Best Jazz Guitars Under $500 2026
Affordable jazz guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
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
Art. 404972
$461
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton BigTone Trem Vintage Orange
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
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton BigTone Trem White w/Case
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
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
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
Art. 543751
$428
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton BigTone Trem White
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
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez AF55-TF
by
Ibanez
Soul
Blues
R&B
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
- • Warm, smooth humbucker tone
- • Great sustain and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Often more expensive
- • Limited high-gain capabilities
Ibanez AF55-TFElectric GuitarJazz modelBody: SapeleWhite top bindingGlued-in Artcore neck: NyatohFingerboard:...
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 331687
$428
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.
