Jackson Dinky JS12 Electric Guitar Metallic Red
Entry-level shred machine with dual humbuckers and 2-point trem at a budget price. Perfect first Jackson for aspiring metal players who need fast neck and aggressive looks without breaking the bank.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Jackson high-output humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets deliver aggressive, clear tone with plenty of girth
- +Jumbo frets make string bending and fast playing easier once you adjust to the taller size
- +Satin-finished maple speed neck with graphite reinforcement encourages hours of playing
- +Amaranth fingerboard with 12-inch radius perfect for both open chords and fast solos
- +MusicRadar gave it 4/5 stars - impressive performance for a $250 guitar
Cons
- −Poplar body won't give you the resonance or sustain of more expensive hardwoods
- −Jumbo frets require adjustment period - press too hard and you'll push notes out of pitch
- −Budget build quality means you'll likely want to upgrade tuners and electronics eventually
The Verdict
At $250, the JS12 is exactly what it should be: a gig-ready gateway drug to the Jackson lineup. MusicRadar’s 4/5 rating confirms it punches above its weight class. Yeah, it’s got a poplar body and budget hardware, but the neck geometry is pure Jackson and the pickups have legitimate output. This is the guitar you buy your kid who wants to play metal, or the beater you keep around for drop tunings and hard gigs. It’s not trying to be an SL2 Pro Series, and that’s fine – it’s trying to get aspiring shredders playing fast for cheap, and it succeeds.
