazz quartet, running gypsy jazz scales or doing big band jazz, this thing has you covered.
Best for beginners
(Image credit: Squier)
3. Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster
Who’d have thought that the Jazzmaster is indeed actually a master of jazz?
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar
Fingerboard: Indian Laurel
Pickups: 2 x Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Reasons to buy
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Rhythm circuit perfect for jazz
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Unique sound
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It’s in the name!
Reasons to avoid
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Thinner sounding compared to humbuckers
Since its inception in 1958, the Jazzmaster has moved away from being a primarily jazz guitar, instead being adopted by surf rockers and indie players alike. However, it’s sort of come full-circle now, with jazz guitarists realising that the unique circuit design does indeed lend itself to the genre very nicely.
The pickups lend an almost P-90 like quality to the tone making them fairly versatile. However, switch over to the rhythm circuit and you can immediately cut out that unwanted top end. It’s fairly dark sounding, which is perfect for certain styles of jazz, but the single coils still retain a good amount of clarity.
The Squier Classic Vibe series is really popular and offers players amazing value, however if your budget allows for it, then we really like the Fender Vintera 60s Jazzmaster.
Best for fusion
(Image credit: Eastman)
4. Eastman T386
This Eastman offering is a great choice for jazz and fusion players
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony
Pickups: 1 x Kent Armstrong HPAN-1N, 1 x Kent Armstrong HPAN-1B
Reasons to buy
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Responsive pickups
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Great for jazz, blues and fusion
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High quality
Reasons to avoid
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Not satisfying for the traditionalist
Eastman makes some great versions of tried and tested designs, and this take on one of jazz’s most ubiquitous guitars is no exception. That said, it does offer something slightly different to more mainstream models.
The Eastman T386 has a lovely open and airiness to the sound that really helps chord extensions ring out and sound full and luscious. The pickups are very responsive and dynamic, with a fast attack.
The Traditional Even C neck profile makes for a super comfortable playing experience, and the ebony fingerboard feels great under the fingers. This is a superb jazz guitar, though it’s also a great choice for players who want to venture into fusion or blues too.
Les Pauls have been used by countless jazz players over the years, including the main man himself. How much impact the construction of the guitar actually has on the tone of the instrument is widely debated, but something clearly works here because the Les Paul is undoubtedly one of the best guitars for jazz.
The ’50s Standard Les Paul is the top choice in Gibson's current range for handling jazz. Made in the USA with high-quality materials, components, and exceptional pickups, it's the best-equipped Les Paul for the job. The Burstbucker 1 and 2 pickups have a lower output compared to those in the ’60s Standard Les Paul, allowing them to maintain clarity and stay clean when needed.
Two pickups with a volume and tone control for each really let you dial in the perfect tone, whether that be mellow and warm, or cutting and bright, depending on the style and scenario you’re playing in. On the other hand, Les Pauls are known for their heft, and the ’50s Standard is no exception. With no weight relief, you might want to sit down for those long jazz sessions.
Best with tremolo
(Image credit: Gretsch)
6. Gretsch G5420T Electromatic
This big-bodied semi-hollow guitar dishes out great jazz tones
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Maple
Fingerboard: Laurel
Pickups: 2 x FT-5E Filter'Tron
Reasons to buy
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Easy to dial in different sounds
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Semi-hollow body rings out
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Affordable
Reasons to avoid
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Style not for everyone
Whilst Gretsch might not be the first brand that pops to mind when thinking about the best guitars for jazz, the construction and pickups fitted in this G5420T make it a really good contender. The semi-hollow body helps it resonate – ideal for letting chords ring out. The trestle block inside also helps lend a nice, fast attack making it great for speedy lead lines.
The pickups have plenty of body and definition allowing you to hear notes individually within chords. With the tone dialled fully up, they can be fairly bright, which works well to cut through a band mix, but they can easily be tamed allowing for a much warmer and mellower tone, especially in the neck position.
These are really cool looking guitars, though not all jazzers may appreciate the 50s aesthetic. They’re built well too, and offer that classic Gretsch vibe for less cash than the Japanese made models.
More options...
(Image credit: Godin)
7. Godin 5th Avenue CW Kingpin II
A resonant body fitted with twin P-90s to help you cut through the mix
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Hollow Body
Body Material: Canadian Wild Cherry
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: 2 x Godin Kingpin P90 Single Coil
Reasons to buy
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Punchy pickups
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Loads of resonance
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Unique look, but still traditional
Reasons to avoid
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Pickups lack some of the warmth of humbuckers
Inspired by some of the classic archtop guitars of the 1950s, the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin delivers a lot for your money. Made in Canada using high quality materials, this is a really resonant guitar, and that’s before you’ve even plugged it in – it sounds great acoustically.
The two P-90s are punchy and articulate, allowing those chord voicings and melody lines to really shine. Using the tone knob, you can dial in some lovely, warm and mellow sounds, but if you need to cut through a mix, you’re able to do that. It’s surprisingly versatile too, with enough of a bite to the sound to allow you to stray past traditional jazz into more contemporary territory. It’s a beautiful looking guitar as well, with an understated burst finish, and really cool F-holes – definitely one to stand out from the crowd with!
(Image credit: Epiphone)
8. Epiphone Broadway
A 1930s jazz classic
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Maple/Spruce
Fingerboard: Pau Ferro
Pickups: 2 x Alnico Classic humbuckers
Reasons to buy
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Lovely big-bodied resonance
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Nice punchy warmth from the pickups
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Looks traditional
Reasons to avoid
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Not the easiest to play for some
Based on a popular jazz guitar from the 1930s, the Epiphone Broadway is perfect for traditional and more contemporary jazz. It’s loaded with a pair of Alnico Classic pickups that deliver vintage style tone – they don’t break up early so it’s easier to keep your sound nice and clean. The bridge pickup is more cutting and brighter, as you’d expect, but that neck pickup, combined with the big semi-hollow body helps deliver lovely, fat, rounded tones that are perfect for jazz chords and melody lines.
It’s certainly a striking guitar too, and it’s very much in keeping with the traditional jazz aesthetic. The gold Frequensator Split Trapeze tailpiece looks fantastic, and it actually helps with resonance and intonation. The Slim Taper C neck profile, while not necessarily traditional, will be comfortable for most players.
(Image credit: Heritage)
9. Heritage Standard Collection Eagle Classic
For those looking to splash the cash
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body Construction: Hollow body
Body Material: Spruce/Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony
Pickups: 2 x Seymour Duncan Seth Lover
Reasons to buy
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Unbelievable craftsmanship
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Impressive tone pallet
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Will get better with age
Reasons to avoid
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You may not want to gig this
Like another iconic guitar brand, Heritage Guitars began handcrafting high-quality instruments in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1985. But unlike others, Heritage is still there. Much of Heritage’s appeal lies in doing things the old-fashioned way – by hand in the USA – an ethos that lends itself incredibly well to creating unbelievably good archtops.
Arguably the best archtop in their catalog, the Eagle Classic features a large, fully hollow body that delivers a deep, resonant tone with a bright attack, thanks to its maple tonewoods. Being fully hollow, it’s also lightweight and comfortable – a win-win, especially for live performances.
The Eagle Classic is equipped with a pair of Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups, which couldn’t be more ideal for jazz. Based on a mid-’50s PAF sound, they are clean, mild, and dynamic. The ’50s vibes continue with the hand-sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer, allowing the guitar to breathe and improve with age. Although this premium guitar may not be terribly suitable for gigs in dingy clubs, if you’re after a bucket-list archtop, accept no substitutes.
FAQs
(Image credit: Future)
What makes a great jazz guitar?
Jazz is a broad church when it comes to playing style and it’s very much a different flavor of the guitar when compared to rock and metal. Jazz guitarists frequently straddle the boundary between different genres, incorporating numerous techniques in a single passage from jazz standards like 7th chords or the bebop scale, right through to more aggressive techniques like tremolo and sweep picking. In order to be as versatile as jazz itself, jazz guitars need to be able to quickly adapt to different styles, providing a solid platform for a selection of styles at the drop of a hat.
At its core, a great jazz guitar will offer a fantastic clean tone. Jazz players seldom use effects like their rock and metal brethren, instead their foundation is built on a solid clean sound. This is why you’ll often find hollow and semi-hollow body guitars in the hands of the jazz greats, as they offer a natural, resonant tone that’s woody and warm. That’s not to say there’s no place for solid body guitars, jazz fusion players, for example, will use more modern S and T-types. The famously versatile Telecaster is great for jazz too thanks to its dark and warm neck pickup sound.
In terms of pickups, the majority of jazz players opt for low-output humbuckers. These provide a nice warm tone and plenty of sustain which is essential when you’re playing with a very clean sound. Jazz players tend to use the controls on their guitars for different tones, switching between the bridge and neck positions for different sections as well as using the volume and tone knobs to craft different sounds. P-90 pickups can also be great for a jazz sound too, as they bridge the gap between single-coil and humbucker. Most of all you’ll want clarity from your pickups when it comes to jazz guitar, as complex chord voicings and playing dynamics will be the name of the game.
For the neck profile, this really comes down to personal taste. Some players will want a nice flat profile for lightning-fast licks and complex chords. Others would rather have the heft of a vintage profile that gives you a solid anchor from which to perform. In this instance, it’s up to you to decide what you want from the playing feel of a jazz guitar and there’s no one ‘correct’ profile, just as there’s no singular jazz standard from which all players take inspiration.
Can I play jazz on any type of guitar?
Essentially, yes. Jazz is very much about what you’re playing (or not playing) - not the gear it’s played on. Can you play jazz on a spiky 7-string guitar? If you know your stuff, then yes you can. However, we’ve picked what we think are the best jazz guitars because they help deliver some of classic sounds you’d associate with jazz music. Let’s also not forget that lots of musicians and audience members alike listen with their eyes, so a spiky 7-string guitar might not stand you in the best stead in a jazz club!
How many pickups do I need?
When on the hunt for the best jazz guitar for you, it’s worth thinking about your style of playing. Are you likely to stray outside of the realm of traditional jazz into fusion, jazz blues, neo soul and so on? Something with more than one pickup can help with this - the neck pickup can take are of the darker, mellower tones, but having access to a bridge pickup lets you instantly switch to a brighter, snappier sound.
You’ll also find some great sounds by combining the two pickups together. If you know you’re going to be sticking to classic, straight up jazz, then there are some really good, simple options with just one pickup.
Likewise, think about the other musicians you’re playing with, if any. If you’re playing in a band, then this brighter sound from a bridge pickup can help you cut through the mix - ideal for your solos. However, a simple volume boost (from a pedal, or someone pushing up your signal on the PA) can help with this, regardless of pickup type.
What about volume and tone controls?
Volume and tone controls on a guitar are incredibly useful for playing most styles of music, but even more so with jazz. You can access a lot of different sounds just by playing around with these - you can tame those high end frequencies very easily just by turning the tone control down. If you’ve got a guitar with two pickups, then having a volume and tone control for each one allows you to fine tune your sound in both positions, and flick between them quickly, or merge the two.
Do you need a hollowbody to play jazz guitar?
Many of the best guitars for jazz have a hollow body, or semi-hollow body, where there is a solid block of wood that runs through the middle. This helps the instrument resonate more, which is good for letting chords ring out. Hollow bodies usually have a nice lower-mid richness too which is where a lot of that rounded jazz warmth comes from. You can however get some great jazz guitar tones from a solid body - after all, the pickups are the most important factor in determining what you hear coming out of your amp, after you of course.
How we test
(Image credit: Future)
When testing a guitar for jazz, there are certain things we'll have to take into account that make them different from your average guitar. A jazz guitar can be versatile but primarily has to meet certain criteria to be useful for players of the genre.
The majority of our tests will be similar to those of other guitars, so we'll start by looking at build quality and finishing in general. We're sure to look over every guitar we get our hands on in-depth, making sure that it's well put together by checking the neck joint, how the hardware is installed, as well as looking for any aesthetic issues with the overall finishing.
Once that's done, we'll start playing the instrument to see how it performs. For jazz guitars specifically, there are certain chords and scales that we'll always try to make sure it's suited to the playing style. Primarily jazz guitars need to be versatile, so we'll try pretty much every technique you can think of to see how it copes in terms of playability.
Finally, we'll look at the crux of the matter, which is the guitar's sound. When it comes to a great jazz guitar our first port of call is the clean tone, which needs to provide the warm, low-output tones beloved by jazz players as a minimum. We'll check all the other ways it can be utilized as well, but this is the core requirement of a jazz guitar so gets most of our attention.
Find out more about how we make our recommendations and how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides.
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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
After spending a decade in music retail, I’m now a freelance writer for Guitar World, MusicRadar, Guitar Player and Reverb, specialising in electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and almost anything else you can make a tune with. When my head’s not buried in the best of modern and vintage gear, I run a small company helping musicians with songwriting, production and performance, and I play bass in an alt-rock band.
