Jazz music is often thought of as being “the American classical music.” Jazz employs improvisation, complex melodies, and rich harmonies that are at the heart of any jazz performance. The guitar is one of the most popular instruments to accompany a jazz ensemble.
But what kind of guitar should you buy if you’re looking to play the best jazz in 2024? This article will introduce you to five electric guitars for jazz that will provide an expressive sound, a beautiful tone, and enough versatility for even the most seasoned musicians.
To be a true master of an instrument, one must have great technical knowledge, immense speed, and dexterity, and a deeply ingrained understanding of the music to successfully perform. For jazz guitar, this means you need an electric guitar that is light enough to allow style fluidity but heavy enough for volume in any size venue.
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Buying Guide
The price range for these guitars is from 1,600 to over 3,000. Keep in mind the playing style and technique the guitarist employs when purchasing a new guitar as different types can work better for different players.
Fender “Stratocaster” Series :
The Strat can be a timeless stringed instrument that has a wide tonal range and is versatile. This electric guitar plays well in jazz and blues music as well as rock music – there’s no wrong pick for any style of play with this model.
Epiphone “Les Paul” Series :
The Epiphone Les Paul Standard and the Epiphone Les Paul 100 make for great jazz guitars. Playability, comfort, and tonal range are what make these two models some of the best jazz guitars available on the market.
Best 5 Jazz Guitars Reviewed
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. The Loar LH-350-VS Hand-Carved Archtop Cutaway Guitar, Vintage Sunburst
- Solid Hand-Carved Spruce Top
- Maple Back and Sides
- Mahogany Neck with Vintage “V” Profile
- Scale Length: 24-3/4”
- Treble Side Florentine Cutaway and Kent Armstrong Humbucking Pickup
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Loar LH-350-VS Hand-Carved Archtop Cutaway Guitar, Vintage Sunburst is a beautiful instrument that will add something special to your sound.
Pros :
- The Loar LH-350-VS Hand-Carved Archtop Cutaway Guitar, Vintage Sunburst offers a rich tonal palette with a wide range of projection and depth.
- It is crafted from solid 26. 26″ scale for superior playability
Cons :
- The Loar LH-350-VS Hand-Carved Archtop Cutaway Guitar, Vintage Sunburst is not well suited for the player who is looking for a true vintage guitar.
- The guitar uses different single coil pickups than would be found on guitars of this vintage.
2. Fender Player Jazzmaster Electric Guitar – Pau Ferro – Polar White
- guitar bridge system: Tremolo
- guitar pickup configuration: single-coil
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Fender Player Jazzmaster Electric Guitar, with its classic offset body shape and single-coil pickups, is perfect for your modern jazz style.
Pros :
- Budget price
- 50 years of experience in guitar design
- Lightweight, ergonomic design
Cons :
- Some may find the frets too crowded.
- It’s heavy and large for a jazz guitar
- The body lacks depth, making it hard to move between the pickups.
3. Ibanez AM93QM Artcore Expressionist Electric Guitar, Antique Yellow Sunburst
- Gibraltar Performer Bridge: features a Gibraltar Performer bridge that provides rich sustain and tuning stability. The low-positioned saddles promise...
- 3pc Nyatoh/Maple Neck: The 3pc Nyatoh/Maple Neck provides a rich mid-low end and great resonance
- Macassar Ebony Fretboard: Macassar Ebony produces tight lows and mid-range along with strong attack in the highs and quick response with rich sustain
- Quik Change III Tailpiece: The Quik Change III tailpiece enables faster and easier string changing
- Super 58 Pickups: Super 58 pickups feature moderate output and vintage tone
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This guitar is an otherworldly instrument that will blow you away with its amazing versatility. It’s crafted from flamed maple for a look and feel you’ve never seen before and has a chambered body to produce sustain.
Pros :
- The AM93QM is a beautiful expression of Ibanez’s century-long experience in crafting incredible guitars.
- The body and neck are made from finely selected mahogany, while the rosewood fingerboard helps you keep your cool when rocking out.
Cons :
- The Ibanez AM93QM is a good guitar for the money, but it’s not perfect.
- The fretboard could be better, and the LEDs in the tuning keys are too bright.
4. Godin 5th Avenue CW Electric Guitar (Kingpin II, Cognac Burst)
- Made in North America
- Double-Action Truss Rod
- Canadian Silver Leaf Maple Neck
- Cut-away Body
- 2 Godin Kingpin P90 single-coil pickups
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a Godin 5th Avenue (Kingpin II, Cognac Burst), model F-11CG. The guitar has been made from mahogany and has a rosewood neck. The guitar has an adjustable truss rod for more stable tuning.
Pros :
- Clear, pronounced, and rich tone
- Surgical build quality
- The list goes on!
Cons :
- If you are looking for a guitar that is worth the price, this might not be your best option
5. Gretsch G100CE Synchromatic Archtop Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Natural
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This article will discuss the Gretsch G100CE Synchromatic Archtop Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar.
Pros :
- All of the great tonal depth and bold projection that is synonymous with Gretsch
- Superb design for blues, country, and rock
- Solid spruce top delivers richer more resonant sound; Maple sides produce clear crisp tones
- Mahogany neck has a comfortable and fast profile fit to player’s hand
Cons :
- Bottom of the sound hole sort of digs into your leg
- The action is a little high for anyone with small hands
Conclusion :
We know that when it comes to the sound of the electric guitar, we all have our preferences. What we wanted to do is pinpoint five standout guitars for jazz in 2024, and give you a taste of what they offer.
FAQ:
Q: Which guitar is better for jazz?
A: Jazz electric guitars are great organs that complement better sound production. This article’s picks of the day are excellent and high performing. You will enjoy using the guitar if you make a quick pick from this list.
Q: What is the best instrument for jazz?
A: – Saxophone – Trumpet – Piano – Double Bass – Drums – Guitar
Q: What is the best electric guitar for jazz?
A: The 11 best electric guitars under$/£1,000: find your next guitar under a grand 21 best electric guitars 2024: our pick of guitars to suit all budgets The 13 best high-end electric guitars 2024: our guide to the best high-end electrics for experts and pro players
Q: What are some good jazz guitar models and prices?
A: Godin 035700 5th Avenue Jazz Sunburst HG Rating: Body type: Semi-hollow Body shape: Archtop Body wood: Wild cherry Neck: Archtop Neck material: Silver leaf Maple Pick up: 1 floating Godin Mini-humbucker jazz pickup Fretboard wood: Ebony Frets: 22