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Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
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Playability
72
Sound
82
Build
64
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
77
Sound
85
Build
77
Value
80
Score
80
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Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac vs Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse

Reasons to Get
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac over Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse

Release Year
2022 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Soft V vs Thin C
Great if you like to hang your thumb over the fretboard
Pickup Mods
Multiple vs Sustainer
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.656'' (42.1mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up

Reasons to Get
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse over Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Thin C vs Soft V
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Locking vs Plastic
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Pickup Mods
Sustainer vs Multiple
Infinite sustain when activated
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.656'' (42.1mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Value Score
80 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac vs Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse

Bridge Pickup
Manson Humbucker vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac vs Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse

Neck Pickup
Sustainiac
Same Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
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
Compound Radius
12" to 15.75" vs 12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse is probably the better product overall with its final score of 80 compared to the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac is the better choice.

The Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse 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 MBM-2 Sustainiac
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 MBM-2 Sustainiac Overview

  • From Cort's 2022 META series
  • Matthew Bellamy Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Manson Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fully Adjustable & Tailpiece bridge
  • Soft V Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Cort Staggered Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Overview

  • From Schecter's 2017 Apocalypse series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover Rotomatic 18:1 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

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

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.

Woods Used in the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

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.

Woods Used in the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

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.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse.

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.

However, the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

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: Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac.

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 give you different pickup mod options.

The Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac offers Killswitch, Sustainer.

A Killswitch lets you disengage the pickups instantly. It can be useful when playing live, and it allows you to create some cool sound effects by using the switch rapidly.

The pickups with Sustainer are able to recreate the 'feedback' you get when you hold your guitar near a speaker without muting the strings. This allows them to produce infinite sustain that you can use for as long as you want to create interest sounds and harmonics.

On the other hand, the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse comes with the following: Sustainer.

The pickups with Sustainer are able to recreate the 'feedback' you get when you hold your guitar near a speaker without muting the strings. This allows them to produce infinite sustain that you can use for as long as you want to create interest sounds and harmonics.

Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac's switch options
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse'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: Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac
Pickups 90
Sustain 100
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 82
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
Pickups 85
Sustain 100
Versatility 71
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 85

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 MBM-2 Sustainiac compares to the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac is built in Indonesia while the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse 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 MBM-2 Sustainiac 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 Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse.

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 Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse 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: Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse.

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 MBM-2 Sustainiac'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 Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

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: Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse.

Tuners

The Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac 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.

Nevertheless, the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac.

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 MBM-2 Sustainiac 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 Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse 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 MBM-2 Sustainiac.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac
  • Locking Tuners
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Killswitch, Sustainer Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Sustainer Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac
Quality of materials 41
Features 75
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 64
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
Quality of materials 71
Features 85
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 77

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 MBM-2 Sustainiac Nut Width
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac Nut Width
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Nut Width
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac has the wider nut with 42.1mm (1.656'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 0.8mm (0.031'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac, 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 MBM-2 Sustainiac and Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse'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 MBM-2 Sustainiac Neck Profile
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac's neck profile
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Neck Profile
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse'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 MBM-2 Sustainiac has a V type of neck. This neck shape was more common during Fender's early years. Some people like it because they use their thumb over the edge of the fretboard to press the lower strings. It's rather thicker than most modern necks, so it's not usually used for playing fast solos.

The Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse, 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 MBM-2 Sustainiac Fretboard Compound Radius
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac's Compound Fretboard Radius
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse's Compound Fretboard 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.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

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 MBM-2 Sustainiac favors large hands more than the Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac Frets Size
Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac's Frets Size
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse Frets Size
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse's Frets Size

The Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac'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 MBM-2 Sustainiac
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 60
Playability 72
Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac vs Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
General Cort MBM-2 Sustainiac Schecter C-1 FR S Apocalypse
Brand: Cort Schecter
Year: 2022 2017
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: META Apocalypse
Colors: Blue, Black Satin Red Patterns, Natural Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Swamp Ash
Bridge: Fully Adjustable & Tailpiece Floyd Rose 1500 Series
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Cort Staggered Locking Grover Rotomatic 18:1
Fretboard: Laurel Ebony
Neck Material: Hard Maple Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Roman Numerals
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Soft V Thin C
Frets: 22 Medium Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 15.75" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Locking
Nut Width: 42.1mm (1.656'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Manson Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker / Passive) Sustainiac (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Killswitch, Sustainer Sustainer
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 2