Head to head
Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q vs Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HH against HSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 22 rows that actually differ marked out.
JS Series Dinky JS11Q
Transparent Red, Austin Bazaar bundle without amplifier
The same JS11Q in red — but check what is in the box before you choose
Pacifica PAC112J
Black
The beginner guitar teachers actually recommend, and an alder body at Squier money
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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 JS11Q6.8
- Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J8.5
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
| JS Series Dinky JS11Q | Pacifica PAC112J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Jackson | Yamaha |
| Model | JS Series Dinky JS11Q | Pacifica PAC112J |
| Finish | Transparent Red, Austin Bazaar bundle without amplifier | Black |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 6.8 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | — | 5.0 / 5 (1) |
| Price | Under $300 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | Dinky solidbody | Pacifica double cutaway |
| Body wood | Poplar | Alder |
| Top | Quilted art-grain veneer | — |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on speed neck, scarf joint with graphite reinforcement | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Neck profile | — | 20.9 mm at 1st fret, 22.9 mm at 12th |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Amaranth | Rosewood or walnut, depending on production run |
| Radius | 12" (305 mm) | 13.75" (350 mm) |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Fret size | Jumbo | Medium |
| Nut | Black plastic | Urea |
| Nut width | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) | 41 mm at the zero fret |
| Bridge | Synchronised fulcrum tremolo | Vintage-style tremolo with block saddles |
| Tuners | Die-cast | Die-cast |
| Neck pickup | Jackson high-output ceramic humbucking | Single-coil, alnico V |
| Bridge pickup | Jackson high-output ceramic humbucking | Humbucker, ceramic |
| Configuration | HH | HSS |
| Electronics | Passive, ceramic magnets | Passive |
| Controls | Volume, tone | Master volume, master tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle | Five-position lever |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Metal, Rock, Punk, Prog | Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal |
| In the box | Gig bag, Clip-on tuner, Strap, Instrument cable, Picks, Austin Bazaar 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.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Best value
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JHighest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.
Most versatile
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JBuild 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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