AudioFu

Best Jazz Guitars 2026

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

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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
Harley Benton BigTone Vintage Orange w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
#2

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
Larry Carlton H7F See Through Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Larry Carlton H7F See Through Red

by Larry Carlton
R&B Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars

Larry Carlton H7F See Through RedElectric GuitarStyle: Hollowbody with cutawayBody: MapleTop: MapleSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589231
$758
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel EXL1 Amber - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
DAngelico Excel Style B Amber - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

DAngelico Excel Style B Amber

by DAngelico
Blues R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

DAngelico Excel Style B AmberElectric GuitarStyle: Hollowbody with non-cutawayTop: Spruce laminatedBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585309
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Custom Line Manhattan-S w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Custom Line Manhattan-S w/Case

by Harley Benton
Smooth Jazz R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • May lack brightness for rock

Harley Benton Custom Line Manhattan-S w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 543751
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fatboy Candy Apple Red 95 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Stanford CR Fatboy Candy Apple Red 95

by Stanford
Soul Fusion R&B
Key Feature:
• Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Stanford CR Fatboy Candy Apple Red 95Electric GuitarType: ES 175-styleBody: Maple laminatedSet-in neck: Solid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 614695
$1,418
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fatboy Golden Eye 95 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Stanford CR Fatboy Golden Eye 95

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

Stanford CR Fatboy Golden Eye 95Electric GuitarCrossroads SeriesStyle: Single cutaway ES-175 styleBack and sides: Maple...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 591320
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez AG95QA-DBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ibanez AG95QA-DBS

by Ibanez
R&B Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Great sustain and resonance
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for rock
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Ibanez AG95QA-DBSJazz GuitarArtcore Expressionist seriesBody: Ash3-Piece neck: Maple/mahoganyFretboard: Ebony22 Medium...

⭐ 4.4/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 428935
$813
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton BigTone Trem White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton BigTone Trem White

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

Harley Benton BigTone Trem WhiteElectric GuitarStyle: hollow bodyBody: MapleNeck: Canadian mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 349014
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar Eagle Classic AN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Godin 5th Avenue Uptown Custom BR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Godin 5th Avenue Uptown Custom BR

by Godin
Smooth Jazz Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Great sustain and resonance
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for rock
  • • Often more expensive

Godin 5th Avenue Uptown Custom BRArch top jazz guitarTop and back: Canadian wild cherryNeck: Silver leaf hornFretboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 471157
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Guitar H-575 OSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Epiphone Broadway Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Epiphone Broadway Vintage Sunburst

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

Epiphone Broadway Vintage SunburstElectric GuitarStyle: HollowbodyBody: MapleTop: selected spruceGlued-in neck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 567359
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez GB10EM-AA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez GB10EM-AA

by Ibanez
Fusion Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • May lack brightness for rock

Ibanez GB10EM-AAElectric GuitarGeorge Benson Signature ModelDesign: Hollow bodyBody: BasswoodTop: SpruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 484582
$846
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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