Head to head
Ibanez GIO GRX70QA vs Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets (Under $300 against $300 - $500), and the pickup layouts differ (HSH against HSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 21 rows that actually differ marked out.
GIO GRX70QA
Transparent Black Sunburst
The cheapest honest route into a fast neck and a humbucker at each end
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 GIO GRX70QA7.2
- 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
| GIO GRX70QA | X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Jackson |
| Model | GIO GRX70QA | X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS |
| Finish | Transparent Black Sunburst | Cobalt Blue |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 7.2 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.6 / 5 (2,567) | 5.0 / 5 (3) |
| Price | Under $300 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | GRX solidbody, double cutaway | Dinky solidbody with sculpted shredder heel |
| Body wood | Poplar | Poplar |
| Top | Quilted maple art grain | — |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on, scarf joint with graphite reinforcement |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Neck profile | GRX (19.5 mm at 1st fret, 21.5 mm at 12th) | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Jatoba | Laurel |
| Radius | 12" (305 mm) | 12"-16" compound (304.8-406.4 mm) |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Fret size | Medium | Jumbo |
| Nut | — | Floyd Rose Special locking |
| Nut width | 1.65" (42 mm) | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) |
| Bridge | Ibanez T106 tremolo | Floyd Rose licensed Jackson double-locking tremolo |
| Tuners | — | Jackson sealed die-cast |
| Neck pickup | Infinity R (H) | Jackson single-coil |
| Bridge pickup | Infinity R (H) | Jackson high-output humbucking |
| Configuration | HSH | HSS |
| Electronics | Passive, ceramic magnets | Passive |
| Controls | Volume, tone | Volume, tone |
| Switching | 5-way blade | 5-position blade |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate | Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Rock, Metal, Blues, Punk, Pop | 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 GIO GRX70QAHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSSHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez GIO GRX70QAStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for rock
Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSSStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.
Best for metal
Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSSStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to metal.
Best for the studio
Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSSBuild 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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