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Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Kramer NightSwan
VS
Playability
82
Sound
66
Build
57
Value
78
Score
68
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Playability
78
Sound
77
Build
59
Value
76
Score
71
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Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Kramer NightSwan

Reasons to Get
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale over Kramer NightSwan

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups
HS vs HHX
High output with bright neck cleans
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Tremolo vs Floyd Rose
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
24'' (609.6mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 16'' (406.4mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
78 vs 76
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Kramer NightSwan over Sterling Cutlass Short Scale

Release Year
2022 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Seymour Duncan vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickups
HHX vs HS
High output warm tones without a neck pickup
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Tremolo
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 24'' (609.6mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
16'' (406.4mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Other Key Differences
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Kramer NightSwan

Bridge Pickup
Sterling Humbucker vs Seymour Duncan JB SH-4
Different Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Poplar vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
4-2 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Compensated vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Kramer NightSwan

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
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 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 Kramer NightSwan is probably the better product overall with its final score of 71 compared to the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's 68 score, although not by a lot.

The Kramer NightSwan wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Kramer NightSwan.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale is the better choice.

The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Kramer NightSwan meets only 4. 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

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Kramer NightSwan
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • 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.

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Overview

  • From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Kramer NightSwan Overview

  • From Kramer's 2022 Original series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: (/)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo bridge
  • C-Shaped Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kramer Deluxe 14:1 Ratio tuners
  • Weight between 7.15lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.85lbs (3.6kgs)
  • 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 Sterling Cutlass Short Scale

Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

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.

Woods Used in the Kramer NightSwan

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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.

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: Kramer NightSwan.

Pickup Configuration

The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has an HS configuration while the Kramer NightSwan has HHX pickups.

An HS configuration gives you a bridge pickup with a lot of output for playing distortion parts, but you'll also have the bright sound of a Tele or Strat neck pickup for your clean tones.

On the other hand, HHX means there's no pickup in the neck position. It's a rare pickup combination. It gives you high output with a warm tone for hard rock with a bit more versatility than single-pickup guitars. You'll have to be careful not to set the middle pickup too high if you want to avoid hitting it with your pick.

Pickups Quality

The Kramer NightSwan pickups from a more specialized brand than the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Kramer NightSwan's online:

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

Winner: Kramer NightSwan.

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.

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

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's switch options
Kramer NightSwan pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Kramer NightSwan'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: Kramer NightSwan.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 66
Kramer NightSwan
Pickups 85
Sustain 70
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 77

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 Sterling Cutlass Short Scale compares to the Kramer NightSwan.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

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.

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 Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has a Compensated nut. Each hole where the string sits at the nut is cut at a different distance from the bridge, which compensates for the different amount of tension that each string is subject to. This fixes most intonation issues across the fretboard, so it gives great tuning stability.

On the other hand, the Kramer NightSwan 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: Tie.

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 Sterling Cutlass Short Scale'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 Kramer NightSwan'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: Kramer NightSwan.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's are Diecast while the Kramer NightSwan's are Kramer Deluxe 14:1 Ratio

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.

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
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Kramer NightSwan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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

Final Build Quality Scores

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Quality of materials 51
Features 55
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 57
Kramer NightSwan
Quality of materials 41
Features 65
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 59

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

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Nut Width
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Nut Width
Kramer NightSwan Nut Width
Kramer NightSwan Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has the wider nut with 41.9mm (1.65'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 0.6mm (0.025'') difference

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

Scale Length

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's Scale Length
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's Scale Length
Kramer NightSwan's Scale Length
Kramer NightSwan'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.

The Kramer NightSwan has the longest scale: 24.75". The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale is only 24" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

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

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Neck Profile
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's neck profile
Kramer NightSwan Neck Profile
Kramer NightSwan'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 Sterling Cutlass Short Scale and the Kramer NightSwan have a C-shaped 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

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Fingerboard Radius
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's Fingerboard radius
Kramer NightSwan Fingerboard Radius
Kramer NightSwan'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 Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Kramer NightSwan'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 Kramer NightSwan.

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 Sterling Cutlass Short Scale favors large hands more than the Kramer NightSwan. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Kramer NightSwan:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Frets Size
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's Frets Size
Kramer NightSwan Frets Size
Kramer NightSwan's Frets Size

The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Kramer NightSwan's Medium Jumbo 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

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 82
Kramer NightSwan
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Kramer NightSwan
General Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Kramer NightSwan
Brand: Sterling Kramer
Year: 2020 2022
Configuration: HS HHX
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Cutlass Original
Colors: Green, Pink Blue
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Mahogany
Bridge: Fulcrum Tremolo Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Diecast Kramer Deluxe 14:1 Ratio
Fretboard: Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Hard Maple Hard Maple
Decoration: Dot Markers White Pearloid Dots (size varies) in Ping Pong Configuration
Scale Size: 24" 24.75"
Shape: Cutlass C-Shaped
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 24 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 16"
Nut: Compensated Locking
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 0