What guitar would I use for Jazz Guitar?
Michael asked:
I have an acoustic guitar right now and am planning on buying an electric guitar this summer. I am planning on playing on jazz band at my college next semester and I’m wondering what guitar would I use and which could I use? Could I use both?
I have an acoustic guitar right now and am planning on buying an electric guitar this summer. I am planning on playing on jazz band at my college next semester and I’m wondering what guitar would I use and which could I use? Could I use both?
If money isn’t an issue, I’d recommend a Gibson L-5. My boyfriend plays jazz guitar & would give his left nut for one. (His words, not mine)
That’s the one that jazz great Wes Montgomery played.
For jazz, the Gibson ES-335 is great, but actually I think any of the ES series would be good
If you want to play electric guitar i.e. rock metal blues you want a fully solid wood electric guitar.
To play jazz you really need a partially hollow semi acoustic guitar (a good place to possibly buy one
There is no rule to say you can’t play different styles of music on either one but those are the norms.
Most jazz guitarists play classical acoustic guitars (you know, the ones with the nylon strings) and hollow-body or semi-hollow-body electric guitars. Gibson and Gretsch are the big manufacturers of the hollow-body and semi-hollow-body electric guitars, but they’re pricey. You may want to consider Epiphone (which is Gibson’s “economy” line). Epiphone has several models under $1,000.00 that are good-quality instruments with good sound. As an alternative, some jazz guitarists play Fender Stratocasters — and they’re good guitars, but also pretty darned expensive (and their “economy” line, Squier, is not so hot). For playing in the jazz band, you’ll probably only need an electric guitar.
Check out the following website for the best prices around on guitars, amplifiers, and just about any other musical gear you can think of:
the Gibson ES-335
you could use any guitar, although hollow body electric is the stereotypical jazz guitar.
Any Guitar will work, the Rock standards of the Gibson Les Paul, and the Fender Stratocaster were originally designed to be Jazz Guitars. I can and do play jazz on my Telecaster, Strat, and my Acoustic/Electric.
Semi-hollow and hollow-bodied guitars are a cliche in jazz, but they do give a great tone for that genre.
Shop around, and play as many different guitars as you can find in your price range, play them though an amp that’s the same as, or as close as possible to the one you will be using, get the one that plays, feels, and sounds the best.
Do you only play Jazz?, If not you should look for a guitar that has the versatility you will want. Strats, Teles, and Les Pauls, are great guitars that are quite versatile for many genres. If you want to get a semi hollow, Thin-line Teles, many models from the Ibanez Art Core line, and of course Gibson’s ES line, and it’s cheaper cousin Epiphone Dot or Casino are good choices.
You might want to check out the
Ibanez as73
I have one and love it
It isn’t a high dollar guitar
But she is a great sounding guitar especially when you put 11’s on it
Play her clean , with just a tick on reverb
I am starting to drool
I love mine