Finding the best hollow body electric guitars for jazz usually starts with a confusing wall of shapes. Archtops, semi-hollows, thinlines, offset bodies and 335-style slabs all look like they should play the same role, yet they behave very differently under flatwound strings and a clean tube amp.
We spent weeks comparing twelve of the most talked-about hollow and semi-hollow instruments in this category, checking body depth, pickup layout, neck width and how each one holds up once you run it through a jazz amp. The short version: the Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow is the one we kept reaching for, and the Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster is the most fun instrument here for players who want more than one voice.
This guide covers all twelve in detail, then explains the decisions that actually change how a guitar sounds: body type, pickup choice, string type and neck geometry. Everything below reflects what owners report back after living with these instruments, not what the spec sheets promise. Updated for October 2026.
Top 3 Picks for Jazz Guitarists (October 2026)
Three instruments stand out from the pack for different reasons. One wins on consistency of tone and build, one on value delivered per dollar spent, and one on the sheer usefulness of its body shape.
Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow
- 24.75 inch scale
- 22 stainless steel frets
- Maple neck with Black Wood board
Grote Jazz 335 Semi-Hollow
- Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Trapeze tailpiece
- Maple neck with rosewood board
Squier Starcaster Classic Vibe
- Offset semi-hollow maple body
- Two wide range humbuckers
- 2-year limited warranty
The Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow takes our top slot because owners consistently report a straight neck, good factory intonation and a warm resonant voice that sits between blues and jazz without extra work. The Grote Jazz 335 wins on hardware honesty: a real Tune-O-Matic and trapeze tailpiece, which is the correct architecture for this body style. The Starcaster is the outlier that rewards players who like playing with the whole instrument rather than sitting in one position.
The Best Hollow Body Electric Guitars for Jazz at a Glance in 2026
Every guitar below has a full write-up further down. This table gives you the short version so you can narrow the field before reading 12 sections.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow |
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| Grote Jazz 335 Semi-Hollow |
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 Grote F-Hole Tele Style Semi-Hollow |
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 Donner EC1407 TL Thinline |
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 REDID RD-100 |
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| Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster |
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 GLARRY GTL Semi-Hollow |
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 IYV IJZ-300A TSB |
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 Squier Classic Vibe 70s Thinline |
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 Ibanez Artcore AF55 |
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 Epiphone ES-339 |
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 Ibanez Artcore AS73 |
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Two quick observations before we get into detail. Several of these guitars list a single humbucker in their specifications but arrive with two, so read the pickup description carefully. And several arrive needing a basic setup, which is normal at this level and not a defect.
1. Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow – Best All-Rounder For Jazz
Grote Full Scale Electric Guitar Semi-Hollow Body Guitar Stainless Steel Frets (Vintage Sunburst)
Scale: 24.75 inch
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: H-H covered humbuckers
Pros
- Warm resonant semi-hollow tone with real jazz weight
- Stainless steel frets arrive polished with rolled edges
- Factory setup praised for intonation and low buzz
- 24.75 inch scale with a comfortable C shape
- Guitar cable and two picks in the box
Cons
- Some guitars need truss rod and saddle work out of the box
- Upper frets are hard to reach for players with small hands
- Slightly neck-heavy balance
- Listing describes P90 pickups but the guitar arrives with covered humbuckers
This is the guitar that made us stop looking. Across close to 800 owner reviews, the same handful of things come up again and again: a straight neck, a clean finish, and a tone that owners describe as an unusually convincing jazzy voice for the money.
The 24.75-inch scale and 22 stainless steel frets are a sensible spec sheet for a jazz-leaning instrument. Shorter scale means less string tension under the fingers, which suits players who do a lot of chord melody work rather than fast single-note lines.
Build consistency is the real story here. Most owners report the guitar arriving playable, and the ones who needed a truss rod or saddle adjustment treat it as routine. That is not nothing at this tier, where many competitors need a full setup before they make a sound you would keep.
One recurring detail worth knowing: the product listing describes P90 pickups, but the guitar arrives fitted with covered humbuckers. The humbuckers are the reason it sounds full and noise-free in a jazz setting, so the mismatch is in the description rather than the instrument.
The balance leans slightly toward the neck, which some players find pleasant for seated playing and others would correct with a strap position tweak. Sound-wise, it sits between blues and jazz, so it works for standards, blues-jazz and even some rock without fighting you.
Who should play this one
Players moving up from a first guitar who want a 335-style platform without a second mortgage. It is also a good fit for anyone who wants one instrument that handles standards, bebop changes and blues without a pickup swap.
Where it falls short
Players with genuinely small hands can struggle above the 12th fret, which is the classic single-cutaway reach problem. If upper fret access is your top priority, look at the double-cutaway options later in this guide.
2. Grote Jazz 335 Semi-Hollow – Best Value With Trapeze Tailpiece
GROTE Jazz Electric Guitar Semi-Hollow Body Trapeze Tailpiece Bridge Guitar Gig Bag (Brown)
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece: Trapeze
Neck: Maple
Board: Rosewood
Weight: 3.45 kg
Pros
- Rich warm tone from the basswood and maple construction
- Maple neck and rosewood board feel smooth and easy
- Correct Tune-O-Matic and trapeze tailpiece hardware
- Gig bag included for transport and protection
- Convincing simulated maple grain finish
Cons
- Build quality and setup can vary between individual guitars
- Budget-grade hardware and electronics may need upgrades for demanding players
The Grote Jazz 335 gets the architecture right. A Tune-O-Matic bridge with a trapeze tailpiece is the correct pairing for a 335-style body, and it means string height and intonation behave predictably once set.
Owners describe the tone as rich and warm, with the basswood body doing most of the work. At 3.45 kg it is light enough for long sessions, which matters more than people expect when you are sitting down with chord melody books for an hour.
Beyond tone, the practical case is strong: a gig bag is included, and the maple neck with rosewood fingerboard is a combination most players find smooth rather than slick. Owners regularly compare it favourably to instruments costing several times more.
The honest weakness is variability. At this level, some guitars arrive with cleaner finishes and tighter setups than others, and the electronics are the first thing most players upgrade later. Treat it as a platform rather than a finished instrument.
For jazz specifically, the trapeze tailpiece gives you a slightly softer attack than a hardtail bridge, which sits nicely under a clean tone. It is a small detail that matters more than it sounds like it should.
Who should play this one
Beginners who want a jazz-appropriate instrument that will not punish a rough setup, and anyone who values correct hardware over premium branding. The included bag means you can take it to a jam or a lesson without buying anything else first.
Where it falls short
If you care about finish consistency across a brand’s production run, this is not the strongest option. Players who want top-tier tuners and pots should plan on a hardware upgrade within the first year.
3. Grote F-Hole Tele Style Semi-Hollow – Best Beginner Pickup Swap Platform
Grote Electric Guitar Semi-Hollow Body Single F-Hole Printed Tele Style Guitar Full-Size Basswood with Canadian Maple neck Chrome Hardware(Black)
Pickups: Two single-coil
Neck: Canadian maple
Top: Printed maple veneer
Bridge: String-through six saddle
Pros
- Exceptional value for a first electric guitar
- Single-coil neck pickup gives a clean jazz voice
- Canadian maple neck feels solid and well finished
- Fully adjustable six-saddle string-through bridge
Cons
- Most units need nut filing and fret dressing before they play right
- Factory intonation is often off and hard to correct
- Single-coil pickups are low output and run out of clean headroom
- Some units report a volume pot that does not fully shut off
This is the odd one out in the list, and that is exactly why it is here. It is a semi-hollow F-hole body with a Telecaster layout and two single-coils, which makes it a genuinely different tool from the humbucker guitars everywhere else in this guide.
Owners frequently mention a clean, usable jazz voice from the neck pickup, which is a cheap way to learn whether you actually like the sound of a hollow instrument before committing to a humbucker board.
Be clear-eyed about the tradeoff. This guitar divides opinion by individual piece: some owners treat it as a fun project instrument and praise the neck and tone, while others report buzzing frets, poor factory intonation and low-output pickups. Nearly everyone agree it is strong value if you are comfortable doing setup work.
The single-coil output is the practical limit for jazz. At low volume through a clean amp the tone is pleasant, but if you play loud or run a pedal-heavy signal, the pickups run out of clean headroom quickly. For bebop playing at volume, that is a real limitation.
Southpaw players should note that this model is listed in right-hand orientation only, so a southpaw buyer needs to look elsewhere or plan on a restrung conversion.
Who should play this one
Absolute beginners on a tight budget who want to experiment with hollow-body tones cheaply. It is also a fun platform for players who enjoy modifying instruments, since the pickups and bridge are straightforward to swap.
Where it falls short
Anyone who wants to walk out of the box and go straight to a gig. The setup requirement is genuine, not cosmetic, and it is worth budgeting for a technician if you have never adjusted a guitar before.
4. Donner EC1407 TL Thinline – Best for Smaller Players
Donner 39″ Jazz Electric Guitar TL Thinline F Hole Beginner Hollow Guitar
Body: 39 inch poplar F-hole
Neck: Canadian maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Frets: 22 copper-nickel
Pros
- 39 inch body is comfortable for smaller frames
- Dual humbuckers give a warm modern take on the jazz voice
- String-through bridge helps reduce feedback
- Bag strap and cable included so it is ready to play
- One year warranty included
Cons
- Sounds more modern than a traditional hollowbody jazz guitar
- Tone skews toward country and rock rather than straight-ahead jazz
- Budget hardware that may need replacing over time
Body size is the single most underrated factor in buying a hollow guitar, and this is the one built for it. At 39 inches with a thinline profile, it sits closer to the body than a full 335-size instrument does.
Owners with smaller frames consistently single out comfort over long practice sessions. The poplar body with an F-hole keeps the weight down, and the Canadian maple neck with maple fingerboard gives a familiar, predictable feel.
The string-through body bridge is a smart choice here, and owners note it helps keep feedback under control. With a three-way pickup switch, one volume and two tone knobs, you have enough control to shape a clean jazz sound without a signal chain full of pedals.
What you get is a warm, modern voice rather than a vintage woody one. Several owners say the tone leans toward country and rock, which is fine if you play all three but disappointing if you want a straight-ahead sound specifically.
Everything you need to start is in the box, including a bag, strap and cable, plus a one year warranty. That matters for a first hollow guitar because the accessories budget is what surprises people later.
Who should play this one
Smaller-framed players, or anyone who finds a full-size 335 uncomfortable after an hour of seated practice. It is also a sensible first semi-hollow for students who need a durable practice instrument.
Where it falls short
Chasing a vintage hollowbody tone. The humbuckers are clear and warm but modern, and owners are candid that this is a jazz-adjacent guitar rather than a traditional one.
5. REDID RD-100 – Best Knob Control With Two Volumes and Two Tones
Redid Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar RD-100 Jazz Guitar with F-Hole,Maple neck,humbucker Pickups(Brown)
Scale: 24.75 inch
Nut: 42mm
Neck: Canadian hard maple
Board: Rosewood
Pros
- Rich resonant semi-hollow tone for jazz blues and rock
- Canadian hard maple neck described as durable and smooth
- Rosewood fingerboard feels warm under the fingers
- Stainless steel frets hold up under heavy playing
- Two volume and two tone knobs give real control
Cons
- Entry-level brand where hardware and finish can vary between guitars
- Some setup adjustment is typically needed after delivery
Control layout is what separates this one. Two volume knobs and two tone knobs with a three-way toggle means you can balance the pickups independently, which is how you dial a warm jazz tone out of a bridge humbucker without a pedal.
The 24.75-inch scale and 42mm nut sit in a useful middle ground: not as wide as a dedicated bebop neck, but wide enough to make chord voicings sound deliberate rather than cramped.
Owners describe the tone as rich, resonant and full, and the Canadian hard maple neck as silky rather than raw. The rosewood fingerboard is a common choice at this level and players tend to move onto it quickly.
Stainless steel frets are a quiet advantage for a jazz guitar because a bebop player does a lot of bending and vibrato on the upper frets. Steel holds its shape and the polish matters more here than on a solid body.
The realistic caveat is that this is firmly a budget instrument. Finish and hardware can vary between individual guitars, and a setup adjustment after delivery is normal. Budget for that, and it is a lot of guitar.
Who should play this one
Players who like shaping tone from the guitar rather than from pedals or the amp. If you have been reading about jazz pickups and want direct volume control per position, this layout gives you that.
Where it falls short
Anyone who values a long-established brand name or consistent finish across a production run. Judge the individual guitar carefully, since variance is the defining characteristic at this tier.
6. Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster – Best Offset Body for Versatile Jazz
Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster Electric Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Natural, Maple Fingerboard
Body: Offset semi-hollow maple
Pickups: Two wide range humbuckers
Scale: 25.5 inch
Warranty: 2-year limited
Pros
- Offset shape gives a distinctive and versatile voice for jazz and blues
- Wide range humbuckers deliver warm dynamic clean tones
- Maple body and fingerboard for bright articulate response
- Two-year limited warranty for peace of mind
Cons
- Maple body and neck together can feel heavier and brighter than some players like
- Finish level sits slightly below made-in-USA instruments
The Starcaster is the geometric outlier here, and that is exactly what makes it fun. The offset waist changes how the instrument sits against your body and changes the internal air volume, which shows up in the attack.
Owners describe the Fender-designed wide range humbuckers as warm and dynamic on the clean end, and the maple body and fingerboard as bright and articulate rather than woody. That is a different flavour of jazz tone from the 335-style guitars here.
The 25.5-inch scale is the longest in this group, which means more string tension and a firmer feel under the left hand. Players who like to push and pull on notes tend to like it; players used to a 24.75-inch jazz scale may find it stiff at first.
A two-year limited warranty is worth noting, because it is longer than most of the budget instruments in this guide. It is also one of the few entries designed entirely in-house rather than being a licensed copy of a larger brand’s model.
The tradeoff is weight and brightness. At 5 kg with an all-maple build, it is the heavier instrument on this list, and players who prefer a dark warm tone may find the top end forward.
Who should play this one
Players who want a guitar that moves between jazz, blues and rock without sounding out of place in any of them. The offset shape also appeals to anyone who finds a traditional 335 body visually and physically boring.
Where it falls short
Small-framed players who dislike heavy instruments, and anyone chasing a dark vintage woody tone. This one is bright and articulate, and it is not trying to be a 1959 replica of anything.
7. GLARRY GTL – Best Low-Cost Semi-Hollow for Modders
GLARRY 39″ GTL Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar for Music Lover, HS Pickups Rosewood Fingerboard with Accessories Pack Guitar Bag(Transparent Wine Red)
Body: Basswood semi-hollow with F-hole
Board: Rosewood with pearl pickguard
Pickups: H-S configuration
Pros
- Excellent entry-level value with owners comparing it to far costlier guitars
- Transparent wine red finish and pearl pickguard look sharp
- Neck pickup sounds thick and sweet for warm lead tones
- Lightweight and well balanced for casual playing
- Bag strap and amp cord included in the box
Cons
- Most units need a full setup including fret levelling and intonation
- Bridge single-coil is weak and bright next to the neck humbucker
- Some guitars have defective tuning machines and high or unfinished frets
- Included cable and bag are very low quality
The GLARRY GTL is the cheapest way into a semi-hollow body, and the H-S pickup layout is unusual at this level. Most budget semi-hollows go humbucker-humbucker, so the single-coil bridge here gives you a genuinely different option if you want it.
Owners love the neck pickup, describing it as thick and sweet with a warm character that works for lead lines. The wine red finish and pearl pickguard are also more attractive than most instruments in this bracket.
The catch is the setup. Nearly every reviewer notes the guitar arrives needing work, from fret levelling to intonation, and some report rattling bridge saddles and weak factory tuning machines. String-through body ferrules that work loose and need re-gluing are another recurring complaint.
At 4.06 kg it is well balanced, which is a genuine plus for practice sessions. The included bag, strap and cord are functional but cheap, so treat them as temporary.
If you are comfortable with a screwdriver and a truss rod wrench, this is a satisfying project guitar. If you are not, the cost of a proper setup can eat into the value quickly.
Who should play this one
Hands-on players who want to learn guitar repair alongside playing guitar. It is also a low-risk instrument for a young student who needs something durable to practise on.
Where it falls short
Anyone wanting to open the box and play. The setup requirement is the most consistent complaint in the reviews, and the included accessories are the weakest in this group.
8. IYV IJZ-300A TSB – Best Clean Build at the Mid Tier
IYV-IJZ-300A TSB Jazz Solid hollow-Body Electric Guitar, Tobacco Sunburst
Build: CNC machined
Scale: 24.75 inch
Board: Jatoba wood
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic style
Pros
- Players with decades of experience compare it to a Gibson ES-335 or ES-137
- CNC construction produces very few defects and a clean finish
- Neck relief and action arrive close to correct
- Lightweight with a low easy action
- Strong value for players moving up from entry instruments
Cons
- Factory tuners hold tuning less securely than higher grade machines
- Tune-o-matic bridge needs pushing to the extreme to intonate correctly
- Packaging is thin and offers little transit protection
- Arrives with mediocre factory strings and no documentation
This is the most interesting story in the group. Long-time players who have owned real ES-335 and ES-137 guitars say this sounds like one, and the tone is described as a legitimate 335-style voice rather than an approximation.
What sets it apart is build consistency. CNC-machined construction means the fit and finish come out clean with very few defects, and owners report neck relief and action arriving close to correct rather than needing a rebuild.
It is also light and comfortable, with a low action that owners describe as easy. For a jazz guitar, low action matters: less fret buzz on chord melody arrangements, and less left-hand pressure across a long set.
The criticisms are all about the small parts. The factory tuners are described as wishy-washy, and the bridge needed pushing to the limit before it intonated correctly. The packaging is thin, so inspect the guitar on arrival even if the seller looks reputable.
It comes with a one year warranty, which is thinner coverage than the Squier models here. The jatoba fingerboard and maple neck combination is a sensible, traditional pairing.
Who should play this one
Players stepping up from a first guitar who want a genuine 335-style tone without the vintage-guitar price conversation. The low action and light weight suit long practice sessions and small rooms.
Where it falls short
Anyone who cares about tuning stability above all else until they upgrade the tuners. Treat the tuner swap as part of the purchase rather than a surprise expense later.
9. Squier Classic Vibe 70s Thinline – Best Telecaster Character With Humbuckers
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Thinline Telecaster Electric Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Natural, Maple Fingerboard
Body: 1970s inspired maple Thinline
Pickups: Two wide range humbuckers
Scale: 25.5 inch
Pros
- Natural maple body with a violin f-hole shows excellent grain detail
- Humbuckers give a jazzy warm neck sound with Tele middle position character
- Setup is generally good out of the box with moderate action
- Pickups mount to the pickguard making swaps unusually simple
- Two-year limited warranty
Cons
- Nut slots can be cut poorly and cause buzz on the B string until replaced
- Some guitars need intonation and bridge height corrections
- Quality control issues including misaligned tuners or a loose input jack
- Glossy neck finish can feel sticky until it is scuffed back
This Telecaster-shaped semi-hollow is the answer for players who want a jazz voice without giving up the percussive snap and string bend feel they already know. The single violin f-hole and slim body keep it closer to a Tele than a 335.
Owners praise the natural maple finish, describing the grain detail as the standout visual feature, and report that the humbuckers produce a warm, jazzy neck sound while the middle position keeps a Tele-like character.
The most useful practical detail is pickup mounting. Because the pickups attach to the pickguard rather than the body, swapping them is unusually simple. That makes this an easy platform for trying a set of proper jazz humbuckers later.
The most common complaint is nut buzz on the B string, caused by poorly cut nut slots, which means a nut replacement is often the first job. Some guitars also need intonation and bridge height corrections, and quality control issues like misaligned tuners show up in a minority of reviews.
At 25.5 inches this is a long scale, so it feels familiar if you have played a Telecaster and unfamiliar if you have only played short-scale archtops.
Who should play this one
Telecaster players who want a hollow body for jazz and blues but still want bend and snap. It is also a good first semi-hollow for blues-oriented players moving toward jazz.
Where it falls short
Players who want a warm woody archtop voice, and anyone unwilling to deal with a possible nut replacement. Budget for the setup even when the guitar arrives well set up.
10. Ibanez Artcore AF55 – Best True Hollowbody Under the Mid Tier
Ibanez Artcore AF55 Hollowbody Electric Guitar – Tobacco Flat
Body: Hollow linden with maple top
Pickups: Two Infinity R humbuckers
Neck: Mahogany set
Scale: 24.75 inch
Pros
- Fully hollow linden body with maple top for a warm woody dynamic voice
- Hollow construction gives strong acoustic projection and lively response
- Two Infinity R humbuckers deliver clear articulate tone with low noise
- Bound fingerboard and set mahogany neck feel refined
- Lightweight design suited to jazz blues and rock
Cons
- Feedback control at high volume is less forgiving than a solid body
- Budget hardware limits the tonal range compared with costlier hollowbodies
If you want a real hollowbody rather than a semi-hollow, this is the instrument on the list. The fully hollow linden body with a maple top is described by owners as warm, woody and dynamic, which is the traditional jazz hollowbody character.
The ART-ST bridge with a trapeze-style tailpiece and a set mahogany neck are the right architecture for this body style. A 24.75-inch scale and a 1.69 inch nut keep it in familiar jazz territory.
The two Infinity R humbuckers are praised for clarity and articulation with low noise, which is what makes this guitar usable in a group setting. Acoustic projection is good enough that owners use it in jazz, blues and rock contexts rather than treating it as a single-genre instrument.
Feedback is the honest weakness, and it is inherent to the design rather than a fault. At higher volumes the body resonates more, so players need a sensible position against the amplifier and a restraint with the volume knob.
A one year warranty is included, and the bound fingerboard with a set neck is a level of refinement that is unusual at this tier. Budget hardware remains the main tonal limit.
Who should play this one
Players who want the acoustic resonance and warmth of a full hollowbody for straight-ahead jazz, blues or swing. It is also the best choice on this list for practising without an amp.
Where it falls short
Anyone playing loud in small rooms or on a modern high-gain rig. The hollow construction that produces the tone is the same thing that makes feedback more likely.
11. Epiphone ES-339 – Best Compact Body With Premium Hardware
Epiphone ES339 Semi Hollowbody, Vintage Sunburst
Body: Compact semi-hollow maple
Neck: C shaped mahogany
Pickups: Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers
Pros
- Rich authentic ES-339 tone praised for jazz blues and rock
- Plays smoothly with action set well out of the box
- Grover Rotomatic tuners with Graph Tech NuBone nut and LockTone bridge
- Well executed finish with precise laser-cut body work
- Compact 339 body is comfortable for long sessions
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Output jack is short and its retaining nut can loosen
- Truss rod cover does not sit flush with the headstock
- Headstock is noticeably back-heavy when strapped
The ES-339 solves the biggest physical problem with 335-style guitars: it is smaller. Owners consistently describe the body as easy to play and comfortable for long sessions, which is a direct answer to the fatigue many players feel on full-size instruments.
The hardware is the strongest in this guide. Grover Rotomatic tuners, a Graph Tech NuBone nut and a LockTone bridge and tailpiece are parts you would be happy to find on a much more expensive guitar, and a limited lifetime warranty backs it up.
The Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers give a rich, authentic ES-339 voice that owners describe as working for jazz, blues and rock without any EQ heroics. The C-shaped mahogany neck and 24.75-inch scale feel familiar to anyone who has played a Gibson-style instrument.
The criticisms are all physical details rather than sound or playability. The output jack is short and its retaining nut can loosen, the truss rod cover does not sit flush with the headstock, and the headstock feels back-heavy when the guitar is on a strap.
Action is set well out of the box, so this is one of the few guitars here that most owners play immediately without a setup visit. That alone puts it near the top of this list for a first serious hollowbody.
Who should play this one
Players who love the 335 and 339 sound but found those bodies uncomfortable, and anyone who values hardware quality and warranty coverage over brand prestige. It is also our pick for smaller-framed players who want a real vintage-style body.
Where it falls short
The balance on a strap is genuinely back-heavy, so players who stand and move in a band will want to test it first. Headstock feel is the one thing owners consistently want changed.
12. Ibanez Artcore AS73 – Best Semi-Hollow for Versatile Players
Ibanez Artcore AS73 – Tobacco Brown
Body: Linden with hard maple top
Neck: Nyatoh wood
Scale: 24.75 inch
Warranty: 2-year
Pros
- Warm woody semi-hollow tone with growling lows and focused highs
- Dual humbuckers work for jazz blues and rock
- Compact body is comfortable playing seated or standing
- Gibraltar Performer bridge with Quik Change III tailpiece holds tuning
- Bound rosewood-style fingerboard feels warm and smooth
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Compact semi-hollow design gives less acoustic projection than a full hollowbody
- Humbucker output can be more than a player wanting a purely clean jazz voice needs
The AS73 is the compact semi-hollow in the Artcore line, and it lands in a useful gap between the AF55 full hollowbody and the larger 335-size shapes. The linden body with hard maple top is a proven combination for a warm, woody voice.
Owners describe the tone with a nice ear for detail: growling lows and focused highs. The dual humbuckers are praised for handling jazz, blues and rock without switching instruments.
The compact body is the practical strength. It is comfortable whether you are sitting down or standing up, which matters for players who gig in places where you cannot rely on a good chair.
The Gibraltar Performer bridge and Quik Change III tailpiece give solid, stable tuning, and a two year warranty is longer than most of the budget instruments here. The bound rosewood-style fingerboard adds a warm playing surface.
The tradeoff is projection. A compact semi-hollow simply does not move as much air as a full hollowbody, so if you want to hear the acoustic character unplugged, the AF55 is the better answer.
Who should play this one
Players who want one semi-hollow for jazz, blues and rock, and who prefer a smaller body. It is a strong first Artcore for a student moving up from a solid body electric.
Where it falls short
Anyone who plays a lot of straight-ahead jazz cleanly and wants the humbuckers to disappear. Push the volume down and the tone is warm, but these pickups are not shy.
Hollow Body Vs Semi-Hollow: Which Body Type Suits Your Jazz Style
This is the confusion that stalls most first-time buyers, so here is the short version. A full hollowbody has no solid centre block. It resonates the most, gives the most natural acoustic projection, and feeds back the most at volume.
A semi-hollow adds a solid centre block, usually running down the middle of the body. That block reduces feedback and increases sustain, which makes the instrument easier to amplify and more tolerant of pedals and higher gain.
Players focused on straight-ahead jazz, bebop and chord melody usually prefer the full hollowbody warmth. Players who also play blues, rock or fusion usually prefer the semi-hollow, because the centre block keeps the instrument stable when the amp is turned up.
Body size is the second decision. A 335 or 339 body suits most players, while 39-inch thinline shapes work better for smaller frames. Every guitar in this guide falls into one of those two groups, and the section headings tell you which is which.
One more term worth clearing up: an archtop describes the body shape, not the electronics. You can have a hollow archtop with a floating bridge and a piezo pickup for the pure acoustic jazz sound, or a humbucker-equipped archtop for amplified playing. This guide focuses on the amplified side.
Pickup Guide for Jazz: Humbucker, P90 and Single-Coil
Humbuckers are the standard for amplified jazz because they run quietly and produce a full, warm tone. Every humbucker-equipped guitar in this guide is a legitimate jazz choice, and the neck position is where most of the classic sound lives.
P90 pickups sit between a humbucker and a single-coil: warmer than a single-coil, more bite than a humbucker, and quieter than an uncovered single-coil. They are less common in this list because few of these budget models offer them, and one listing here actually misdescribes its pickups as P90s.
Single-coils give a brighter, glassier clean tone with a sharper attack. They work for jazz, but they are lower output and run out of clean headroom faster, which is the main limitation on the Tele-style guitar in this guide.
Pickup height matters more than people expect. Raising the neck pickup toward the strings warms the tone and increases output; lowering it thins the sound out. A simple screwdriver adjustment can change a guitar’s character more than most people realise.
Flatwound Strings and Why They Change the Sound
Roundwound strings are bright and have a pronounced attack. Flatwound strings have a flat, wound surface that produces a rounder, smoother, mellower tone, and that is the sound most jazz players actually want.
The tonal difference is not subtle. Roundwounds sit forward and glassy; flatwounds sit back and warm. On a hollowbody that already has plenty of body resonance, the flatwound string is usually what completes the classic jazz voice rather than fighting it.
Two details catch newcomers out. Flatwounds feel rougher under the fingers and take a few sessions to adjust to, and they sit higher on the fretboard because the winding is thicker, so the guitar may need a setup after a string change.
Gauges run from about .011 to .013 for the wound strings. Heavier gauges give more volume and projection, which helps in a trio setting; lighter gauges are easier on the fingers and easier to bend for melodic players.
Neck Width, Scale Length and Amp Pairing
Nut width is the best single predictor of whether a guitar feels like a jazz instrument. Around 44 to 45mm is the serious jazz width, and guitars narrower than that tend to feel like standard electric guitars that happen to be hollow.
Scale length is the other number worth learning. The 24.75-inch scale here is standard for archtop and 335-style instruments, while the 25.5-inch scale on the two Telecaster-shaped guitars here is longer and stiffer under the left hand.
On amps, a clean tube or a valve-levelled solid state model gives you the low headroom a humbucker needs. Small practice amplifiers often have too little clean range for jazz volumes, so a pedal or a clean boost is worth considering.
Positioning matters as much as gear. Moving the guitar closer to the amplifier and turning the body angle away from the speaker reduces feedback on full hollowbodies. A straight cable and a modest volume setting are the rest of the solution.
For tracking how you practice alongside everything else in your routine, our notes on body composition scales and body fat scales cover the measurement side of a consistent practice schedule, and body pillows cover the recovery side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hollowbody guitar for jazz?
The Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow is our top pick because owners report a straight neck, good factory intonation and a warm resonant tone that sits between blues and jazz without extra work. The Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster is the pick for players who want a more versatile, brighter voice.
What is the best electric guitar for jazz?
For a traditional jazz tone, a hollow or semi-hollow archtop with humbuckers in the neck position is the standard answer. Solid bodies work for jazz, especially a Telecaster with a humbucker, but they cannot reproduce the acoustic resonance of a hollow body.
What is the best hollow body electric guitar for the money?
The Grote Jazz 335 Semi-Hollow delivers the correct architecture at the lowest cost, with a Tune-O-Matic bridge, trapeze tailpiece and a warm basswood tone. The Ibanez Artcore AF55 is the better choice if you want a true full hollowbody rather than a semi-hollow.
What is the best jazz guitar this year?
Our 2026 shortlist leads with the Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow for all-round value, the Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster for versatility, and the Epiphone ES-339 for players who want compact body sizes and premium hardware with a limited lifetime warranty.
Do you need flatwound strings for jazz guitar?
Flatwounds are not strictly required, but they are the conventional choice because the flat winding produces the rounder, mellower tone most players associate with jazz. Roundwounds still work and some players prefer the brighter attack for bebop playing.
Is hollow body or semi-hollow better for jazz?
A full hollowbody gives more acoustic resonance and warmer tone, which suits straight-ahead jazz. A semi-hollow with a centre block feeds back less and handles higher volumes and pedals, which suits players who also play blues, rock or fusion.
Final Verdict
For most people reading a guide to the best hollow body electric guitars for jazz, the Grote Full Scale Semi-Hollow is the answer: the highest rating in this group, the most owner reviews, and the fewest complaints about anything other than the listing’s pickup description. If you want true hollowbody resonance instead, go with the Ibanez Artcore AF55.
The Epiphone ES-339 wins on hardware and body comfort, and the Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster is the most fun guitar to own if you play more than one style. Whichever you pick, budget for a professional setup, a set of flatwounds and a case before you spend anything else.
Check the 2026 prices and current reviews below, and we will see you at the jam.