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Head to head

Cort Core-DC Mahogany vs Yamaha FG830

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 25.56"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 18 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
Yamaha
Yamaha FG830 dreadnought in Tobacco Sunburst, full front view

FG830

Tobacco Sunburst

Rosewood back and sides, for about a hundred dollars more

8.2/104.7 (530)

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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
  • Yamaha FG8308.2

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 Yamaha FG830
Core-DC MahoganyFG830
BrandCortYamaha
ModelCore-DC MahoganyFG830
FinishOpen Pore Black BurstTobacco Sunburst
InstrumentAcoustic guitarAcoustic guitar
Fretline score8.3 / 108.2 / 10
Value for money9 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating—4.7 / 5 (530)
Price$500 - $1,000$300 - $500
TypeAcoustic-electric guitarAcoustic guitar
BodyDreadnought cutawayDreadnought (Yamaha Traditional Western)
Body woodSolid mahogany back and sidesSolid spruce top with rosewood back and sides
TopSolid mahoganySolid spruce
Back & sides—Rosewood
Bracing—Scalloped bracing
Neck joint—Set neck
Neck woodMahoganyNato
Neck profileC shape—
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)25 9/16" (650 mm)
FingerboardOvangkolRosewood
Radius15.75" (R400)15 3/4" (400 mm)
Frets20—
NutGenuine bone—
Nut width1.6875" (43 mm)1 11/16" (43 mm)
BridgeOvangkolRosewood
TunersDie-cast with black metal knobs—
ElectronicsFishman Presys VTNone
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

Yamaha FG830

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

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

Most comfortable

Cort Core-DC Mahogany

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

Best for beginners

Yamaha FG830

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.

Want a third opinion?

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