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Best Jackson Guitars was founded in 1980 by Grover Jackson. Jackson had worked for Charvel’s, a guitar maker and store in California, and took ownership of the company in the late 1970s. Local guitarist Randy Rhodes asked Jackson to build him a signature guitar, and Jackson Guitars was born. The result was the Concorde, a unique take on the Gibson Flying V design.
This guitar was so different from the Strat guitars that Charvel was producing that Grover Jackson decided to release it under a different brand, his own. From then on, Jackson continued to create new designs, which were used by hard rock destroyers throughout the 1980s. From the pointed headstock to the slim, sleek body design, Jackson guitars were designed to stand out from the crowd.
The Jackson brand has since been sold, but the company continues to make guitars in California and also makes budget models in China and Indonesia. Perhaps you are looking to buy an electric guitar and are strongly considering Jackson. Well, you are in the right place. Next, we will mention the best Jackson Guitars.
Here is the list of Best Jackson Guitars
Jackson Dinky JS11 Electric Guitar
Easily one of the best Jackson Guitars, the Jackson Dinky JS11 Electric Guitar made it easier than ever to achieve classic Jackson tone, playability, and image without having to give up a lot of money. This Jackson is one of the best values of modern shred-stredd-style instruments, and the more we got to know the JS11, the more we couldn’t believe the price. The JS11 features a solid poplar body with a gloss finish and a bolt-on maple neck. The neck has been reinforced with graphite, which results in rock solid stability.
The 12-inch smooth amaranth radius with effortlessly curved wings allows for simple chords, and is great for rhythm playing. Other features include all-black hardware, die-cast tuners, and 22 jumbo frets. There are several bright finishes to consider, including Metallic Blue, Metallic Red, Black, and Snow White. we was very impressed with the careful packaging of this guitar and the fact that you can use it right out of the box with minimal tuning required.
Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11
If you don’t have a lot of money but still want a killer Jackson guitar, the Dinky JS11 is a double humbucker guitar in the same Stratocaster-like shape as the aforementioned JS22. It comes with a poplar body and a bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcements and scarf joints. For smooth playability, the JS11 features a 12 “spoke” fingerboard. The amaranth fingerboard is flat, perfect for fast licks and big turns, and features 22 jumbo frets. If you are looking for rock or metal tones, the JS11 is a great choice.
It is equipped with Jackson custom made high performance ceramic humbuckers. This aggressive-sounding pickup has plenty of bite in the highs and lows, and a 3-way blade switch allows you to switch between delays. Another cool feature of the JS11 is its two-point Fulcrum tremolo system, and the six-point Jackson headstock comes standard with cast-shield tuners.
Jackson JS32Q Dinky
As promised, if you are looking for a value Jackson guitar that is an upgrade to the JS22 Dinky, the JS32 version is literally a step up. While there is a regular version of the JS32, we recommend the JS32Q because we think the quilted maple top on the poplar body is gorgeous and it comes in many great colors to choose from. It also introduces a licensed Floyd Rose, which is more reliable than the JS22’s tremolo system. Overall, this is one of the best Jackson Guitars, that you can buy right now.
However, you can find cheaper versions of the JS32 series guitars that have a hardtail or Tune-O-Matic bridge instead of a Floyd Rose if you prefer fixed bridges. Other than Floyd and better build quality, the other JS32 specs are basically the same as the JS22 Dinky 24-fret; Keep in mind that while they are decent if you wish, you can always replace stock Jackson pickups as well.
Jackson Dinky JS22 DKA Arch Top Natural Electric Guitar
But Jackson is known for its affordability, and when it comes to the JS22, you don’t get much more guitar for your money. However, don’t write off the Jackson Dinky JS22 because it’s actually a truly amazing guitar; the construction is good, the hardware is reliable, the sound is pretty phenomenal, and there’s excellent shredding ability thanks to the smooth, fast neck, huge cutaway, and 24 frets.
Easily one of the best Jackson Guitars, the Jackson Dinky JS22 DKA Arch Top Natural Electric Guitar is not exactly versatile, in my opinion. If you’re into heavier genres like metal and hard rock, then the JS22 might be your jam; if you’re not, then this guitar won’t blow your mind. Those with a lot of experience may find it a bit lacking, and if you are able to spend a little more, there will be a more impressive guitar out there.
Jackson Rhoads JS32T
If you are looking for a single shaft that is perfect for hard rock styles and won’t cost a fortune, look no further than the Rhoads JS32T. As you can guess from the name, the Rhoads JS32T is based on the original signature guitar designed for the legendary Randy Rhoads. The late Axis is characterized by that angular V-shaped body shape, and the Rhoads JS32T is made entirely of mahogany in the body, with a bolt-on maple neck.
The Amaranth fingerboard, like the other guitars on this list, is a compound radius design, giving this guitar a great feel, and the 24 jumbo frets allow you to play it the way you want. For its pickups, the Rhoads JS32T uses two custom-designed high-performance Jackson pins. These ceramic pups are perfect for the hard rock and metal that Rhoads played with Ozzy Osbourne and others.
Jackson JS22 Monarkh
Easily one of the best Jackson Guitars, the Jackson JS22 Monarkh is another excellent metal guitar that won’t break the bank. Although it is in the same JS22 line as the previous guitar and has some of the same features as the Dinky, there are some differences that you should be aware of. Let’s look at the first: this is Jackson’s version of the famous Les Paul design, and instead of the poplar wood body, the JS22 Monarkh uses a mahogany body.
This guitar uses the same Jackson humbuckers, a maple neck, and a composite radius amaranth fingerboard as the JS22 Dinky; however, this Monarkh actually has only 22 frets and a shorter scale length than your typical guitar. Most guitars have a scale length of 25.5″, while this one is 24.75″. Also, instead of the two-point tremolo system, this uses a fixed Tune-o-Matic bridge, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar
The Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster is an ideal choice for those who need an affordable, low-cost guitar that won’t let them down. All of the guitars in the Squier Affinity line would be suitable even for a beginner due to their lower price point and ease of play. The guitars feature high quality alder bodies and comfortable “C” necks.
There is solid chrome hardware, single-coil Strat pickups and a 5-way pickup selector. There are many colors and finishes to choose from. If you like the look of a Fender Stratocaster but have the budget for a Jackson Dinky, then the Squier Affinity Series is the one to look beyond.
Jackson Pro Soloist SL2Q MAH
If you have a little more money to spend and want a reasonably priced yet pro-level instrument, check out the Pro Soloist SL2Q MAH. Starting with a warm mahogany body and padded maple top, the Pro Soloist SL2Q MAH has a great tonal bass. Also, the clear purple gloss finish and gold hardware will help you stand out from the crowd! The Pro Soloist SL2Q MAH also features a single-body maple neck that is ideal for sustain and stability.
The ebony fingerboard features a composite radius of 12 to 16 inches, making it easy to play in any position on the neck. For warm rock tones, a pair of Seymour Duncan Distortion humbuckers are the perfect choice. These high-performance backers are crisp, clear, and sustain-rich, and the 3-way switch and master tone/volume knob give you Les Paul-style tone and control in a Strat-style body. Currently, this is one of the best Jackson Guitars that you can buy right now.
Final Words
Whether you want a more traditional looking guitar like the Dinky or something that sends a strong message like the Warrior, Jackson has been making elegant looking instruments that have been relevant for at least 40 years. Hopefully some of these cheap the best Jackson guitars will resonate not only in looks but also in price.