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