Jackson JS Series Dinky® JS12, Amaranth Fingerboard, Metallic Red Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Jackson JS Series Dinky JS12 in Metallic Red is a full-size electric guitar aimed at beginners and developing players who want a genuine Jackson platform for rock, hard rock and metal without immediately moving into a more complicated or expensive instrument.

Its gloss poplar Dinky body combines Jackson's compact double-cutaway shape with a bold Metallic Red finish and contrasting black hardware, giving it a much more performance-focused appearance than a traditional beginner electric.

A bolt-on maple Speed Neck features graphite reinforcement, while the amaranth fingerboard uses a modern 12" radius with 24 jumbo frets. This gives newer players comfortable access to chords and riffs while providing enough upper-register range for bends, tapping and increasingly technical lead playing.

Two Jackson High-Output ceramic humbuckers provide the stronger, fuller response associated with distorted rock and metal sounds, while a simple volume, tone and three-position blade selector keep the electronics easy to understand.

A 2-point fulcrum tremolo completes the specification, adding expressive pitch movement without the additional setup demands of a double-locking Floyd Rose.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Jackson
Model	JS Series Dinky JS12
Model Number	2910112552
Finish	Metallic Red
Condition	New
Body	Poplar
Scale Length	25.5"
Fingerboard	Amaranth
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Frets	24 Jumbo
Pickups	Dual Jackson High-Output Humbuckers
Bridge	2-Point Fulcrum Tremolo
Main Appeal	Affordable full-size Jackson with 24 frets and humbuckers
Best For	Beginners, developing players, rock, hard rock and metal

What's Included?

• Jackson JS Series Dinky JS12 in Metallic Red

• Tremolo arm

• Truss rod adjustment wrench

✘ No Case Or Gig Bag Included

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every new guitar sold by Fair Deal Music is checked before leaving us so that obvious functional or setup issues can be identified prior to dispatch.

Our assessment includes:

• Neck relief and string action

• Fret condition

• Nut and string alignment

• Pickup output and balance

• Three-position pickup switching

• Volume and tone controls

• Output connection

• Tuning machine operation

• Tremolo function

• Bridge and saddle adjustment

• Intonation

• General tuning stability

• Overall visual condition

The guitar is checked and set up to a suitable playing condition before leaving Fair Deal Music.

As with any wooden guitar, setup can shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. Minor adjustment can occasionally be required after arrival as the instrument settles into its new environment.

Service / Setup Work

The Jackson JS12 is checked before dispatch for suitable neck relief, action, intonation, tuning operation and overall playability.

The 2-point tremolo is also checked for normal operation.

Substantial changes to the factory string gauge or tuning can alter neck relief, intonation and tremolo balance, so an appropriate setup is recommended when making significant changes.

Why Choose The Jackson JS12 Dinky?

Full-Size Jackson Playability

The JS12 uses a conventional 25.5-inch scale length, making it a full-size guitar rather than one of Jackson's shorter Minion instruments.

That makes it particularly suitable for beginners who are comfortable with standard adult guitar dimensions and want an instrument they can continue using as their technique develops.

24 Jumbo Frets

Jackson equips the JS12 with 24 jumbo frets, providing two complete octaves on every string.

This gives developing guitarists considerably more upper-register range than a traditional 21- or 22-fret beginner guitar and provides plenty of space for lead techniques.

Graphite-Reinforced Maple Neck

Graphite reinforcement adds additional structural support to the bolt-on maple neck.

This helps the neck resist movement caused by changes in temperature, humidity and string tension, giving the JS12 a useful performance feature at an accessible price.

Dual Ceramic Humbuckers

Two Jackson High-Output humbuckers give the JS12 a stronger, thicker voice than a traditional single-coil starter guitar.

The bridge pickup works particularly well for distorted riffs, palm-muted rhythm parts and power chords, while the neck pickup provides more body for sustained leads and melodic playing.

Simple Controls

One volume control, one tone control and a three-position blade selector make the electronics straightforward.

A newer player can quickly understand the difference between bridge, combined and neck pickup settings without unnecessary switching complexity.

2-Point Fulcrum Tremolo

The 2-point tremolo allows you to add vibrato and pitch movement to chords, notes and lead lines.

It gives a beginner the opportunity to explore tremolo techniques without immediately taking on the additional restringing and setup considerations of a double-locking bridge.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Jackson JS12 vs Jackson JS20 DKQ 2PT

The JS20 DKQ adds a Quilted Maple Art Grain appearance and 12"-16" compound-radius fingerboard.

The JS12 is the simpler entry point, while the JS20 DKQ is better suited to players wanting a more decorative finish and progressively flatter upper fingerboard.

Jackson JS12 vs Jackson Dinky Minion JS1X

The Dinky Minion uses a compact 22.5-inch scale with reduced fret spacing.

Choose the Minion for younger players or particularly small hands. Choose the JS12 if you want conventional 25.5-inch full-size geometry.

Jackson JS12 vs Traditional S-Style Beginner Guitar

Many traditional beginner S-style instruments use three single-coil pickups and focus on brighter, more vintage-inspired sounds.

The JS12 is more deliberately suited to rock and metal, thanks to its twin humbuckers, 24-fret neck and modern Jackson styling.

Jackson JS12 vs Floyd Rose-Equipped Jackson

A Floyd Rose provides much greater pitch range for dive bombs and extreme tremolo effects.

The JS12's 2-point system is easier to restring and maintain, making it a more approachable starting point for players who want tremolo capability without a double-locking bridge.

Who Is It For?

The Jackson JS12 is particularly well suited to:

• Beginner electric guitarists

• Developing players

• Rock guitarists

• Hard-rock players

• Metal musicians

• Students wanting a full-size instrument

• Guitarists learning lead techniques

• Players who prefer humbuckers

• Players wanting 24 frets

• Guitarists wanting tremolo capability without Floyd Rose complexity

Playing Styles & Applications

The JS12 feels most naturally at home with rock, hard rock and metal.

The bridge humbucker gives riffs and power chords a focused, aggressive response through a distorted amplifier, while the neck pickup provides a fuller sound for lead work.

Using both pickups together creates another useful rhythm voice and can also work well for cleaner amplifier settings.

The 24-fret neck provides enough range for techniques including bends, vibrato, tapping, hammer-ons, pull-offs and alternate picking as a player's technique develops.

Is The Jackson JS12 A Good First Electric Guitar?

For a beginner already interested in rock and heavier styles, the JS12 is a particularly sensible starting point.

Its controls are simple, its passive humbuckers pair naturally with distortion and its 2-point tremolo is considerably easier to understand than a locking Floyd Rose.

Crucially, the JS12 also provides room for progression. The full-size scale and 24-fret neck mean a player can develop more advanced techniques without quickly finding the basic instrument specification limiting.

Looking for advice on choosing your first Jackson, practice amplifier or complete beginner guitar setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

What Does A 12-Inch Fingerboard Radius Feel Like?

Fingerboard radius describes the amount of curvature across the fretboard.

The JS12 uses a consistent 12-inch radius, which is comparatively flat against many traditional vintage-style guitars.

That provides a modern playing surface that works well for chord work, rhythm playing and string bending without requiring the compound-radius construction found on more expensive Jackson models.

For a beginner interested in rock and metal, it offers a comfortable balance between straightforward playability and a modern performance feel.

Story & Context

Jackson established its reputation through performance-focused electric guitars aimed at the increasingly technical rock and metal players of the 1980s.

The Dinky became one of Jackson's defining shapes, using slightly more compact double-cutaway proportions while retaining the pointed headstock and aggressive styling closely associated with the brand.

The JS Series brings that Jackson identity into a more accessible part of the market.

The JS12 keeps the formula deliberately straightforward but retains several features with genuine long-term value, including graphite neck reinforcement, 24 jumbo frets and dual high-output humbuckers.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Model	JS Series Dinky JS12
Model Number	2910112552
UPC	885978976799
Series	JS
Orientation	Right-Handed
Number of Strings	6
Finish	Metallic Red
Body Shape	Dinky
Body Finish	Gloss
Body Material	Poplar
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On with Graphite Reinforcement and Scarf Joint
Neck Finish	Satin
Scale Length	25.5" / 647.7 mm
Fingerboard	Amaranth
Fingerboard Radius	12" / 305 mm
Number of Frets	24
Fret Size	Jumbo
Nut Material	Black Plastic
Nut Width	1.6875" / 42.86 mm
Position Inlays	White Pearloid Dot
Truss Rod	Dual-Action
Truss Rod Adjustment	At Nut
Headstock	Jackson Pointed 6-In-Line
Bridge Pickup	Jackson High-Output Humbucking
Neck Pickup	Jackson High-Output Humbucking
Pickup Magnets	Ceramic
Pickup Configuration	HH
Controls	Volume, Tone
Pickup Selector	3-Position Blade
Bridge	2-Point Fulcrum Tremolo
Tuning Machines	Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Hardware Finish	Black
Pickguard	None
Control Knobs	Dome-Style
Factory Strings	Nickel-Plated Steel .009–.042

Specification Note

Individual guitar weight naturally varies between instruments and has not been supplied for the specific guitar.

If exact weight is important to you, contact our team and we can advise on the individual instrument available.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The Jackson JS12 pairs particularly well with:

• Modelling practice amplifiers

• Rock and metal guitar amplifiers

• Distortion and overdrive pedals

• Noise gates

• Delay and reverb

• Clip-on or pedal tuners

• Quality instrument cables

• Secure guitar straps

Jackson lists its Dinky/Soloist gig bag, part number 299-1512-106, as an optional protection solution for this model.

Power Requirements

The Jackson High-Output humbuckers are passive, so the JS12 requires no battery or external power supply.

Connect it to an amplifier, modeller, pedalboard or audio interface using a standard ¼-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Jackson JS Series Dinky JS12 in Metallic Red is a strong first full-size electric guitar for anyone already drawn towards rock, hard rock and metal.

Its biggest advantage is that the specification remains straightforward without being excessively basic. The 24-fret neck gives plenty of room for progression, graphite reinforcement is a useful addition at this level and the ceramic humbuckers make convincing distorted sounds easy to achieve.

The 2-point tremolo also lets a developing player explore pitch effects without immediately dealing with the additional maintenance of a double-locking system.

Best suited for: Beginners and developing players wanting a full-size Jackson for rock, hard rock and metal.

Customers usually upgrade from: Starter-pack guitars, short-scale learner instruments or basic single-coil electrics.

Most commonly paired with: A modelling practice amplifier, tuner, strap, cable and compatible Jackson gig bag.

Our tip: Spend time learning how all three pickup positions interact with different amplifier gain levels. The JS12 has more usable tonal range than simply leaving it on the bridge pickup with maximum distortion.

Showroom feedback: The full-size 24-fret layout means the JS12 gives a newer player plenty of room to develop while keeping the controls and bridge approachable.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Based in Birmingham, our knowledgeable musician-led team can help whether you're choosing your first electric guitar, comparing Jackson models or putting together a complete guitar and amplifier setup.

Buying from Fair Deal Music gives you:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new and pre-owned musical equipment

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• UK delivery options

• Decades of experience supplying musicians

• Help choosing suitable amplifiers, cases, strings and accessories

• New and pre-owned instrument expertise

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Jackson JS12 suitable for a beginner?

Yes. Its straightforward controls, full-size neck and manageable tremolo make it a strong first electric guitar for players interested in rock and metal.

Is the JS12 a full-size guitar?

Yes. It uses a standard 25.5-inch scale length rather than the shorter 22.5-inch scale found on Jackson Minion models.

Does the Jackson JS12 have 24 frets?

Yes. It has 24 jumbo frets, giving two complete octaves on every string.

Are the pickups active?

No. The Jackson High-Output ceramic humbuckers are passive and require no battery.

Is the tremolo a Floyd Rose?

No. It uses a 2-point fulcrum tremolo, which is simpler to restring and maintain than a double-locking Floyd Rose.

Can the JS12 be used for Drop D?

Yes. Drop D is practical, although significant permanent changes to tuning or string gauge may require adjustment to the tremolo, neck relief and intonation.

Is the JS12 good for lead guitar?

Yes. Its 24 jumbo frets and relatively flat 12-inch fingerboard radius provide a useful platform for bends, vibrato, legato and other lead techniques.

What does graphite neck reinforcement do?

Graphite adds structural support to the maple neck and helps it resist movement caused by changes in temperature, humidity and string tension.

Can heavier strings be fitted?

Yes. Significant gauge changes should be accompanied by an appropriate setup so the neck relief, intonation and tremolo remain correctly balanced.

What is the difference between Metallic Red and the other JS12 colours?

The underlying specification remains the same. Metallic Red changes the visual presentation, pairing the reflective red gloss finish with Jackson's black hardware and pointed headstock.