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Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
VS
Playability
75
Sound
76
Build
63
Value
71
Score
71
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Playability
72
Sound
65
Build
54
Value
74
Score
64
FIND IT ON:
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Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH

Reasons to Get
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II over Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Poplar Burl vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2022 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Scale Length
28" to 26.5" vs 25.5"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Neck Profile
D vs Modern C
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Pickups Brand
Fishman vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickup Mods
Multiple vs None
Strings
8 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Number of Frets
24 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
2.219'' (56.4mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
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
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH over Cort KX508 Multi Scale II

Scale Length
25.5" vs 28" to 26.5"
Easier to adapt to
Neck Profile
Modern C vs D
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Plastic
Good quality nut with rich tone
Strings
6 vs 8
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) 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
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
74 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern vs Standard Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern vs Standard Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Okoume vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Purpleheart vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
4-4 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH

Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Medium
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • 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 Cort KX508 Multi Scale II is probably the better product overall with its final score of 71 compared to the Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH's 64 score, although not by a lot.

The Cort KX508 Multi Scale II wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH is easier to play.

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

Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 >

Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2017 Affinity Series series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Standard Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Standard Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium frets
  • Standard Die-Cast tuners
  • Weight between 7.688lbs (3.5kgs) and 8.188lbs (3.7kgs)
  • 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 KX508 Multi Scale II

Purpleheart wood pattern used for guitar building
Purpleheart
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
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.

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.

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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

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.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Winner: Cort KX508 Multi Scale II.

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

The Cort KX508 Multi Scale II has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Heavy Metal and similar genres.

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

The Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's pickups are Active while the Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH's are Passive.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Cort KX508 Multi Scale II.

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.

Only the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II comes with some kind of pickup modification: 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.

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's switch options
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH'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
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 65

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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH.

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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH 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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Winner: Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH.

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

The Cort KX508 Multi Scale II 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: Cort KX508 Multi Scale II.

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 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
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • 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

Final Build Quality Scores

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
Quality of materials 45
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 63
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
Quality of materials 56
Features 50
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 54

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
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH Nut Width
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH 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 42mm (1.654''). This is a 14.4mm (0.565'') 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
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH's Scale Length
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH'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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH has a regular scale of 25.5".

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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH's 25.5" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.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 KX508 Multi Scale II Neck Profile
Cort KX508 Multi Scale II's neck profile
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH Neck Profile
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH'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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH, 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
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH'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 Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH'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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Cort KX508 Multi Scale II favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH.

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II and Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium fret size

Both have a Medium fret size. If you like feeling the fretboard when you play, but also appreciate some easiness to press down the frets, this size offers a good balance for that.

Final Playability Scores

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Fender Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Cort KX508 Multi Scale II vs Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
General Cort KX508 Multi Scale II Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
Brand: Cort Fender Squier
Year: 2022 2017
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 8 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: KX Affinity Series
Colors: Blue Burst White, Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Okoume Poplar
Bridge: Individual Hardtail w/ String Thru Body 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Cort Staggered Locking Standard Die-Cast
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony Indian Laurel
Neck Material: 5pcs Maple & Purple Heart Maple
Decoration: Tear Drop Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 28" to 26.5" 25.5"
Shape: D Modern C
Frets: 24 Medium Nickel Silver 21 Medium Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 15.75" 12"
Nut: Plastic Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 56.4mm (2.219'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Standard Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Standard Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1