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Fretline

Head to head

Cort G290 FAT II vs Fender Standard Telecaster

The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HH against SS), and the bridges work in fundamentally different ways. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 28 rows that actually differ marked out.

Cort
Cort G290 FAT II in Bright Blue Burst, full front view

G290 FAT II

Bright Blue Burst

Two humbuckers and a five-way switch — far more sounds than the layout suggests

8.8/105.0 (1)
Fender
Fender Standard Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde with black pickguard, full front view

Standard Telecaster

Butterscotch Blonde, maple fingerboard

A Telecaster with the Fender logo and, unusually at this level, six saddles

7.8/104.5 (46)

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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 G290 FAT II8.8
  • Fender Standard Telecaster7.8

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 G290 FAT II compared with Fender Standard Telecaster
G290 FAT IIStandard Telecaster
BrandCortFender
ModelG290 FAT IIStandard Telecaster
FinishBright Blue BurstButterscotch Blonde, maple fingerboard
InstrumentElectric guitarElectric guitar
Fretline score8.8 / 107.8 / 10
Value for money9 / 108 / 10
Amazon rating5.0 / 5 (1)4.5 / 5 (46)
Price$500 - $1,000$500 - $1,000
TypeSolidbody electric guitarElectric guitar
BodyG-series double-cutawayTelecaster solidbody
Body woodAlderPoplar
TopFlamed maple veneer—
Neck jointBolt-onBolt-on, four-bolt neck plate
Neck woodRoasted mapleMaple
Neck profileErgo-VModern "C"
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)25.5" (648 mm)
FingerboardRoasted mapleMaple
Radius12"-15.75" compound (R305-R400)9.5" (241 mm)
Frets2221
Fret sizeMedium-jumbo, nickel silverMedium jumbo
NutGraph Tech Black TUSQMicarta
Nut width1.65" (42 mm)1.6875" (42.86 mm)
BridgeCort CFA-III tremoloString-through-body Telecaster bridge with six satin chrome block steel saddles
TunersCort staggered lockingFender Standard cast/sealed with hex buttons
Neck pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerStandard single-coil Tele, chrome cover
Bridge pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerStandard single-coil Tele
ConfigurationHHSS
ElectronicsPassivePassive, ceramic magnets
ControlsVolume, toneMaster volume, master tone
SwitchingFive-way super switchThree-position blade
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelIntermediate, Advanced, ProfessionalBeginner, Intermediate, Advanced
StylesRock, Blues, Metal, Funk, Pop, IndieCountry, Rock, Blues, Indie, Pop, Funk
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 G290 FAT II

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

Best build

Cort G290 FAT II

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Cort G290 FAT II

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Cort G290 FAT II

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

Most comfortable

Cort G290 FAT II

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

Best for beginners

Fender Standard Telecaster

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

Best for rock

Cort G290 FAT II

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for metal

Cort G290 FAT II

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to metal.

Best for the studio

Cort G290 FAT II

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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