How to Get a Good Jazz Guitar Tone

Co-authored by Scott Cushman

Last Updated: September 27, 2024 Approved

There are some jazz purists who say the only good jazz sound is a hollow-bodied arch top, either unamplified or through a time-tested amp brand like Polytone or a Fender Twin. You can coax a good jazz sound out of any amp, if you're ready to fiddle with it.

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Jazz guitar tone is usually very simple and clean, and though some guys like John Scofield might play with distorted tones, most jazz groups will want a sound that blends into the mix better. You aren't playing a lead role like you might in a rock band, so get ready to back down your master volume too.
The volume and tone controls on your guitar are there for a reason, and it's not to be rolled all the way up all the time. Set your guitar volume around seven or eight (if you don't have marked knobs, just estimate) and set the tone around halfway. You'll be adjusting as you go but this is a good way to hear the basic sound of your guitar and amp.

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Play some lead lines and strum some chords. Is your tone too bright? Too distorted? Figure out what you want in a guitar tone and what you don't like about your current sound.
If your amp has a lot of headroom, then you can get away with a higher gain setting, but if your amp distorts quickly, then you'll need to turn that down. Depending on your speaker size, lower notes can make your speaker distort too.
Don't go too low, or you will be inaudible during solos, but try out different settings and see what works. Consider playing with your fingers if you're a fan of Wes Montgomery's tone.
You don't want to sound like a rockabilly player, but a bit of reverb can give you a fuller tone and make you sound better in an acoustically dead room.

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Question

How can I improve my bass guitar tones?

Scott Cushman
Musician
Scott Cushman is a musician specializing in the bass guitar based in Portland, Oregon. Scott strongly believes in a DIY approach to music and the importance of fostering a good music community on and off the stage. His band, Rad Max, has released two full-length albums, played shows all around the Pacific Northwest, and started their own music-and-movie series called So Bad, It's Rad!. They have been featured on Drunk Dials Records, PDX Pop Now!, & Tender Loving Empire compilations, have featured in a short horror film, and played with such touring acts as SPELLS, Daikaiju, and MDC. Scott received a BA in English Literature from the University of Oregon.

Scott Cushman

Musician

Expert Answer

Get used to using your fingers. One of the most effective ways to improve is to try to play along with some of your favorite music. Focus on the bass parts, really listen, and try to match how it sounds. You can search for bass tabs on the internet to learn the notes, but the real magic happens when you begin to recognize and re-create these tones. Then, as you get better, keep challenging yourself. Try learning some new songs or exploring various styles of playing. You could go to the academic side of things by learning scales, which can help you understand the instrument better, especially major and minor scales. Take note that while they’re useful, don’t stress too much about mastering them right away—they’ll make more sense as you progress. For now, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process!

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Would a telecaster or stratocaster guitar be better for jazz music?

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Teles can play jazz, of course, but their "twang" sound probably fits better with blues and rock. You can get a great jazzy tone by using the neck pickup only (the highest one) on a strat. This will give you a more bassy, meaty, warm tone.

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Tips

Your picks and picking technique have a huge effect on your sound. Try out many different picks to find out what suits you. Try playing with a softer touch.

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Get a high quality cable. There's no sense in playing a great guitar into a great amp if your five dollar cable is going to suck your tone away. There are plenty of good brands out there, and though some are expensive, it's worth the cost. Keep it a reasonable length to 10 or 15 feet (3.0 or 4.6 m) is more than enough.

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Warnings

Don't take this guide as a perfect instruction book. There are many, many guitars and amps, each with a different sound. When all else fails, use your ears as the final authority.

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Though you can get a jazz sound out of any guitar, some will work better than others. There are some guitars and amps that are designed to get a searing distorted lead sound and you'll probably be better off switching gear than trying to make it sound like something it isn't.

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Stay away from Monster Cables. They're overpriced and no better than a no-name lead for tone quality.

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