Cort Guitar KX507MS

The Cort KX507MS is the flagship 7-string multi-scale (fanned fret) electric guitar in Cort’s KX Series, succeeding the KX500MS. Designed for modern players, particularly in djent, progressive metal, and heavy rock genres, it offers boutique-level features, versatile tones, and ergonomic playability at an accessible price. Crafted with premium materials, including a mahogany body, poplar burl top, and Fishman® Fluence Modern pickups, it’s ideal for Australian guitarists seeking powerful, clear tones in low tunings. Available in Star Dust Black (SDB) and Star Dust Green (SDG) finishes, its striking aesthetic and robust construction make it a standout choice for stage and studio.

High-Quality Performance

The KX507MS is engineered for tonal power, clarity, and playability, especially in low tunings:

• Body: Mahogany with a poplar burl top delivers a warm, resonant tone with a punchy high-midrange that cuts through dense mixes. Compared to the swamp ash of the KX500MS, mahogany provides a thicker, more aggressive sound, ideal for metal and progressive genres [].
• Pickups: Features a Fishman® Fluence Modern Humbucker set (neck and bridge), angled to complement the multi-scale neck. These active pickups offer two voicings via push/pull controls: a high-output modern tone for crushing metal riffs and a vintage voicing for warmer, classic sounds. Coil-splitting provides single-coil-like clarity for clean and lead tones [].
• Multi-Scale Neck: A 25.5”–27” (648–685 mm) multi-scale fretboard with the neutral fret at the 8th position optimizes string tension. The longer scale on lower strings ensures tight, defined low-end for tunings like Drop A or Low B, while the shorter scale on higher strings facilitates easier bends and solos [].
• Neck Construction: 5-piece maple and purple heart (amaranth) neck with a bolt-on design enhances stability, note clarity, and a strong, focused sound to complement the mahogany body [].
• Fingerboard: Macassar ebony with a 15.75” (400 mm) radius, 24 frets, and no inlays for a sleek, modern look. Ebony contributes a rich, deep tone with crisp, cutting highs [].
• Bridge: Individual hardtail bridge with string-through-body design and individual saddles maximizes sustain and intonation accuracy, perfect for heavy riffing and drop tunings [].
• Controls: 1 volume (push/pull for voicing), 1 tone (push/pull for coil-split), and a 3-way toggle switch provide versatile tonal options, from aggressive metal to clean, articulate sounds [].
• Tuners: Cort® staggered locking machine heads ensure superb tuning stability and quick string changes, critical for low tunings and live performance [].

Reviews from Guitar.com praise its “versatile voicings and ergonomic multi-scale design,” noting its ability to handle “everything from djent chugs to soaring leads” []. Some players note the fanned fretboard requires a brief adjustment period, particularly for those accustomed to standard-scale guitars [].

Durable and Stylish Design

• Finishes: Star Dust Black (SDB) and Star Dust Green (SDG) with a gloss polyester finish, highlighting the poplar burl top’s intricate, unique grain [].
• Weight: Approximately 7.5–8.5 lbs, balancing comfort and resonance for extended play sessions [].
• Hardware: Black nickel, including locking tuners and a spoke nut hotrod truss rod for precise neck adjustments. The discrete heel design improves upper-fret access [].
• Build Quality: Features updated knob placement for easier access, Cort’s ‘Next Gen’ logo, and a robust construction suited for gigging and studio use [].

Backed by a typical 2-year warranty (verify with retailer), the KX507MS is built for durability. Prices range from ~$800–$1,000 USD (AUD 1,200–1,500) at retailers like Musos Corner, Mega Music, and Infinite Music in Australia [,].

Integration with Rode Audio Equipment

Given your prior queries about Rode products (e.g., RØDECaster Pro II Pack 2), the KX507MS integrates seamlessly into a professional recording setup:

• RØDECaster Pro II or Duo: Connect the KX507MS to a RØDECaster Pro II (from the Rode pack) or Duo via a DI box (e.g., Radial ProDI) for clean, high-impedance input. Use the Aphex® processing (Aural Exciter, Big Bottom) to enhance the Fishman Fluence pickups’ aggressive modern voicings or warm vintage tones. Record multitrack to microSD or USB for editing in DAWs like Reaper or Logic Pro.
• Rode PodMic and PSA1+: The PodMic, while vocal-focused, can mic a guitar cab for raw recordings when mounted on the PSA1+ boom arm for flexible positioning. For pristine guitar tracks, consider a condenser mic like the Rode NT1-A.
• Rode NTH-100 Headphones: Monitor recordings with these headphones, which capture the KX507MS’s wide tonal range (5Hz–35kHz), from low-end chugs to harmonic-rich leads.
• Setup Tip: Use Rode Connect software to create custom mixes for guitar and vocal tracks. Adjust gain to handle the Fishman pickups’ high output, and experiment with voicings for genre-specific tones (e.g., modern for metal, vintage for clean prog).

Comparison to Fender Stratocaster

Given your interest in Fender Player II/Plus Stratocasters:

• Tone: The KX507MS’s Fishman Fluence humbuckers deliver aggressive, high-output tones suited for metal and djent, with versatile voicings for clean and vintage sounds. In contrast, Stratocasters (e.g., Player II or Plus) feature single-coil or HSS setups, excelling in clean, bluesy, and classic rock tones but less suited for extreme low tunings .
• Playability: The KX507MS’s multi-scale neck (25.5”–27”) and 15.75” radius cater to technical playing and low tunings, while the Strat’s 9.5”–12” radius and 25.5” scale are optimized for traditional rock and blues. The fanned frets may feel unfamiliar to Strat players .
• Design: The KX507MS’s hardtail bridge and locking tuners prioritize stability for heavy riffing, while the Strat’s tremolo bridge suits vibrato-heavy styles. The KX507MS’s 7-string, multi-scale design is tailored for modern genres, unlike the Strat’s 6-string versatility .

Key Performance Features

• Body: Mahogany with poplar burl top, gloss finish
• Pickups: Fishman® Fluence Modern Humbucker set (neck/bridge, multi-voiced)
• Neck: 5-piece maple/purple heart, bolt-on, Modern “C” profile
• Fingerboard: Macassar ebony, 15.75” radius, 24 frets, no inlays
• Scale Length: Multi-scale 25.5”–27” (648–685 mm), neutral fret at 8th position
• Bridge: Individual hardtail, string-through-body, individual saddles
• Tuners: Cort® staggered locking machine heads
• Controls: 1 volume (push/pull voicing), 1 tone (push/pull coil-split), 3-way toggle
• Hardware: Black nickel
• Warranty: Typically 2 years (verify with retailer)

Notes

• Setup Tip: Use heavier gauge strings (e.g., 10–56 or 11–60) for low tunings; adjust truss rod and bridge saddles for optimal multi-scale performance. Experiment with Fishman voicings for genre-specific tones (modern for metal, vintage for prog/jazz).
• Care Instructions: Store in a hardshell case (not included, ~$100–$150 USD) to protect the poplar burl top; clean with a soft cloth and condition ebony fingerboard periodically.
• Compatibility: Works with high-gain amps (e.g., Mesa/Boogie, Peavey 6505) for metal tones; pair with Fender Tone Master for cleaner sounds. Test non-Fishman pickups for tonal matching.
• Warranty: Verify with retailers like Musos Corner or Mega Music []; register with Cort for support.
• Community Feedback: Guitar.com highlights its “boutique quality at a fraction of the cost,” while Reddit users note its value compared to pricier brands like Ibanez or Strandberg .

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