Pricing and availability

Average Price: $623

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Crafted for the metal enthusiast and discerning guitarist, the Jackson Pro Series DKA8 stands as a testament to precision and power. This 8-string solid body electric guitar expands your sonic capabilities with its extended range, allowing for deeper, richer tones and complex chord voicings. Its Seymour Duncan Nazgul and Sentient humbuckers deliver robust output while maintaining clarity, making it perfect for pushing your amp to new heights without losing the nuances of your play.

The DKA8's one-piece maple neck is paired with a compound-radius fingerboard that evolves from a rounded profile near the nut—ideal for rhythm playing—to a flatter plane higher up for seamless soloing and string bending. This ergonomic design ensures comfort and speed, meeting the demands of even the most intricate riffs and solos.

Adding to the guitar's versatility is a 3-way switch and a momentary kill switch, offering quick access to a variety of tonal textures and stutter effects. The direct-mounted pickups enhance tonal transfer, providing a more authentic representation of the guitar's natural sound.

Whether you're laying down heavy riffs or soaring leads, the Jackson Pro Series DKA8 is engineered to keep up with your creative demands, all while offering exceptional playability and tonal depth.

Key Features:

  • 8-string solid body electric guitar
  • Seymour Duncan Nazgul and Sentient humbuckers for powerful, clear output
  • Compound-radius fingerboard (12"-16") for enhanced playability
  • Direct-mounted pickups for improved tonal transfer
  • 3-way switch and momentary kill switch for diverse tonal options
  • One-piece maple neck with easy-access truss rod thumbwheel
  • Alder body with contoured top for ergonomic playing experience

Product specs

Brand Jackson
Model Pro Series DKA8 Dinky
Finish Metallic Black
Year 2013 - 2016
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black
Fretboard Material Maple
Model Family Jackson Dinky
Model Sub-Family Jackson Dinky Archtop
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Jackson Pro Series

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Jackson Pro Series DKA8 have, and what tones can I expect?

The Jackson Pro Series DKA8 features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, delivering powerful, high-output tones ideal for metal and hard rock genres. Expect a rich, full-bodied sound with excellent sustain.

Is the Jackson Pro Series DKA8 suitable for advanced players?

Yes, the Jackson Pro Series DKA8 is designed with advanced players in mind, offering a fast-playing maple fretboard, 24 frets, and a versatile pickup configuration that supports complex playing styles and techniques.

What is the neck profile of the Jackson Pro Series DKA8?

The Jackson Pro Series DKA8 features a slim, comfortable neck profile that facilitates fast playing and easy access to all 24 frets, making it suitable for shredding and technical playing.

Does the Jackson Pro Series DKA8 have a string-through body design?

Yes, the Jackson Pro Series DKA8 has a string-through body design, which enhances sustain and resonance by allowing the strings to vibrate more freely.

What is the scale length of the Jackson Pro Series DKA8, and how does it affect playability?

The Jackson Pro Series DKA8 has a 25.5" scale length, providing a balanced tension that is ideal for fast playing and clear note articulation, especially in lower tunings.

Frank Fleckenstein

Frank Fleckenstein

Jackson DKA8 Song & Review

Video thumbnail for Jackson DKA8 Song & Review by Frank Fleckenstein

Jackson DKA8 Song & Review

Frank Fleckenstein

Frank Fleckenstein

Video thumbnail for I8Strings - Demo Jackson DKA8 Pro Series 8 Corde - 8 String Guitar - by M. Casale Bauer

I8Strings - Demo Jackson DKA8 Pro Series 8 Corde - 8 String Guitar -

M. Casale Bauer

M. Casale Bauer

Video thumbnail for Manuel Vázquez (Jackson® Artist) DkA8 by agoraoficial

Manuel Vázquez (Jackson® Artist) DkA8

agoraoficial

agoraoficial

Video thumbnail for Jackson DKA8 Pro Series by KeyShift

Jackson DKA8 Pro Series

KeyShift

KeyShift

Video thumbnail for Jackson DKA8 Pro Demo by Quinton Lucion

Jackson DKA8 Pro Demo

Quinton Lucion

Quinton Lucion

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Jackson Pro Series DKA8.

Build quality

  • Some owners note issues with fret edges being sharp enough to cut palms and flawed finishes, suggesting potential quality control variations.

    Source
  • The maple neck on the DKA8 is noted for its rarity on 8-string guitars, which typically feature ebony or rosewood, offering a distinct aesthetic and feel.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Original string set is criticized for muddiness; switching to thicker gauges like .64 for lower notes improves clarity.

    Source
  • Some users experience issues with maple fretboards retaining dirt from previous owners, requiring thorough cleaning.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The dark speckle finish on the black DKA8 is preferred over some Ibanez 7-string finishes, highlighting Jackson's aesthetic appeal in this model.

    Source
  • The satin burnt orange finish is praised for its visual appeal, with some owners preferring it over other more common finishes on competitive models.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Suggestions to change the killswitch button, especially on the black model, for better aesthetics and functionality.

    Source
  • Owners often upgrade with Bare Knuckle Ragnarok pickups and a Hipshot bridge for enhanced performance and sound quality.

    Source
  • Replacing the original nut with a Graphtec nut is a popular modification for improved tuning stability.

    Source

User experience

  • One user experienced a problematic purchase process, citing delays in refunds from a specific dealer, Gearhounds.

    Source
  • The absence of inlays can make the neck appear larger to some players, affecting playability preference.

    Source
  • Users report that the 28-inch scale length affects string bending, making higher strings feel different due to tension, requiring an adjustment period.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The scale length is confirmed to be 28", which is uncommon for 8-string guitars and offers extended range.

    Source
  • The Jackson DKA8 Pro in satin burnt orange features Seymour Duncan Nazgul (bridge) and Sentient (neck) pickups, offering great note definition and impressive cleans even under high gain.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners experiment with tuning variations, such as dropping the F# to E and B to A, to explore different musical styles like jazz and djent on the 8-string.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Sithu Aye uses Jackson Pro Series DKA8

Sithu Aye

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via Photo

"Wanted a bit of an upgrade from my RG8 so cheeky NGD with a Jackson Pro Series DKA8"

M

Manuel Vásquez

Guitarist

Agora

...
Verified via Photo

He is known to use 8-string Jacksons live

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

More Jackson Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides