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Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
VS
Playability
75
Sound
64
Build
52
Value
74
Score
64
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Playability
77
Sound
72
Build
60
Value
75
Score
70
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Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T vs X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2

Reasons to Get
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T over X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2

Release Year
2020 vs 2014
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone

Reasons to Get
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 over JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T

Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
DiMarzio vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 0
More tone control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Value Score
75 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T vs X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2

Bridge Pickup
Jackson High-Output Humbucking vs DiMarzio Mark Morton Signature Dominion
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Jackson High-Output Humbucking vs DiMarzio Mark Morton Signature Dominion
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Poplar vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Purpleheart vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T vs X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Nut Material
Plastic
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm)
Same neck comfortability
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Compound Radius
12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile Type
D
Thin and flat neck for playing fast

Common Strengths

  • Compound Radius Fretboard

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T Prices

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Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 70 compared to the Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T's 64 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 is the better choice.

The Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T 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

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

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.

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T Overview

  • From Jackson's 2020 Artist Signature series
  • Gus G Signature
  • 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 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 Overview

  • From Jackson's 2014 Artist Signature series
  • Mark Morton Signature
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Mark Morton Signature Dominion (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Mark Morton Signature Dominion (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast 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

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.

Woods Used in the Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T

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

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.

Woods Used in the Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Winner: Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2.

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 Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 pickups from a more specialized brand than the Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer 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: Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2.

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:

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T and Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T and Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2'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 Signature Gus G. Star JS32T.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T
Pickups 55
Sustain 80
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 64
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 75
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 Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T compares to the Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in China.

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: 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.

In this case, both have Plastic nuts. 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.

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: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

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

The Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 has the best tuners of the two because they are 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: Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2.

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 Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T has 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.

On the other hand, the Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 comes with 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.

Winner: Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in China
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T
Quality of materials 41
Features 60
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 52
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
Quality of materials 41
Features 80
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 60

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

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42.9mm (1.688'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T's Scale Length
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T's Scale Length
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2's Scale Length
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2'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 JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T has the longest scale: 25.5". The Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) 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

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same 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.

Both the Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T and the Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 have a D-shaped 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

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T'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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T Frets Size
Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T's Frets Size
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2 Frets Size
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2's Frets Size

The Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2's Medium 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

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75
Jackson X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T vs X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
General Jackson JS Series Signature Gus G. Star JS32T X Series Signature Mark Morton Dominion DX2
Brand: Jackson Jackson
Year: 2020 2014
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Artist Signature Artist Signature
Colors: Yellow White
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Mahogany
Bridge: Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Neck-Through
Tuners: Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking
Fretboard: Purpleheart Laurel
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Sharkfin Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: Speed Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Plastic
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Mark Morton Signature Dominion (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Mark Morton Signature Dominion (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 0 2