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Fretline

Head to head

Cort G290 FAT II vs Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against Under $300). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 24 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)
Jackson
Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q in Transparent Black with starter bundle contents

JS Series Dinky JS11Q

Transparent Black, Austin Bazaar starter bundle

Everything a first metal player needs, in one box

7.0/10

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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
  • Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q7.0

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 G290 FAT II compared with Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q
G290 FAT IIJS Series Dinky JS11Q
BrandCortJackson
ModelG290 FAT IIJS Series Dinky JS11Q
FinishBright Blue BurstTransparent Black, Austin Bazaar starter bundle
InstrumentElectric guitarElectric guitar
Fretline score8.8 / 107.0 / 10
Value for money9 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating5.0 / 5 (1)—
Price$500 - $1,000Under $300
TypeSolidbody electric guitarElectric guitar
BodyG-series double-cutawayDinky solidbody
Body woodAlderPoplar
TopFlamed maple veneerQuilted art-grain veneer
Neck jointBolt-onBolt-on speed neck, scarf joint with graphite reinforcement
Neck woodRoasted mapleMaple
Neck profileErgo-V—
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)25.5" (648 mm)
FingerboardRoasted mapleAmaranth
Radius12"-15.75" compound (R305-R400)12" (305 mm)
Frets2222
Fret sizeMedium-jumbo, nickel silverJumbo
NutGraph Tech Black TUSQBlack plastic
Nut width1.65" (42 mm)1.6875" (42.86 mm)
BridgeCort CFA-III tremoloSynchronised fulcrum tremolo
TunersCort staggered lockingDie-cast
Neck pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerJackson high-output ceramic humbucking
Bridge pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerJackson high-output ceramic humbucking
ConfigurationHHHH
ElectronicsPassivePassive, ceramic magnets
ControlsVolume, toneVolume, tone
SwitchingFive-way super switch3-way toggle
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelIntermediate, Advanced, ProfessionalBeginner
StylesRock, Blues, Metal, Funk, Pop, IndieMetal, Rock, Punk, Prog
In the box—Fender Frontman 10G practice amplifier, Gig bag, Clip-on tuner, Strap, Instrument cable, Picks, Austin Bazaar instructional DVD

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

Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11Q

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?

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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