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Cort X100
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
VS
Playability
73
Sound
62
Build
54
Value
73
Score
63
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Playability
78
Sound
80
Build
75
Value
78
Score
78
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Cort X100 vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS

Reasons to Get
Cort X100 over Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS

Type of Frets
Medium vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Scale Length
25.5" vs 26.5" to 25.5"
Easier to adapt to
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS over Cort X100

Release Year
2020 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
Scale Length
26.5" to 25.5" vs 25.5"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 15.75"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickups Brand
Fishman vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
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
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
78 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Cort X100 vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS

Bridge Pickup
Powersound Humbucker vs Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH7
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Powersound Humbucker vs Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH7
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Meranti vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Jatoba vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Cort X100 vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS

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
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Neck Profile Type
D
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Cort X100's 63 score, which is a significant difference.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Cort X100 in every aspect.

However, there's still a reason to choose the Cort X100 instead. If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Cort X100 is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS is the better choice.

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Cort X100 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 X100
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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 X100 Overview

  • From Cort's 2018 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Meranti 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
  • 6-Point Tremolo bridge
  • D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS Overview

  • From Jackson's 2020 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 26.5" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH7 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH7 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot 6 *18 degrees, Fixed .175 bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking 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 X100

Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba
Meranti wood pattern used for guitar building
Meranti

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.

Meranti is an affordable wood used mainly for affordable electric guitars. It's generally lighter and softer than Mahogany. Find out more about Meranti.

Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

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: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS.

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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS pickups from a more specialized brand than the Cort X100. 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 Heavy Metal and similar genres.

The Cort X100's pickups are Passive while the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS's are Active.

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: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS.

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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS comes with some kind of pickup modification: Multi-Voicing.

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 X100 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Cort X100's switch options
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS'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 X100.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Cort X100
Pickups 55
Sustain 65
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 60
Sound 62
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 80

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 X100 compares to the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Cort X100 is built in Indonesia while the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS 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 X100 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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS 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: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS.

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.

The Cort X100's brige 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.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS's 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.

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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS 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: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS.

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 X100
  • Tremolo
  • 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Cort X100
Quality of materials 41
Features 55
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 54
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
Quality of materials 61
Features 90
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 75

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 X100 Nut Width
Cort X100 Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS, 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 X100's Scale Length
Cort X100's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS'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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS features a multi-scale of 26.5" to 25.5" while the Cort X100 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 Cort X100'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 X100 Neck Profile
Cort X100's neck profile
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS Neck Profile
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS'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.

Both the Cort X100 and the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS have a D-shaped 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.

Fretboard Radius

Cort X100 Fingerboard Radius
Cort X100's Fingerboard radius
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS'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.

In this case, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

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 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS favors large hands more than the Cort X100. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Cort X100:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Cort X100 Frets Size
Cort X100's Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS's Frets Size

The Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Cort X100'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 X100
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Cort X100 vs Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
General Cort X100 Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern HT6 MS
Brand: Cort Jackson
Year: 2018 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: X Pro
Colors: Black, Red, Red Burst White
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Meranti Basswood
Bridge: 6-Point Tremolo Hipshot 6 *18 degrees, Fixed .175
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Die-Cast Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Jatoba Ebony
Neck Material: Hard Maple 3-Piece Maple/Wenge/Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Offset Dots Offset Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 26.5" to 25.5"
Shape: D Speed
Frets: 24 Medium Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 15.75" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Powersound Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH7 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Powersound Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Fishman Fluence Modern PRF-MH7 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1