Finding the best jazz guitar amp that will give your tone a clean, signature sound isn’t that easy. Some affordable Jazz amplifiers sound cheap, so you have to know what you are looking for.
That’s where we come into play. We’ve reviewed all the most popular jazz guitar amplifiers, so you can find the right one for your tone and style. We look at the main features along with the overall specs, pro, cons, and benefits of each amp, so it’s easy for you to decide which one fits your style. We’ve reviewed combo amps, portable amps, and everything in between,
Let’s check out some of the top-rated jazz guitar amps to improve your sound and enhance your style.
Research the Top Jazz Guitar Amplifiers in 2020 Below
Contents
- 1 Research the Top Jazz Guitar Amplifiers in 2020 Below
- 2 What We Recommend and Why
Here is a list of the best guitar amps for jazz on the market that will give your tone some feeling.
- Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
- Fender 68 Custom Twin Reverb
- Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe
- Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb
- AER Compact 60/3
- Roland AC-60
- Fender Champion 40
- Peavey Classic 30
- Roland CUBE Street
- Roland Micro Cube GX
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
Specs, features, and benefits
The famous Roland JC-120 is a 120-Watt amp with two 12-Inch Speakers. It has two channels, and they both have two inputs – High and Low and Bright on/off push-button. The first channel has control knobs for Volume, Treble, Middle, and Bass.
The second channel has control knobs Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Distortion, and Reverb. Next on the control panel is the Chorus section. It has Vibrato/Chorus switch, and Depth and Speed control knobs. On the backside of the amp, you can find the Right/Left (Mono) Line outs, the second channel’s stereo Effects Loop with switchable dB Levels and Series/Parallel switch, and the Footswitch inputs for Reverb, Chorus, and Distortion.
The Roland JC-120 was first introduced in 1975, and since then, this amp stands as one of the best solid-state amps. It has a clear and massive tone.
Pros and Highlights
- Sounds amazing! – This is why this amp is one of the most desired amps among the guitarists… It sounds incredibly good. Both clean and wet! Classic…
- Stereo – The two 12-Inch speakers are creating a lot of headroom, but besides that, it is the Chorus that is making this amp special. Actually, the Chorus on this amp is physical!
- Classic – You can hear the amp’s signature sound on many legendary records… Pat Martino, George Benson, etc.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Pricey! – The amp sounds unique… It is one of the best solid state amps ever, for sure! But, if you are buying a new one, it is quite pricey. You might get a used one for less money if you find one in good condition, which is not rare because the Roland JC-120 is built like a tank. And if you are buying a new one, don’t overthink it – it is worth every penny.
Bottom line
If you are looking for the signature sound that shaped the sound of many big jazz cats, Roland has you covered. The Roland JC-120 is a legendary amp that produces amazingly articulated sounds. It is one of the best solid-state amps and works for many tastes and genres. The Roland Jazz Chorus is really something special.
Fender 68 Custom Twin Reverb
Specs, features, and benefits
The Fender 68′ Twin Reverb is an 85Watt guitar combo with an all-tube amplifier and two twelve-inches Celestion speakers. The roots of this amp’s sound and style go way back in the sixties. It is inspired by the Fender “Silverface” amp. The Fender 68′ Custom Twin Reverb amp has four hand-wired 6L6 tubes in the power amp, six preamp tubes, four 12AX7’s and two 12AT7 tubes.
It has two channels, Custom and Vintage. On the control panel, first, we have the Custom channel guitar inputs and their bright switch, and Volume, Treble, Middle, and Bass control knobs. Then we have the Vintage channel, with its two guitar jacks and their Bright switch, and control knobs for Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Reverb, Level, and Intensity.
The Level and Intensity knobs are for setting up the Vibrato effect on the amp, which is applicable to both of the channels. On the back of the amp, you can find the Standby and the Power switches, the External speaker output, and the Footswitch jack. The amp comes with a footswitch and a cover for the amp. They are both included in the price!
Pros and Highlights
- Great sound – We all know that Fender amps sound fantastic, and this one is not an exception too! It sounds incredible… It is one of the best sounding Fender amps!
- Great effects – Both the Reverb and the Vibrato are Tube-driven, which means that they sound absolutely amazing!
- Flexible – The two channels on the amp are completely different – The Custom channel is inspired by Fender Bassman tone stack, while the vintage Twin Reverb amp inspires the Vintage channel!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Poor quality control – The amp sounds great, but it seems to me like Fender is not paying attention to the quality of their products before shipping them. It is not recommended to buy one of these through the internet. It is a beautiful amp, but try it before you buy it. The best way is to go to your local guitar shop!
Bottom line
If you are looking for a great sounding Fender amp, that is versatile and flexible, the Fender 68’ Custom Twin Reverb is a great choice. It has awesome that awesome Fender tone. You can’t go wrong with this amp.
Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe
Specs, features, and benefits
The Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe is a 40Watt amp combo. It has an all-tube amplifier and one twelve-inch Jensen C12K speaker. The George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe has two 6L6 tubes in the power amp, and two 12AX7s and one 12AT7 tube in the preamp section. The fact that this is the George Benson signature model guarantees that you’ll have an amazingly clean, jazzy sound with this amp. But because Fender wants to please every kind of guitar player, this amp has an Overdrive channel too.
The control panel on the amp, starting from left to right, consists of two guitar inputs, Normal/Bright switch, Volume control knob, “More Drive” push button, Drive control knob, Treble, Middle, and Bass control knobs, Channel select push-button, Master, Reverb, and Presence control knobs, Preamp Out, Power amp in, Footswitch port, Standby switch, and Power switch. The amp comes with a two-button footswitch and fitted cover included in the price.
Pros and Highlights
- Amazing sound, great for jazz – George Benson helped Fender to make this one!
- Flexible – Although it is primarily a jazz amp, this amp is suitable for rock players too. The Drive you can get out of this amp is fantastic!
- Compact – Great for taking it on gigs!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons!
Bottom line
If you are looking for the ultimate jazz amp, the kind of amp that can provide you with beautiful clean tone – this amp would be a great choice. It was made out of a collaboration between two legends, Fender and George Benson! Also, if you are the kind of player that likes to spice up his tone with drive, this amp can do that too! Great amp – one of the best for jazz!
Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb
Specs, features, and benefits
The Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb is a reissue of the legendary Princeton Reverb from the sixties, and it is basically the same amp with a few modifications, like using a printed circuit board rather than the old hand-wired. It is a 15-Watt Tube amp with a 10-Inch Jensen Speaker. This amp has a built-in spring reverb and tube-vibrato. The amp has three 12AX7s, one 12AT7, two 6L6s, and one 5AR4 Rectifier tube.
It has two inputs, and control knobs for Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Speed, and Intensity. On the back panel, you can find the On/Off switch, the External Speaker Output, and the Footswitch input. It comes with a footswitch and a cover included in the price. The amp sounds amazing, it is great for playing smaller venue gigs and for recording in the studio. One of the best combo amps out there!
Pros and Highlights
- Sounds great! – The amp sounds amazing, and many players use it both for playing live and in the studio!
- Powerful – The 15Watts of power deliver a good amount of volume; it covers up the drummer without any hesitation.
- Reverb & Vibrato – The Reverb and the Vibrato effects on this amp are really something special. It has a Fender spring reverb and tube-vibrato! They sound gorgeous.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- You might get a defective amp! – Many players are complaining about how they got a defective amp when purchasing through the internet. Our recommendation is that when you are buying guitar gear that is not dirt-cheap, you should better go to the store and try it before you buy it.
Bottom line
Sounds amazing, it is compact and very powerful. The Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb is definitely one of the best combo-amps ever. It is a tube amp, and that’s why it sounds that good.
AER Compact 60/3
Specs, features, and benefits
If you are an acoustic guitar player, and you are looking for a compact amp that you would take on the road with you, the AER Compact 60 is a great choice. It is a 60Watt combo amp with one eight-inch speaker. The AER Compact 60/3 is a two-channel amp, with one being for use with a guitar, and the other can be used for either vocal or for a guitar.
On the control panel, there are three clusters, Channel 1 controls, Channel 2 controls, and Effects and Master controls. Channel one control cluster consists of a guitar input, High/Low push-button switch, led Clip indicator, Gain control knob, Colour push-button, and Bass, Middle and Treble control knobs. The Channel 2 cluster consists of an XLR/guitar input, Mic/Line push-button switch, Gain, Bass, and Treble control knobs.
Next, we have the Pan control knob, Effects Select Switch, Effects Level control knob, and Master Volume control knob. On the back of the amp you can find the Line out, Send, Tuner, Headphones, Return, Footswitch, a DI XLR out, and the Power switch.
Pros and Highlights
- Clear sound – Although the AER Compact combo has a small eight-inch speaker, it delivers a crystal-clear sound!
- Compact – Due to its compact and sturdy design, size, and weight, this combo is great for taking it on the road;
- Two channels – You can set up both your guitar and microphone in this amp!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons!
Bottom line
If you are a singer-songwriter type of musician, this amp is a great idea. It delivers natural and clear sound, it has channels for both guitar and microphone, it is lightweight, compact, and sturdy. Great amp for taking it on the road.
Roland AC-60
Specs, features, and benefits
The Roland AC-60 is a 60Watt stereo combo amplifier, with two 6.5″ speakers. It has two channels, one for acoustic guitar and one for a microphone. It is a great sounding, versatile, small-size, and compact amp – a perfect combination for the traveling musician.
On the control panel, you can find the inputs for each channel; their dedicated volume and EQ control knobs, and chorus push-buttons. The guitar channel is both magnet pick-up and piezo friendly, and you can set it with the push-button placed right next to the input. It also has a “shape” button. The microphone/line-in channel has XLR / 1/4 input, a phantom power switch, and Mic/Line select-button.
Next, we have the Master control cluster, which consists of Chorus, Reverb/Delay, and Master Volume control knobs, an Anti-Feedback cluster with a Frequency control knob and dedicated “Start” button, a Mute push-button, and Headphones jack.
On the back of the amp, you can find the L/R line outs, the Mono line-out, the Subwoofer out, the Aux inputs, the DI/Tuner out, and the Footswitch jacks for controlling the effects on the amp, and for controlling the anti-feedback feature.
Pros and Highlights
- Great Tone! – This amp has great guitar and microphone tone. It has a rich and clear sound!
- Flexible – The amp has all the features that musicians want to have on their amp!
- Lightweight, compact!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons!
Bottom line
If you are an acoustic guitar player and singer, you need to check out this fella. It has all that you need to go gigging with your acoustic and your mic. It sounds great; it is very compact, flexible, and lightweight. Great amp!
Fender Champion 40
Specs, features, and benefits
Fender Champion 40 is a 40Watt solid state combo amp with one 12″ Fender Special Design speaker, with built-in effects and amp modeling. It is powerful, loud, and with that classic Fender tone – it is one of the best combo amps in this price range.
It is a two-channel (switchable) amp with control knobs for Gain, Volume, Voice (Tweed, British, Blackface, Metal), Treble, Bass, FX Level, FX Select, and Tap Tempo button. Then we have the Aux-in, and the Headphones out ports. The Fender Champion 40 has Reverb, Delay/Echo, Chorus, Flanger, Tremolo, Vibrato, and Wah effects onboard, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to build your first rig.
The Fender Champion 40 is an easy-to-use combo amp that offers a decent amount of flexibility. Perfect for bedroom practice and rehearsal!
Pros and Highlights
- Compact – The Fender Champion 40 is a small size amp – it won’t take a lot of space in your bedroom!
- Flexible – The FX and the Amp-Voicings on the amp allow you to have different sounds for different music situations. And you don’t have to spend a fortune when you are just beginning to mess around guitars.
- Easy to use – It is very intuitive – just plug in, turn around the knobs, and you are good to go!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons!
Bottom line
The Fender Champion 40 is an easy-to-use combo amp with built-in effects and amp modeling, great for beginners, band rehearsals, and even small gigs. It has flexibility, yet is not overwhelming like many of the modern-day guitar amps are.
Many players love this amp unconditionally.
Peavey Classic 30
Specs, features, and benefits
The Peavey Classic 30 is a combo tube amp with 30 Watts of power and one twelve-inch speaker. In the preamp, there are three 12AX7 tubes, while in the power amp you can find four EL84 tubes. It has two switchable channels.
On the control panel, you can find these control knobs: Normal, Pre (Gain), Post (Gain), Reverb, Bass, Middle, and Treble. Also, on the control panel, you can find the Channel button-switch, a Boost button, Send and Return jacks for Effect boxes, a Standby switch, and a Power Switch.
On the back of the combo, you can find the Extension Speaker jack, and two Footswitch jacks – one for Reverb, and one for Channel switching and activating the Boost. The built-in reverb in the amp is actually a spring reverb, which of course is a great add-on to your guitar sound.
Pros and Highlights
- Great for gigging! – The Peavey Classic 30 is powerful enough to be taken on stage. It is loud, compact, sounds great, and it is flexible.
- Great sound – Due to the tube design of the amp, and the good quality speaker, this combo sounds amazing!
- Flexible – The Reverb sounds amazing, you can boost your tone on the fly, the two channels provide you with a ton of sound versatility.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons!
Bottom line
If you are looking for a compact combo amp for gigging with your guitar, you want to check out the Peavey Classic 30. It is a sturdily built, beautiful looking, awesome-sounding combo amp with a tube amplifier and a twelve-inch speaker – a perfect combination for gigging. The amp sounds amazing due to its tube design, and the spring-reverb is so, so sweet!
Roland CUBE Street
Specs, features, and benefits
Roland Cube Street is an awesome amplifier specially designed for the needs of the busking musicians. It has two separate channels, Mic/Line channel, and Guitar/Instrument channel.
- In the Mic/Line channel you can plug an XLR cable for your microphone or the standard 1/4 cable
- It has dedicated Bass, Treble, Volume, and Delay/Reverb control knobs
- In the Guitar/Instrument channel you have Bass, Middle, Treble control knobs; Nine different amp models
- Modulation effects control knob, and Delay/Reverb control knob; Dedicated Gain and Volume control knobs
Right above the power switch, there are the Headphones out, and the Aux in. On the back panel of the amp, you can find the power adaptor input, the battery compartment, and the Effect Loops for the two channels. The amp can run on six AA batteries up to fifteen hours.
Pros and Highlights
- Two channels! – You can plug your guitar and microphone on this amp, or you can form a duo and play with this amp together!
- Versatile – The amp simulations and the effects allow you to tune in many different sounds.
- Great for busking – The batteries last long enough, it has two separate channels, it is light, and it is sturdily built!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Pricey – It is pricier than the other portable amps on this list, but it is worth every penny!
Bottom line
If you are a busker, this amp is a great choice. It’s also good for smaller gigs, practice and similar situations. It is light, but it’s sturdy built. The fact that it has two channels is amazing, the amp simulations are cool, and the effects are great! It might be a bit pricey, but if you are a busker you probably need it. It is worth every penny!
Roland Micro Cube GX
Specs, features, and benefits
The Micro Cube by Roland is a “micro” version of (you guess) the classic Roland Cube. What is really amazing with this little fella is the ton of versatility and features it has.
It has control knobs for Gain, Volume, Tone, and Master in the first section of controls. Right above them, there is the Amp Type rotary switch with eight modes, FX knob with Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, and Octave available, and Delay/Reverb knob.
It also has a built-in chromatic tuner and aux-in. The Aux in is actually a “Cube Link” too, which allows you to connect your IOS device, and jam along/record/learn with the “Cube Jam” app. On the amp, there is also a memory function, which allows you to save your favorite preset, and access it with a push of a button.
On the back panel of the amp, you can find the AC power Adaptor input, the Rec Out/Headphones jack, and the place where you put your batteries. It runs on six AA batteries that last twenty-five hours of playing time.
Pros and Highlights
- Long lasting batteries – You can find a lot of buskers using this amp on the street, the batteries last a long time!
- Versatile/Flexible – The amp offers a lot of different amps cab simulations and effects, built-in chromatic tuner, the Cube Link, Aux in, Headphones Out…
- Loud – This is very important for buskers; the amp is loud enough to be played on the streets!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- The older version of the Micro Cube GX was better – It sounded better, and it weighed a little more than this one. Probably Roland is trying to find ways to save on material on something, but this affects quality too.
Bottom line
The Roland Micro Cube GX is a widely used amp by buskers and street performers, but many use it as a practice amp at home too! It has a great set of features; it is loud, and sturdy portable amp. However, many players are complaining that the older version of this amp sounded better. It’s a bit pricier than other amps of this power, and size, so you might want to look up on some other options too.
What We Recommend and Why
If you are a jazz cat, looking for an amp that will deliver awesome jazz tones, we recommend the Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe amp! Because it is a compact, flexible, sturdily-built, beautiful-looking amp that sounds great! I mean come on… George Benson worked with Fender on this model! How cool is that?