AudioFu

Best Jazz Guitars 2026

Top-rated jazz guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Blues For Fusion For R&B For Soul For Smooth Jazz
BRANDS: Ibanez Godin Stanford DAngelico Harley Benton
Larry Carlton H7F Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Larry Carlton H7F Black

by Larry Carlton
Fusion Soul R&B
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Great sustain and resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Larry Carlton H7F BlackElectric GuitarStyle: Hollowbody with cutawayBody: MapleTop: MapleSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589235
$747
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar Eagle Classic AN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Heritage Guitar Eagle Classic AN

by Heritage Guitar
Soul Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for rock
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes

Heritage Guitar Eagle Classic ANElectric guitarStyle: 17" Hollowbody with cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack &...

⭐ 4.4/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 474670
$6,929
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton BigTone Vintage Orange w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton BigTone Vintage Orange w/Case

by Harley Benton
Jazz Soul Fusion
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars

Harley Benton BigTone Vintage Orange w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton BigTone Trem Vintage...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 404972
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar Eagle Classic OSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Heritage Guitar Eagle Classic OSB

by Heritage Guitar
R&B Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great sustain and resonance
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • May lack brightness for rock

Heritage Guitar Eagle Classic OSBElectric GuitarBuild: 17" Hollowbody with F-holesTop: Solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 460182
$6,929
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel EXL1 Amber - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

DAngelico Excel EXL1 Amber

by DAngelico
Fusion Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • Often more expensive

DAngelico Excel EXL1 AmberElectric GuitarType: Hollow body with single cutTop: Laminated spruceBack and sides: Flamed...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621799
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton BigTone Trem White w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton BigTone Trem White w/Case

by Harley Benton
Blues Soul Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • May lack brightness for rock

Harley Benton BigTone Trem White w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton BigTone Trem White*Electric...

⭐ 4.4/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537081
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-575 OSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Heritage Guitar H-575 OSB

by Heritage Guitar
Soul R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars

Heritage Guitar H-575 OSBJazz GuitarStyle: HollowbodyBack and top: solid flamed mapleSolid flamed maple sidesOne piece...

⭐ 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 383941
$5,829
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea

by DAngelico
Fusion Smooth Jazz Soul
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • May lack brightness for rock

DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced TeaElectric GuitarStyle: Hollowbody with single cutTop: Spruce laminatedBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585299
$1,744
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fatboy GE 95 Bigsby B60 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Stanford CR Fatboy GE 95 Bigsby B60

by Stanford
R&B Fusion Smooth Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars
  • • Often more expensive

Stanford CR Fatboy GE 95 Bigsby B60Electric GuitarType: ES 175-styleBody: Maple laminatedSet-in neck: Solid...

⭐ 4.7/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614704
$1,595
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton BigTone Trem Vintage Orange - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton BigTone Trem Vintage Orange

by Harley Benton
R&B Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes

Harley Benton BigTone Trem Orange Vintage SeriesElectric GuitarBuild: Hollow bodyBody: MapleNeck: Canadian...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 349018
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea Burst

by DAngelico
Fusion Blues Soul
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars

DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea BurstElectric GuitarType: Hollow body with single cutTop: Laminated spruceBack and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621797
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Larry Carlton H7F Tobacco Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Larry Carlton H7F Tobacco Burst

by Larry Carlton
R&B Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Great sustain and resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes

Larry Carlton H7F Tobacco BurstElectric GuitarStyle: Hollowbody with cutawayBody: MapleTop: MapleSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589234
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez GB10-NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez GB10-NT

by Ibanez
Blues Soul Fusion
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Great sustain and resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars

Ibanez GB10-NTGeorge Benson ModelGeorge Benson modelBack and sides: Maple3-Piece maple neckTop: SpruceFretboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 104316
$3,243
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fatboy Pelham Blue 95 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Stanford CR Fatboy Pelham Blue 95

by Stanford
Soul Blues R&B
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Great sustain and resonance
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for rock
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Stanford CR Fatboy Pelham Blue 95Electric GuitarType: ES 175-styleBody: Maple laminatedSet-in neck: Solid...

⭐ 5.0/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 614692
$1,418
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez AF75-BS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez AF75-BS

by Ibanez
Blues R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for rock
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Ibanez AF75-BSElectric GuitarBody shape: Hollow bodyBody depth: 70 mmBody: BasswoodNeck: NyatohFretboard: LaurelAcrylic...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 157638
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Jazz Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced jazz guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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