AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Ibanez Jazz Guitars 2026
The top pick is Ibanez GB10 George Benson Signature ($797). Ibanez AF55 Artcore gives you the most for the money at $418. Ibanez PM200 Pat Metheny Signature leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 8 models, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
Top 8
Full detail for the 8 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
-
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- BodyBasswood body
This is a hollow body electric guitar with two humbucker pickups, a three-way switch, and two volume and two tone controls. It comes with flatwound strings already on it, so you can start playing right away. It suits you if you want a George Benson signature model with a classic hollow build.
Pros
- Hollow body with a spruce top and basswood body for a light, open build
- Two Magic Touch Mini humbuckers give you two pickup positions to choose from
- Set-in nyatoh neck with a walnut fretboard and acrylic block inlays
Cons
- Matching case sold separately under Article Nr #131827#, not included
87AudioFu
Index↓ 7.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$859 · Aug 17$797 now$797€714 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- Frets20 frets
- BodyBasswood body
You get a hollow body electric guitar with two Classic Elite humbucker pickups, and each pickup has its own volume and tone knob. The basswood body, nyatoh neck and laurel fretboard with 20 frets come in a brown sunburst look. It suits you if you want a hollow body guitar with a simple set of controls and a 628 mm scale length.
Pros
- Hollow basswood body in a brown sunburst finish
- Two Classic Elite humbuckers for a versatile pickup pair
- Separate volume and tone controls for each of the two pickups
73AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$549 now$549€492 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a natural-finished electric guitar with a spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, and two Super 58 Custom humbuckers. The ebony fingerboard with pearl and abalone blocks gives it a classy look, and a hardshell case comes with it. It suits you if you want a good-looking electric guitar that comes ready to carry and play right out of the box.
Pros
- Flamed maple back and sides give the guitar a figured look
- Two Super 58 Custom humbuckers give you a pair of pickups to work with
- Pearl and abalone block inlays on the ebony fingerboard add visual detail
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,382 now$1,382€1,238 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- BodySapele body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This is a jazz-style electric guitar with a sapele body and two Infinity R humbuckers. You get a 3-way switch to pick between pickup combinations. It suits you if you want a classic jazz look with a simple layout of one volume and one tone control.
Pros
- Sapele body with white top binding gives it a distinct look
- Two Infinity R humbuckers give you two pickups to choose from
- Glued-in Artcore neck made of nyatoh for a strong, secure build
Cons
- Only one volume and one tone control, so tone shaping is limited
69AudioFu
Index↓ 3.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$434 · Aug 17$418 now$418€374 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a hollowbody electric guitar with two Ibanez Super 58 humbuckers, each with its own volume and tone control. You get a spruce top, a nyatoh and maple neck, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 20 medium frets. It suits you if you want a hollowbody guitar with a pair of humbuckers and a 628 mm scale length.
Pros
- Spruce top and basswood back and sides make up the hollowbody body
- Two Ibanez Super 58 humbuckers give you a pair of pickups
- Separate volume and tone controls for each of the two pickups
67AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$731 now$731€655 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Ibanez PM200 Pat Metheny Signature
PM200-NT Pat Metheny · Ibanez
22 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
- Frets22 frets
This is a Pat Metheny signature electric guitar with a maple body and a set-in mahogany neck. It has an ebony fretboard with abalone block inlays, one Silent 58 humbucker, and comes with a case. It suits you if you want a simple, single-pickup guitar with a natural finish and gold hardware.
Pros
- Set-in mahogany neck made from Khaya ivorensis gives you a solid neck base
- Ebony fretboard with abalone block inlays
- One Silent 58 humbucker pickup for a simple, focused setup
Cons
- Only one pickup, so there is no second pickup to switch to
67AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,326 now$3,326€2,979 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- BodyAsh body
The AG95QA-DBS is a really solid choice for players wanting a vintage-inspired jazz tone without the vintage price tag. The ash body gives it a lovely warmth, and the Super 58 pickups handle everything from mellow chords to bluesy leads surprisingly well. It's a great all-around instrument for gigging musicians or students exploring jazz and blues.
Pros
- Ash body delivers a warm, resonant tone with surprising projection.
- Maple/mahogany neck offers a comfortable, balanced feel and good sustain.
- Super 58 pickups provide a versatile range from clean jazz to bluesy overdrive.
Cons
- The Artcore series hardware, while functional, feels a little budget-oriented.
- Ash bodies can be prone to minor finish checking with age and temperature changes.
63AudioFu
Index↓ 1.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$779 · Aug 17$765 now$765€685 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale628 mm (24.72")
The LGB300-VYS is a seriously well-built jazz guitar – Ibanez’s take on a classic, but with a modern edge. The humbuckers give it a bit more bite than a traditional jazz box, making it surprisingly versatile for blues and rock as well. This is perfect for players who want that vintage vibe with reliable hardware and a comfortable neck profile.
Pros
- Spruce top delivers articulate, vintage-inspired tonal clarity
- 3-piece maple neck provides exceptional stability and sustain
- Gotoh 510 tuners ensure rock-solid tuning stability
Cons
- Super 58 humbuckers might be too aggressive for some jazz purists
- Relatively compact body size may be uncomfortable for larger players
58AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,962 now$3,962€3,549 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
Jazz Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 53 models we track, not a sample.
Median $1,382 — half of all jazz guitars here cost less.
median of 44 models · 42.8 mm (1.69")–44 mm (1.73")
median of 51 models · 628 mm (24.72")–648 mm (25.51")
most common · 36 models
median of 29 models · 20–22
How to choose the best jazz guitars
Neck Profile
Ibanez necks are known for comfort, and their jazz guitars are no exception. The slim, even profiles - often their SR1 or similar - make for fast playing, which is crucial when you're navigating complex chord voicings and rapid improvisations. It's a real plus for players with smaller hands too.
Pickup Voicing
This is where Ibanez really shines. They generally avoid the brittle, ice-picky highs you sometimes get with traditional jazz pickups. Instead, you get a warmer, rounder tone with a surprising amount of clarity and articulation - perfect for comping and soloing. The lower mids have a lovely warmth without getting muddy.
Build Quality & Hardware
While Ibanez isn't always the most ornate, their build quality is consistently solid. The hardware - Gotoh tuners, generally - are reliable, and the set-neck construction provides good sustain. You're not getting exotic woods or hand-carved tops, but you are getting a well-made instrument that'll gig reliably.
Body Wood & Resonance
Ibanez often uses mahogany or nato bodies on their jazz guitars, which contribute to that warm, woody tone. These woods tend to be less prone to feedback at higher volumes, which is a definite advantage in a live setting. It's not going to have the airy resonance of a hollow body, but it's a good compromise for versatility.
Versatility
These guitars aren't just for straight-ahead jazz. The slightly hotter pickup voicing and comfortable neck make them surprisingly good for blues, soul, and even some rock applications. It's a 'desert island' guitar - one instrument that can cover a lot of ground.
Buying guide
Look, finding a great jazz guitar doesn't always mean dropping five figures on a vintage archtop. Ibanez has quietly been making seriously playable and surprisingly versatile jazz guitars for decades, often overlooked in the shadow of their rock and metal offerings. We're talking about instruments that deliver a warm, woody tone with enough clarity to cut through a quartet, and they're often a whole lot easier on the wallet than the competition. Let's dig into the best Ibanez has to offer.
Don't expect fancy binding or figured tops - Ibanez prioritizes playability and tone over aesthetics. Older models, particularly those from the 90s and early 2000s, often represent the best value. Watch out for overly bright or harsh pickups - try before you buy if possible, or research pickup swaps if you're comfortable doing that.
The neck profile is key; if it doesn't feel good in your hand, it doesn't matter how good the tone is.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 14 jazz guitars from the Thomann catalogue (of 53 in the category). Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are Ibanez jazz guitars hollow, semi-hollow, or solid body?
Mostly solid body, which means they're more resistant to feedback and have more sustain than hollow or semi-hollow options. They trade that airy resonance for versatility.
Can I use these guitars for blues and rock?
Absolutely. The pickup voicing and neck profile are surprisingly forgiving, and they can handle a wide range of styles. They won't have the 'twang' of a Telecaster, but they're versatile.
What's the difference between an Ibanez AS and an Ibanez AF?
The AS series is generally the more affordable line, often with simpler appointments. The AF series is a step up, featuring higher-grade woods, better hardware, and generally a more refined aesthetic - and a higher price tag.
Are Ibanez jazz guitars good for beginners?
They're excellent. The comfortable necks and reliable hardware make them easy to play, and the solid build quality means they can withstand the wear and tear of a beginner's learning process.
Can I swap out the pickups?
Definitely. The pickup cavities are standard size, so you can easily upgrade to your preferred pickups. It's a common mod to tailor the tone to your specific needs.
