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Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
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Playability
78
Sound
81
Build
74
Value
78
Score
78
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Playability
78
Sound
80
Build
77
Value
73
Score
78
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Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 vs Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 over Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS

Scale Length
26.5" vs 27" to 25.5"
Easier to adapt to
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Nut Width
1.75'' (44.5mm) vs 1.875'' (47.6mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Avg. Weight
7.3lbs (3.3kgs) vs 7.85lbs (3.6kgs)
Tends to be lighter
Value Score
78 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS over Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7

Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Scale Length
27" to 25.5" vs 26.5"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Nut Width
1.875'' (47.6mm) vs 1.75'' (44.5mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle

Other Key Differences
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 vs Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 vs Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH8
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 vs Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH8
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Basswood
Different Body Wood

Shared Features
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 vs Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-4
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL
Same Nut Material
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
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm)
Same neck comfortability
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active
More output
Compound Radius
12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile Type
D
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
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

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that both instruments scored 78 out of 100, which makes them similar in terms of quality.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 has the upper hand when it comes to sound, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 is easier to play.

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 Ash HT7 is the better choice.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS meets only 6. 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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 Overview

  • From Jackson's 2020 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 7 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Ash 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
  • Hipshot 7 Fixed .175 bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Weight between 6.9lbs (3.1kgs) and 7.7lbs (3.5kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS Overview

  • From Jackson's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 7 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH8 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH8 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot 7 *21 degrees, Fixed .175 bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Weight around 7.85lbs (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 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 Ash HT7

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS

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: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7.

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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS'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 Ash HT7 gives you 5 switch options while the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS gives you 3. This means that the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 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.

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7's switch options
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS'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 Ash HT7.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 81
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 80

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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 compares to the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS.

Country of Origin

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

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.

In this case, both have Black Tusq XL nuts. 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).

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

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.

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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • 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
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • 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

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7
Quality of materials 61
Features 85
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 74
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
Quality of materials 61
Features 90
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 77

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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS has the wider nut with 47.6mm (1.875'') vs 44.5mm (1.75''). This is a 3.1mm (0.125'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS, 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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS'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.

In this case, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS features a multi-scale of 27" to 25.5" while the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 has a regular scale of 26.5".

A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7's 26.5" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.This scale is close to the popular 25.50" length, but adding an additional inch allows you to tune your strings lower while keeping the action low without causing fret buzz. This is useful for lower tunings, 7-string, or even classical guitars.

You want to avoid such a long scale if you don't plan to play in low tunings since the longer scale also means the frets are more separated, making it harder to play fast, especially for small hands.

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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 and the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS 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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7'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 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS favors large hands more than the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 and Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS 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

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 vs Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
General Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT7 MS
Brand: Jackson Jackson
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 7 7
Made in: South Korea South Korea
Series: Pro Pro
Colors: Blue Brown
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Ash Basswood
Bridge: Hipshot 7 Fixed .175 Hipshot 7 *21 degrees, Fixed .175
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Gotoh Locking Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple
Decoration: Offset Pearloid Dot Offset Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 26.5" 27" to 25.5"
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 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 44.5mm (1.75'') 47.6mm (1.875'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker / Active) Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH8 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker / Active) Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH8 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1