Tone is an important aspect of any jazz guitarist’s voice and musical output. Whether you are jamming or out on a gig, your tone is what sets you apart from other players, and gives your playing a distinct voice all it’s own. One of the most important aspects of developing a solid toneis finding the right amp for you and your musical tastes.
To help you find that perfect amp, and personal tone, we’ve asked the JGO readership to let us know what amp they prefer when playing in a jazz guitar context.
After receiving more than 5000 responses from jazzguitar.be readers, we’ve taken those results and graphed them out so that you can see what amps your fellow jazz guitarists are playing in their home studios and out on the bandstand.
Not surprisingly, Fender amps made up the bulk of the responses, with perennial favorites Roland, Vox and Peavey coming in third through fifth place in the survey. Not all amps chosen in the poll were big name brands, as you can see Polytone, Henricksen, Acoustic Image and other smaller, boutique brands on the list as well.
Here they are, starting with the most popular and working down the graph from there, the top jazz guitar amps as chosen by you, the JGO community.
Fender
By far the most popular brand of amps is Fender.
Beginning with the KU models in 1945, which were all tubes, and launching a solid state amp line in the late ’60s, Fender amps have long been a staple choice for guitarists of any genre, including jazz.
With a large number of makes and models to choose from, Fender amps are usually categorized by their looks, such as the Tweed, Blonde, Brownface, Blackface, and Silverface models.
Fender Blues Junior
Price Range: $310 – $680
First issued in 1995, this tube amp is designed to emulate the warm tone preferred by blues and blues-rock players of the classic-rock era.
Because of its warm tone, and not being too heavy to carry to gigs as some of the larger Fender amps can be,
the Blues Junior has made the crossover from rock and blues to the jazz world as it has become the amp of choice for countless traditional and modern jazz guitarists over the years.
Fender Deluxe Reverb
Price Range: $580 – $2,900
First made in 1963, this model is a variation of the traditional Deluxe as it has an added onboard spring reverb tank.
The original Deluxe Reverb was part of the Blackface era of Fender amps but later switched to Silverface in 1968.
In 1982, the Deluxe Reverb II was launched, and in 1993 Fender released the ’65 Deluxe Reverb reissue which is still in production today.
Fender Twin Reverb
Price Range: $480 – $2,800
Featuring a built-in solid-state rectifier, the Fender Twin Reverb is a common option for players who like the power from a Fender Twin, but with the warm, clean tone that jazz guitar players enjoy, rather than the sharp, distorted sound that rock players prefer in their playing.
The Fender Twin Reverb makes a great studio ampor the perfect choice for a gig in a large room where you need more volume, but don’t want to sacrifice your clean sound at the same time.
Noteworthy players: George Benson, Gabor Szabo, Kenny Burrell, Mike Stern, Wes Montgomery.
Fender Mustang
Price Range: $45 – $500
The Mustang features amp modeling and effects technology built-in for those players who want a small practice amp, but enjoy experimenting with onboard amp models and effects processing at the same time.
Featuring Fender’s “Fuse” software, you can connect directly to your computer via a USB cable to access and even exchange presets with the online Fender
Fender Champ
Price Range: $360- $1,900
With the lowest power output and simplest circuit setup of all Fender tube amps, the Fender Super Champ and, to a lesser extent, the Champion 600 were two popular amp choices in our survey.
Though this amp was discontinued in 1982, after a 34 year run of production, Fender revived the Champ series in 2006 with their “Vintage Modified” line of amps.
After lagging sales for the Super Champ in 1982, Fender partnered with Paul Rivera to help redesign this classic amp. The resulting amps are considered some of the best in the seriesand are highly sought after by guitarists looking for a classic Fender sound.
Fender Princeton Reverb
Price Range: $800 – $3,200
The Blackface edition of the Princeton Reverb was first released by Fender in 1967,though it was quickly replaced bySilverface version a year later.
After being discontinued in 1981, Fender released the Princeton Reverb II a year later, which was also discontinued in 1986.
Luckily for fans of this classic sounding amp, Fender launched a reissue of the Princeton Reverb in 2008 as well as a ’68 Custom Princeton Reverb reissue in 2013.
Noteworthy player: Bill Frissell
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Price Range: $340- $900
Along with the Deville, the Hot Rod makes up the Deluxe line of Fender amplifiers, and both are tube amps with a focus on power in a smaller package than the Fender Twin line of amps.
Originally released in 1995, Fender has released a few limited editions of the Hot Rod Deluxe over the years, as well as the Hot Rod Deluxe III in 2010 which featured a number of cosmetic and electronic upgrades to the traditional Hot Rod design.
In 2013, Fender launched a George Benson signature Hot Rod Deluxe (pictured), a 40W all-tube amp with 12″ Jensen C12K speakers. This amp has been very well received by jazz players and is well worth its cost.
Other Fender Models (in order of popularity)
- Blues Deluxe $400 – $800
- Frontman $25 – $200
- Hot Rod Deville $385 – $1,100
Roland
Founded in 1972, the Roland Corporation is known for manufacturing a wide variety of musical instruments, including their popular line of guitar amps, two of which made our list: the Cube (72%) and JC-120 (25%).
Though they have been known as a cheaper cousin to the big names such as Fender over the years, many players are warming up to the reliability, durability and warm tone of Roland amps.
Roland Cube
Price Range: $100- $450
By far the most popular and commonly used Roland guitar amp, the Cube has long been found in rehearsal rooms and on stage sitting next to jazz guitarists of all backgrounds and genres. The small size, as well as its ability to maintain a strong, clean tone at higher volume levels, has made the Cube popular among jazz guitarists.
Many jazz guitarists who grew up playing in high school or University jazz bands would probably be familiar with this amp model as its durability and reasonable price tag have made it a first choice amp for many school music programs over the past 20 years.
Cube types mentioned in the survey: Micro Cube (7%), Cube 20 (8%), Cube 30 (13%), Cube 40 (24%),Cube 60 (27%), Cube 80 (21%).
Roland JC-120
Price Range: $400- $1,000
In production since 1975, this solid state amp is one that players either love or hate.
There are some players who prefer the clean and chorus tone, while others detest it to the point that they include a “no Jazz Chorus amp” clause in their riders.
The JC remains a popular choice among jazz though, and as was the case with the Cube, a common purchase for high schools and universities.
Noteworthy player: Kenny Burrell
Vox
Founded in the UK in 1958, and since 1992 owned by Korg, this British born amplifier is more known as a rock and blues amp, but it has crossed over into the jazz world and made inroads with jazzers over the years for its consistent clean tone and performance.
Vox AC30 & AC15
Price Range: $680- $3,350
Vox offers a range of amplifiers, but they are most known for two models, the AC-15 and AC-30.
The biggest reason for Vox’s success over the yearswas the company’s relationship to the Beatles. During their time together, George Harrison, John Lennon,and Paul McCartney all played AC 15, AC30 and other Vox models as they grew into the legendary band they are today.
Noteworthy player: John Scofield
Other Vox Models
- Valvetronix VT40+ $110 – $250
Peavey
The Peavey Corporation has steadily produced quality amplifiers as a company since 1965.
Again, as was the case with Roland, Peavey amps seem to fall into the “I love” or “I hate” category when it comes to asking jazz guitar players what they think about these amps.
Regardless of generating a divisive opinion, Peavey has remained a top choice for jazz guitarists for many decades, including their most popular jazz amp, the Classic 30.
Peavey Classic 30
Price Range: $300- $700
The Classic 30 is a commonly used amp amongst jazz guitarists who like its durability, tone and consistent performance when it comes to playing in a small combo, duo, or even a big band setting.
Polytone
Though they are not as big of a name as Fender or Roland, Polytone amps have recently become a popular choice among jazz guitarists as their reputation has grown by word of mouth and through the endorsements of legendary players such as George Benson, Joe Pass, Jim Hall and Howard Alden (among others).
Polytone Mini Brute I & II
Price Range: $200 – $1000
Developed in 1976 as a small amp with “brute force power,” the Mini-Brute series provides jazz guitarists with some of the most consistent and clear, clean tone of any amp on the market today.
Even though newer models are commonly in use with jazzers of all backgrounds and tastes, players spend hours searching out for vintage models from the ’70s and early ’80s which have a classic tone that many players desire.
Henriksen
Henriksen amplifiers have found their way into the on-stage setup of some of the most legendary players in jazz history, including John Abercrombie, Jimmy Bruno, Andreas Oberg, Larry Coryell and more.
Providing a strong, clean tone, Henriksen amps are gaining traction in the marketplace and are definitely an amp to check out the next time you are looking to update your jazz guitar setup.
Henriksen JazzAmp 110
Price Range: $700 – $1000
Retailing for under $1000, the JazzAmp 110 is the most popular Henriksen amp in our survey.
It is a solid state amp that provides a clean warm tone in a small package.
At only 23 pounds (10,5kg) the 110 can cover nearly any jazz gig from small rooms to large ones, and because of the linear design, it sounds just as great at bedroom volumes.
Other Brands
To finish up, here is a list of the other amps that were mentioned in the survey, but that didn’t make it into the top makes and modes listed above.
- AER Compact 60 $700 – $1,450
- Acoustic Image Clarus (Head) $500 – $1,000
- Marshall MG30 $200 – $230
- Mesa Boogie Lone Star $1,200 – $3,500
- Yamaha THR10 $250 -$300
- Line 6 Spider IV $40 – $380
- AER Alpha $680 – $1,000
- ZT Lunchbox $130 – $450
- Bugera V22 $200 -$450
- Ibanez Wholetone $190 -$390
- Jazzkat Tomkat $440 – $700
Download this popular jazz guitar amps infographic as an image here…
What do you think of this list and what is the best jazz guitar amp in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below…
FAQs
What amp do jazz guitarists use? ›
The AER compact 60 is a go-to amp for many jazz players, including Russell Malone. Designed for acoustic instruments, this amp is very transparent, and played with an archtop guitar, can produce a rich, warm, 'wooden' tone.
What amp do most blues players use? ›Our top pick for best blues guitar amp is the Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue Guitar Combo Amp. The vintage-style tube design provides the rich tones that Fender is known for. It features a three-band equalizer, spring reverb, and effects loop among other things.
Which Fender is best for jazz? ›The Fender American Performer Telecaster Hum is a superb choice if you're looking for a versatile jazz guitar. The humbucker in the neck position gives you lots of warmth and depth, however, it's armed with a push-pull tone pot that essentially turns it into a single coil, without a drop in volume.
What amp is best for jazz? ›- Fender Champion 20 Electric Guitar Amplifier – Best Budget Guitar Amp for Jazz.
- Roland JC-22 Jazz Chorus 40-Watt Guitar Amplifier – Best Guitar Amp with Chorus for Jazz.
- VOX Electric Guitar Amplifier (AC30C2) – Best Premium Guitar Amp for Jazz.
Jimmy Page is best associated with Marshall amplifiers. The image of him in front of a wall of 100 watt Marshalls has embedded itself in rock history.
What is the best jazz chord? ›Major ii-V-I
The major ii-V-I is easily the most important chord progression to get a handle on when it comes to jazz. This chord progression is also important in other styles of music as well.
While jazz can be played on any type of guitar, from an acoustic instrument to a solid-bodied electric guitar such as a Fender Stratocaster, the full-depth archtop guitar has become known as the prototypical "jazz guitar." Archtop guitars are steel-string acoustic guitars with a big soundbox, arched top, violin-style f ...
What amp did Elvis use? ›Benson 200 amplifier
During the two stand up live performances taped at NBC's Burbank studio on June 29, 1968 the amplifier used with Al Casey's Hagstrom was his Benson 200. ** Al said "once Elvis had a guitar to play, he needed an amp to play it through, and the Benson is what I had wit...
It is with Fender amps however that Eric Clapton is best associated. And again, over the last five decades, Clapton has played a wide variety of different Fender amps. However the two that have arguably had the greatest impact on his tone are the Fender '57 Custom Twin and the Fender '57 Custom Champ.
What amp does Metallica use? ›What guitar amps does Metallica use? James Hetfield uses Diezel VH-4 and Mesa Boogie amplifiers. Kirk Hammett uses Randall and Mesa Boogie Amplifiers, but also really likes the Fender Twin Reverb.
What is the best jazz guitar? ›
The Epiphone Sheraton-II PRO is Our Top Pick for best jazz guitar. This semi-hollow guitar offers you a warm jazz tone thanks to its maple body and solid center block. It also has a 5-piece maple/walnut neck for great playability and a true jazz guitar response. What is this?
What Fender amp has the best tone? ›- Mustang LT 25.
- 2. ' 65 Princeton Reverb.
- Blues Junior IV.
- Mustang GTX 100.
- Tone Master Twin Reverb.
- Frontman 10G.
- 8: Kenny Burrell (born 1931) ...
- 7: Barney Kessell (1923-2004) ...
- 6: Grant Green (1935-1979) ...
- 5: George Benson (born 1943) ...
- 4: Jim Hall (1930-2013) ...
- 3: Charlie Christian (1916-1942) ...
- 2: Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) ...
- 1: Wes Montgomery (1923-1968)
What amps do Foo Fighters use? Foo Fighters primarily use Mesa/Boogie amps for driven tones and a Vox AC30 for clean tones.
What amp did Frank Zappa use? ›He used a lot of gear, but one thing stayed true from the mid-1970s onward: Frank loved his Vox Super Beatle system tied-in with two Marshall half-stacks. One head was a Marshall Major, the other was a 100 watt JMP.
What amps does Foo Fighters use? ›What amps do the Foo Fighters use? The Foo Fighters have used a variety of amps over the years. For many of their albums, they used Mesa Boogie amps. Dave has also made it a point to use Vox AC30 amps for his clean tones.
What amp does Ted Nugent use? ›Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head
Today, Ted Nugent uses Peavey 6505 heads onstage. According to Nugent at (15:40), he experimented with Peavy 5150s while playing with his band the Damn Yankees, “just as an experiment… It sounded awesome. And so I stuck with it and today I'm using 6505s.”
At the center of Keith's tone is are his Fender amps. He has a few of them but the most utilized are his 1958 Fender Twin for live performances and his 1957 Fender Champ and 1956 Fender Tweed Harvard Amp which he primarily uses in the studio.
What amps did Peter Green use? ›At various points he played a Dual Showman Reverb, a Twin Reverb and a Deluxe Reverb. These are the amps that Green used during some of Fleetwood Mac's best live performances, including The Boston Tea Party in 1970.
What is the number 1 jazz song? ›What scale is used most in jazz? ›
The Ionian scale, aka the major scale is one of the most commonly used scales in jazz music. This scale has been used countless by some of the greats. It's a great point to start if you're new to jazz.
Is jazz better in mono or stereo? ›Speaking of jazz, the jazzbo's tend believe that mono is best no matter what. Original 1950s and early 60s pressings of anything on Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside, Impulse and Columbia are more valuable. And it's true that these mono records often do sound best.
Why is jazz guitar so difficult? ›“The jazz player needs a vast and extensive range of tools, because the music they play is based on sophisticated scales, and those scales are used to generate extremely complex chord structures. There are hundreds of code forms to learn and a great number of scale forms all over the neck in every key.”
Is jazz guitar harder than rock guitar? ›Jazz is "harder" than basically everything else. It's just much more complex and requires much more ability and practice to play it convincingly, if at all.
What tuning do jazz guitarists use? ›Jazz musician Stanley Jordan plays guitar in all-fourths tuning; he has stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical". Among all regular tunings, all-fourths tuning E-A-D-G-C-F is the best approximation of standard tuning, which is more popular.
What effects guitar tone the most? ›There are three main types of wood that affect the tone of your guitar: the body, fret board and neck. The body is arguably the most important, followed by the fret board and finally the neck.
What guitar player has the best tone? ›- Link Wray's Rockabilly Riot Guitar Tone. ...
- Eric Clapton's God-Like Thunder Guitar Tone. ...
- Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Magic Guitar Tone. ...
- Wes Montgomery's Smooth Moves Guitar Tone. ...
- Malcolm Young's Rhythm and Bruise Guitar Tone. ...
- Van Halen's Brown Sound Guitar Tone.
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi.
- Fender Bassman.
- Vox AC30.
- Fender Twin Reverb Blackface.
- Marshall JCM800.
- Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.
- Peavey 5150.
- Roland JC-120.
The later career success, which was Painkiller, Glenn Tipton had more reign on the production and on that one I think they used mainly JMP-1 with Marshall Monobloc power amps and they toured with that setup up until Halford came back into the band.
What amp did Merle Haggard use? ›Guitar.com: What kinds of amps are you using? Haggard: I use two Fender Twin Bassman amps, and that's about all I need.
What amps did Korn use? ›
What amps does Korn use? Korn uses Mesa Boogie Rectifier amplifiers. They have also been seen using Diezel and Bogner amps on occasion as well.
What amps did Hendrix use? ›Jimi Hendrix's Amps
Jimi Hendrix was one of the earliest users of Marshall amplifiers, and for most of his career he powered his sound with three 100-watt Super Lead valve amp heads.
John Mayer uses the Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp during his live performances.
What amps did Steely Dan use? ›All the Sadowsky guitars are strung with Ernie Ball . 011s. Quite the tonal alchemist, Becker relies on a bevy of different amps, cabs, and speakers. At the moment, he is using amps from Suhr, Bogner, Marshall, Ampeg, 3 Monkeys, Retro Channel, and Satellite.
What amp did ACDC use? ›Amps. The guitar amp is a big part of where ACDC get their 'sound' from. Essentially, they just crank up Marshall Plexi amps which are surprisingly not high gain amps. But when turned up that loud, they'll break up the speakers for that classic rock sound.
What amp did Linkin Park use? ›3. The Amp. Brad has been associated with many guitar amplifier brands including Marshall, Soldano, Bogner, Mesa Boogie and even Vox. In the studio he may have used a combination of several amps to get that tone, what we know for sure is that's its a Hi-Gain tone.
What is the hardest jazz instrument to learn? ›The trumpet is probably the hardest instrument to play in jazz, but the rewards of mastering it (and the relative affordability of buying a beginner horn) make it well worth a try!
Why is jazz no longer popular? ›Decreasing exposure. As the music industry became big business, jazz struggled to compete. Jazz radio stations have all but disappeared from the airwaves. And with the advent of MTV as a major driver in music trends, jazz became a niche genre.
Which style of jazz is the fastest? ›Bebop or bop is a style of jazz characterized by a fast tempo, instrumental virtuosity, and improvisation based on a combination of harmonic structure and occasional references to the melody.
What is considered the best guitar amp? ›- Fender Mustang Micro. The Mustang Micro headphone amp/audio interface is the simplest way to get your hands on Fender's next-level Mustang GTX amp and effects models. ...
- Boss Katana MKII. ...
- Positive Grid Spark 40. ...
- Orange Micro Dark. ...
- Orange MT20 Micro Terror. ...
- Yamaha THR10II. ...
- Yamaha THR30II. ...
- Vox AC15C1.
Who is World No 1 guitarist? ›
Rank | Guitarist | Top Strength |
---|---|---|
1 | Guthrie Govan | All-Around Technical Virtuoso |
2 | Pat Metheny | Jazz Voicing & Picking |
3 | Tommy Emmanuel | One-Man Band |
4 | Steve Vai | Technical & Harmonic Prowess |
Known to millions in the '20s & '30s as “The King of Jazz”, Paul Whiteman was a pioneer of early Jazz music and discovered some of the most talented vocalists and musicians of the Big Band era.
Who is the real king of jazz? ›Paul Whiteman, (born March 28, 1890, Denver, Colorado, U.S.—died December 29, 1967, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S.), American bandleader, called the “King of Jazz” for popularizing a musical style that helped to introduce jazz to mainstream audiences during the 1920s and 1930s.
Why do jazz guitarists use solid state amps? ›Jazz players, many of whom play with almost no overdrive at all, tend to favor solid-state amps. This is partly for tonal reasons, but it's also because solid-state amps are almost always lighter than tube amps, and many gigging musicians value the convenience of a light amp. Rock musicians also use solid-state amps.
What amp does Greta Van Fleet use? ›Onstage, Jake has a Marshall JCM800 and two matching 4x12 cabs, plus a vintage Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 amp that was once owned by Guns N' Roses' Richard Fortus. Looks good, sounds good!
What kind of amplifier did Chuck Berry use? ›Larry had mentioned that when Chuck performed, he always stipulated in his contract that he must be provided two Fender Showman Reverb amps to perform with.
What amp did Waylon Jennings use? ›Fender Tremolux 5G9
It was used on many of Waylon's recordings from the early 80s onward. Waylon gifted the amp to Jigger as a birthday gift.
Jazz guitarists use heavier strings partly because of tradition, a supposed increase in tone, and because they're supposed to be able to emulate a horn section better. Another reason is that jazz guitarists don't bend or use vibrato as often as what's seen in other genres.
What amplifier does Ted Nugent use? ›Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head
Today, Ted Nugent uses Peavey 6505 heads onstage. According to Nugent at (15:40), he experimented with Peavy 5150s while playing with his band the Damn Yankees, “just as an experiment… It sounded awesome. And so I stuck with it and today I'm using 6505s.”
Although Willie Nelson's Baldwin 800C didn't stick around long, its pickups live on with Trigger. He's used the Baldwin C1 Custom for technically longer than he's used Trigger. In a way, this amp is just as responsible for the legend of Willie Nelson as his iconic guitar.
What amp does Chris Stapleton use? ›
Stapleton prefers playing through 1962 Fender Princeton amps. At 57 years old, the amplifiers are hard to find and unreliable. When they break, which is bound to happen due to their age, he said, it often takes weeks to get them fixed.
What amplifier did Jerry Garcia use? ›What Amp Did Jerry Garcia Use? Jerry Garcia used a Silverface Fender Twin Reverb Amp for most of his career and was a central piece in achieving his sound. Jerry continued to use the preamp from the Fender amp until 1993.
What amp did Van Halen use? ›This tone is pretty simple, Eddie Van Halen used his legendary Marshall Plexi amplifier famously cranked to the hilt with every knob turned up to 10 (or 11!) and his iconic Frankenstein guitar with the single humbucker in the bridge. The reverb and room mic effects mixed in also have an influence on this recording.