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Head to head

Cort KX100 vs Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($300 - $500 against Under $300), and the pickup layouts differ (HH against HSS). 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)
Yamaha
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J in Black, full front view

Pacifica PAC112J

Black

The beginner guitar teachers actually recommend, and an alder body at Squier money

8.5/105.0 (1)

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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
  • Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J8.5

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 Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
KX100Pacifica PAC112J
BrandCortYamaha
ModelKX100Pacifica PAC112J
FinishIron OxideBlack
InstrumentElectric guitarElectric guitar
Fretline score7.2 / 108.5 / 10
Value for money8 / 1010 / 10
Amazon rating4.7 / 5 (3)5.0 / 5 (1)
Price$300 - $500Under $300
TypeSolidbody electric guitarElectric guitar
BodyKX double-cutawayPacifica double cutaway
Body woodNyatohAlder
Neck jointBolt-onBolt-on
Neck woodHard mapleMaple
Neck profile—20.9 mm at 1st fret, 22.9 mm at 12th
Scale length25.5" (648 mm)25.5" (648 mm)
FingerboardJatobaRosewood or walnut, depending on production run
Radius15.75" (R400)13.75" (350 mm)
Frets2422
Fret size—Medium
Nut—Urea
Nut width—41 mm at the zero fret
BridgeHardtailVintage-style tremolo with block saddles
TunersDie-castDie-cast
Neck pickupCort Powersound humbuckerSingle-coil, alnico V
Bridge pickupCort Powersound humbuckerHumbucker, ceramic
ConfigurationHHHSS
ElectronicsPassivePassive
ControlsVolume, toneMaster volume, master tone
SwitchingThree-way switchFive-position lever
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelBeginner, IntermediateBeginner, Intermediate
StylesMetal, Rock, PunkRock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal
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

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

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

Best build

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

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

Most comfortable

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

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

Best for beginners

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

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

Best for rock

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for metal

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to metal.

Best for the studio

Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J

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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