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10 Best Jazz Guitar Amplifiers

Tonal quality in music is crucial for any jazz musician’s voice and musical output. Getting the perfect amplifier is one of the most crucial components of producing a good tone.

Whether you want to begin playing jazz guitar or upgrade your existing rig to make it appropriate for this style of music, your sound distinguishes you from those other players.

It provides you’re playing a unique voice within itself.

Here’s our guideline to a few specifications you need to consider when selecting the correct amp.

What was the first amp?

The triode vacuum tube, created by Lee De Forest in 1906, was the first practical technology that could amplify, resulting in the first amps in 1912.

Until the 1960s–1970s, vacuum tubes were used in practically all amplifiers until transistors took their place.

Are tube amps Good for jazz?

Tube amplifiers are versatile: they provide a rich, warm, pure tone when turned down, but when put up, the tube naturally dilutes the tone and produces overdrive.

How does a solid-state power amplifier work?

Using transistor circuitry, a solid-state amplifier converts an electrical signal into an acoustic wave.

Instrumental amplifiers have two stages: the preamplifier phase at the beginning of the circuitry and the power amplifier stage at the end.

Our Top Pick
Fender-George-Benson-Hot-Rod-Deluxe-amp

Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe

Best Value
Fender-68-Custom-Twin-Reverb-85W-2x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp

Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb

Premium
AER-compact-60-light-amplifier

AER compact 60

Type:TubeTubeSolid State
Number of Channels:322
Total Power:40W85W60W
Speaker Size:1 x 12″2 x 12″1 x 8″
Preamp Tubes:1 x 12AT7, 2 x 12AX74 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7No tubes
Power Tubes:2 x 6L64 x 6L6No tubes
EQ:3-band3-band3-band
Reverb:YesYesYes
Inputs: 2 x 1/4″2 x 1/4″ (custom), 2 x 1/4″ (vintage)Inputs: Ch-1 6.3 mm (1/4”), Ch-2 combined XLR/6.3 mm (1/4”)
Footswitch I/O:1 x 1/4″ (channel, drive)1 x 1/4″ (reverb, vibrato)6.3 mm stereo jack
Footswitch Included:Yes, a 2-button footswitchYes, a 2-button footswitchNo
Construction Material:Solid Pine with Gray TolexBirch/Pine with Black TolexBlack Tolex
Dimensions:Height:18.75″ x Width: 23.5″ x Depth: 10.5″(Height: 19.87″ x Width: 26.15″ x Depth: 10.37″)(Height: 16.75″ x Width: 14″ x Depth: 13″)

10. Roland JC-22 Jazz Chorus

The JC-22 Jazz Chorus is a compact 30-watt amp that combines Roland’s original JC clean tone and iconic Dimensional Space Chorus effect.

This versatile stereo amp, which offers the fundamental features of the renowned JC-40 in a smaller size, is also ideal for small concerts and recording.

In addition to the onboard chorus, there’s a high-quality reverb and a stereo input on the front panel for connecting in modelers, multi-effects, and stereo stomps.

The JC-22 is built to the same sound and durability standards as the long-running amp line, making the iconic JC tone more affordable.

The JC Clean tone is a well-known sound used by jazz guitarists worldwide since to the brand’s dependability and the crisp, warm tone of their great clean sound.

It doesn’t have an overdrive option, which partially explains that the amp serves mainly to provide that rich, clean jazz sound.

Specifications
Type:Solid State 
Number of Channels:1
Total Power: 30W Stereo
Speaker Size: 2 x 6.5″ speakers 
EQ: 3-band EQ 
Reverb:Yes
Inputs:2 x 1/4″ (left/mono, right) 
Footswitch Included:No
Footswitch I/O:2 x 1/4″ (chorus, reverb) 
Dimensions:(Height: 13.3″ x Width: 18.2″ x Depth: 9.4″)
Weight:26.5 lbs. 

Pros

  • Easy controls
  • Retro design
  • Built-in analog chorus effect
  • 2x 6.5″ stereo speakers
  • Compact and lightweight
  • A wide array of connectivity options
  • Switchable stereo/parallel loop

Cons

  • Doesn’t provide the best distortion

9. ZT Lunchbox

The ZT Lunchbox Combo Amp is a lightweight, compact amp weighing not more than ten pounds.

It has 200 watts of power and can power an external cabinet while pumping a good volume through its 6.5″ internal speaker.

The Lunchbox can easily overpower the drum on its own.

It has the strength to handle any effects and the warmth and depth to sound fantastic with single-coil pickups and humbuckers, unlike every other amp of its size.

The Lunchbox amp’s clean tonal pallet is suitable for rock, blues, jazz, and country musicians.

It has all of the flexibility and responsiveness of a classic tube amp without the bulk, weight, or maintenance.

It’s become handy to musicians worldwide who admire its adaptability and portability.

One of these has been seen performing with a modern jazz guitar.

There are very few controls, but this gadget can produce a surprising volume for its size.

Specifications
Type:Solid State 
Number of Channels:1
Total Power: 35W
Speaker Size: 1 x 6.5″ speakers 
Controls: Controls: Volume, Gain, Tone, Ambience, Line Out/Headphone Level
Inputs: Aux Input 1/8″ Stereo Jack
Output:Headphone/DI Output
Peak Output:120 dB at 1 meter
Dimensions:(Height:6.5″ x Width: 7.8″ x Depth: 4.4″)
Weight:9.5 lbs

Pros

  • Small size 
  • Characterful tones
  • Convenient features

Cons

  • Few Controls

8. Peavey Delta Blues 210

The Peavey Delta Blues 210 is a guitar amplifier produced by Peavey Electronics.

It’s a tube amp for blues performers, but it’s also a great jazz amp.

This amplifier has a traditional look, a classic sound, and modern versatility.

Assume you live a jazz and blues lifestyle. In that case, this is your amplifier.

Its classic all-tube 30-watt is far louder than solid-state.

A tremolo with speed and intensity settings, pre-and post-gain settings on the lead channel, 3-band passive EQ, a boosting switch, an external speaker input, and an effects loop add to the amp’s modern versatility.

As classic as it is, the amp features built-in tremolo effects and enables you to adjust the amount of gain and EQ.

This amp is the ideal jazz amplifier for someone not concerned about cost.

Specifications
Type:Tube
Number of Channels:2
Total Power: 30W
Speaker Size: 2 x 10″
Power Tubes:4 x EL84
EQ:3-band passive EQ (bass, middle, treble) 
Footswitch Included:Yes
Construction Material:Classic tweed covering material, Chrome plated
Dimensions:(Height: 25.62″ x Width: 24.37″ x Depth: 14.5″)
Weight:45.00 lbs

Pros

  • Powerful tone from the 15-inch driver
  • Nice reverb and excellent tremolo
  • Very loud and Versatile

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Quite Heavy

7. Roland Cube Street

The Roland Cube Street is a great amplifier built specifically for busking artists.

It has two channels: one for microphones and one for guitars and instruments.

Roland’s CUBE Street was a significant favorite among traveling musicians with its tiny size and battery-powered operation.

The new CUBE Street EX injects a substantial performance boost into the popular mobile app, delivering a fantastic range, channels, and flexibility.

Fifty watts of output and a dual speaker with dual woofers and tweeters produce a crisp, punchy sound for larger gatherings.

At the same time, four independent channels provide many connections for various microphones and instruments.

Separate EQ and reverb settings allow for detailed sound tuning, and the inbuilt COSM amps make it simple to nail in superb guitar tones.

With 8 AA batteries, several power interfaces give up to 20 hours of performance, and two CUBE Street EX devices can be joined together for extra audio coverage if needed.

Specifications
Type:Solid State
Number of Channels:4
Total Power: 50W
Speaker Size: 2 x 8″
Reverb:Yes
EQ:3-band
Inputs:2 x XLR-1/4″ combo, 2 x 1/4″ (R, L/Mono), 2 x 1/4″ (Stereo), 1 x 1/8″ (aux), 1 x 1/4″ (aux) 
Outputs:2 x 1/4″ (R, L/Mono)
Dimensions:(Height: 12.1″ x Width: 19.3″ x Depth: 13.4″)
Weight:16.4 lbs. 
Amp Modeling: COSM Amp Modeling 
Footswitch Included:No
Footswitch I/O:2 x 1/4″ (chorus/delay, reverb) 

Pros

  • Compact & Portable
  • Powerful Output
  • Loaded with Features

Cons

  •     A Little Light on Bass
  •     No Cab Simulator for Headphones

6. Fender Champion 100

The Fender Champion amplifier is simple and fits with any form of guitar playing due to its flexibility.

The 100-watt Fender 100 should be a thoughtful choice for its powerful 2×12″ practice amp and budget-friendly performance amp.

The amp is easier to tune in with the perfect sounds for Jazz, blues, metal, rock, and country due to its simple controls, unique effects, and various amp voicings.

It isn’t designed primarily for jazz, but it does it pretty effectively.

This solid-state amp combines a robust inner design with a more contemporary ability to layer multiple effects on top.

This is useful in more current jazz styles.
This amp has a headphone output jack for comfortable personal listening.

Aside from its outstanding unshaded tone, many Fender amps include inbuilt effects that provide a diverse range of tone coloring, timbres, and textures.

Chorus, reverb, tremolo, delay, and other effects are included.

Specifications
Type:Solid State
Number of Channels:2
Total Power: 100W 
Speaker Size:2 x 12″ 
Reverb:Yes
EQ:3-band
Inputs:1 x 1/4″ (instrument), 1 x 1/4″ (power amp in), 1 x 1/8″ (aux)
Outputs:1 x 1/4″ (preamp out)
Dimensions:(Height: 19″ x Width: 26″ x Depth: 10.25″)
Weight:40 lbs. 
Headings:1 x 1/8″ 
Footswitch Included:Yes, a 2-button footswitch 
Footswitch I/O:1 x 1/4″ (channel, effects) 

Pros

  • Good Build Materials
  • Budget-Friendly
  • Great Clean Channel
  • Built-In Effects Loop
  • 100 Watt Output

Cons

  • Some Patches are louder than others

5. Vox AC30 C2

The AC30 is a less traditional jazz amplifier option, but it is still worth investigating.

Vox amps have a brighter, ‘janglier,’ and less noticeable low end than Fender amps.

Considering this, the AC30 improves on the enthralling sound of its smaller sibling by doubling the watts.

The AC30 Custom uses four EL84 power tubes to deliver 30 watts of distinct tone over a pair of 12-inch Celestion Greenback speakers.

This amp can produce both appealing clean and boisterous overdriven tones.

The AC30 Custom’s characteristic chime blends effortlessly with the complexities of your style of play, delivering a unique sound.

The AC30, VOX’s most iconic amplifier, was known as the amplification that fueled the British Invasion.

Specifications
Type:Tube
Number of Channels:2
Total Power: 30W 
Speaker Size:2 x 12″ 
Reverb:Yes
EQ:2-band
Inputs:4 x 1/4″ (high/low normal, high/low top boost) 
Outputs: 2 x 1/4″ (8/16 ohms) 
Dimensions:(Height: 21.89″ x Width: 27.64″ x Depth: 10.43″)
Weight:70.99 lbs. 
Headings:1 x 1/8″ 
Footswitch Included:No 
Footswitch I/O:1 x 1/4″ (channel, reverb) 
Construction Material: Black Tolex
Preamp Tubes:3 x 12AX7 
Power Tubes:4 x EL84 

Pros

  • Authentic look and features    
  • Exceptional Tone from the Tube 
  • Onboard Tremelo and Reverb Effect
  • Two Greenback Speaker 

Cons

  • No footswitch included

4. Roland AC-60 Acoustic Chorus Guitar Amplifier

The Roland AC-60 Acoustic Chorus is a new edition of Roland’s well-known JC Jazz Chorus amp range.

The Roland AC-60 is ideal for acoustic guitars, but it would also work well with a hollow body archtop guitar to generate clear and sharp acoustically authentic tones for jazz.

This amp includes digital signal processing providing a clean tone with stereo/multi-band chorus and a wide mode with delay/reverb and excellent Auto Anti-Feedback control.

And, with its 2-channel Mic/Line architecture and stand-mountable format, the AC-60 stands out from the crowd

The AC-60 has a three-band equalization for bass, mid-range, and high frequencies on both channels and a chorus push-button controlled by a volume knob.

The Roland AC-60 Acoustic Chorus is ideal for a somewhat traditional jazz guitarist.

Specifications
Type:Solid State
Number of Channels:2
Total Power: 60W 
Reverb:Yes
Inputs:Inputs: XLR Jack Combo (Ch 1), 6.3 mm Jack (Ch 2), 2 x 6.3 mm Jack/RCA (Aux-In)
Outputs:2 x XLR (Line-Out L/R), 2 x 6.3 mm Jack (Ine-Out, Subwoofer-Out)
Dimensions:(Height: 10.63″ x Width: 14.96″ x Depth: 10.55″)
Body Material:Plastic
Footswitch Included:Yes
Footswitch I/O:1 x 1/4″ (reverb, vibrato)

Pros

  • Wide range of useful features
  • Excellent onboard effects
  • In-built anti-feedback system
  • Great sound quality

Cons

  • It does not have an effects loop
  • It might develop a particular hiss in some settings

3. AER compact 60

The AER compact 60 is a favorite of many jazz musicians, including Russell Malone.

This acoustic amp is very transparent, and when used on an archtop guitar, it can produce a rich, sweet, ‘wooden’ tone.

The AER compact 60 has proven to be a comprehensive, compact, robust, and straightforward complete package for performance, recording, and home use that meets acoustic performers’ highest needs and standards.

The tone aims to produce a sound that is more suited to an acoustic guitar than a jazz performance, but when playing acoustic jazz, this is precisely what you want, with superb dynamic response and a snappy warmth.

The AER Compact 60 is among the smaller and lightest acoustic amplifiers on the market.

It produces 60 Watts RMS of power with a single 8-inch front-facing speaker.

This combination delivers more than enough power for small or medium-sized gigs.

Specifications
Type:Solid State
Number of Channels:2
Total Power: 60W 
Reverb:Yes
Inputs:Ch-1 6.3 mm (1/4”), Ch-2 combined XLR/6.3 mm (1/4”)
FX:Pan, select, level, aux level
Dimensions:Dimensions: (Height: 16.75″ x Width: 14″ x Depth: 13″)
Weight:19.86 lbs 
Footswitch Included:No
Footswitch I/O:6.3 mm stereo jack
EQ:3 band
Speaker size:1 x 8″

Pros

  • Crystalline sound quality
  • Very well put together
  • Good balance of features and functionality

Cons

  • No Footswitch

2. Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb

The Fender ’68 is a unique high amp that jazz guitarists worldwide appreciate.

The manual settings on the ’68 Custom Twin Reverb provide considerable flexibility for both vintage and custom channels.

Traditionalists will love the amp’s rotary controls, which are sturdy and quick.

The custom channel includes volume, treble, midrange, bass controls, and a bright switch.

On the other hand, the vintage channel includes a reverberation control with independent speed and strength controls.

These amplifiers have four hand-wired 6L6 output tubes and six preamp tubes.

All the tubes are connected to vintage-spec Schumacher transformers and two 12″ Celestion G12V-70 speakers for 85 watts.

Specifications
Type:Tube
Number of Channels:2
Total Power: 85W 
Reverb:Yes
Inputs:2 x 1/4″ (custom), 2 x 1/4″ (vintage)
Dimensions:(Height: 19.87″ x Width: 26.15″ x Depth: 10.37″)
Footswitch Included:Yes, a 2-button footswitch
Footswitch I/O:1 x 1/4″ (reverb, vibrato)
EQ:3 band
Speaker size:2 x 12″
Preamp Tubes:4 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7
Power Tubes:4 x 6L6

Pros

  • Classic cleans and excellent pedal-platform versatility
  • Huge clean tones
  • Nice onboard reverb and tremolo
  • Lightweight for an amp of this size

Cons

  • Too loud for most modern players’ needs
  • Expensive 
  • No output-reduction feature

1. Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe

Guitarists of various genres use Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amps.

They provide distinctive Fender tone, are ideal amps for customizing your sound, and are highly receptive to any preferred stompbox effects.

It is a 40-watt 1×12″ combo that has been meticulously adjusted for world-renowned jazz guitar maestro and pop star George Benson.

It boasts a versatile all-tube preamp with a 12AT7 up front for a cleaner tone, particularly with humbucking pickups and the complete bottom end typical of 6L6 tubes.

The intensity of Benson’s singing soloing technique is handled with clarity and range by a 100-watt Jensen C12K speaker, and the solid pine cabinet adds tonal resonance while lowering weight.

Clean and drive channels are standard, as is resounding Fender spring reverb and an effects loop.

It has a matching 1×12″ extender shell that increases output, richness, and stage coverage.

This amp sounds lovely, with a natural, warm tone that holds its clarity as the volume climbs, thanks to a great combination of tubes and a single 12″ Jensen C12K speaker.

Specifications
Type:Tube
Number of Channels:3
Total Power: 40W 
Reverb:Yes
Inputs:2 x 1/4″
Dimensions:18.75″ x Width: 23.5″ x Depth: 10.5″
Footswitch Included:Yes, 2-button footswitch
Footswitch I/O:Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4″ (channel, drive)
EQ:3 band
Speaker size:1 x 12″
Preamp Tubes:1 x 12AT7, 2 x 12AX7
Power Tubes:2 x 6L6

Pros

  • George Benson customized specifications
  • Variety of control layout 
  • 2 channels produce deep jazz tones.
  • Footswitch 
  • Speaker output for adding extra speaker cabinets

Cons

  • Insufficient power for large stages

Conclusion

When choosing an amplifier for jazz music playing, there’s one significant question to consider initially: should you use a solid-state amplifier or a tube amplifier?

Tube amplifiers, often known as ‘valve amps,’ increased the guitar sound using vacuum tubes and were also the earliest form of electric guitar amplifiers. They have exceptionally soft and are very responsive to playing dynamics.

The more sophisticated solid-state state amplifier uses transistors to amplify your signal. They are often smaller and lighter than tube amplifiers, but they may be shockingly loud for their size.

This article should have given you a better understanding of your choices regarding purchasing a quality jazz guitar amplifier.

The main thing to consider while looking for a proper amp is finding a decent combination of Clarity, Crispness, and Clen tone.

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