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ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
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Playability
77
Sound
81
Build
68
Value
70
Score
75
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Playability
77
Sound
84
Build
75
Value
74
Score
79
FIND IT ON:
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LTD SH-7 Evertune vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Reasons to Get
LTD SH-7 Evertune over Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Decorative Top
Flamed Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Extra Thin U vs Speed
Comfortable neck with more grip
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.775'' (19.7mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.827'' (21mm) vs 0.835'' (21.2mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.969'' (50mm) vs 1.75'' (44.5mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 26.5'' (673.1mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 over ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune

Release Year
2020 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 13.78"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs Extra Thin U
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm) vs 0.827'' (21mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.75'' (44.5mm) vs 1.969'' (50mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Scale Length
26.5'' (673.1mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
74 vs 70
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
LTD SH-7 Evertune vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic vs Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico vs Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Maple vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Headstock
R7 vs 3-4
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
LTD SH-7 Evertune vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
7
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Evertune
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Pickups Power
Active
More output
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 is the better choice.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune Overview

  • From ESP LTD's 2017 Signature series
  • Brian (Head) Welch Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Maple top
  • Basswood w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune (F model) bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 Overview

  • From Jackson's 2020 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 7 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Evertune F7 Model bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

You can purchase similar pickups to the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's online:

Both use Active pickups. These pickups use an additional 9v battery to be able to increase their output for high gain tones. This is why they're popular among heavy metal guitarists. Their disadvantage is that you need batteries for the pickups, so you'll need to spend money on batteries and time swapping them. Also, the clean tones aren't as clean as other pickups because they'll have really hot output.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 gives you 5 switch options while the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune gives you 3. This means that the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Both offer you the same type of pickup mod: Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune pickups switch and push knobs diagram
ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's switch options
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7.

Final Sound Quality Scores

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 81
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 84

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune compares to the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune is built in Indonesia while the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 is made in South Korea.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

They both have locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune has a Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune
Quality of materials 45
Features 80
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 68
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
Quality of materials 61
Features 85
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 75

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune Nut Width
ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune has the wider nut with 50mm (1.969'') vs 44.5mm (1.75''). This is a 5.5mm (0.219'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's Scale Length
ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 has the longest scale: 26.5". The ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune is only 25.5" long. This is a 1'' (25.4mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune Neck Profile
ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's neck profile
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 Neck Profile
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune has a U type of neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7, on the other hand, has a D neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

Fretboard Radius

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune Fingerboard Radius
ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's Fingerboard radius
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune favors large hands more than the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7.

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune Frets Size
ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune's Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's Frets Size

The ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

ESP LTD SH-7 Evertune
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

LTD SH-7 Evertune vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
General LTD SH-7 Evertune Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
Brand: ESP LTD Jackson
Year: 2017 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 7 7
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: Signature Pro
Colors: Purple Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood w/ Maple Cap Basswood
Bridge: Evertune (F model) Evertune F7 Model
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Bolt-On
Tuners: LTD Locking Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: 3pc Maple 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple
Decoration: Offset Blocks Offset Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 26.5"
Shape: Extra Thin U Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 50mm (1.969'') 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker / Active) Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker / Active) Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1