Jackson Dinky DK1 (2002 ->)

The Jackson DK1 is one of the more iconic guitars that Jackson offers. This guitar is part of the Dinky series which features a slightly smaller body than the normal Soloist body. This is actually the guitar that inspired the ESP M-II, if I recall correctly. It has an alder body, maple neck with ebony fretboard and sharkfin inlays, 24 jumbo frets, original Floyd Rose, EMG pickups, volume knob, tone knob and 3 way switch.

UTILIZATION

This is probably one of the most comfortable guitars to play. The neck on this guitar is thin, so it's set up more to do shredding. One cool thing about this guitar is that it has a compound radius that starts at 12'' at the nut and works it way to being 16'' at the end. This makes chording easy in the lower registers and bending easier in the higher registers. The higher frets, while not quite as easy to get to as the Soloist, are still a breeze to play. The neck joint isn't a huge issue for me, but then again, they never really have been. One problem I do have with the guitar is the controls. I tend to have issues selecting pickups really fast. Fretwork on the newer guitars is very nice, and I was able to get low action without a problem.

SOUNDS

This guitar is really a metal machine thanks to the EMGs. EMGs aren't the most versatile pickups, but they do metal awesome. The 81 in the bridge gives it a nice searing, tight and bitey attack while the 85 in the neck gives it a very cool fat and huge lead sound. The alder body gives the body a fairly neutral tone, and the ebony fretboard gives it some nice top end presence. Clean and mid gain tones are a bit iffy, but that's simply due to the pickups.

OVERALL OPINION

This is one of my favorite Jacksons, and I highly recommend anybody interested in Jacksons to check this guitar out. The body feels more comfortable to me than the Soloist, and I also prefer the tone of the bolt-on neck to the neck-thru Soloist. Some people mention that Fender owned Jacksons aren't as good, and while I did experience some hiccups during the first few runs, they seem to have gotten their act together lately.

Guitar US brand
Channel 24 frets
Two microphones twofold: an EMG 81 in bridge and EMG 85 neck side (active electronics)
Floyd Rose Bridge
One volume, one tone knob and a microphone
Set neck satin

Instrument comes with a flight case quality (very light and a rock solid)

UTILIZATION

The handle is beautiful and very enjoyable to play (I also have a Charvel has the same type of handle, that of the jack is a little thicker, but a better quality wood and it shows in the eye as well as in touch).
The access is through the highs (the heel which is screwed on the handle is angled), but the last boxes are not really playable (no space between the frets for the fingers) and it is still thicker than race driver.
The ergonomics of the guitar is excellent (standard form stratabound) and impeccable balance, handle heavy balance well the instrument.

SOUNDS

Agrees fairly well to my style of music (prog rock with a penchant for his California).
Connected to a Triax, a mesa 2x50 and two marshmal speakers, the sound is beautiful.
The sounds are very clear obtained for micro serious, few personalities and you have to sing the strings for the sound, but rendering is very natural.
I'm a little disappointed on the variety of microphones (the differences in sounds are marked but less versatile than my Charvel allowing poisitions 5 and 5 sounds radically different).
The pickups are very precise and incisive, its very clean, almost too much when you are not used.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 3 months, I do not play quasiement more about Charvel (unfortunately too fast you get used to luxury !!!!)

Most
beautiful deco (snakeskin, beauup we like or not at all, it's my choice and a dream for a long time)
the handle is a regal
the pickups are very precise and generates very little noise (micro ceramic)
The Floyd Rose allows a view of the agreement even in time of war
Ergonomics and perfect balancing

The -
lacks a bit of versatility and warmth to the microphones (one can not have everything ...)
very high price for this model in snakeskin (1500 Euros with all the US inconveignents to bring it back and just over 2800 Euros in France, it speaks for itself!)
The model I had had a potentiometer twisted and turned in a vacuum as the label does not really work since the purchase of the brand by Fender)

I played a lot of guitar before this one and the model is by far my favorite.
In this kind of guitar is the ultimate weapon, it's almost the quest of a lifetime.