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Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
74
Value
71
Score
76
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Playability
67
Sound
77
Build
70
Value
56
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
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Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH vs Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA Specs Comparison
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA
General
Brand: Jackson Washburn
Year: 2023 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan United States
Series: MJ Nuno Bettencourt
Colors: White, Black Natural Matte
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Alder
Bridge: Gotoh GE1996T Series Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) Floyd Rose Original
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Gotoh Sealed Die-Cast Grover 18:1
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: 5-Piece Maple/Walnut/Maple/Walnut/Maple Birdseye Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Sharkfin Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Speed Washburn Nuno Bettencourt
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 (Humbucker / Passive) Bill Lawrence L-500 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 0
Hardware
Strap Lock: Yes No
Hardware Color: Black Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH's switch options
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA's switch options

Reasons to Get
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH over Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA

Release Year
2023 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs Washburn Nuno Bettencourt
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Double Locking vs Floyd Rose
Intense vibratos without getting out of tune
Value Score
71 vs 56
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA over Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH

Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt vs Speed
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Double Locking
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs

Other Key Differences
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH vs Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 vs Bill Lawrence L-500
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 vs Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Birdseye Maple
Different Neck Wood

Shared Features
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH vs Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA

Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Hand Size Comfortability

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

Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA meets only 3. 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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH

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

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.

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 Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA

Birdseye Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Birdseye Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Winner: Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA.

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.

However, the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA's online:

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: Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA.

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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH gives you 5 switch options while the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA gives you 3. This means that the Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

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

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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 77

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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH compares to the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH is built in Japan while the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA is made in United States.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

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 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.

Unfortunately, neither of them have a retainer bar for the nut, which would be a helpful addition. Without it, the 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: Tie.

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.

The Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH's brige is a Double Locking. It's an advanced vibrato system designed for extreme pitch bending while maintaining tuning stability. Like Floyd Rose systems, they lock the strings at both the bridge and nut, preventing detuning from aggressive whammy bar use.

On the other hand, the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA's is a 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 Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH's are Gotoh Sealed Die-Cast while the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA's are Grover 18:1

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
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH
Quality of materials 51
Features 80
Quality Control 90
Build Quality 74
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA
Quality of materials 51
Features 60
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 70

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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH Nut Width
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH Nut Width
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA Nut Width
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0050000000000001'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH and Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA'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

Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH Neck Profile
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH's neck profile
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA Neck Profile
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA'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 Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH has a D type of 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.

The Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA, on the other hand, has a C 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.

Fretboard Radius

Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH's Compound Fretboard Radius
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA Fingerboard Radius
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA's Fingerboard 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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH 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.

Fret Size

Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH Frets Size
Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH's Frets Size
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA Frets Size
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA's Frets Size

The Jackson MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA's Medium 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 MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Washburn Nuno Bettencourt 4N USA
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 70
Playability 67