« Mod or not mod... I'm conquered! »
Published on 01/01/26 at 08:17
Best value:
Excellent
Audience:
Anyone
Presentation and Context
After my previous partscaster became unplayable, I decided to get myself a Cort G200SE SRD for two reasons:
1) childhood memories linked to a Cort G100 that a cousin lent me and that I loved,
2) the perceived quality of the craftsmanship gave me confidence, making this guitar an excellent base for my mods.
Technical Specifications
- Body: Poplar
- Bolt-on neck: Roasted maple
- Fingerboard: Roasted maple, 305 mm radius
- Scale length: 648 mm
- 22 frets
- Original pickup configuration: HSS Cort Powersound (1 humbucker, 2 single-coils)
- 1 volume, 1 tone, 5-position selector
- 6-point tremolo, chrome hardware
- Color: Scarlett Red
Mods performed
- Pickup configuration changed to SSS: Squier Classic Vibe 50s style, Alnico V
- Off-white pickguard replaced with a tortoise
- Electronics replaced with CTS
- Full cavity shielding (even though the original shielding is already very effective)
Attention when modding: Cort pickguards are not standard, which can leave a small screw hole. The selector position sometimes requires adjusting the cavity (Dremel recommended, never use a chisel to avoid cracking the finish).
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The guitar is fantastically set up from the factory, and even almost in tune. The neck is ultra-comfortable, offering more precision and speed than my beloved Samick JAD-25. The stock electronics and pickups are decent, with a very powerful bridge pickup. Factory shielding is solid, minimizing buzz and interference.
Pros
- Excellent playability and neck ergonomics
- Powerful pickups and reliable stock electronics
- Effective shielding
- Easily modifiable, great base for SSS / Alnico V conversion
Cons
- Non-standard pickguard and selector slightly complicate mods
- Neck screws are fragile; care needed to avoid finish damage
Build Quality: 8.5 / 10
Good finish, solid hardware, comfortable neck. Minor details (neck screws) could be improved.
Ergonomics: 9 / 10
Fast, precise, comfortable neck, ideal for long sessions and technical playing.
Sound Quality: 8 / 10
Original pickups are serviceable; bridge pickup is powerful, but neck and middle are somewhat dull. With SSS mods, the sound gains clarity and versatility.
Versatility: 8.5 / 10
Very good base for mods; original HSS is sufficient for rock/pop, but SSS allows for more tonal variation and styles.
Value for Money: 9 / 10
For the price, the guitar offers excellent comfort, good craftsmanship, and high mod potential.
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10
Conclusion
The Cort G200SE SRD is a well-set-up and comfortable guitar with decent electronics and reliable craftsmanship for the price. Mods are almost essential to fully exploit its potential, but it is an excellent base for turning a partscaster into a personalized instrument. Neck, ergonomics, and finish make this guitar a solid choice for anyone looking for a modifiable platform while retaining very good initial playability.
After my previous partscaster became unplayable, I decided to get myself a Cort G200SE SRD for two reasons:
1) childhood memories linked to a Cort G100 that a cousin lent me and that I loved,
2) the perceived quality of the craftsmanship gave me confidence, making this guitar an excellent base for my mods.
Technical Specifications
- Body: Poplar
- Bolt-on neck: Roasted maple
- Fingerboard: Roasted maple, 305 mm radius
- Scale length: 648 mm
- 22 frets
- Original pickup configuration: HSS Cort Powersound (1 humbucker, 2 single-coils)
- 1 volume, 1 tone, 5-position selector
- 6-point tremolo, chrome hardware
- Color: Scarlett Red
Mods performed
- Pickup configuration changed to SSS: Squier Classic Vibe 50s style, Alnico V
- Off-white pickguard replaced with a tortoise
- Electronics replaced with CTS
- Full cavity shielding (even though the original shielding is already very effective)
Attention when modding: Cort pickguards are not standard, which can leave a small screw hole. The selector position sometimes requires adjusting the cavity (Dremel recommended, never use a chisel to avoid cracking the finish).
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The guitar is fantastically set up from the factory, and even almost in tune. The neck is ultra-comfortable, offering more precision and speed than my beloved Samick JAD-25. The stock electronics and pickups are decent, with a very powerful bridge pickup. Factory shielding is solid, minimizing buzz and interference.
Pros
- Excellent playability and neck ergonomics
- Powerful pickups and reliable stock electronics
- Effective shielding
- Easily modifiable, great base for SSS / Alnico V conversion
Cons
- Non-standard pickguard and selector slightly complicate mods
- Neck screws are fragile; care needed to avoid finish damage
Build Quality: 8.5 / 10
Good finish, solid hardware, comfortable neck. Minor details (neck screws) could be improved.
Ergonomics: 9 / 10
Fast, precise, comfortable neck, ideal for long sessions and technical playing.
Sound Quality: 8 / 10
Original pickups are serviceable; bridge pickup is powerful, but neck and middle are somewhat dull. With SSS mods, the sound gains clarity and versatility.
Versatility: 8.5 / 10
Very good base for mods; original HSS is sufficient for rock/pop, but SSS allows for more tonal variation and styles.
Value for Money: 9 / 10
For the price, the guitar offers excellent comfort, good craftsmanship, and high mod potential.
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10
Conclusion
The Cort G200SE SRD is a well-set-up and comfortable guitar with decent electronics and reliable craftsmanship for the price. Mods are almost essential to fully exploit its potential, but it is an excellent base for turning a partscaster into a personalized instrument. Neck, ergonomics, and finish make this guitar a solid choice for anyone looking for a modifiable platform while retaining very good initial playability.