Jackson JS32 Dinky Archtop Natural Oil

Jackson Guitars

Before we get into the Jackson JS32 Dinky Archtop Natural Oil, let’s look at a brief history of the famous Guitar company.

Jackson is a Guitar Company started in 1980 in Glendora, California, when an up-and-coming artist approached the co-owner of Charvel Guitar Repair, Grover Jackson, for a concept instrument.

Randy Rhoads was a new addition to former Black Sabbaths frontman Ozzy Osbourne.

No one could have known how this collaboration between Rhoads, Jackson’s Tim Wilson and Charvels master-builder Mike Shannon would have resulted in the creation of the “Concorde” guitar and the start of a new brand…Jackson Guitar Company.

The Team would take a traditional “Flying V” and revamp it to a “Shark Fin” design guitar shape.

This radical design was a far departure from Carvel’s “Strat-style” models, and Jackson opted to label them under his name instead of the Charvels brand, resulting in the creation of the first Jackson guitar.

After the great Randy Rhoads’ passing in 1982, Jackson decided to take the “Tribute” guitar they were working on finalizing with the artist and bring it to the market.

The result was the USA Select RR1.

The new company quickly started to get a following and reputation for creating high-quality custom American guitars played by famous artists of not only the ’80s but the present day, adding new designs and models to the brand’s lineup, including…

• The Soloist
• King V
• Kelly and the 
• JS Series

The Jackson JS32 Series

This line is tailored to the market of the up-and-coming guitarist who wants to experience the brand without putting out too much cash but getting a headstock with the Jackson name.

Outside of being a beginner, this is a great woodshedding machine for intermediate or advanced players. These are a version of the models that have made the brand successful, except with an affordable price point.

The build quality and sound of the JS-Series Dinky give you much more than what you expect for the price.

The attention to quality is not only on the high-end models but also extended to their budget-level models.

Let us look at one such model in the JS32 lineup…

The Jackson JS32 Dinky Archtop Natural Oil

Great Quality For Less

This Jackson JS32 Dinky Solid-body Arched Top has a Natural Oil Finish and is visually appealing and sonically superior.

The term “Dinky” refers to Jackson Guitars taking the Superstrat-Style electric guitar and making the body size slightly smaller (7/8) than average.

This arch-top design includes the humbucker pickups, great playable bolt-on maple neck, Jackson’s own 12″ -16″ compound-radius Amaranth fingerboard,24 jumbo frets and Pearloid reverse sharkfin inlays is a real treat for the seasoned shredder as well as the new guitarist.

(Read on)

Jackson Dinky JS32 Specs

Body

• Body Type–Solid
• Guitar Weight –4.54 kg/10.01 lbs
• Body Material – Nato wood (a collective name for wood from Mora Trees. )

• Body Shape – Dinky /Double cutaway
• Body Finish – Satin/oil
• Colour – Natural

Neck

• The Neck Material is a slender – 1-piece Graphite-Reinforced Maple with Scarf Joint and Satin Urethane Finish to keep your action fast.

• Neck shape – Speed neck
• Neck joint – Bolt -on
• Number of Frets – 24
• Frets Size – Jumbo
• Scale Length – 25.5″ (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Inlay  – Classic Jackson Pearloid Sharkfin inlays
• Fingerboard Material – Amaranth
• Fingerboard Radius –  12″-16″ Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)

12 “-16” Compound Radius

This 12 “-16” Compound -Radius Amaranth Fingerboard is a Jackson design that allows easy chording near the nut and flattens out for lead playing toward the guitar’s heel.

This design prevents fretting out during bends and gives you a more accurate fingerboard to play at the higher registers, making for easier runs and big string bends.

Compound-Radius Amaranth Fingerboard feels excellent for rhythm and lead playing and delivers maximum playing comfort and performance.

• Nut Width – 1.6875″ (42.86 mm)
• Truss Rod – Graphite Reinforced/Dual-Action

Video

Final Thoughts

This is my first Jackson guitar purchase, and to be honest, I am pleasantly surprised.

It is nice to see it available in several finishes, but I am attracted to the Natural Oil.

The white neck binding, all-black hardware, standard strap buttons and die-cast tuners make a nice touch.

What sold me was the Jackson Amaranth Fingerboard and 12 “-16” Compound Radius Neck.

Truly a design above the rest.

I have played many guitars, so to find a neck like this guitar for this price, you must play it to understand.

I am a believer.

My JS did not come with a locking tremolo, and the tuning machines are problematic when it comes to staying in pitch, but I am not a tremolo arm user, and the machine heads can be adjusted or replaced.

Should You Add This To Your Collection?

For a lot of reasons, YES.

Like any other brand, these Superstrats will come with different tiers based on price and build quality to accommodate the different levels of players.

Jackson’s level branding series goes as follows…

• USA Custom
• MJ (Made in Japan)
• Pro
• X
• JS

Several versions of the Dinky in the JS Series include 7 and 8-string. Some have arched tops, some Floyd Rose-style locking tremolos, and you can find them with Rosewood or Maple fingerboards and hot humbuckers.

This Dinky is an entry-level JS Series, but this guitar gives you a killer tone and sustain, not something you would expect from its lightweight body for an amazingly affordable Made-in-China instrument.

Did You Like This Article?

Check out my post on The Evolution Of Super Strat Guitars

Also…

Leave your comments below if you want me to review a favourite guitar.

As always, stay the course and keep playing.

Feature image courtesy of pitbullaudio.com

Image of the RR1 Concept Guitar & Drawings courtesy of Amazon

Image of Jackson Guitar in CTA courtesy of Amazon

Front and back images courtesy of zzounds.com