Best Jazz Guitars for Soul 2026

Perfect jazz guitars for soul - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Harley Benton Custom Line Manhattan-S w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton Custom Line Manhattan-S w/Case

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
Larry Carlton H7F Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Larry Carlton H7F Black

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
Epiphone Broadway Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Epiphone Broadway Vintage Sunburst

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
DAngelico Excel Style B Amber - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DAngelico Excel Style B Amber

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
Epiphone Broadway Wine Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Epiphone Broadway Wine Red

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

Epiphone Broadway Wine RedElectric GuitarStyle: Hollow bodyBody: MapleTop: Selected spruceSet-in neck:...

4.5/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Larry Carlton H7F See Through Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Larry Carlton H7F See Through Red

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
Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 LH

Fusion Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Great sustain and resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • May lack brightness for rock

Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 LHJazz guitarLefthand / lefthand modelType: ArchtopTop and back: Canadian wild cherryNeck:...

4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Godin 5th Ave Kingpin II VB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Godin 5th Ave Kingpin II VB

Fusion Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • Often more expensive

Godin 5th Ave Kingpin II VBElectric GuitarType: Hollow body with cutawayBody: Canadian wild cherrySet neck:...

4.4/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
DAngelico Excel Style B Dark Iced Tea - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DAngelico Excel Style B Dark Iced Tea

Soul Blues R&B
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes

DAngelico Excel Style B Dark Iced TeaElectric GuitarStyle: Hollowbody with non-cutawayTop: Spruce laminatedBack and...

4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Stanford CR Fatboy 75 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Stanford CR Fatboy 75

Fusion R&B Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • May lack brightness for rock

Stanford Fatboy 75Electric GuitarCrossroad seriesBuild: 80 mm full bodyBody: Maple laminatedNeck: MahoganyFretboard:...

5.0/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Stanford CR Fatboy Golden Eye 95 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Stanford CR Fatboy Golden Eye 95

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
Godin 5th Avenue Jumbo P-Rail HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Godin 5th Avenue Jumbo P-Rail HG

Fusion Blues R&B
Key Feature:
• Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes

Godin 5th Avenue Jumbo P-Rail HGElectric Jazz GuitarBody: Canadian wild cherryArched top: Canadian wild cherryGlued-in...

4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton BigTone Vintage Orange w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton BigTone Vintage Orange w/Case

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
Stanford CR Fatboy GE 95 Bigsby B60 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Stanford CR Fatboy GE 95 Bigsby B60

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
Stanford CR Fatboy PB 95 Bigsby B60 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Stanford CR Fatboy PB 95 Bigsby B60

Blues Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • Often more expensive

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

4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10

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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