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What is it?
As electric guitar players, we all remember our first guitar. As a young metalhead obsessed with Iron Maiden and Pantera, I started my shredding journey at age seven with a full-sized Ibanez GRG170DX. Back then, miniature metal-inspired beginner electric guitars were on the cusp of release but not quite there yet. Enter the Jackson Minion series.
Released in 2015, the Minion series features the menacingly pointy Randy Rhoads V-style JS1X and my review model, the Superstrat-style Dinky Minion JS1X. Both models are based on Jackson’s incredibly popular full-size guitars but shrunk down to a more manageable size, making them perfect for young metalheads who need a comfortable-sized instrument, or for adults looking for a travel companion or a couch fidget to work on their shredding chops.
The Minion series isn’t new, and it wasn’t the first chug-friendly guitar for kids. Ibanez released the first Mikro in 2006, and it remains one of Jackson’s closest competitors. Squier also offers the versatile Mini range, so the market isn’t short on shrunken-down electrics. So, over a decade after the Minion series debuted, does it still stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest? Let’s find out.
Specs
- Price: $219.99/£169/€199
- Made: Indonesia
- Type: ⅔ Scale six-string electric guitar
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Satin-finish maple, graphite-reinforced
- Fingerboard material/radius: Amaranth, 12″
- Scale length: 22.5” / 571.5mm
- Nut/width: Black Plastic, 39mm / 1.53”
- Frets: 24, jumbo frets
- Hardware: String-through hardtail bridge, sealed die-cast tuners
- String spacing at bridge: 53mm
- Electrics: 2x Jackson High-Output humbuckers, 3-way selector switch, 1x master volume, 1x master tone
- Weight: 5 lb 8.2 oz / 2.5kg
- Left-handed options: No
- Finishes: Gloss Black, Neon Green, Safety Orange (as reviewed), Metallic Blue Burst, Metallic Red, Pavo Purple
- Case: No
- Contact: Jackson
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
The superstrat-style Dinky Minion JS1X comes in a variety of colors: Gloss Black, Neon Green, Metallic Blue Burst, Metallic Red, Pavo Purple, and Safety Orange… Now, breathe.
I was sent the Safety Orange model to review, and as soon as I took it out of the box, I genuinely exclaimed, “Wow.”
This guitar certainly makes a statement, even with its diminutive stature. I foresee it making a young metalhead feel like the coolest person in the world.
This guitar certainly makes a statement, even with its diminutive stature
The Jackson hallmarks are apparent straight off the bat. This thing is incredibly angular yet undeniably sleek. The pointed, tilted headstock, sharkfin inlays, and script logo adorn the headstock and humbuckers.
There’s something irresistibly charming about a metal guitar designed for loudness and toughness being so small. It’s like a young child discovering boxing gloves; it suggests danger, but it’s really cute as a button.
Like its larger Dinky siblings, the Minion features a bolt-on maple neck with 24 frets and a 22.5″ scale length. A generously angled neck heel contour stays out of the way when you’re ripping out a solo. Jumbo frets sit on the flat 12″ radius amaranth fingerboard. To bolster neck stability, Jackson has reinforced the Minion’s neck with graphite rods, protecting it from warping or easy damage from clumsy little ones.
Having sold many Minions while working in a guitar store, I noticed that the neck isn’t always seated perfectly in the neck pocket. My review model has a slight gap along the lower edge of the pocket, although it’s less pronounced than on some other examples I’ve encountered. At this price point, it’s not an unusual cosmetic imperfection, but it’s worth checking the fit if you’re buying one in person.
In terms of hardware, the machine heads turn smoothly with decent pitch-change increments. The master volume and tone controls also feel sturdy and have a reassuring weight to their twists. However, the three-way pickup selector feels a little flimsy and doesn’t quite click into place with much reassurance; I have concerns about its long-term durability.
That said, the cosmetic finish is fantastic overall. I found no noticeable blemishes, marks, or discoloration.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★☆
My review model had incredibly low action, around 1.1mm at the low E
Personally, when I think of Jackson guitars, I think fast-playing necks, low action, and great upper-fret access. And this Minion JS1X offers exactly that. Pair the 12″ radius with the smooth satin neck, and you get a guitar that offers barely any hurdles when it comes to shredding.
My review model had incredibly low action, around 1.1mm at the low E. Whether you’re a child looking for a comfortable model or want a Minion as a travel guitar, this instrument is sure to suit those purposes perfectly.
24 frets are a real treat on a miniature guitar, and the contoured neck heel and double-cutaway design let you access them with ease. On my review model, the frets were nicely polished and seated, meaning no scratchy bends or snagging on rough fret edges. Things do get a bit cramped after the 12th fret, which can be unforgiving if you have larger fingers like me. So that’s worth mentioning if you’re an adult wanting a couch guitar.
Jackson opted for 9-gauge strings. For a young learner, this is a comfortable first step while you build strength. Heck, on the short scale length, they allow some crazy bends and, at first, are incredibly fun. Plus, it makes playing the intro to Run To The Hills an absolute doddle. However, if you’ve been playing for a few years, I’d recommend changing them to something heavier. It’s surprisingly easy to push the strings sharp if you attack them too hard.
Aggressive fretting can have the same effect, so a lighter touch pays off here. Players used to heavier strings on a full-size guitar may need a little time to adjust, particularly when bending or playing rhythm parts with a heavy picking hand.
With a small body and a 22.5″ scale length, sitting down with the Minion JS1X can feel a little cramped for me. It’s a much more comfortable experience as a fully grown man standing up with this guitar and resting it on my hip. Although I did find it well balanced when I found a comfortable sitting position, resting it a little further towards my knee instead of holding it tightly against my body.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★☆
For testing, I wanted to give the Minion JS1X as authentic an experience as possible, so I took it to the practice room and put it through its paces before rehearsal with my band. My setup is a Marshall 1987X head into a 1960A cab, with an EarthQuaker Devices Plumes providing dirty tones.
Running this rig, I expected plenty of sizzle from the Jackson high-output humbuckers. While there was a decent amount of bite and that typical full-bodied ‘bucker sound, they weren’t as high output as I anticipated. Compared to my SG Standard, I wouldn’t say they were any hotter, if at all. I think the High-Output name set my expectations a bit high.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by the pickups’ clarity. Each note was well separated, and even with the Plumes engaged and the gain cranked, the sound stayed defined instead of turning into an amorphous mess.
I quickly realized this guitar is more versatile than it first appears
I found the bridge pickup the most fun to play, and it handled everything from classic rock to pop-punk tones very well. For example, I kept jamming Title Fight’s Stab, and it handled the high-octane angst well.
This clarity also translated well to clean tones. Guitars at this price point and with this pickup configuration can often sound a bit flubby when playing clean, but when I switched off the Plumes, rolled back the volume, and introduced the Walrus Audio Slo, I got some pleasing tones. I quickly realized this guitar is more versatile than it first appears.
Although the volume taper was pretty extreme, the volume fell off a cliff after around 8, so nuanced volume control isn’t a strong point. Unusually, the tone control didn’t taper as sharply, offering a more controlled, predictable response.
Verdict
With the Minion JS1X, Jackson has set out to make a mean-looking, shred-friendly miniature guitar for young metalheads and adults looking for a travel companion or couch fidget. It offers an affordable way to get that classic Jackson look in a more compact package, and overall, it gets the fundamentals right.
With a bunch of fun finishes, typical Jackson accouterments like sharkfin inlays and a pointy, angled headstock, plus player-friendly contours around the neck heel, there is plenty to like for the money. Sure, the volume pot taper is a little extreme, you’ll most likely want a heavier set of strings if you’re an adult, and things can get a bit cramped after the 12th fret, but for a two-thirds-size guitar at this price point, there’s more to like than dislike.
Tonally, the clarity is fantastic. Even with plenty of gain, the Minion stays articulate and holds its own. The pickups aren’t quite as hot as the name suggests, but they have decent bite and handle everything from classic rock and pop-punk to metal with aplomb.
If you want a compact guitar with genuine shred appeal, not just a smaller instrument to learn on, the JS1X makes a compelling case for itself. The Ibanez Mikro range remains its closest rival, but Jackson has delivered a miniature metal guitar that deserves a place alongside it.
Guitar World verdict: The Jackson Dinky Minion JS1X packs classic metal looks, impressive clarity, and shred-friendly playability into an affordable miniature guitar. Its abrupt volume taper, light strings, and cramped upper frets are compromises, particularly for adults, but it remains a fun-sized option for young metalheads and traveling players.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build quality |
Striking Jackson styling, a clean cosmetic finish, well-dressed frets, and stable tuning machines, although the pickup selector feels flimsy and lacks a reassuring click. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Playability |
Low action, smooth frets, and excellent upper-fret access make shredding easy, though the compact body, cramped upper frets, and light strings limit some playing styles. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Sounds |
Impressive clarity under heavy gain, with enough bite for rock, pop-punk, and metal, plus surprisingly pleasing clean tones. The pickups are not as hot as expected. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Overall |
A fun, affordable miniature with classic Jackson looks, shred-friendly playability, and impressive tonal clarity. |
★★★★☆ |
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