As I was looking for a capable yet affordable guitar for my metalhead son, I was curious to see how this model would hold up.

Introduction

When I first picked up a guitar in 1987, options were limited, especially in my country, Mexico. Back then, restrictions on imports meant that finding a decent instrument was a Herculean task. You’d have to shell out a ton of money just to avoid playing on what was essentially firewood with strings. Fast forward to today, and things have changed dramatically. My youngest son recently expressed a desire to take his guitar playing to the next level, and naturally, I wanted to get him something better than the junk I started with. But I also didn’t want to break the bank. After some searching, the Jackson JS Series Dinky® Arch Top JS24 DKAM caught my eye. Here’s what I found after putting it through its paces.

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The Search for a Guitar

My teenager son’s journey with guitar began on a really subpar instrument. When it became clear that he was serious about playing, I decided it was time to invest in something more substantial, but still within a reasonable budget. His taste in music leans heavily towards metal—Metallica, Megadeth, that sort of thing—so we needed a guitar that could deliver the goods in that genre without costing a fortune. Enter the Jackson JS24 DKAM, a guitar that’s built with metal in mind but at a price that doesn’t require taking out a second mortgage.

First Impressions

Straight out of the box, the JS24 DKAM impresses with its sleek, modern design. The Dinky® body shape is a scaled-down version of the classic Stratocaster, making it more comfortable to play, especially for younger or smaller players. The mahogany body with an arched top gives it a solid feel without being too heavy. The satin finish, available in either Black Stain or Red Stain, looks great, though I have some reservations about how well this finish will hold up over time.

Playability and Sound

One of the standout features of this guitar is its 25.5″ scale length with 24 jumbo frets. This makes it incredibly versatile, especially for soloing. The compound radius caramelized maple fingerboard (12″-16″) is another highlight, allowing for easy chording at the lower frets and smooth bends at the higher frets. The neck, reinforced with graphite and featuring a scarf joint, feels stable and comfortable, and the satin finish on the neck allows for quick, smooth movement.

Pickups

The Jackson high-output humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets deliver the aggressive tone you’d expect from a guitar aimed at metal players. These pickups are typically built with ceramic magnets, which are known for their ability to produce a higher output and a more aggressive tone compared to traditional Alnico magnets. The use of ceramic magnets accentuates the upper harmonics, giving the pickups a sharp, cutting sound that is ideal for heavily distorted tones.

The construction of these pickups involves winding a significant amount of magnet wire around the ceramic magnet, which increases the output level and enhances the mid-range frequencies. This results in a pickup that provides a full-bodied sound with plenty of clarity in the highs and strong, defined lows. The high-output nature of these pickups makes them well-suited for maintaining clarity and definition even under heavy distortion.

These pickups are hot, pushing the amp into distortion easily, making it perfect for genres like metal and hard rock. However, don’t expect much subtlety here—this guitar was built to scream, not to whisper.

Craftmanship

The craftsmanship of this guitar, made in China, is quite good, particularly for its price range. While there’s a lot of buzz these days around guitars made in Indonesia for their quality and affordability, this Chinese-made model doesn’t disappoint. The attention to detail in this guitar is hard to find in entry-level models, a consistency I’ve noticed with Jackson guitars. Despite its affordability, this model delivers on quality and reliability, making it a strong contender among guitars in the $300 range.

The Downside: Hardware Woes

Now, let’s talk about where this guitar falls short—the hardware. The die-cast tuners and the 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge are, frankly, disappointing. The tremolo, while functional, leaves much to be desired. It’s stiff and doesn’t return to pitch as reliably as you’d hope, which is a shame because otherwise, the guitar plays well. If you’re serious about using the tremolo, you’ll likely find yourself frustrated. In this price range, I would’ve preferred a fixed bridge, which would’ve provided more stability and honesty in its limitations.

Other alternatives

If you’re considering alternatives to the Jackson JS Series Dinky® Arch Top JS24 DKAM, two notable options come to mind. The Ibanez RG320EXZ offers higher-end features like a locking tremolo system, ideal for players needing tuning stability during heavy use, though it’s priced higher at around $500.

On the other hand, the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA is a more budget-friendly option at approximately $200. It shares many characteristics with the JS24 but with a slightly less premium build, making it a more affordable choice for beginners or those on a tighter budget who still want a reliable entry-level guitar. Both guitars provide solid alternatives depending on your budget and feature preferences.

Conclusion

Despite its flaws, the Jackson JS Series Dinky® Arch Top JS24 DKAM offers a lot of guitar for the money. For a beginner or intermediate player, especially one with a love for metal, it’s a solid choice. It’s comfortable, sounds great for its intended genre, and has enough features to keep a new player engaged as they grow. If I had a guitar like this when I was starting out, it would’ve felt like a dream. Sure, the hardware could be better, but at $329.99, it’s a compromise I’m willing to accept. My son loves it, plays it all the time, and it’s not limiting him—it’s inspiring him. He’s surprising me with his progress and how much he’s improving every day. This little Jackson is a great instrument that supports his learning journey, and he’s truly enjoying playing it. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most.

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Specs:

• Body: Mahogany with arched top
• Neck: Bolt-on caramelized maple with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint
• Fingerboard: Caramelized maple, 12″-16″ compound radius, 24 jumbo frets, black sharkfin inlays
• Pickups: Dual Jackson high-output humbucking with ceramic magnets
• Controls: Three-position pickup blade switch, single volume, and tone control
• Bridge: 2-point fulcrum tremolo
• Tuners: Jackson sealed die-cast
• Finish: Satin (Black Stain or Red Stain)
• Scale Length: 25.5″

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Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Comfortable and easy to play, especially for metal.
• High-output pickups deliver aggressive, powerful tones.
• Compound radius fingerboard is versatile for both chording and soloing.
• Solid build quality, especially considering the price.

Cons:

• Subpar tremolo performance.
• Hardware quality, particularly the bridge and tuners, could be better.
• Satin finish may not age well with heavy use.

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This guitar may not be perfect, but for what it is—a budget-friendly entry into the world of metal guitar playing—it’s hard to beat. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you’re just starting out or buying for a young metalhead in your life.

JS Series Dinky® Arch Top JS24 DKAM Specifications

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Model Number: 2910339590

Body:

• Material: Mahogany
• Finish: Satin
• Shape: Dinky®
• Top: Arched

Neck:

• Material: Caramelized Maple
• Construction: Bolt-On with Graphite Reinforcement and Scarf Joint
• Finish: Satin
• Binding: White
• Scale Length: 25.5″ (64.77 cm)
• Truss Rod: Adjustment at Nut
• Nut Material: Black Plastic
• Nut Width: 1.6875″ (42.86 mm)

Fingerboard:

• Material: Caramelized Maple
• Radius: 12″-16″ Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)
• Number of Frets: 24
• Fret Size: Jumbo
• Inlays: Black Sharkfin

Pickups:

• Configuration: Dual Jackson High-Output Humbucking Pickups with Ceramic Magnets
• Controls: Single Volume Control, Single Tone Control
• Switching: Three-Position Pickup Blade Switch

Bridge:

• Type: 2-Point Fulcrum Tremolo Bridge

Hardware:

• Tuners: Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
• Strap Buttons: Standard
• Headstock: Jackson Pointed 6-in-Line Black

Finish Options:

• Colors: Black Stain or Red Stain

Price: $329.99