There’s nothing particular about the blues that requires a specific guitar. In fact, many legendary blues guitar players could shred an emotional response from even the cheapest guitar-shaped object. That said, certain aspects of the best blues guitars make them perfect for the genre, whether that's warm-sounding pickups, excellent sustain, or rich harmonic overtones.
Many guitars share these characteristics, so ultimately it’s the vibe of the instrument that seals the deal for us, whether it’s a semi-hollow guitar, an LP-type, or a Telecaster. There are a lot of great blues guitars to choose from too, so we’ve put together this list that will get your heart pumping, whether you’re a fan of retro blues stylings of the BB King or you prefer something a little more rock-orientated à la Billy Gibbons.
If you’re new to the blues, make sure you go check out our FAQ section before you pull the trigger. For the blues veterans out there, keep scrolling to see our top picks…
Best blues guitars: Our top picks
There are few relationships in guitar as iconic as BB King and Lucille, which is why the Gibson Original ES-335 sits at the top of our list. From the stunning good looks to the iconic semi-hollow sound, this guitar embodies the blues with its versatile tones and excellent playability.
At the other end of the scale, we’ve got the ever-present Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster. One of the most versatile guitars in the world, nothing says Blues quite like a classic SSS Strat. From Hendrix to SRV, there’s a reason this guitar has found its way into the hands of many a blues guitar legend.
Best overall
The list of players who have used an ES-335 to devastating effect is as long as your arm, and it's easy to see why. The rich, complex, bell-like tone has a sound that just inspires you to play away the blues.
There have been many, many versions of the 335 over the years. Still, the current iteration offered by Gibson stays pretty true to the 60s era of this gorgeous semi-hollow guitar. Featuring an insanely playable hand-rolled, rounded C profile neck, sweet-sounding Calibrated T-Type humbucking pickups, hand-wired control assembly, and beautiful glass-like nitro finish.
The Gibson ES-335 has its feet so firmly in the blues, it's hard to separate them. So, if you are looking for one of the best blues guitars around, then you can do far worse than this timeless instrument.
Best with single coils
It seems like the humble Fender Stratocaster has always been the weapon of choice for the trailblazer. The incredibly versatile nature of the Strat has meant that guitar innovators such as Hendrix, Clapton, or SRV were able to bend the Fender classic to their will, resulting in some of the most remarkable guitar tones of all time.
We could've picked several Stratocasters for this guide, but we succumbed to the vintage charms of the American Vintage II 1957 Strat. This retro-inspired axe features a plethora of period-correct specifications, such as an Alder or Ash body with a Nitro lacquer finish, three Pure Vintage '57 single-coil pickups, and a chunky 1957 ‘V’ neck with a vintage 7.25" radius fingerboard.
Vintage tall frets ensure those big blues bends are a breeze, offering a phenomenal playing feel for soul-searching lead guitar work. For those after the vintage sound and feel of a golden-age Fender, the American Vintage II series is most definitely for you.
Best with P-90s
Well, after 50 years of being made in various factories - and countries - the Casino has finally come home to the USA, and we couldn't be more excited about it. So many great players have opted for the deep, hearty tone of the Casino, such as the unstoppable Keith Richards, the late great John Lennon, and modern blues master Gary Clark Jr, to name a few.
Although this guitar may look similar to its brethren above, it's a somewhat different animal. The Casino forgoes the maple center block in favor of fully hollow construction, resulting in a slightly warmer, woodier tone. This, coupled with the P-90 pickup, means this Epiphone has its own sonic identity, perfect for not only the blues but also as a jazz guitar and even rock - just be careful with your volume, as they do like to squeal.
Okay, this might not be a real vintage Casino, but frankly it's as close as you will get, and with the constant rise in vintage guitar prices, the most cost-effective purchase you can make - if you want an American-made Epiphone.
Best LP for blues
There are a handful of guitars out there that have taken on a whole legend of their own and become, in some ways, more famous than the players who wielded them. Peter Green's "Greeny" has to be one of those guitars. This mythological '59 Les Paul is responsible for some of the most replicated guitar sounds of all time - and the reason modern LPs have an out-of-phase setting!
Now, it's doubtful that we will ever get our hands on an original burst, and even if we did, it's even more unlikely that we'll have enough dough to make it ours. So, in that case, it's better to stick to the Gibson reissues. For us, Gibson is making the best recreations of these priceless guitars they ever have done - and although they may be expensive, they are a damn sight cheaper than an original.
Gibson has used state-of-the-art technology to capture every little detail - from laser-scanning the necks to get the exact profile to recreating the plastics down to a molecular level. If you are chasing the tone of the blues rock greats, such as Peter Green, Gary Moore, and Billy Gibbons, then you're going to need your very own '59 Les Paul.
Best Tele for blues
Suppose you fancy channeling your inner Albert Collins or Muddy Waters. In that case, you're going to need to rely on the simplistic beauty of the Fender Telecaster. For our money, one of the best Telecasters on the market right now has to be the Fender Vintera '60s Telecaster Modified.
The Telecaster has a tone that stands on its own. It's spikier than a Strat, brighter than a Les Paul, and has a focused treble that cuts through a mix like a hot knife through butter.
The Vintera manages to perfectly blend the classically handsome looks of a vintage Telecaster with the modern features we have all come to rely on. The hotter single-coil pickups are designed to push your amp, delivering a punchy attack. At the same time, the sophisticated modern wiring allows you to broaden the tonal possibilities of this twang machine.
Best on a budget
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that we would feature a Yamaha guitar in a list of best blues guitars, with legends such as Carlos Santana favoring the old-school Yamaha SG back in the day. Now, while the SG is still available, we have decided to include its younger - and equally cool - little brother, the Yamaha Revstar RSP02T.
The new Revstar series hit the ground running when they were released back in 2015, and now you can find the likes of up-and-coming blues player Chris Buck using this guitar to absolutely slay modern blues licks on YouTube.
These guitars are undoubtedly reminiscent of the now vintage SGs, featuring a maple and mahogany body, distinctive horned cutaways, a 3-piece mahogany neck, and killer P-90 pickups.
FAQs
What Makes A Great Blues Guitar?
The reality is, just about any guitar you can think of makes a great blues guitar - well, maybe not a Floyd Rose loaded Ibanez Jem, but you get the point. The truth is most of the blues greats didn't think about what guitar they were playing - or even the tone for that matter - it was all about what they could get their hands on. Most of the influential players of yesteryear got their signature axe by default. Whether that was by grabbing the first guitar they could afford or even simply playing a hand-me-down guitar, no one sought out a "blues guitar," so to speak.
Today things are a little different. Guitars are more affordable and accessible than ever before, and many players are looking to recreate the sound of their heroes. So, where do you start when looking for the ultimate blues machine?
Whether that's a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul, or ES-335, you can't go wrong with an iconic guitar.
For us, the obvious place to start is with the classics. Whether that's a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul, or ES-335, you can't go wrong with an iconic guitar. These special instruments offer not only fantastic playability but also invoke a particular response from the player, and ultimately that's what the blues is about.
It's essential that whatever guitar you choose is highly playable. At the end of the day, you don't want your guitar to get in the way of your playing. Your new guitar should feel like an extension of your hands and be a vehicle for your creativity.
Is single coil or humbucker better for blues?
This isn't a question solely asked by blues players, but the entire guitar community - what is better, single coils or humbuckers?
Well, unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question. It all boils down to the individual player and the tone they are chasing. If you are looking to recreate the soaring lead sound of Stevie Ray Vaughan, then you're going to need single coils - as well as bags of talent, a crazy loud tube amp, and you should probably throw in a Tube Screamer for good measure. On the other hand, perhaps you're looking for a warmer, rounder attack with extra sustain. Well, in that case, you're looking at humbuckers. Now, which guitars those pickups are attached to is entirely up to you - experiment!
How we choose the best blues guitars
At Guitar Player, we are a team of passionate guitarists who have immersed ourselves in the world of blues music. With our deep appreciation for the blues, we have thoroughly tested and played numerous guitars to identify the best instruments for capturing that most soulful of sounds.
To compile our list of top blues guitars, we combine our hands-on experience, extensive research, and in-depth discussions with our editorial team. We take into account factors such as playability, tone, craftsmanship, and historical significance to ensure we showcase the finest blues guitars available.
As avid blues players ourselves, we understand the significance of finding the perfect instrument to convey the emotional depth and expression of this genre. Our mission is to provide reliable and informed recommendations to help fellow guitarists discover the ideal blues guitar that resonates with their individual style and musical preferences. Whether you're wailing on a Delta blues riff or bending strings with Texas-style licks, our goal is to empower you to unlock your blues potential with the best guitars for the job.
Read more on how we test gear and service at Guitar Player.
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