Head to head
Cort Core-DC Mahogany vs Cort MR500E
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against $300 - $500). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 12 rows that actually differ marked out.
Core-DC Mahogany
Open Pore Black Burst
All-solid mahogany, bone nut and saddle — the specification usually costs twice this
MR500E
Open Pore Natural
A solid spruce top, a cutaway and a working preamp — the jump worth making
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Cort Core-DC Mahogany8.3
- Cort MR500E8.0
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
| Core-DC Mahogany | MR500E | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cort | Cort |
| Model | Core-DC Mahogany | MR500E |
| Finish | Open Pore Black Burst | Open Pore Natural |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.3 / 10 | 8.0 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | — | 4.1 / 5 (8) |
| Price | $500 - $1,000 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Acoustic-electric guitar | Acoustic-electric guitar |
| Body | Dreadnought cutaway | Dreadnought with Venetian cutaway |
| Body wood | Solid mahogany back and sides | Mahogany back and sides |
| Top | Solid mahogany | Solid spruce |
| Neck joint | — | Dovetail neck joint |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck profile | C shape | C shape |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Ovangkol | Ovangkol |
| Radius | 15.75" (R400) | 15.75" (R400) |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Nut | Genuine bone | PPS |
| Nut width | 1.6875" (43 mm) | 1.6875" (43 mm) |
| Bridge | Ovangkol | Ovangkol |
| Tuners | Die-cast with black metal knobs | Die-cast |
| Electronics | Fishman Presys VT | Cort CE304T three-band EQ preamp with built-in tuner |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced, Professional | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Folk, Blues, Country, Rock, Pop, Indie | Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, 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.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Most versatile
Cort Core-DC MahoganyHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Cort Core-DC MahoganyHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Cort MR500EStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Cort Core-DC MahoganyBuild 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.