Best Pickups for a Jackson Dinky Upgrade (our top Pick)
Seymour Duncan Invader Humbucker Set
The Invader set by Seymour Duncan is one of our favorite passive pickups for high-gain tones. It'll add a lot of aggression to the Dinky and at a decent price tag, coming it at less than $200 for the neck and bridge set.
The Jackson Dinky comes in several different forms and colors. Though one of the most popular forms is also quite cheap, at just under $200 retail in most cases. That has made the Dinky, namely the JS22, a popular and top-selling guitar. Note that the JS32 is close behind at just under $300 retail. There are also a handful of far more expensive versions of the Dinky series.
However, most who are referring to the Jackson Dinky are focusing on the cheaper models. In this article we're going to cover a few suggestions for modifying and ultimately upgrading the pickups on a Jackson Dinky, either the JS32 or the JS22.
If you have questions at the end, or you want to share your Jackson Dinky upgrade story, drop a line in the comments section below and we'll chat.
Read more: Best guitar pickups overall
Upgrade Parts List
PART | Name | NOTE | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Jackson JS32 and 22 | Low to mid-range electric guitars | |
| Seymour Duncan Invader Set | High output. Most cost-effective set | |
 | DiMarzio Evolution Set | High output | |
 | Seymour Duncan Distortion Mayhem Set | High output. Most cost-effective set | |
 | Floyd Rose Original Bridge and Tremolo System | Should be a straight swap with Jackson floating system | |
 | Seymour Duncan 500k Potentiometer | Will need two. One for volume and one for tone (interchangeable) |
- Approximate total cost for one pickup set and bridge: $400 - $500
The Guitar
The Jackson Dinky JS32 in it's original form with stock pickups and bridge hardware
The Jackson Dinky - JS32 and JS22 - are popular modding guitars because primarily because of their price, which we've already mentioned but will highlight here:
- JS22: $199
- JS32: $299
Since the floating tremolo bridge and humbuckers are both Jackson stock, it can easily be upgraded to sound and feel much nicer by just focusing on these areas. Moreover, these are two areas where guitars can often lose or gain a lot of value. Using the Jackson Dinky body as a baseline for your modification, you can spend under $500 to significantly improve its tone and playability.
I'd also recommend switching out the volume and tone pots, which I'll include in the table below.
To get specific about which pickups to use, we'll highlight three humbucker sets.
The JS32 is a very sharp guitar for the price - great candidate for a humbucker swap. Image via Guitars Giveaway
Seymour Duncan Distortion Mayhem
Front shot of the Mayhem humbucker set from Seymour Duncan.
Both the JS32 and JS22 use what's called a "dual humbucker" pickup configuration, meaning you have a humbucker at the bridge and neck position.
This is sometimes abbreviated HH.
Having an HH pickup configuration dictates that we need to look at humbucker sets, which provide a humbucker for each position.
A set of the Seymour Duncan Distortion humbuckers on a Fender electric. Image via Guitar of Thrones
Thus, we'll start with a good "basic" Seymour Duncan humbucker set (also one of the cheapest), costing around $130 in most markets. It's a fantastic low-budget upgrade for those not wanting to sink too much money in to their Jackson Dinky, just right for the return on investment, and a major tone upgrade all the same.
I'm also partial to ceramic magnets for modern, heavy tones.
Read more: Best Seymour Duncan pickups
DiMarzio Evolution Humbucker Set
The neck version of the DiMarzio Evolution humbucker.
DiMarzio's Evolution Humbucker set is a high-output F-spaced design that looks great on the JS32 or JS22 with the all-black covering.
It's a bit more expensive than the Seymour Duncan Mayhem set, but the Evolution pair are better-sounding pickups and a more substantial upgrade over the stock Jackson humbuckers.
Read more: Best DiMarzio humbuckers
Seymour Duncan Invaders
The white version of the Seymour Duncan Invaders
While they aren't expensive by humbucker pair standards, the Seymour Duncan Invaders are the priciest on this list.
We wouldn't want to sink much more into a $300 guitar, but the Invaders sound great and suit the Dinky's modern edginess. For those that want to hold onto their JS32 for awhile, we'd put the Invaders forward as your best upgrade option.
The aggressive and modern Seymour Duncan pickups are affordable and a great pairing for the Jackson Dinky.
Bridge Recommendations
Most Floyd Rose and Edge Zero bridge upgrades will fit the Jackson Dinky.
The existing bridge looks the part of the Floyd, but is just a stock floating tremolo. These knock-offs function in a similar manner, but are notorious for getting knocked out of tune and being generally weaker. I've often seen these loosen or have trouble staying properly set in the guitar's body.
Also, it's important to note that the JS32 and NOT the JS22 come with the floating tremolo system.
The JS22 is just a simple thru-body bridge design.
While a bridge upgrade would bump up your investment commitment considerably, it'll give this guitar a lot more legitimacy. It will also improve tuning stability, which might be worth it for those that use a whammy bar more aggressively.
If you're going with the JS32, I'd recommend it.
For the JS22, probably not.
Sizing and Compatibility Notes
While there can be small discrepancies in sizing between stock and brand humbuckers, the difference should be negligible. Any of the three sets we've recommended will fit in the existing body cavity of the JS32 or JS22, once the original pickups are removed.
If you need some help with wiring, checkout our wiring diagram resources page.
The same should be true of the Floyd Rose tremolo, as it shouldn't cause problems given the structure of the stock Jackson floating setup. Its measurements should be close, if not exact.
I'd recommend taking pictures of the original bridge and the wiring for both original humbuckers before pulling them out. They're your best reference for how to handle their replacement parts.
Your Thoughts and Suggestions
If you have questions about the Jackson Dinky, our pickup suggestions, or anything else related to this upgrade, leave it in the comments section below.
While this upgrade is hypothetical and not one we've tested, it should be a simple swap, especially if you're just doing the pickups.
Leave it in the comments section and I'll do my best to help out.
See you there.
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Written by Bobby on Pickups and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Electric Guitar Upgrades
How can you tell if you have js22 or a js32?
It should be on that little plate right behind where the neck connects to the body. I also think the fretboard appears a bit darker on the 32.
Hi there, i just bought a jackson js32t rhoads, im thinking putting a seymour duncan js 6b for the bridge and a ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai quantum !!
Im using drop c and 11-56 strings !! I like heavy riff but some clean solos !! It will be a good combination ?? Thanks !!
I assume you mean the QM1? Sounds pretty badass to me. Singin’ my tune.
Hello, Bobby. I have a DINKY JS32Q and want to upgrade the pickups with a knob to switch to single coil. What SD pickups and knobs (including tone) should I buy?
I have a JS22, stock pick ups, looking at getting a JS32, are the pick ups the same ones and the tuning keys the same? Thanks.
I believe so. Jackson high-output humbuckers and sealed die-cast tuners.
Hello….I have a Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32Q DKA – Transparent Blue and this guitar sounds great and stays in tune without any mods. I must have gotten lucky because I’ve bought cheaper guitars before had the issues you spoke of. The one mod I would like to do is replace the input jack hardware as it will not stay tightened without superglue.
Any recommendations?
Put a 2nd nut.after you get 1st nut tight put 2nd nut tighten them together.worked for me.
This guy is right… for a cheaper Jackson, flipping it will do you wonders until you get to a league of higher end playing for something expensive.
I got a 2012 JS32R Dinky. This Jacksons set in stone with a DiMarzio Satchur8 (pink) & PAF Joe (purple) on a snow white body. Drop C for experimenting. Put in CTS B500K volume/tone pots. I designed this for a heavier low end sound of metal.
P.S. got 35 DiMarzios and dozens of pots.
Cheers mates!
Thanks for sharing. That’s a lot of DiMarzios.
what is the size in lock nut for jackson dinky js32 ?? i wanna change all my floyd rose licenced for original floyd rose
Do you have a Floyd on there now?
yeah, the Nut Width is 1.6875″
but idk if R2, R9
Based on this you’d be better off with R9: https://www.wdmusic.com/media/floyd_rose_chart.html
Ok I got it, the last question man!
About to change the stock potentiometer by Jackson for change to Seymour Duncan 500k , the guitar will be sound better???
Yeah, I would definitely do the SD 500K pots.
I’m so sorry. I messed up my first try posting by replying to a comment.. sorry again. Here it is in the right place this time. I think.. lol.
I own 4 jacksons now and I love them. I will list them below with there mods.
Jackson soloist mick thomson signature pro series in white. Has emg 81 and 85 combo. 24v mod. Sounds awesome on my katana 50mk2. My newest guitar.
Js22 repainted in neon yellow. Used to be that metallic blue. Got it used. Put the signature blackouts from the soloist in it. Used to have the emgs in it. I liked the emgs better.
Js32 king v. White with black bevels. Has duncan blackened black winter bridge and a guitar madness hexbucker in the neck to try to match the look. 5 springs on the trem to make it stiff.
Js34q see thru red with quilted top. Maple fretboard, Hss. Has emg 81 in bridge and single coil covers as blanks in the other positions for now. L shaped big brass block. 9v and 24v switchable. 4 springs on trem I think This? This was my first jackson and this one has always been the brightest sounding.
The king v has also had duncan distortion in it but I like the black winter better for that body. Its a slightly darker sounding guitar then the normal body shapes. I have a few other guitars too but they are not jackson but have just as much work done if not more in some cases. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. I know this post is a little old but not that old so I figured I’d share my builds with everyone.
Holy smokes, man – that’s a lot of Jacksons! Thanks so much for sharing. The soloist with the active EMG humbuckers sounds the most intriguing. We actually keep up with these posts pretty regularly, so again, thanks for contributing.
Hi there. I have a Jackson JS22 DKA natural oil finish, I love the guitar but I want to make some upgrades on it since I have it for so long. I was thinking on replacing the nut with a bone nut, change the bridge (if possible) and add EMG or S. D. pickups. But since I’m more into metal, what S. D. would give an aggressive tone? And what suggest for other parts. Thanks if you have time to reply. Much appreciated
From Seymour Duncan I’d go with the Invader pickup set. Unless you want to go with an Active pickup. Does your model have a floating tremolo like a Floyd Rose on it?
No. Again. Is a jackson JS 22 DKA.
I’d probably just start with the pickups. Do you have trouble keeping it in tune?
If I use the whammy bar goes out of tune. Also the G string goes out of tune but I’m already used to it
Does it have six screws, like this one? https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtUrSFE56OUQA4T0nQMyiRR8nJGJc4GblhyytfeARn72Oz82m-9Be2tD3rC2rAB1tzaPN6VzBDDh6SSUmXVnexSOd4h-6a1g&usqp=CAY
Anyone know about the Indian made dinky. I’ve got one with dot frets and fulcrum trem. Vintage style. It stays in better tune than a Kramer Pacer w original floyd did. Crazy. I sound like Jeff Beck every time I play something. It’s pretty fun. I literally didn’t play my Ibanez semi hollow for over a month. I really like the neck on the guitar. I got on CL for 120. I actually didn’t realize I could have got a new one for 80 more, minus tax. But this has a reverse headstock and once I get it turned and stable it stays in tune like crazy and I’m doing Scott Henderson, Vai type bends. If anything the neck needs relief but there’s no buzz. I bought a trem bar and it does feel like I could break the bar off if I tried, which I haven’t. The pickups in this sound way better than the p/u in my AS 22 Ibanez. Way more high frequency which the AS lack . Could be my amp but I was looking for single coils when I bought this. I actually didn’t realize you couldn’t split the humbuckers until I got it home but u was very happy with how it sounded through my Bugera V5. And this guitar has long sustain accoustically. It was so cheap and I was considering a Glearry. They seem like rolling the dice. I do some set up stuff but there’s a limit. I was also thinking Pacifica. Anyway thanks for posts. I got the right bar from suggestions. Mines threaded. 6mm?! @GC for less than ten. Gotta play them J. Beck jams! Peace
I’m thinking about the oil finished js22 with a DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion in the bridge position, I rarely use the neck spot so the stock can stay, D’addario Autotrim locking tuners, an All Parts 1 11/16 bone nut. And tying the insides together with Mojo Tone Tele 3way switch wiring harness.
423.31 total cost on Sweetwater.
Sounds like a great upgrade. Thanks for sharing!
I forgot the the graph tech bridge, still under 500. If it works out, gonna do something similar with a 7 string.
Should be a great guitar for that amount of money.
I have the js32q and have already upgraded the pickups to the Crunchlab and Liquifire. Although I like the, what do you think about switching them out for the Deathbucker and Alumitone pickups?
I wouldn’t mind either setup. But if you already like the DiMarzio arrangement I’d be tempted to keep that going.
I’m thinking of getting an emg hz h4 for the bridge pickup, is it a good choice for this guitar ?
Yep – looks like that’s EMG’s passive humbucker. I’d try to match the neck position with a passive humbucker as well.
The tape around my stock neck humbucker pickup is torn on the right side of the pickup. Is it more cost effective to have the tape replaced or a whole new humbucker pickup? Do you have any suggestions on restringing so I don’t compromise the tension on the guitar. I am new to playing guitar. The Jackson dinky JS22 has really impressed me. What is your opinion on the black Dean C-zone guitar? What practice amps would you suggest for a beginner? I currently play viola, tenor, alto & soprano saxophones. The electric guitar is amazing to me, because of the limitations I experience on the saxophones. A great plus with the electric guitar is affordable models. Cheap saxophones that are worth any tonal value cost are at least 400.00.
Hey Ann – thanks for getting in touch. Here are my answers:
1. I would advise trying to re-tape the pickup first, especially if you like/are happy with the tone. Otherwise, it might be time to replace
2. Typically, I recommend avoiding cheap Dean models, but I know some people that really like them. Personally, I think there are better options
3. For practice amps: https://www.guitarchalk.com/best-guitar-amps-under-200/
Thanks again for the comment. If I can clarify anything, please let me know. Hope this was helpful!
Howdy, nice article. I have a JS22 and I actually love the sound of the stock p-ups myself. With an early 90s model Marshall amp I honestly couldn’t ask for a better sounding package.
Hey Frank – thanks for sharing. I know the JS22 is extremely popular so this testimony certainly makes sense.
mid 90’s HSS dinky rev. rosewood, fr license, plays and stays in tune well, can only dive bomb this model, 5 springs in back keep it in tune for me with 10’s… just replaced oem bridge pick up with SD JB-4. Sounds tons better and much fuller than original pick up, can hear my 5,6,7 stings now..lol has oem 500 pots in it, should I swap um? also, dont play neck p.u. but middle sounds like crap to me. Any choice to par with the JB? playing mostly 80″s metal. thanks, TOM.