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Head to head

Cort Core-DC Mahogany vs Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against $300 - $500), and the scale lengths are not the same (25.5" against 25.3"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 17 rows that actually differ marked out.

Cort
Cort Core-DC Mahogany in Open Pore Black Burst, full front view

Core-DC Mahogany

Open Pore Black Burst

All-solid mahogany, bone nut and saddle — the specification usually costs twice this

8.3/10
Fender
Fender CD-60SCE All-Mahogany dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric, full front view

CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Natural

A solid mahogany top and a Fishman system, well under the price that usually buys either

8.0/104.4 (888)

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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
  • Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany8.0

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

Cort Core-DC Mahogany compared with Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany
Core-DC MahoganyCD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany
BrandCortFender
ModelCore-DC MahoganyCD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany
FinishOpen Pore Black BurstNatural
InstrumentAcoustic guitarAcoustic guitar
Fretline score8.3 / 108.0 / 10
Value for money9 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating—4.4 / 5 (888)
Price$500 - $1,000$300 - $500
TypeAcoustic-electric guitarAcoustic-electric guitar
BodyDreadnought cutawayDreadnought cutaway
Body woodSolid mahogany back and sidesSolid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides
TopSolid mahoganySolid mahogany
Back & sides—Laminated mahogany
Bracing—Quartersawn scalloped "X"
Neck joint—Set neck
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck profileC shapeFender easy-to-play shape with rolled fingerboard edges
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)25.3" (643 mm)
FingerboardOvangkolWalnut (current Fender specification; early production used rosewood)
Radius15.75" (R400)12" (305 mm)
Frets2020
Fret size—Vintage
NutGenuine boneCrème plastic
Nut width1.6875" (43 mm)1.69" (43 mm)
BridgeOvangkolWalnut, with white bridge pins with black dots
TunersDie-cast with black metal knobsChrome die-cast
ElectronicsFishman Presys VTFishman CD-1 preamp with under-saddle pickup
Controls—Volume, bass, treble, integrated tuner with on/off switch and low-battery indicator
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelIntermediate, Advanced, ProfessionalBeginner, Intermediate, Advanced
StylesFolk, Blues, Country, Rock, Pop, IndieFolk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, Worship
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.

Best value

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

Highest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.

Best build

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.

Most comfortable

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.

Best for beginners

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.

Best for rock

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for the studio

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

Build 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.

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