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Head to head

Cort G290 FAT II vs Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against $300 - $500), and the pickup layouts differ (HH against HSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 25 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 X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS in Cobalt Blue, full front view

X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

Cobalt Blue

The same double-locking Dinky, in the finish you can take to a function gig

8.3/105.0 (3)

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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 X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS8.3

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 X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
G290 FAT IIX Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
BrandCortJackson
ModelG290 FAT IIX Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
FinishBright Blue BurstCobalt Blue
InstrumentElectric guitarElectric guitar
Fretline score8.8 / 108.3 / 10
Value for money9 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating5.0 / 5 (1)5.0 / 5 (3)
Price$500 - $1,000$300 - $500
TypeSolidbody electric guitarElectric guitar
BodyG-series double-cutawayDinky solidbody with sculpted shredder heel
Body woodAlderPoplar
TopFlamed maple veneer—
Neck jointBolt-onBolt-on, scarf joint with graphite reinforcement
Neck woodRoasted mapleMaple
Neck profileErgo-V—
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)25.5" (648 mm)
FingerboardRoasted mapleLaurel
Radius12"-15.75" compound (R305-R400)12"-16" compound (304.8-406.4 mm)
Frets2224
Fret sizeMedium-jumbo, nickel silverJumbo
NutGraph Tech Black TUSQFloyd Rose Special locking
Nut width1.65" (42 mm)1.6875" (42.86 mm)
BridgeCort CFA-III tremoloFloyd Rose licensed Jackson double-locking tremolo
TunersCort staggered lockingJackson sealed die-cast
Neck pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerJackson single-coil
Bridge pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerJackson high-output humbucking
ConfigurationHHHSS
ElectronicsPassivePassive
ControlsVolume, toneVolume, tone
SwitchingFive-way super switch5-position blade
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelIntermediate, Advanced, ProfessionalIntermediate, Advanced
StylesRock, Blues, Metal, Funk, Pop, IndieMetal, Rock, Prog, Punk
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 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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