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EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
VS
Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
63
Value
77
Score
72
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Playability
73
Sound
72
Build
55
Value
77
Score
67
FIND IT ON:
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EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl vs Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA

Reasons to Get
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl over Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Laurel Burl vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2022 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Retainer Bar
Yes vs None
Assists you so tuning doesn't change when locking the nut
Neck Profile
Wolfgang Backshape vs Speed
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickups Brand
EVH vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.775'' (19.7mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.88'' (22.4mm) vs 0.835'' (21.2mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Avg. Weight
7.075lbs (3.2kgs) vs 7.4lbs (3.4kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Reasons to Get
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA over EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl

Neck Profile
Speed vs Wolfgang Backshape
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm) vs 0.88'' (22.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle

Other Key Differences
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl vs Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA

Bridge Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking vs Jackson High-Output Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking vs Jackson High-Output Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Purpleheart
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock

Shared Features
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl vs Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA

Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Compound Radius
12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Compound Radius Fretboard

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl is probably the better product overall with its final score of 72 compared to the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA's 67 score, although not by a lot.

The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • 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.

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl Overview

  • From EVH's 2022 Wolfgang Standard series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Laurel Burl top
  • Basswood body
  • Baked Maple neck
  • Baked Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Special Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Wolfgang Backshape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • EVH-Branded tuners
  • Weight between 7lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.15lbs (3.2kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA Overview

  • From Jackson's 2019 JS series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • Weight between 6.9lbs (3.1kgs) and 7.9lbs (3.6kgs)
  • 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 the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

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.

Woods Used in the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Purpleheart wood pattern used for guitar building
Purpleheart
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

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.

Purpleheart (also known as Amaranth) is a hard, dense wood with a brilliant tone. As its name suggests, the purple color makes this wood look exotic.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

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

The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl.

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

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl and Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA pickups switch and push knobs diagram
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl and Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA'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 JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA.

Final Sound Quality Scores

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 80
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
Pickups 55
Sustain 80
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 72

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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl compares to the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl is built in Indonesia while the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA is made in China.

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.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl

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.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

However, only the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl has a retainer bar for the locking nut, which is a helpful addition. Without it, the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA's strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl.

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: Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

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

Both come with regular tuners. The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl's are EVH-Branded while the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA's are Jackson Sealed Die-Cast

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.

Both have a 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: Tie.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
  • Locking Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl
Quality of materials 45
Features 75
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 63
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
Quality of materials 41
Features 70
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 55

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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl Nut Width
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA Nut Width
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 1.6mm (0.063'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl and Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA's Scale Length
Both have the same 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.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl Neck Profile
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl's neck profile
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA Neck Profile
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA'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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl has a C type of neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

The Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA, 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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl Fretboard Compound Radius
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl'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.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

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 Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA favors large hands more than the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl and Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl vs Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
General EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Laurel Burl Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA
Brand: EVH Jackson
Year: 2022 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: Wolfgang Standard JS
Colors: Natural Blue, Orange, Purple, Natural, Black Satin
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Poplar
Bridge: EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Special Locking Tremolo Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-Locking Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: EVH-Branded Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Fretboard: Baked Maple Purpleheart
Neck Material: Baked Maple Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Pearloid Sharkfin
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Wolfgang Backshape Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1