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Fretline

Head to head

Cort G290 FAT II vs Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20

The short answer is that the scale lengths are not the same (25.5" against 24.75"), and the bridges work in fundamentally different ways. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 23 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)
Yamaha
Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20 in Swift Blue, full front view

Revstar Element RSE20

Swift Blue

A chambered mahogany double-cut with the smartest coil-split circuit at the price

8.8/104.7 (55)

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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
  • Yamaha Revstar Element RSE208.8

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 Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20
G290 FAT IIRevstar Element RSE20
BrandCortYamaha
ModelG290 FAT IIRevstar Element RSE20
FinishBright Blue BurstSwift Blue
InstrumentElectric guitarElectric guitar
Fretline score8.8 / 108.8 / 10
Value for money9 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating5.0 / 5 (1)4.7 / 5 (55)
Price$500 - $1,000$500 - $1,000
TypeSolidbody electric guitarElectric guitar
BodyG-series double-cutawayRevstar double cutaway, chambered
Body woodAlderChambered mahogany
TopFlamed maple veneerMaple
Neck jointBolt-onSet neck
Neck woodRoasted mapleMahogany
Neck profileErgo-V—
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)24.75" (628 mm)
FingerboardRoasted mapleRosewood
Radius12"-15.75" compound (R305-R400)12" (305 mm)
Frets2222
Fret sizeMedium-jumbo, nickel silverJumbo
NutGraph Tech Black TUSQPPS
Nut width1.65" (42 mm)1.649" (41.9 mm)
BridgeCort CFA-III tremoloAdjustable bridge with stopbar tailpiece
TunersCort staggered locking—
Neck pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerYamaha Alnico V humbucker
Bridge pickupCort Voiced Tone VTH77 humbuckerYamaha Alnico V humbucker
ConfigurationHHHH
ElectronicsPassivePassive, with push/pull Dry Switch high-pass filter
ControlsVolume, toneVolume, tone with push/pull Dry Switch
SwitchingFive-way super switch3-way toggle
Weight—Around 7.3 lb (3.3 kg)
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelIntermediate, Advanced, ProfessionalIntermediate, Advanced, Professional
StylesRock, Blues, Metal, Funk, Pop, IndieRock, Indie, Blues, Punk, Pop, Jazz
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

Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20

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

Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20

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.

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