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Solar A1.7LB
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
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Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
68
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
77
Sound
84
Build
75
Value
74
Score
79
FIND IT ON:
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Solar A1.7LB vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Reasons to Get
Solar A1.7LB over Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Decorative Top
Flame Maple Veneer vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Solar C Shape vs Speed
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.775'' (19.7mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.835'' (21.2mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.75'' (44.5mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 over Solar A1.7LB

Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 15.75"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs Solar C Shape
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Graphite
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.75'' (44.5mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
74 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Solar A1.7LB vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7

Bridge Pickup
Duncan Solar/Bridge vs Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Duncan Solar vs Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Headstock
R7 vs 3-4
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar A1.7LB 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
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
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
Scale Length
26.5'' (673.1mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

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

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Solar A1.7LB Prices

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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 Solar A1.7LB's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Solar A1.7LB in every aspect.

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 Solar A1.7LB 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

Solar A1.7LB
  • 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.

Solar A1.7LB Overview

  • From Solar's 2021 Type A series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Evertune F-Type bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Solar 18:1 Locking Type 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 Solar A1.7LB

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

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.

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.

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

The Solar A1.7LB's pickups are Passive while the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

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

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

Only the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7 comes with some kind of pickup modification: 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.

Solar A1.7LB pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar A1.7LB'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

Solar A1.7LB
Pickups 85
Sustain 75
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 79
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 Solar A1.7LB 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 Solar A1.7LB 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 Solar A1.7LB has a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

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.

In this comparison, the Solar A1.7LB is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Solar A1.7LB.

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 Solar A1.7LB has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

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: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar A1.7LB
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • 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

Solar A1.7LB
Quality of materials 63
Features 65
Quality Control 75
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

Solar A1.7LB Nut Width
Solar A1.7LB 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 Solar A1.7LB has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 44.5mm (1.75''). This is a 3.5mm (0.14'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Solar A1.7LB, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Solar A1.7LB and Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7'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 26.5".

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

Solar A1.7LB Neck Profile
Solar A1.7LB'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 Solar A1.7LB 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 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

Solar A1.7LB Fingerboard Radius
Solar A1.7LB'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 Solar A1.7LB favors large hands more than the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7.

Solar A1.7LB:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar A1.7LB Frets Size
Solar A1.7LB'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 Solar A1.7LB 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

Solar A1.7LB
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar A1.7LB vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
General Solar A1.7LB Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern EverTune 7
Brand: Solar Jackson
Year: 2021 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 7 7
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: Type A Pro
Colors: Black Matte, Green Burst Matte Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Basswood
Bridge: Evertune F-Type Evertune F7 Model
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Locking Type Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Offset Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 26.5" 26.5"
Shape: Solar C Shape Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 15.75" 12" to 16"
Nut: Graphite Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 48mm (1.89'') 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive) Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive) Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-CO7 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1