Head to head

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS vs Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster

The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HSS against SSS), and the bridges work in fundamentally different ways. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 25 rows that actually differ marked out.

Jackson

X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

Cobalt Blue

The same double-locking Dinky, in the finish you can take to a function gig

8.3/105.0 (3)

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Squier

Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster

Candy Apple Red

Alnico pickups and a bone nut on a Squier — the reason this line has the reputation it does

8.7/104.5 (232)

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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 X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS8.3
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster8.7

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 X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS compared with Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
	X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Brand	Jackson	Squier
Model	X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Finish	Cobalt Blue	Candy Apple Red
Instrument	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Fretline score	8.3 / 10	8.7 / 10
Value for money	9 / 10	10 / 10
Amazon rating	5.0 / 5 (3)	4.5 / 5 (232)
Price	$300 - $500	$300 - $500
Type	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Body	Dinky solidbody with sculpted shredder heel	Stratocaster
Body wood	Poplar	Nyatoh
Neck joint	Bolt-on, 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	Laurel	Indian laurel
Radius	12"-16" compound (304.8-406.4 mm)	9.5" (241 mm)
Frets	24	21
Fret size	Jumbo	Narrow tall
Nut	Floyd Rose Special locking	Bone
Nut width	1.6875" (42.86 mm)	1.650" (42 mm)
Bridge	Floyd Rose licensed Jackson double-locking tremolo	Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo
Tuners	Jackson sealed die-cast	Vintage-style
Neck pickup	Jackson single-coil	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil
Bridge pickup	Jackson high-output humbucking	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil
Configuration	HSS	SSS
Electronics	Passive	Passive, alnico magnets
Controls	Volume, tone	Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge)
Switching	5-position blade	Five-position blade
Orientation	Right-handed	Right-handed
Skill level	Intermediate, Advanced	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Styles	Metal, Rock, Prog, Punk	Blues, Rock, Pop, Funk, Country, Indie
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.