The Complete Cort Guitar Price Guide 2026: The World's Best-Kept Secret in Guitars

Last updated: February 2026

Here's a fact that might reshape how you think about guitars: the factory that builds your favorite PRS SE, your Ibanez Prestige, your Squier Classic Vibe, and your G&L Tribute also makes guitars under its own name. That factory is Cort—officially Cor-Tek Corporation—and it produces over one million guitars per year from facilities in South Korea, Indonesia, and China. It is one of the largest guitar manufacturers in the world, and most guitarists have never played a Cort-branded instrument.

That's starting to change. The Gold acoustic series has earned genuine critical acclaim. The KX electric series delivers neck-through construction and Fishman Fluence pickups at prices that make competitors uncomfortable. When the world's most experienced guitar factory decides to put its own name on the headstock, the result is instruments that embarrass guitars costing twice as much.

Cort Guitar Market Overview 2026

Cort's used market is dramatically undervalued relative to the manufacturing quality inside each instrument.

Key Market Statistics:

• Average Used Cort Price: $380 (up 3% from 2025)
• Active Listings: Approximately 2,400 guitars currently for sale
• Monthly Sales Volume: Around 520 guitars sold per month
• Price Range: $80 (used budget models) to $2,000 (Gold series, KX600)

The Cort value proposition is simple: identical manufacturing quality to the brand-name guitars they build, at 20-40% lower prices. The market hasn't fully recognized this yet, which means used Cort guitars represent some of the best value available.

The OEM Giant Behind the Brands

Who Cort Builds For

Cort's OEM client list reads like a guitar industry directory:

• Ibanez: Multiple series across electric and acoustic
• PRS SE: The entire SE import lineup
• Squier: Multiple Fender sub-brand models
• G&L Tribute: Leo Fender's affordable import line
• ESP LTD: Select models
• Schecter: Select models

The same CNC machines, the same quality wood selection processes, the same skilled workers, and the same quality control systems that build these brand-name instruments also build Cort-branded guitars. The difference is the headstock logo and the marketing budget.

Why Cort-Brand Guitars Cost Less

Cort-branded guitars are typically 20-40% less expensive than equivalent brand-name models from the same factories because:

1. No licensing fees: No signature artist royalties or brand licensing costs
2. Direct distribution: Cort controls its own supply chain
3. Lower marketing overhead: Less advertising spend than major brands
4. Manufacturing efficiency: The OEM giant's scale benefits its own brand

KX Electric Series: $299-$979

Modern electrics engineered for rock and metal.

KX600 Infinite (~$979)

The Flagship:

• Construction: Neck-through
• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Roasted maple/walnut multi-piece
• Fingerboard: Ebony, 24 frets
• Frets: Stainless steel jumbo
• Pickups: Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers
• Bridge: Hipshot hardtail
• Hardware: Black
• Includes gig bag

Why It Matters: At $979, the KX600 Infinite delivers neck-through construction, Fishman Fluence pickups, stainless steel frets, and ebony fingerboard—specifications that typically cost $1,500-$2,000 from brand-name competitors. This is Cort's OEM advantage made tangible.

KX508 Multi Scale II (~$799)

8-String Multi-Scale:

• Fanned fret design for optimal intonation across 8 strings
• Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
• Stainless steel frets
• Extended range at an accessible price

KX307 Multi Scale (~$599)

7-String Fanned Fret:

• Multi-scale design
• Active pickups
• 27"-25.5" scale length range
• Affordable extended range

KX300 Etched (~$499)

Mid-Range Metal:

• Unique etched body finish
• Active humbuckers
• 24 frets
• Comfortable C-shape neck

Used KX Series Values: $200-$650 (model dependent)

G & X Electric Series: $249-$699

Versatile electrics from classic to modern.

G300 Pro (~$449)

Specifications:

• Double-cutaway body
• Mahogany body with maple top
• Set-neck construction
• Seymour Duncan pickups
• 22 frets
• Quality TOM bridge

X700 Duality II (~$699)

Multi-Scale 7-String:

• Fanned fret design
• Premium pickups
• Modern metal optimized

G250 (~$299)

Affordable Double-Cut:

• Classic body shape
• Dual humbuckers
• Bolt-on construction
• Student to intermediate level

Used G/X Series Values: $150-$450 (model dependent)

Gold Acoustic Series: $549-$999

Premium acoustics with torrefied tops—Cort's acoustic flagship.

Gold Edge (~$999)

Specifications:

• Top: Torrefied solid Sitka spruce
• Back/Sides: Solid Indian rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany with reinforcement
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Bracing: Scalloped X-bracing
• Electronics: LR Baggs or Fishman
• Nut Width: 1.69"
• All-solid construction

The Torrefied Advantage: Cort's Gold series tops undergo torrefaction—heat treatment that mimics decades of aging. This creates a lighter, more resonant top that sounds "played in" from day one, with richer overtones and improved projection.

Gold Passion (~$849)

All-Solid Premium:

• Torrefied solid spruce top
• Solid mahogany back/sides
• Ebony fingerboard
• Premium electronics

Gold A8 (~$699)

Mid-Premium Acoustic:

• Torrefied solid spruce top
• Solid/layered back and sides
• Quality electronics
• Concert or dreadnought body

Gold A6 (~$549)

Solid-Top Entry:

• Solid spruce top
• Layered back/sides
• Quality appointments
• Excellent entry to the Gold series

Used Gold Series Values: $350-$650 (model dependent)

Earth Acoustic Series: $249-$399

Vintage-inspired solid-top acoustics at entry-level prices.

Earth 100 (~$349)

Specifications:

• Top: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back/Sides: Mahogany laminate
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Merbau or rosewood
• Dreadnought body

Earth Grand (~$349)

Grand Auditorium body:

• Solid spruce top
• Versatile body shape
• Comfortable for various playing styles

Earth 70 (~$249)

Entry Solid-Top:

• Solid spruce top
• Budget-friendly entry
• Cort build quality at minimum price

Used Earth Series Values: $120-$250 (model dependent)

Bass Guitar Lineup

Artisan A5 Plus (~$899)

Premium 5-String:

• Exotic wood top
• Active electronics
• 5-string configuration
• Professional appointments

GB-Modern (~$599)

Modern Active Bass:

• Ash body
• Active preamp
• Modern appointments

Action Bass Plus (~$299)

Versatile Entry Bass:

• Agathis body
• Active/passive electronics
• 4 or 5-string options

Where to Buy Cort Guitars: Platform Comparison

Online Marketplace Analysis

Reverb (Average Price: $420)

• Best selection of Gold series and KX models
• Growing community awareness
• 3.5% price appreciation year-over-year
• Best for: Gold acoustics, KX electrics

eBay (Average Price: $340)

• Highest volume of Cort listings
• Budget-friendly auction opportunities
• 2.5% price trend
• Best for: Earth series, used bargains

Guitar Center Used (Average Price: $380)

• Physical inspection available
• Return policy safety net
• 3.0% appreciation
• Best for: Try-before-buy on Gold acoustics

Thomann (Average Price: $400)

• Strong European availability
• New models well-stocked
• 3.0% appreciation
• Best for: European buyers, new purchases

Cort vs. the Brands They Build For

The comparison that matters most:

The Insight: All three guitars may come from the same Cort facility. The Cort Gold Edge offers all-solid construction with torrefied top—matching or exceeding the competitors that carry higher brand recognition.

Famous Cort/OEM Players

While few artists endorse Cort directly, millions play Cort-built instruments under other brand names:

• Every PRS SE artist: Playing Cort-manufactured guitars
• Ibanez artist roster: Many models built by Cort
• Matt Bellamy (Muse): Played Cort-built instruments early in career
• Hugh Manson: Used Cort as base for custom builds

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Cort really build guitars for Ibanez and PRS? A: Yes. Cort (Cor-Tek) is one of the largest OEM guitar manufacturers in the world. They build instruments for numerous major brands including Ibanez, PRS SE, Squier, and G&L Tribute—using the same facilities, machines, and workers as their own-brand guitars.

Q: Why are Cort guitars cheaper than the brands they build for? A: No licensing fees, lower marketing costs, and direct distribution. The manufacturing quality is identical—you're paying less for the brand name, not less for the guitar.

Q: Where are Cort guitars made? A: Cort operates factories in South Korea (highest-tier models), Indonesia (mid-range), and China (entry-level). Korean-made models are generally considered the highest quality, but Indonesian production has improved dramatically.

Q: Is the Gold series really that good? A: The Gold series with torrefied spruce tops has received widespread critical acclaim. All-solid construction at $549-$999 with premium electronics and ebony fingerboards. These compete with acoustics at $1,200-$1,500 from other brands.

Q: Are Cort guitars good for beginners? A: Excellent. The Earth series at $249-$349 delivers solid-top construction at budget prices. For electrics, the G250 at ~$299 provides reliable quality. Cort's manufacturing experience means even entry-level instruments have consistent build quality.

Conclusion

Cort is the guitar industry's best-kept secret—though it shouldn't be. When you buy a PRS SE, an Ibanez mid-range, or a Squier Classic Vibe, there's a good chance you're buying a guitar built in a Cort factory. When you buy a Cort-branded instrument, you're getting the same manufacturing quality without the brand markup.

The Gold acoustic series at $549-$999 is where this advantage hits hardest—torrefied solid tops, ebony fingerboards, and premium electronics at prices that undercut most competitors' comparable offerings. The KX600 Infinite at $979 delivers neck-through construction and Fishman Fluence pickups at a price that makes no sense until you understand who Cort is.

Over one million guitars per year. OEM partner to the industry's biggest names. And the best value proposition in guitars that most players haven't discovered yet.

For the most current pricing and availability, check authorized Cort dealers or the official Cort website. Prices fluctuate based on market conditions and model availability.

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