Head to head
Cort G290 FAT II vs Ibanez GIO GRX70QA
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against Under $300), and the pickup layouts differ (HH against HSH). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 23 rows that actually differ marked out.
G290 FAT II
Bright Blue Burst
Two humbuckers and a five-way switch — far more sounds than the layout suggests
GIO GRX70QA
Transparent Black Sunburst
The cheapest honest route into a fast neck and a humbucker at each end
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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
- Ibanez GIO GRX70QA7.2
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
| G290 FAT II | GIO GRX70QA | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cort | Ibanez |
| Model | G290 FAT II | GIO GRX70QA |
| Finish | Bright Blue Burst | Transparent Black Sunburst |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.8 / 10 | 7.2 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 5.0 / 5 (1) | 4.6 / 5 (2,567) |
| Price | $500 - $1,000 | Under $300 |
| Type | Solidbody electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | G-series double-cutaway | GRX solidbody, double cutaway |
| Body wood | Alder | Poplar |
| Top | Flamed maple veneer | Quilted maple art grain |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Roasted maple | Maple |
| Neck profile | Ergo-V | GRX (19.5 mm at 1st fret, 21.5 mm at 12th) |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Roasted maple | Jatoba |
| Radius | 12"-15.75" compound (R305-R400) | 12" (305 mm) |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Fret size | Medium-jumbo, nickel silver | Medium |
| Nut | Graph Tech Black TUSQ | — |
| Nut width | 1.65" (42 mm) | 1.65" (42 mm) |
| Bridge | Cort CFA-III tremolo | Ibanez T106 tremolo |
| Tuners | Cort staggered locking | — |
| Neck pickup | Cort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbucker | Infinity R (H) |
| Bridge pickup | Cort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbucker | Infinity R (H) |
| Configuration | HH | HSH |
| Electronics | Passive | Passive, ceramic magnets |
| Controls | Volume, tone | Volume, tone |
| Switching | Five-way super switch | 5-way blade |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced, Professional | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Metal, Funk, Pop, Indie | Rock, Metal, Blues, Punk, Pop |
| 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 G290 FAT IIHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Cort G290 FAT IIHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez GIO GRX70QAStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Cort G290 FAT IIBuild 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.
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