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Fretline

Head to head

Cort KX100 vs Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HH against HSS), and the bridges work in fundamentally different ways. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 21 rows that actually differ marked out.

Cort
Cort KX100 in Iron Oxide, full front view

KX100

Iron Oxide

The cheapest sensible route into a 24-fret, flat-radius metal guitar

7.2/104.7 (3)
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 KX1007.2
  • 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 KX100 compared with Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
KX100X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
BrandCortJackson
ModelKX100X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
FinishIron OxideCobalt Blue
InstrumentElectric guitarElectric guitar
Fretline score7.2 / 108.3 / 10
Value for money8 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating4.7 / 5 (3)5.0 / 5 (3)
Price$300 - $500$300 - $500
TypeSolidbody electric guitarElectric guitar
BodyKX double-cutawayDinky solidbody with sculpted shredder heel
Body woodNyatohPoplar
Neck jointBolt-onBolt-on, scarf joint with graphite reinforcement
Neck woodHard mapleMaple
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)25.5" (648 mm)
FingerboardJatobaLaurel
Radius15.75" (R400)12"-16" compound (304.8-406.4 mm)
Frets2424
Fret size—Jumbo
Nut—Floyd Rose Special locking
Nut width—1.6875" (42.86 mm)
BridgeHardtailFloyd Rose licensed Jackson double-locking tremolo
TunersDie-castJackson sealed die-cast
Neck pickupCort Powersound humbuckerJackson single-coil
Bridge pickupCort Powersound humbuckerJackson high-output humbucking
ConfigurationHHHSS
ElectronicsPassivePassive
ControlsVolume, toneVolume, tone
SwitchingThree-way switch5-position blade
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelBeginner, IntermediateIntermediate, Advanced
StylesMetal, Rock, PunkMetal, 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

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

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

Best build

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

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

Most comfortable

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

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

Best for beginners

Cort KX100

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

Best for rock

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for metal

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to metal.

Best for the studio

Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS

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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