Description
Review of the Jackson JS22 Dinky Arch Top Electric Guitar in Snow White
The JS22 Dinky is a double cutaway solid body electric with a poplar arch top body, a bolt on maple speed neck with graphite reinforcement, an amaranth fingerboard carrying 24 jumbo frets, and two Jackson high output ceramic humbuckers. The hardware is black throughout with die cast tuners and a two point fulcrum tremolo. It sits in the electric guitars range and is aimed at rock and metal players.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A 12 to 16 inch compound radius fingerboard. The board is more curved near the nut and flatter towards the body, so chords sit comfortably in the lower positions while bends higher up do not choke out against the frets. This is a feature normally found on considerably more expensive guitars.
- Twenty four jumbo frets. Twenty four gives a full two octave range on every string, and jumbo wire makes bending and vibrato easier because less finger pressure is needed to hold a note.
- Graphite neck reinforcement. Graphite rods stiffen the neck against twisting and seasonal movement, which matters on a thin fast profile neck that has less wood to resist string tension.
- Two point fulcrum tremolo. A two point design pivots on two studs rather than six screws, so it returns to pitch more reliably after heavy use of the arm than the older six screw arrangement.
- High output ceramic humbuckers. Ceramic magnets give a tighter, more aggressive response than alnico, which is what suits high gain playing, and humbuckers cancel the mains hum single coils pick up.
- A bound headstock and neck with sharkfin inlays. Binding covers the fret ends along the edge of the neck, which is a comfort benefit rather than a purely cosmetic one.
Cons
- The spec table records seven strings. The JS22 Dinky is a six string guitar and the description, the pickup layout and the model designation all confirm it. This is a clear data error, and buyers should not order seven string sets on the strength of it.
- The top material is listed as maple while the body is poplar. The description states the body is made from poplar with an arched top design, meaning a carved poplar top rather than a maple cap. The maple in the listing refers to the neck, so the top material entry is misassigned.
- The description carries retail terms from a different seller. The manufacturer text ends with references to a 45 day return policy, 60 day price protection and a lowest price guarantee from a named third party retailer. Those terms belong to another shop and do not apply to this listing, so no return or pricing promise there should be relied on.
- The stated weight of 12.77 pounds is the shipped package. A poplar Dinky body is a relatively light guitar, and the figure includes packaging, so it gives no usable indication of how the instrument feels on a strap.
- No case is included. The description states plainly that a case is not included, and no gig bag, cable, strap or tuner is mentioned either.
- The description notes a different body wood on another finish. Poplar is used on this model while the Natural Oil version uses nato, which means specification comparisons across colours of the same model are not reliable.
Detailed Product Description
The body is poplar with a sleek double cutaway Dinky outline and an arched top. Dinky refers to a slightly reduced body size relative to the original superstrat shape, which keeps the guitar comfortable and light. Poplar is even grained and fairly neutral in voice with a slight midrange emphasis, and the arch is a visual and ergonomic shaping rather than a separate wood cap.
The neck is bolt on maple with graphite reinforcement, described as a speed neck, meaning a thin profile built for fast movement. The 25.5 inch scale is the longer of the two common electric scales, which raises string tension slightly at pitch and gives a tighter low end, well suited to down tuned playing.
The fingerboard is amaranth, also known as purpleheart, which is unusually dense and hard and gives a bright attack with good durability under the strings. It carries 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays over a compound radius that flattens as it approaches the body.
The electronics are two Jackson high output ceramic humbuckers with a three position selector, a master volume and a master tone. Ceramic magnets deliver a tighter and more aggressive response than alnico, with strong output that drives an amplifier into overdrive readily. The guide on guitar body shapes explained covers how this outline compares with other electric shapes.
What Comes with the Product
The listing names the guitar alone and states explicitly that a case is not included. No gig bag, cable, strap, tuner, picks, tremolo arm detail or amplifier is mentioned anywhere in the product data.
That makes an amplifier, an instrument cable, a tuner and some form of case or bag required additional purchases. A strap is needed for standing play, and a set of Allen keys for the tremolo and truss rod is worth having, since a two point tremolo needs adjusting whenever string gauge changes.
Who It Suits
This fits a rock or metal player who already owns an amplifier and wants a properly specified instrument rather than a bundle. The compound radius fingerboard, 24 frets, graphite reinforcement and two point tremolo are features that appear together far less often at this level, and each of them affects playability rather than appearance.
It does not suit a complete beginner buying a single purchase, since nothing needed to hear the guitar is included. It does not suit a player after bright, glassy clean tones, which single coils handle better than high output ceramic humbuckers, and the tremolo makes string changes and tunings more involved than a fixed bridge. Comparable options include the Jackson JS22 Dinky in another finish, the Jackson JS22 DKA in satin black and the WestCreek Revenge. The guide on guitar string gauge explained is worth reading before changing gauges on a tremolo guitar.
How to Maintain
Wipe the strings after each session, since skin oils rather than playing wear are what dull electric strings.
A two point tremolo needs more attention than a fixed bridge. Stretch new strings by hand after fitting, lubricate the nut slots lightly with pencil graphite if strings bind when the arm is used, and expect a settling period after each string change. Changing to a heavier or lighter string gauge alters the spring tension balance and will need the tremolo claw screws adjusting to bring the bridge back to level.
Keep the guitar in a case or bag away from radiators and direct sun. The graphite reinforcement limits seasonal neck movement but does not eliminate it, so watch for buzzing open strings or a rising action. Keep the amaranth fingerboard clean rather than oiling it often, since it is dense and absorbs conditioner slowly.
Tips and Recommendations
Budget for an amplifier, a cable, a tuner and a case, since none is supplied and the description confirms the case is excluded.
Decide on a string gauge and tuning early and set the tremolo to suit, rather than changing back and forth, because every change requires rebalancing the spring tension. Use the neck pickup with the tone rolled back for cleaner passages, since the bridge ceramic humbucker is voiced for gain and can sound harsh clean. Ignore the seven string entry in the spec table when buying strings, and disregard the third party return and pricing terms carried over into the description.
Product FAQ
Is this a six or seven string guitar?
Six. The spec table records seven strings, but the description, the pickup layout and the model designation all confirm a six string instrument.
What is the fingerboard made of?
Amaranth, also known as purpleheart, with a 12 to 16 inch compound radius and 24 jumbo frets.
Is a case included?
No. The description states plainly that a case is not included, and no gig bag, cable, strap or tuner is named either.
Do the return and price protection terms in the description apply?
No. Those terms name a different retailer and were carried over into the product description. They are not terms of this listing and should not be relied on.
