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Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
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Playability
75
Sound
76
Build
63
Value
71
Score
71
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Playability
80
Sound
81
Build
67
Value
76
Score
76
FIND IT ON:
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Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy

Reasons to Get
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II over Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Medium vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Scale Length
28" to 26.5" vs 24.75"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Neck Profile
D vs Jerry Cantrell Prophecy
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Strings
8 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Nut Width
2.219'' (56.4mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Fretboard Radius
15.75'' (400.1mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy over Cort KX508 Multi Scale II

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
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
Scale Length
24.75" vs 28" to 26.5"
Easier to adapt to
Neck Profile
Jerry Cantrell Prophecy vs D
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Plastic
Resistant, good tuning stability and rich tone
Strings
6 vs 8
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 2.219'' (56.4mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 15.75'' (400.1mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
76 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy

Body Wood
Okoume vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Purpleheart vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
4-4 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern
Same Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern
Same Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active
More output
Decorative Top
Poplar Burl vs Maple Cap
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns

Common Strengths

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • 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 KX508 Multi Scale II Overview

  • From Cort's 2022 KX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 28" to 26.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar Burl top
  • Okoume body
  • 5pcs Maple & Purple Heart neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Individual Hardtail w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Cort Staggered Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2022 Artist Collection series
  • Jerry Cantrell Signature
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple Cap top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Jerry Cantrell Prophecy Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatic 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 Both

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II

Purpleheart wood pattern used for guitar building
Purpleheart
Okoume wood pattern used for guitar building
Okoume

Purpleheart (also known as Amaranth) is a hard, dense wood with a brilliant tone. As its name suggests, the purple color makes this wood look exotic.

Okoume is an affordable wood and one of the first to replace Mahogany when the prohibitions started. It's generally softer than Mahogany and the tone has warmer lows.

Woods Used in the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Winner: Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. 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.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy's online:

Both use Active pickups. These pickups use an additional 9v battery to be able to increase their output for high gain tones. This is why they're popular among heavy metal guitarists. Their disadvantage is that you need batteries for the pickups, so you'll need to spend money on batteries and time swapping them. Also, the clean tones aren't as clean as other pickups because they'll have really hot output.

Winner: Tie.

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

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Both offer you the same type of pickup mod: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

They both share the following switching options:

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II and Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II and Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy'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: Cort KX508 Multi Scale II.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
Pickups 85
Sustain 75
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 76
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 80
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 KX508 Multi Scale II compares to the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Cort KX508 Multi Scale II is built in Indonesia while the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy is made in China.

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.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Cort KX508 Multi Scale II

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 KX508 Multi Scale II 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 Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy comes with a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

Winner: Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: 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.

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

They both have 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: Tie.

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.

The Cort KX508 Multi Scale II has 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.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy comes with Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Cort KX508 Multi Scale II.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
Quality of materials 45
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 63
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
Quality of materials 65
Features 70
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 67

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 KX508 Multi Scale II Nut Width
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II Nut Width
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy Nut Width
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II has the wider nut with 56.4mm (2.219'') vs 43mm (1.693''). This is a 13.4mm (0.526'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's Scale Length
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's Scale Length
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy's Scale Length
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy's 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, the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II features a multi-scale of 28" to 26.5" while the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy has a regular scale of 24.75".

A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy's 24.75" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

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 KX508 Multi Scale II Neck Profile
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's neck profile
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy Neck Profile
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy'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 KX508 Multi Scale II 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 Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy, 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 KX508 Multi Scale II Fingerboard Radius
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's Fingerboard radius
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy Fingerboard Radius
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy'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 Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II'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 KX508 Multi Scale II.

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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison are balanced for most hand sizes.

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II Frets Size
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's Frets Size
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy Frets Size
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy's Frets Size

The Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II'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 KX508 Multi Scale II
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 90
Playability 80

Specs Side-by-Side

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
General Cort KX508 Multi Scale II Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Les Paul Custom Prophecy
Brand: Cort Epiphone
Year: 2022 2022
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 8 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: KX Artist Collection
Colors: Blue Burst White
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Okoume Mahogany
Bridge: Individual Hardtail w/ String Thru Body LockTone Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Cort Staggered Locking Grover Locking Rotomatic
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: 5pcs Maple & Purple Heart Mahogany
Decoration: Tear Drop Circle in Diamond Custom Inlays
Scale Size: 28" to 26.5" 24.75"
Shape: D Jerry Cantrell Prophecy
Frets: 24 Medium Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 15.75" 12"
Nut: Plastic Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 56.4mm (2.219'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Coil Split, Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 2