Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t want to be described as ‘having a Dinky’. Relax, big man. We’re talking about Jackson’s legendary doublecut beast, complete with wobbletastic JT580 vibrato.

Despite belonging to Jackson’s MG Series, this Dinky has a well-endowed spec. Sure, you’d probably prefer the alder bodies and active EMGs that appear further up the scale, but back in the real world the bullet-proof combination of basswood body, bolt-on maple neck and passive HZ humbuckers makes this a tantalising choice for skint metallers.

Jackson is the shred daddy: we’re expecting fireworks.

The Dinky is based on the Jackson Soloist, meaning it looks a bit ‘Def Leppard’ but is highly ergonomic, locking to your body like an obsessed groupie. Physically, it’s a blast, with the compound radius of the fretboard putting grease under your solos beyond the octave, and the vibrato able to take kinetic bends on the chin and deliver subtle flutters during sustained notes.

Passive EMGs are inevitable at this price point, and while it’s hardly a revelation that they don’t match their active brothers, we didn’t have to twiddle too many amp dials to unlock some ball-breaking sounds, from a thick ’n’ fat rhythm chug to a razor-blade bridge tone that conveys every nuance of your legato runs.

Verdict

You’d be churlish to criticise the DXMG at the price, but there’s better to be had.

4 Stars

Pros: Responsive vibrato, fast player.
Cons: It may look ‘a bit ‘80s’.

Buy: Jackson DXMG Dinky is currently available from Andertons Music Co., Thomann, Soundslive and PMT Online.

Next: LTD MH-250