Guitar intonation adjustment involves testing the intonation of each string by comparing the fretted 12-fret octave with the harmonic produced at the same fret. If the fretted note is sharp, the string needs to be lengthened; if the fretted note is flat, then the string needs to be shortened.

The way in which the length of the strings is adjusted depends on the type of bridge fitted on your guitar. In our guide to adjusting electric guitar intonation, you’ll find out how to adjust intonation on a range of guitar bridge styles…

Read more

Who were the best jazz bassists? On this page we take a look at the lives and work of some of the greatest bassists in jazz history…

Read more

Contemporary jazz guitarists include Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman, Julian Lage, Tom Misch, Mike Moreno and Lionel Loueke. These young jazz guitarists represent a new generation of musicians carrying on the jazz guitar tradition.

If you’ve listened to your favorite jazz guitar albums so many times that you can sing each solo note-perfect in your head and hear the first notes of the next song before it’s even started, then check out this guide to the new generation of jazz guitarists and their work…

Read more

How To Get A Jazz Guitar Sound

Getting a good jazz guitar sound requires a combination of gear, playing technique and acquired knowledge. Jazz guitarists typically use archtop guitars, strung with heavy gauge, flatwound strings. They play using small, thick picks and rarely use anything other than the neck pickup, often with the tone turned down. The sound is amplified with powerful solid state amps, or valve amps with a clear, unnuanced sound. The use of effects is kept to a minimum, but reverb may be used in varying degrees.

While the above may describe how to get a traditional jazz guitar tone, there are many variations on this theme. On this page we take a look at the gear and techniques used by jazz guitarists, and how jazz guitar tone has evolved since the early days of jazz guitar…

Read more