Best Electric Guitars for Jazz 2026: Hollow, Semi-Hollow & Solid Body
Jazz guitar tone is defined by warmth, sustain, and the round, "wooly" attack of a hollow or semi-hollow body guitar played through a clean amplifier. The jazz guitar vocabulary requires an instrument that produces complex harmonic overtones from extended chord voicings — a solid-body guitar can approximate the sound, but a hollow or semi-hollow body produces it naturally.
This guide reviews the best electric guitars for jazz at every budget, from the £300 beginner to the £3,000+ professional archtop.
What Makes a Guitar Good for Jazz
Body Type
Full hollow body (archtop): The most traditional jazz guitar body. Completely hollow interior with a carved or pressed arched top and back. Produces maximum resonance and acoustic projection, with a warm, round tone that sits perfectly under a clean amp. The downside: susceptible to feedback at high volumes.
Semi-hollow (thinline): A hollow body with a solid centre block running through the middle. Reduces feedback while retaining significant warmth and resonance. The Gibson ES-335 is the most famous example — it works for jazz but also for blues and light rock.
Solid body: Can produce a jazz tone with the right pickups and strings, but lacks the natural resonance and warmth of hollow designs. Works for jazz in studio or quiet-venue contexts where feedback isn't a concern.
Pickups
Humbuckers are the standard jazz pickup — warm, smooth, with the high-frequency "bite" of single coils reduced. The neck humbucker is the primary jazz pickup position.
P-90s produce a brighter, more "nasal" tone than humbuckers but warmer than true single coils. Popular in bebop and more aggressive jazz playing.
Floating pickups (mounted to the pickguard rather than routed into the body) preserve acoustic resonance — used on many archtops including the Gibson L-5 CES and Gibson Super 400.
Strings
Jazz guitarists typically use heavier strings than other players:
- .012–.052 is considered light for jazz
- .013–.056 is standard
- .014–.060 for authentic vintage archtop feel
Heavier strings produce the darker, rounder tone associated with jazz. Flatwound strings are the most traditional choice — they eliminate the bright, metallic "ping" of roundwound strings and produce a completely smooth, mellow tone with extended sustain. D'Addario Chromes and Thomastik-Infeld are the most respected flatwound brands.
The Reviews
1. Gibson ES-175 — The Definitive Jazz Guitar
Price: £2,800–3,500 (new), £1,200–2,500 (used)
Body: Full hollow, single cutaway
Pickups: 2× PAF-style humbuckers
The ES-175 has been the standard jazz guitar since 1949 — it's the instrument played by Joe Pass, Pat Metheny, Herb Ellis, and dozens of the most important jazz guitarists in history. The pressed arched laminate top produces a tone that is warmer than a carved-top archtop but more focused and feedback-resistant, making it practical for gigging.
The neck humbucker (volume rolled back to 7–8) produces the classic warm jazz tone. The bridge pickup is usable for more aggressive bebop playing. The floating pickguard and tailpiece give a vintage aesthetic that has never gone out of fashion.
The limitation: The full hollow construction means feedback at high volumes. Gigging with a loud backing band requires careful management of amp volume or a feedback-suppression device.
Who it's for: Serious jazz players who want a historically accurate, professionally respected instrument. The ES-175 is accepted in any jazz context from student jam to professional recording.
Rating: 9.5/10
2. Ibanez GB10 George Benson Signature
Price: £900–1,200
Body: Full hollow, single cutaway
Pickups: 2× GB Signature humbuckers
The GB10 is widely considered the best value jazz archtop guitar on the market. Designed with George Benson, who has played the Ibanez GB signature models as his primary guitar since the mid-1970s, it produces a tone remarkably close to the ES-175 at roughly half the price.
The body is slightly smaller than the ES-175 — the 15.75" width (vs. ES-175's 16.25") makes it more comfortable for smaller players and reduces the feedback tendency slightly. The GB Signature humbuckers are warm and articulate, not as historically "deep" as Gibson PAFs but very musical for jazz.
The finish quality and hardware are very close to what Gibson offers at this price point. The neck profile is comfortable for chord voicings across all positions.
Who it's for: Jazz players who want a credible archtop at a price between entry-level and Gibson-level. An excellent gigging guitar that can handle everything from bossa nova to bebop.
Rating: 9/10
3. Gibson ES-335 — Semi-Hollow Versatility
Price: £2,200–2,800 (new), £1,000–2,000 (used)
Body: Semi-hollow, double cutaway
Pickups: 2× PAF-style humbuckers
The ES-335 is not specifically a jazz guitar but it's one of the most-used instruments in jazz — its semi-hollow construction provides warmth and resonance with significantly less feedback risk than a full archtop.
Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Grant Green, and Freddie King all used the ES-335. The tone is slightly brighter than the ES-175 due to the solid centre block, which means it sits in a more versatile zone between jazz and blues. For jazz players who also play blues or are gigging in louder contexts, the ES-335 is more practical than a full archtop.
The ES-335 works for jazz when: Using the neck pickup, rolling the volume back to 7, using flatwound or half-wound strings, and playing through a clean Fender or Roland JC-120.
Who it's for: Players who need one guitar for jazz, blues, and light rock. The ES-335 is the most versatile guitar on this list.
Rating: 8.5/10 (for jazz specifically)
4. Epiphone Casino — Best Budget Hollow Body
Price: £450–550
Body: Full hollow, double cutaway
Pickups: 2× P-90 style "dog-ear" pickups
The Casino is not a true archtop (it has a flat, laminate top) but it's the most accessible full hollow body guitar and has an extraordinary musical pedigree — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Keith Richards all played Casinos extensively.
The P-90 style pickups are brighter and more aggressive than humbuckers, which means the Casino tone is less "wooly" and more present. For jazz it works well for bossa nova, chord melody, and light bebop — it's less convincing for thick, dark chord-block playing where the ES-175 excels.
The Casino is also extremely feedback-prone at high volumes — its completely hollow construction with no centre block means stage use at loud volumes requires careful positioning or an acoustic feedback suppressor.
Who it's for: Beginners exploring jazz and hollow body guitars, players who want a vintage-voiced instrument at an accessible price, and anyone influenced by the Beatles or Rolling Stones tone.
Rating: 8/10
5. Ibanez AF95 Artcore Expressionist — Best Semi-Hollow Under £600
Price: £500–600
Body: Semi-hollow, single cutaway
Pickups: 2× Super 58 humbuckers
The AF95 is Ibanez's best Artcore series guitar — the Super 58 pickups are warm and clear, the build quality is significantly above the entry-level AF75, and the overall aesthetic strongly resembles the ES-175. Many jazz educators recommend the AF95 as the gateway to archtop playing before committing to a Gibson or Ibanez GB model.
The 17" body width is generous — wider than the ES-175 — which maximises acoustic resonance and contributes to a warm, projecting tone. The Jatoba fretboard is smooth for position shifts and the medium frets suit chord playing.
Who it's for: Players who want a proper jazz tone without the Gibson or GB10 price tag. The AF95 is a credible professional instrument for most jazz contexts.
Rating: 8.5/10
6. Gretsch G5420T Electromatic — Best for Rockabilly/Vintage Jazz
Price: £550–700
Body: Full hollow
Pickups: 2× Black Top Filter'Tron humbuckers
The Gretsch Electromatic uses Filter'Tron humbuckers — a different design from PAFs that produces a bright, chimey tone with slightly more treble emphasis. This makes the G5420T excellent for western swing, rockabilly, and the brighter side of jazz rather than the dark bebop archtop sound.
Chet Atkins (the original Gretsch artist) and Brian Setzer (rockabilly) are the defining players of this tone. For jazz guitarists influenced by the Nashville sound or early rock and roll jazz crossover, the G5420T is the appropriate choice.
The Bigsby tremolo is iconic but optional — some players find it impractical for jazz where tremolo use is minimal.
Who it's for: Players who want the bright, vintage Gretsch tone for western swing, fingerpicking, and jazz-influenced country styles.
Rating: 7.5/10 (for standard jazz)
7. Eastman T185MX — Best Boutique Under £1,500
Price: £1,200–1,500
Body: Full hollow, carved spruce top
Pickups: 2× floating humbuckers
Eastman is the most respected manufacturer of affordable hand-crafted archtop guitars. The T185MX has a carved spruce top (not pressed laminate like most affordable archtops) which produces significantly more acoustic resonance and tonal complexity.
The floating humbuckers preserve the acoustic projection of the carved top — a floating pickup doesn't dampen the top vibration the way a routed-in pickup does. The tone is noticeably warmer and more resonant than the Ibanez AF95 at a higher but still accessible price.
Who it's for: Jazz players who want a step toward the acoustic resonance of a true archtop without the Gibson/Benedetto price tag. The carved top makes a genuine sonic difference.
Rating: 9/10
8. Benedetto Bambino — Best Professional Archtop
Price: £3,000–4,000
Body: Full hollow, carved spruce top, carved maple back/sides
Pickups: 1× Benedetto floating humbucker
Bob Benedetto is widely regarded as the finest living archtop builder. The Bambino is his entry-level model — still hand-crafted with carved spruce and maple, using Benedetto's own floating humbucker design.
The tone of a Benedetto is in a different category from any of the above — the acoustic resonance of a hand-carved top and back creates a warmth, depth, and responsiveness that production instruments cannot replicate regardless of price. The sustain of individual notes and the bloom of extended chord voicings is noticeably richer.
Who it's for: Professional jazz guitarists who perform regularly in acoustic or lightly amplified contexts and want an instrument that responds to playing dynamics with nuance unavailable from production guitars.
Rating: 10/10 (for professional jazz)
Comparison Table
| Guitar | Price | Body | Pickups | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibson ES-175 | £2,800+ | Full hollow | Humbucker | Standard-bearer for jazz |
| Ibanez GB10 | £900–1,200 | Full hollow | Humbucker | Best value archtop |
| Gibson ES-335 | £2,200+ | Semi-hollow | Humbucker | Jazz + blues versatility |
| Epiphone Casino | £450–550 | Full hollow | P-90 | Budget hollow, Beatles tone |
| Ibanez AF95 | £500–600 | Semi-hollow | Humbucker | Gateway archtop |
| Gretsch G5420T | £550–700 | Full hollow | Filter'Tron | Rockabilly / country jazz |
| Eastman T185MX | £1,200–1,500 | Full hollow carved | Floating humbucker | Boutique step up |
| Benedetto Bambino | £3,000–4,000 | Full hollow carved | Floating humbucker | Professional archtop |
Which Guitar Should You Buy?
Beginner on a budget: Epiphone Casino (£450) or Ibanez AF75 (£350) — both give you the hollow body experience. Expect to change to flatwound strings immediately.
Intermediate player who's serious about jazz: Ibanez AF95 Artcore Expressionist (£500–600) or Ibanez GB10 (£900–1,200 used). The GB10 is worth saving for; the AF95 is excellent while you do.
Player who wants one guitar for everything: Gibson ES-335 or used Epiphone Dot (semi-hollow ES-335 copy, £300–400). The semi-hollow construction is far more practical for gigging guitarists than a full archtop.
Serious jazz player: Gibson ES-175, Ibanez GB10, or Eastman T185MX depending on budget. These are the instruments taken seriously in professional jazz contexts.
Setup for Jazz Tone
Flatwound strings: D'Addario Chromes (ECG25, .012–.052) or Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swings (JS112, .012–.050). Replace your roundwounds immediately — the difference is transformational for jazz tone.
Action: Slightly higher than typical electric guitar setup — 2.0–2.2mm at the 12th fret on the low E. Jazz players want strings that don't buzz against frets during long sustained chord voicings.
Pickup height: Lower the pickup toward the body — particularly the bridge pickup. High pickup magnets choke the sustain of hollow body guitars. Lower = more acoustic resonance.
Tone knob: Rolled back to 6–7. Most jazz is played with the tone control attenuating some of the high-frequency brightness, particularly for rhythm chord comping.