| In finding the best jazz guitars, it is | | | | solid body electric guitar appeared in |
| important to look at some of the | | | | the jazz world, much due to the efforts |
| historical icons in the genre. The tone | | | | of Les Paul. These instruments got rid |
| of any jazz instrument is of the utmost | | | | of the two things that no jazz guitarist |
| significance. Many famous jazz | | | | wants - feedback and lack of sustain. |
| guitarists have developed signature | | | | Solid body electrics play an important |
| sounds that have come to be viewed as | | | | role in jazz, and one of the most |
| standards in jazz music. | | | | notable instruments is the Gibson Les |
| By looking at players who made a | | | | Paul guitar. Many more affordable |
| distinct mark on jazz with their | | | | imitations of this instrument are also |
| signature tones and techniques, you can | | | | popular choices for jazz guitarists, |
| discover the reasons behind their choice | | | | like ESP and Heritage guitars. |
| of guitar, and this might influence your | | | | Django Reinhardt |
| decision. | | | | Django Reinhardt revolutionized the |
| Charlie Christian | | | | world of jazz. He was an acoustic |
| Charlie Christian was the first musician | | | | guitar man, and he played a flat-top |
| to make a name for the electric guitar | | | | acoustic guitar made by Selmer, which |
| in jazz. His work was so pivotal that | | | | was capable of resonating above the |
| jazz enthusiasts often talk about jazz | | | | large bands in Europe. The instrument |
| "before Charlie Christian" and jazz | | | | is commonly known as a Maccaferri, which |
| "after Charlie Christian." He played a | | | | happened to be the last name of the |
| critical role in developing the type of | | | | creator. While Selmer is not |
| jazz known as bebop. Guitar legends | | | | necessarily a leader in the guitar world |
| like B.B. King and Eric Clapton followed | | | | (only about 1,000 of this particular |
| in his footsteps and learned their craft | | | | model were manufactured), other |
| from the efforts of Charlie Christian. | | | | companies have created successful models |
| Charlie Christian was an arch-top man. | | | | that are similar to Django Reinhardt's |
| He is the reason that the Gibson ES150 | | | | instrument. Typical acoustic guitars |
| is such a legendary instrument. The | | | | that are commonly found in jazz music |
| arch-top guitar became a standard piece | | | | include Gallato and Dell'Arte models. |
| of equipment in jazz music. It features | | | | The best jazz guitars are designed with |
| a hollow, resonant body, and f-holes. | | | | the functionality of the music in mind. |
| They are designed to produce a clear | | | | Jazz should not be distorted or heavy, |
| voice with little sustain that is free | | | | and the guitar does not typically play a |
| of distortion or feedback. If you want | | | | role that requires a great deal of |
| to focus on maintaining a traditional | | | | sustain. Arch-top, solid body electric, |
| jazz sound, then an arch-top guitar is | | | | and flat-top acoustics can all |
| definitely the way to go. | | | | accommodate the needs of the genre, and |
| Les Paul | | | | the best instruments are the ones that |
| Les Paul was not only a jazz guitarist, | | | | have stood the test of time, yet still |
| but he was an innovator who actually | | | | come out on top! |
| made some of the best jazz guitars. The | | | | |