Head to head

Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q vs Squier Sonic Stratocaster

The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HH against SSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 22 rows that actually differ marked out.

Jackson

JS Series Dinky JS11Q

Transparent Black, Austin Bazaar starter bundle

Everything a first metal player needs, in one box

7.0/10

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Squier

Sonic Stratocaster

California Blue, with amplifier bundle

Everything needed to start, built around a real Stratocaster rather than a copy

7.7/104.7 (262)

See it on Amazon Read the full analysis

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Score profile

Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.

Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q7.0
Squier Sonic Stratocaster7.7

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

Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q compared with Squier Sonic Stratocaster
	JS Series Dinky JS11Q	Sonic Stratocaster
Brand	Jackson	Squier
Model	JS Series Dinky JS11Q	Sonic Stratocaster
Finish	Transparent Black, Austin Bazaar starter bundle	California Blue, with amplifier bundle
Instrument	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Fretline score	7.0 / 10	7.7 / 10
Value for money	9 / 10	9 / 10
Amazon rating	—	4.7 / 5 (262)
Price	Under $300	Under $300
Type	Electric guitar	Electric guitar starter bundle
Body	Dinky solidbody	Stratocaster
Body wood	Poplar	Poplar
Top	Quilted art-grain veneer	—
Neck joint	Bolt-on speed neck, scarf joint with graphite reinforcement	Bolt-on, four-bolt Squier neck plate
Neck wood	Maple	Maple
Neck profile	—	"C" shape
Scale length	25.5" (648 mm)	25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard	Amaranth	Indian laurel
Radius	12" (305 mm)	9.5" (241 mm)
Frets	22	21
Fret size	Jumbo	Narrow tall
Nut	Black plastic	Synthetic bone
Nut width	1.6875" (42.86 mm)	1.650" (42 mm)
Bridge	Synchronised fulcrum tremolo	Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with block saddles
Tuners	Die-cast	Die-cast sealed
Neck pickup	Jackson high-output ceramic humbucking	Ceramic single-coil
Bridge pickup	Jackson high-output ceramic humbucking	Ceramic single-coil
Configuration	HH	SSS
Electronics	Passive, ceramic magnets	Passive, ceramic magnets
Controls	Volume, tone	Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge)
Switching	3-way toggle	Five-position blade
Orientation	Right-handed	Right-handed
Skill level	Beginner	Beginner
Styles	Metal, Rock, Punk, Prog	Rock, Pop, Blues, Indie, Punk, Funk
In the box	Fender Frontman 10G practice amplifier, Gig bag, Clip-on tuner, Strap, Instrument cable, Picks, Austin Bazaar instructional DVD	Fender Frontman 10G 10-watt amplifier, Gig bag, Strap, 10 ft instrument cable, Picks, Instructional DVD

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.