Editor’s Rating
The Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky stands out as an excellent entry point into the world of 7-string guitars, and with a few strategic upgrades, it can easily become a reliable and high-performing backup instrument for seasoned players.
7.5
Looks
8
Quality
7
Playability
8
Sound
7
Price
10
As someone who has often associated budget-friendly guitars with compromised quality, I approached the Indonesian-made Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky with a healthy dose of skepticism. Priced around $399 or €320, my past experiences with entry-level guitars have been less than stellar. My guitar journey began with a very basic Squier Stratocaster, and after upgrading to an Epiphone Explorer and later LTD models, I largely steered clear of guitars in this price range.
However, after spending time with the Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky, my perspective has shifted. Jackson has clearly found a winning formula with their entry-level offerings, delivering a guitar that punches above its weight class.
Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky Specs Breakdown
Let’s delve into the specifications that make up the Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky:
- Body: Basswood with a Quilt Maple Top
- Neck: 3-Piece Bolt-On Maple with Graphite Reinforcements
- Scale Length: 26.5″
- Fretboard: Rosewood with Binding
- Headstock: Bound to match the fretboard
- Bridge: Hipshot-Style Hardtail
- Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switch
- Controls: Volume and Tone Knobs
- Pickups: Jackson® High Output 7 String Humbuckers
- Finishes: Available in Tobacco Burst and Natural
First Impressions and Playability
The natural finish Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky arrived for review, and while I personally lean towards the tobacco burst, the natural finish certainly has its own appeal. My initial impression upon unboxing was surprisingly positive – the guitar simply looks and feels more premium than its price tag suggests. Even my girlfriend, who isn’t particularly interested in guitars, remarked that it looked better than many of my other instruments – a comment that stung a little, but highlighted the guitar’s visual appeal.
The quilted maple veneer, though thin, adds a touch of elegance and depth to the body. A detail I particularly appreciated at this price point was the recessed Volume and Tone knobs, a feature often overlooked on entry-level guitars.
The “Hipshot-Style” hardtail bridge feels robust and comfortable underhand. In fact, I found myself slightly preferring it to the bridge on the LTD AW-7, which uses a similar design. The economics of using a “Hipshot-Style” bridge versus a licensed Hipshot original at this price point is an interesting question. Manufacturing costs in different regions likely play a significant role.
One minor aesthetic point that caught my attention were the pickup rings around the humbuckers on the natural finish model. Interestingly, these are absent on the tobacco burst version. While a subjective preference, I personally find pickup rings less visually appealing on 7-string guitars. The cleaner look of the tobacco burst without rings is arguably more streamlined and modern.
The neck of the JS32-7Q Dinky was a standout feature. Its thin profile, combined with a flat and comfortably rounded D-shape, immediately felt fast and conducive to shredding. The 26.5″ scale length, my preferred scale for 7-string guitars, contributes to optimal string tension and clarity, especially in lower tunings. The neck finish is matte and natural, reminiscent of the oil-finished necks found on guitars like the Jackson DKA8, enhancing the smooth and fast playing experience.
The fretwork is commendable for a guitar in this price range. While not flawless, it’s certainly more than adequate, and I’ve encountered worse fret jobs on significantly more expensive instruments. The 24 jumbo frets are precisely what you’d expect and contribute to the guitar’s comfortable playability.
Jackson has opted for a relatively dark rosewood for the fretboard, which looks quite appealing. Paired with the distinctive Piranha inlays, the neck aesthetics are surprisingly refined for an entry-level guitar.
The tuners are functional and get the job done, but they are likely one of the components where cost savings were made. For players seeking ultimate tuning stability, especially for live performances or recording, upgrading the tuners to locking tuners would be a worthwhile consideration.
Turning the guitar over reveals the back of the body. While you shouldn’t expect a single piece of highly figured wood on a guitar in this price range, the back of this particular JS32-7Q Dinky had a rather unique piece of what appears to be flamed basswood. I was initially surprised, as flamed basswood isn’t commonly seen. It almost resembled flamed maple at first glance. This unusual wood grain adds a quirky, almost glitch-like character to this specific guitar, making it stand out. However, it’s important to note that this is likely an anomaly, and most JS32-7Q Dinky models will probably feature a more standard 3-piece basswood body.
Jackson JS32-7 Dinky-9
Close-up view of the Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky body, highlighting the unique flamed basswood back and bolt-on neck joint.
The traditional Jackson bolt-on neck joint is substantial and robust. While some players may prefer the enhanced upper fret access of an All-Access Neck Joint (AANJ), the classic bolt-on joint is a hallmark of Jackson guitars. Although it slightly restricts access to the highest frets, countless legendary guitarists have achieved incredible feats on guitars with similar neck joints. While I personally appreciate the streamlined feel of an AANJ, I’ve grown to appreciate the solidity and traditional feel of the blockier neck joint, especially as implemented on models like the DKA8 with its flattened version.
Sound Quality and Pickups
My expectations for the Jackson High-Output Humbuckers were modest, given the guitar’s price point. However, plugging the JS32-7Q Dinky into my Kemper Profiler, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound it produced straight out of the box.
For beginners and practice sessions, the stock pickups are more than adequate. While they might lack some low-end punch and the lower frequencies can get a bit muddy at higher gain levels, the overall sound is perfectly acceptable, especially considering the guitar’s affordability.
However, for live performance or recording scenarios, upgrading the pickups would significantly enhance the guitar’s sonic capabilities. If I were to use the JS32-7Q Dinky for gigs, I would definitely consider swapping the pickups for something with a tighter low-end response and improved clarity across the frequency spectrum. While upgrading pickups, it might also be worthwhile to consider upgrading the electronics (pots and wiring) as well. Given the guitar’s budget-friendly price, the cost of these upgrades would still keep the total investment reasonable.
To provide a clear picture of the guitar’s sound, I recorded some audio samples using my standard Peavey 5150 Kemper profile, without any post-processing or alterations. These samples offer a direct representation of the JS32-7Q Dinky’s raw sound.
Final Verdict: A Stellar Entry-Level 7 String Jackson Guitar
I must admit, the Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky exceeded my expectations for an entry-level 7-string guitar. For aspiring 7-string players, this guitar is an outstanding starting point. If I were beginning my guitar journey today, the JS32-7Q Dinky would be a guitar I would be thrilled to learn on. I wholeheartedly recommend it to beginners seeking an affordable and playable 7-string instrument.
Beyond beginners, the JS32-7Q Dinky also holds appeal as a budget-friendly backup guitar for more experienced players. With upgrades to the pickups and potentially the tuners, it can transform into a reliable and high-performing workhorse, capable of handling demanding playing situations.
It’s essential to remember that the JS32-7Q Dinky is, at its core, an entry-level instrument. The fretwork is decent but not exceptional, the hardware is functional rather than top-of-the-line, and minor cosmetic imperfections may be present. However, despite these entry-level characteristics, the Jackson JS32-7Q Dinky is undeniably a solid and impressive 7-string guitar that offers exceptional value for its price.
[
