Best Jazz Guitars of 2025: An Expert Buyer's Guide
Every jazz guitarist remembers the moment their instrument stopped being just a guitar and started becoming a voice.
Whether you're a student exploring jazz for the first time or a growing player looking to refine your tone, choosing the right guitar is more than just a purchase. It’s a turning point. The right jazz guitar becomes your companion through the complex rhythms and harmonies of jazz and helps you return to it, day after day.
The right guitar won’t just help you play jazz, it will help you understand it, feel it, and connect with it in ways you never imagined. This guide is designed for those looking to find that perfect jazz guitar. From budget-friendly choices to timeless classics, we’ve rounded up the best jazz guitars of 2025.
Best Jazz Guitar for Beginners: Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Jazzmaster
The Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Jazzmaster is a stellar entry point into the jazz world. With its comfortable C-shaped neck, responsive single-coil pickups, and vintage-style floating tremolo, this guitar offers warmth and clarity at a price accessible to beginners. The offset body is well-balanced, and the tone control options allow beginners to explore a broad sound palette.
Specs:
● Poplar body
● Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups
● Vintage-style tremolo system
● Narrow-tall frets on a 9.5" radius fretboard
Squier Classic Vibe 60s (front)
Squier Classic Vibe 60s (back)
Best Affordable Jazz Guitar: Hartwood Revival Vibrato Semi Acoustic
Looking for a quality semi-hollow body that doesn’t break the bank? The Hartwood Revival Vibrato delivers lush, jazzy tones with vintage appeal. It features a flame maple top, mahogany back and sides, and dual humbuckers that provide warmth and articulation perfect for jazz phrasing. The Bigsby-style vibrato tailpiece adds subtle expression, making it a great choice for budget-conscious players who don’t want to compromise on tone.
Specs:
● Flame maple top, mahogany body
● Dual humbuckers
● Set-in neck
● Bigsby-style vibrato
Hartwood Revival Vibrato Semi Acoustic (front)
Hartwood Revival Vibrato Semi Acoustic (back)
Best Acoustic Jazz Guitar: Hofner HCT Verythin
Though technically an electric guitar, the Hofner HCT Verythin is incredibly well-suited to unplugged jazz sessions and acoustic-leaning players.
With a slim, fully hollow body and vintage voicing, this beauty offers bell-like tones and plenty of headroom. It is lightweight, making it perfect for extended practice or intimate performance. The Hofner diamond pickups provide just the right warmth and bite for classic jazz standards.
Specs:
● Spruce top, maple back and sides
● Fully hollow construction
● Hofner Diamond humbuckers
● Slim neck and lightweight body
Hofner HCT Verythin
Best Solid Body Jazz Guitar: Gretsch G5210-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90
Solid bodies aren’t traditional in jazz, but the Gretsch G5210-P90 makes a strong case. With dual P-90 pickups, this guitar delivers rich midrange and biting clarity while maintaining enough warmth for clean jazz tones.
The chambered mahogany body adds resonance and reduces weight, making it a comfortable and versatile option for jazz fusion or modern stylists.
Specs:
● Chambered mahogany body with maple top
● Dual P-90 pickups
● Fixed bridge
● 22 medium jumbo frets
Gretsch G5210-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90 (front)
Gretsch G5210-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90 (back)
Best Fusion Guitar: Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured
If your jazz tastes lean into blues, rock, or fusion, the Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured is a
superb hybrid. Its ProBucker pickups offer clarity and fatness in equal measure, and coil-splitting
lets you dial in nuanced textures. With a contoured heel, ultra-modern weight relief, and stunning figured maple top, this guitar is as comfortable as it is expressive
Specs:
● Mahogany body with figured maple top
● Coil-splitting ProBucker pickups
● SlimTaper neck profile
● Locking tuners
Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured (front)
Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured (back)
Category Champion (Best Overall Jazz Guitar): Gibson Custom 1964 ES-335 Reissue
The holy grail of jazz guitars, the Gibson Custom 1964 ES-335 Reissue blends classic craftsmanship with modern refinements.
With a semi-hollow body, ‘60s-style rounded neck, and Custombucker Alnico III pickups, it offers lush, woody tones with impeccable clarity. Whether you're playing bop, ballads, or modern standards, the ES-335 handles it all with timeless elegance and top-notch professional class.
Specs:
● Semi-hollow maple body
● Custombucker Alnico III pickups
● ‘60s-style neck profile
● Hand-wired electronics
Gibson Custom 1964 ES-335 Reissue (front)
Gibson Custom 1964 ES-335 Reissue (back)
Why Jazz Deserves the Right Guitar
For many students and growing musicians, jazz isn’t where the journey starts but often where it deepens the most. So when you step into jazz, the guitar you choose matters more than ever.
A good jazz guitar invites you to slow down, listen more closely, and cherish the music more than any other genre. Whether you're exploring jazz for the first time or refining your tone after years of playing, the right guitar can open new doors.
What to Look for in a Jazz Guitar
Jazz isn't just a genre, it’s a feeling. And the guitar you hold should feel like it belongs. When you're shopping for a jazz guitar, you're not just looking for an instrument; you're searching for a companion that can keep up with your learning, musical sensitivity, nuances and personal tone.
Your jazz guitar should inspire confidence and creativity. Hollow and semi-hollow body guitars are often preferred for their woody resonance and natural warmth. But even solid bodies (when thoughtfully crafted) can bring out that articulate jazz voice.
Tonewoods like spruce, maple, and mahogany shape your sound’s color, while pickups (humbuckers or single coils) translate that tone into something that connects on stage or in a recording. Features like neck profile, scale length, fretboard radius, and overall weight influence playability and how comfortably you play. A jazz guitar should disappear in your hands, letting your expression take the lead.
Whether you're a beginner just dipping your toes into bebop or a seasoned player refining your voice, choosing the right guitar is a deeply personal step. Think of it not as a purchase but as a partnership. Whether you’re drawn to warm, rounded tones or crisp articulation, the right jazz guitar will amplify your voice, not drown it.
Look for hollow or semi-hollow bodies for natural resonance, and pay close attention to tonewoods, pickups, and neck profiles. Comfort matters, too. A good jazz guitar should feel like a natural part of your hands.
Jazz Guitar FAQs
What guitar brands are best for jazz?
Gibson, Epiphone, Gretsch, Ibanez, and Hofner are all excellent brands known for producing good jazz guitars across different budgets and styles.
How much should I pay for a jazz guitar?
Beginners can find solid models under £400, while mid-range options sit between £500–£1000.
Professional-level jazz guitars can range from £1500 to £4000+ depending on materials and craftsmanship.
What are the five essential jazz scales?
The most essential scales for jazz improvisation include the major scale, Dorian mode, Mixolydian mode, melodic minor, and altered scale. Learn more about jazz scales.
Learn Jazz the Way You Truly Should
At Bryan Guitar, we help students become confident, expressive musicians. Our tailored jazz
lessons, expert instructions, and supportive learning environment are designed to help you
explore the depths of jazz guitar. Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with me.
