Cort Guitars Announces KX500 Baritone for Precision Low-Tuning Performance

Cort Guitars officially unveils the KX500 Baritone, a specialized addition to the coveted KX Series. Engineered specifically for players who use low tunings, the instrument addresses the familiar challenges of string tension and note definition associated with dropped registers. By combining a long-scale architecture with premium electronics and hardware, Cort provides a focused solution for heavy music performance that keeps responsiveness and control.

The foundation of the KX500 Baritone is an okoume body, selected for its lightweight properties and ability to deliver a warm, resonant tone with a clear low-end response that keeps heavy sounds tight. The body is topped with an English Walnut veneer, providing a striking grain pattern and a distinctive visual character. To complement the tonal properties of the wood, the instrument is finished in a Matte Natural Black Burst (NBB), using an open-pore application that keeps the organic feel of the materials.

Playability is made easy by a 28.03-inch (712mm) scale length, positioned to provide best string tension for drop tunings while staying transparent to the player. The bolt-on neck features a 5-piece construction of roasted maple and walnut, offering enhanced durability and resonance alongside a comfortable "D" shape profile. A Macassar Ebony fingerboard with a 15.75-inch radius houses 24 jumbo stainless-steel frets, chosen for their smooth feel and long-lasting performance under heavy use. Fretboard navigation is aided by Teardrop position inlays and luminous side dots for visibility in dark stage environments.

The instrument is equipped with a matched Seymour Duncan Sentient and Nazgûl humbucker set, specifically voiced for modern high-gain performance ranging from clean passages to full output. This HH configuration is managed by a streamlined control layout consisting of a single volume knob, a 3-way toggle switch, and tone pot (push/pull for coil-split). These electronics allow for diverse tonal shaping while ensuring the clarity required for complex, low-tuned arrangements.

Reliability and sustain are further supported by a hardware package featuring a new Cort hardtail bridge. This bridge uses a string-thru-body construction to improve resonance across the instrument. At the headstock, Cort Locking Tuners provide tuning stability and ease efficient string changes, while a Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut ensures consistent string vibration. The guitar comes factory-equipped with D'Addario EXL157 strings (.014-.068) and features all-black hardware to match its aggressive aesthetic.

The KX500 Baritone is a commitment to purposeful design for the modern metal and progressive guitarist. For more information on specifications and global availability, please visit the official Cort Guitars website at www.cortguitars.com.

Street Price: $929.99 USD