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Cort KX100
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
VS
Playability
75
Sound
62
Build
52
Value
73
Score
63
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
78
Value
77
Score
77
FIND IT ON:
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Cort KX100 vs Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid

Reasons to Get
Cort KX100 over Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid

Type of Frets
Medium vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
D vs C Shape
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Pickups
HH vs HSS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
15.75'' (400.1mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid over Cort KX100

Decorative Top
Flame Maple Veneer On Flat Top with Gloss Finish vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2021 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
C Shape vs D
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickups Brand
Seymour Duncan vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSS vs HH
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 15.75'' (400.1mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
77 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Cort KX100 vs Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid

Bridge Pickup
Powersound Humbucker vs Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Powersound Humbucker vs Seymour Duncan Classic Stack
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Nyatoh vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Jatoba vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Cort KX100 vs Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Frets

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid is probably the better product overall with its final score of 77 compared to the Cort KX100's 63 score, which is a significant difference.

The Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Cort KX100 has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Cort KX100 is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid is the better choice.

The Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Cort KX100 meets only 5. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Cort KX100
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Cort KX100 Overview

  • From Cort's 2018 KX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Nyatoh body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Powersound Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Powersound Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hardtail bridge
  • D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid Overview

  • From Chapman's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer On Flat Top with Gloss Finish top
  • Basswood body
  • Roasted Maple – Medium Colour neck
  • Roasted Maple – Medium Colour fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Classic Stack (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Classic Stack (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Chapman 2-Point Tremolo bridge
  • C Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Cort KX100

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba
Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
Nyatoh

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Jatoba is a hard and dense wood that emphasizes the mid-lows, giving a fuller, more round sound than, for example, Mahogany. However, it also has a lot of clarity in the top end. Find out more about Jatoba.

Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

Woods Used in the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Cort KX100 has an HH configuration while the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid has HSS pickups.

Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

On the other hand, HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

Pickups Quality

The Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid pickups from a more specialized brand than the Cort KX100. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid gives you 5 switch options while the Cort KX100 gives you 3. This means that the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Cort KX100 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Cort KX100's switch options
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Cort KX100
Pickups 55
Sustain 70
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 62
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
Pickups 100
Sustain 80
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 81

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Cort KX100 compares to the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Cort KX100 is built in Indonesia while the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid is made in South Korea.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Cort KX100 has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

Winner: Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Cort KX100's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort KX100
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Strap Lock
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Cort KX100
Quality of materials 41
Features 50
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 52
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
Quality of materials 83
Features 75
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 78

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Cort KX100 Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42mm (1.654'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Cort KX100 and Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Cort KX100 Neck Profile
Cort KX100's neck profile
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid Neck Profile
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Cort KX100 has a D type of neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

The Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Cort KX100 Fingerboard Radius
Cort KX100's Fingerboard radius
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid Fingerboard Radius
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Cort KX100's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Cort KX100.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid favors large hands more than the Cort KX100. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Cort KX100:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Cort KX100 Frets Size
Cort KX100's Frets Size
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid Frets Size
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid's Frets Size

The Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Cort KX100's Medium frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Cort KX100
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Cort KX100 vs Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
General Cort KX100 Chapman ML1 Pro Hybrid
Brand: Cort Chapman
Year: 2018 2021
Configuration: HH HSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: KX Pro
Colors: Black, Blue, Orange Blue, Red
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Nyatoh Basswood
Bridge: Hardtail Chapman 2-Point Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Die-Cast Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing)
Fretboard: Jatoba Roasted Maple – Medium Colour
Neck Material: Hard Maple Roasted Maple – Medium Colour
Decoration: White Dots Glow-in-the-Dark Side Dots with Black Infinity
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: D C Shape
Frets: 24 Medium Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 15.75" 13.78"
Nut: Plastic Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Powersound Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan Classic Stack (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Powersound Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Classic Stack (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1