Head to head
Ibanez AZES40 vs Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
The short answer is that the scale lengths are not the same (25" against 25.5"), and the bridges work in fundamentally different ways. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 23 rows that actually differ marked out.
AZES40
Purist Blue
Nine pickup sounds from three pickups, and a short scale that suits smaller hands
X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
Cobalt Blue
The same double-locking Dinky, in the finish you can take to a function gig
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Ibanez AZES408.5
- Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS8.3
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| AZES40 | X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Jackson |
| Model | AZES40 | X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS |
| Finish | Purist Blue | Cobalt Blue |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.5 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.5 / 5 (95) | 5.0 / 5 (3) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | AZ double cutaway | Dinky solidbody with sculpted shredder heel |
| Body wood | Poplar | Poplar |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on, scarf joint with graphite reinforcement |
| Neck wood | Maple (AZES profile) | Maple |
| Scale length | 25" (635 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Jatoba with white dot inlays | Laurel |
| Radius | 9.84" (250 mm) | 12"-16" compound (304.8-406.4 mm) |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Fret size | Medium | Jumbo |
| Nut | — | Floyd Rose Special locking |
| Nut width | 42 mm | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) |
| Bridge | T106 tremolo with comfort round steel saddles | Floyd Rose licensed Jackson double-locking tremolo |
| Tuners | Ibanez machine heads with split shafts | Jackson sealed die-cast |
| Neck pickup | Essentials single-coil (passive, ceramic) | Jackson single-coil |
| Bridge pickup | Accord humbucker (passive, ceramic) | Jackson high-output humbucking |
| Configuration | HSS | HSS |
| Electronics | Passive, dyna-MIX9 switching with Alter switch | Passive |
| Controls | Volume, tone, alter switch | Volume, tone |
| Switching | Five-way selector plus alter switch, giving nine pickup combinations | 5-position blade |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal | Metal, Rock, Prog, Punk |
| In the box | — | — |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Most versatile
Ibanez AZES40Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Ibanez AZES40Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez AZES40Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Ibanez AZES40Build and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.
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