CA Guitar Repair Blog: Jackson Dinky® JS11

Preamble

The striking JS Series Dinky® JS11 "superstrat" you see below was sent in for general servicing and electronics upgrades. Jackson has provided quite a lot of information on this guitar online, so do head over to their website if you'd like to learn more about this fine instrument. Once you're at the start page, click the "JS Series Dinky® JS11" image hotspot.

Basic Information

Model: JS Series Dinky® JS11

Model #: 2910121552

Color: Metallic Red

Serial Number: CWJ2159741

Origin: China

Production Date: December 2021

Jackson JS Series Dinky® JS11

Dinky® JS11 - Rear View

Headstock

The gloss black headstock on this JS11 features the typical Jackson profile, black six-in-line Jackson® Sealed Die-Cast tuners, and stylized Jackson logo prominently displayed in white. The headstock is angled, and attached to the maple neck via a scarf joint that spans the first and second frets. This tilt-back headstock design makes string trees totally unnecessary, so the only other appointments on the front are a three-screw black plastic truss rod cover and black plastic nut. Beneath the truss rod cover are the truss rod channel and truss rod adjustment socket, which accepts a 5/32" hex wrench. Do note that the truss rod on this guitar is of the "dual-action" variety.

Gloss Black Headstock

Truss Rod Socket/Black Plastic Nut

Jackson® Sealed Die-Cast Tuners

Close-Up of Tuners

Neck

The bolt-on maple neck features a natural satin finish and according to the literature, is reinforced with graphite. Although rather pale in comparison to necks finished in tinted poly, the grain pattern is quite distinct all along the back. Interestingly enough, this grain pattern features lines that are tight, straight, and parallel to each other. In my humble opinion, this, coupled with the almost perpendicular grain pattern at the butt end; indicates a quarter sawn neck.

Maple Neck/Scarf Joint

Close-Up of Grain Pattern

Neck Heel - Underside

Neck Heel - Left Side

Neck Heel - Right Side

Butt End Grain Pattern

Headstock End Grain Pattern

Fretboard

The fretboard on this JS11 is amaranth, a Latin American hardwood. Based on my observations, amaranth does not appear to differ all that much from rosewood. This fretboard features a 25-1/2" scale length, 12" radius, 22 jumbo frets, white pearloid dot position inlays; and white dot side markers.

Amaranth Fretboard

Fretboard Radius is 12"

Jumbo Frets/Pearloid Dot Inlays

White Dot Side Markers

Body - Front and Sides

Finished in Metallic Red, the poplar body features the patented Dinky® shape. As there's lots of overspray in all body cavities, the only glimpse of poplar is to be found in the neck pocket. Hardware on the front and sides of the body keeps to the all-black format, and this includes the pickup rings, various screws, strap buttons, two-point fulcrum tremolo, snap-in tremolo arm, control knobs, switch tip, and output jack plate.