Top Best Jazz Electric Guitars
Jazz is one of the most popular music genres in the world. Despite the fact that it gained popularity many years ago, every year there are more and more jazz lovers. If you are also a fan of it and play the guitar, then you have a rather difficult task – to choose the best jazz electric guitars. Even though almost any good electric guitar would have coped with this genre, we would still like to choose an instrument more carefully in order to convey the full depth of this sensual musical genre. That is why a jazz electric guitar must meet certain rules in order to convey the necessary sound.
First of all, it should be a hollow or semi hollow body design and a sound that balances between acoustic and electro. So, if you can’t choose an instrument yourself and are looking for the best affordable electric jazz guitars, then this guide is exactly what you need. Here we gonna talk about interesting models from different price categories so that everyone can find a tool for themselves.
Top Best Jazz Electric Guitars
Here are our top picks:
1)Epiphone Broadway
Price: $799
Body: Laminated spruce top, laminated maple back/sides
Neck: Maple, set
Frets: 22
Pickups: 2x Alnico Classic humbuckers
Controls: 2x volume, 2x tone, three-way pickup selector
This guitar is legendary since its name dates back to 1931, but it was in 1958 that this model was released in electric form. The re-released Epiphone Broadway has been in production since the late 90s and is a slightly improved offering for jazz lovers.
First of all, it’s worth noting that this model now has full-length humbuckers, and the V-profile neck has been updated with a Slim Taper C-profile. However, despite the upgrades, the guitar still looks legendary and has a vintage sound.
Epiphone Broadway has a seven-ply binding around the body and multi-ply binding around three neck and headstock (that’s decorated with an inlay).
It is also important to note that it has a 25.5”/648mm scale and Pau ferro fingerboard. Speaking of hardware, this is an adjustable floating pau ferro bridge with Frequensator split-trapeze tailpiece and gold Grover Rotomatic tuners.
The guitar has a warm, pleasant tone perfect for jazz, and the SlimTaper neck is perfect for guitar solos.
2) D’Angelico Excel EXL-1
Price: $1,499
Body: Hollowbody, Spruce & Maple
Neck: Silver Leaf Maple
Frets: 22
Pickups: USA Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith Floating Mini Humbucker
Controls: Master Volume, Tone
In our list of the best electric jazz guitars, it was impossible not to mention the D’Angelico Excel EXL-1, which perfectly captures the essence of old-school New York jazz.
What’s more, it’s based on a unique D’Angelico design, so if you’re a D’Angelico fan, then this model is exactly what you need. It is important to note that it is equipped with a single pickup – USA Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith Floating Mini Humbucker.
It is he who helps to distribute the heat received thanks to the fully hollow body evenly.
It is important to note that many electric guitars are quite versatile, but the D’Angelico Excel EXL-1 is not one of them, as it is ideal for jazz.
Therefore, if you have confidently opted for this style, this is your best choice, but if you plan to experiment, you probably should choose a more versatile model.
This guitar has a wonderful clean and balanced sound – exactly what you would expect from a jazz guitar. It is also impossible not to mention the slim neck profile, which is also important for jazz playing.
3)Gibson ES-335
Price: $3,699
Body: Three-ply maple/poplar/maple
Neck: Mahogany, rounded C-profile, set
Frets: 22, medium jumbo
Pickups: 2x calibrated T-type humbuckers
Controls: 2x volume, 2x tone, three-way pickup selector
Chances are the Gibson ES-335 doesn’t even need to be provided unless you’re new to the world of guitars. The design of this model appeared back in the 1950s and is still popular and relevant.
It has also been changed and the new version is a tree-ply maple and poplar build and contains a pair of T-type humbuckers which aim to be as warm as possible. It is also important to note that the controlling is done manually.
This model has two tone, two volume and a three-way selector (that operates as an onboard EQ). This is what makes this guitar versatile for a variety of genres, so if you want to play anything other than jazz, then the Gibson ES-335 should be your choice.
In addition, this model has a rosewood fingerboard with acrylic dots (9.5”/241mm radius) and 24.75”/629mm scale. Speaking of hardware, this is the ABR-1 Tune-o-matic bridge with aluminum stopbar tailpiece, vintage deluxe tuners with keystone buttons.
It’s also important to mention that the rounded C-profile is most suitable for adults, so if you’re looking for a guitar for a child or teenager, it’s probably best to look elsewhere. Also, this guitar is quite expensive at $3,699, but if your budget allows, then you will not regret purchasing it.
4)Epiphone Swingster
Price: $749
Body: Hollowbody, Maple
Neck: Mahogany
Frets: 20
Pickups: Epiphone SwingBuckers
Controls: 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone (with push-pull series/parallel)
After the last model, we decided to include in our top best electric guitars for jazz one more affordable, but nevertheless good model – the Epiphone Swingster.
It doesn’t look big, but it also has a decent enough tone and is one of the best jazz guitars in its price range. This model has a hollow body and a pair of SwingBucker pickups.
In addition, the guitar is equipped with push-up volume controls and gives a wide tonal variety, which is very important for jazz.
It is important to note that this guitar has a classic warm sound due to its hollow body. It is also worth mentioning that the neck pickup will give you a beautiful, soft and warm jazzy tone.
\ Each pickup on this guitar has individual volume and tone controls so you can customize the sound to your liking. Also, if you prefer a slim neck, this model will be exactly what you need. Thus, this inexpensive model with a Bigsby tailpiece will be a great option for jazz lovers.
5)Ibanez LGB30
Price: $1,099
Body: Spruce top/flame maple back and sides
Neck: Three-piece mahogany/maple
Frets: 21
Pickups: 2x Super ’58 humbuckers
Controls: 2x tone, 2x volume, three-way pickup selector
This guitar has been around for over 40 years and is still one of the most affordable branded models and would be perfect for a first jazz guitar. That is why the Ibanez LGB30 can rightfully be included in our top best electric guitars for jazzz.
This musical instrument is also quite versatile, so it is well suited for both rock and roll and blues. This guitar spans all jazz eras and surprises with its warm vintage sound. It has a spruce top and flame maple back and sides, as well as 21 frets instead of the usual 22.
It also has a bound ebony fingerboard and 24.7”/628mm scale. This model from Ibanez is a good quality guitar at an affordable price with a jazz-like sound and will be a great option for you.
6) Gretsch G6120T-59 Vintage Select ’59 Chet Atkins
Price: $3,499
Body: Hollowbody, Maple
Neck: Maple
Frets: 22
Pickups: TV Jones Classic
Controls: Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, Master Volume, 3-Way Tone Switch
Chet Atkins signature models have been, and continue to be, some of the finest jazz guitars on the market. First of all, it is important to note that the hollow body provides not only good resonance, but also a warm tone.
Also worth checking out are the TV Jones Classic pickups as they are incredibly crisp and articulate. The bridge pickup is ideal if you need a powerful attack for specific notes, however if you are into soft sounds then the neck pickup will do it brilliantly.
Even though the Gretsch G6120T-59 Vintage Select ’59 Chet Atkins doesn’t have a tone knob, you still get a three-way tone switch to tweak the sound just the way you want it.
Both the body and neck are made of maple, which gives the guitar a nice clean sound. However, the price may be too high if you want to get your first jazz electric guitar. The price of this model is $3,499, but it is definitely worth it.
Conclusion
Although choosing a guitar is not an easy task, it is still an enjoyable one, as music is what brings us the most pleasure. We hope you liked our top best electric guitars for jazz and you were able to choose a model that will help you bring the best jazz masterpieces to life.
