Strings / Canada

Best jazz guitars: comparison and buying guide

Hollow or semi-hollow: stage volume changes the choice.

Editorial selection · Club Gre2Jazz · Documentary review: 15 / 10 / 2026

Ibanez AS93FM · AS93FM-VLS · Violin Sunburst · right handed

For jazz guitar, hollow versus semi-hollow construction matters more than a vintage label. These two Ibanez models both use Super 58 pickups but suit different briefs. Consider acoustic feel, band volume and whether the instrument also needs to cover blues or other amplified music.

Compare the two options

Model	Technical difference	A good fit if…
Ibanez AF95	Full hollow body; two Super 58 humbuckers; 628 mm scale.	Chord melody, swing and lower-volume groups are your priority.
Ibanez AS93FM	Semi-hollow; two Super 58 pickups; 22 frets; 628 mm scale.	You move between jazz, blues and amplified styles.

The models and their trade-offs

Chord melody, swing and lower-volume groups are your priority.

Ibanez AF95

Check price and availability on Amazon.ca Variant: AF95-DA · Dark Amber

Full hollow body; two Super 58 humbuckers; 628 mm scale.

Why we would choose it

Our starting comparison for a dedicated hollow-body jazz guitar. The body format suits a clean-playing brief; check seated comfort and bridge setup before choosing on appearance.

When to choose something else

For loud stages or substantial gain, a semi-hollow may be more practical. Verify model year and suffix: a different finish listing may have different specifications.

You move between jazz, blues and amplified styles.

Ibanez AS93FM

Check price and availability on Amazon.ca Variant: AS93FM-VLS · Violin Sunburst · right handed

Semi-hollow; two Super 58 pickups; 22 frets; 628 mm scale.

Why we would choose it

Our choice to compare for one guitar covering several jobs. A semi-hollow is a practical alternative to a deep hollow body when stage volume rises, though feedback remains possible.

When to choose something else

If you mainly want the acoustic feel of a deep hollow body, try the AF95. Include a suitable clean amplifier and a string setup in the full budget.

Amazon.ca · CAD. Confirm prices, availability, seller, delivery and included accessories on Amazon before buying.

Before you invest

Choose for the music you play.

Volume and feedback

A hollow body calls for attention to position, amplification and gain. Semi-hollows are not immune to feedback.

Comfort and setup

Check seated body comfort, upper-fret reach and action. String gauge and setup can change the experience substantially.

Include the amplifier

Allow for a clean channel that works at band volume. An expensive guitar does not fix an unsuitable amplifier.

Hear this instrument in jazz

Jim Hall

Listen to Jim Hall for guitar dialogue, accompaniment and space. In chord melody and small groups, focus on articulation and chord placement without treating these models as his personal equipment.

Artists are listening references for the instrument. Their inclusion does not mean they use, recommend or endorse the selected models.

Jim Hall · National Endowment for the Arts ↗

The reasoning behind our selection

Club Gre2Jazz editorial selections use manufacturer specifications and the musical use described. We have not physically tested these models. Recommendations are editorial judgements; we do not use Amazon customer ratings or reviews.

Your shopping store

Canada · Amazon.ca · CAD. This edition links to the local store shown. Check delivery to your address, taxes and the seller's warranty.