AudioFu

Best Jazz Guitars Under $2,000 2026

Affordable jazz guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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
Stanford CR Fatboy Pelham Blue 95 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Stanford CR Fatboy 75 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Stanford CR Fatboy 75

by Stanford
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
Art. 420762
$1,297
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Broadway Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Godin 5th Ave Jumbo P90 Harvest Gold - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Godin 5th Ave Jumbo P90 Harvest Gold

by Godin
Blues Soul Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for rock
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

Godin 5th Ave Jumbo P90 Harvest GoldElectric GuitarStyle: ArchtopTop: Canadian wild cherryBack and sides: Canadian wild...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553524
$1,385
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
Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 VB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 VB

by Godin
Blues Soul Jazz
Key Feature:
• Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • Often more expensive

Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 VBElectric GuitarType: Hollow bodyBody: Canadian wild cherrySet neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616533
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II HB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II HB

by Godin
Jazz Blues Soul
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great sustain and resonance
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars
  • • May lack brightness for rock

Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II HBElectric guitarType: Archtop with cutawayTop and back: Canadian wild cherryNeck: Silver...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 471245
$1,242
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stanford CR Fatboy GE 95 Bigsby B60 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Stanford CR Fatboy 75-2 AV - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Stanford CR Fatboy 75-2 AV

by Stanford
Soul Smooth Jazz R&B
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great sustain and resonance
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities
  • • Often more expensive

Stanford CR Fatboy 75-2 AVSemi-Acoustic Guitar with PickupsCrossroads SeriesBack & sides: Maple veneerTop: Mahogany...

⭐ 4.6/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 485106
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel 16 Amber - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DAngelico Excel 16 Amber

by DAngelico
R&B Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • Limited high-gain capabilities

DAngelico Excel 16 AmberElectric GuitarType: Hollow body with single cutawayTop: Laminated spruceBack and sides: Flamed...

⭐ 4.5/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617185
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel 16 Amaretto Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DAngelico Excel 16 Amaretto Burst

by DAngelico
Smooth Jazz Jazz R&B
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great sustain and resonance
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes

DAngelico Excel 16 Amaretto BurstElectric GuitarType: Hollow body with single cutawayTop: Laminated spruceBack and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617182
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Godin 5th Avenue Uptown Custom BR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Ibanez GB10SE-BS George Benson - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ibanez GB10SE-BS George Benson

by Ibanez
Jazz Blues R&B
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
✗ CONS
  • • Feedback prone at high volumes
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars

Ibanez GB10SE-BS George BensonElectric GuitarGeorge Benson Signature modelTop: SpruceBack and sides: MapleBody depth:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 379249
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez LGB30-NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez LGB30-NT

by Ibanez
Blues Smooth Jazz R&B
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Often more expensive
  • • Less versatile than solid-body guitars

Ibanez LGB30-NTElectric GuitarTop: SpruceBack and sides: flamed mapleGlued-in 3-piece neck: Nyatoh / mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 372663
$1,362
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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