The Cort KX500-PLNBB Pale Moon is an electric guitar designed for modern guitarists who want a true riff machine: precise attack, excellent tuning stability, fast comfort, and a high-end aesthetic. With its Pale Moon ebony top, Seymour Duncan Sentient & Nazgûl pickups, 24 stainless steel frets, and roasted neck, it ticks all the important boxes for heavy rock, modern metal, low tunings, and studio play.
At a glance
- Mahogany body with “Pale Moon” ebony top
- 5-piece bolt-on neck roasted maple + walnut
- Macassar ebony fretboard
- 24 stainless steel frets for durability and playing comfort
- Seymour Duncan Sentient & Nazgûl pickups
- Cort locking tuners
- Hardtail bridge with string-through body
- Luminlay side dots for the stage
Tip: for low tunings, plan for suitable string gauge and intonation check to maintain a clean sound.
Why is the Cort KX500 Pale Moon interesting?
A true high-gain guitar
The Seymour Duncan Nazgûl / Sentient duo is built for modern sounds. The bridge pickup provides the attack and precision needed for tight riffs, while the neck pickup retains warmth for leads and more open sounds.
A fast and stable neck
The 5-piece roasted maple and walnut neck offers a modern feel, good stability, and comfort suitable for both fast rhythms and solos. The 24 stainless steel frets further enhance this premium feel.
An aesthetic that stands out
The Pale Moon ebony top gives each guitar a particular visual design. It's a guitar that immediately stands out on stage, without being overly aesthetic.
Photos & details
Images are displayed without cropping to preserve the natural proportions of the guitar.
For which guitarist?
- Modern metal / metalcore / djent: tight riffs, precise palm-mutes, low tunings.
- Heavy rock: powerful rhythms, strong leads, and comfortable sustain.
- Home studio: excellent base with high-gain amp, simulator, multi-effects, or IR.
- Stage: locking tuners, Luminlay markers, and stable bridge.
- Demanding guitarists: stainless steel frets, ebony fingerboard, premium pickups, and distinctive look.
What it brings to a modern setup
With a high-gain amp
It maintains a clear attack and good clarity in the bass. This is important to prevent fast riffs from becoming muddy.
With multi-effects / simulator
The precise pickups pair well with IRs and modern sounds. Ideal for direct recording or playing with headphones.
In low tuning
The hardtail bridge and locking tuners are real assets. With the right string gauge, it can become a very reliable machine.
Technical specifications
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Cort KX500-PLNBB Pale Moon |
| Body | Mahogany with Pale Moon ebony top |
| Neck | Bolt-on, 5-piece roasted maple & walnut |
| Fretboard | Macassar ebony |
| Frets | 24 stainless steel frets |
| Pickups | 2 Seymour Duncan Sentient & Nazgûl humbuckers |
| Controls | 1 volume, 1 tone, 3-way selector |
| Bridge | Hardtail with string-through body |
| Tuners | Cort locking tuners |
| Nut | Graph Tech Black TUSQ |
| Markers | Luminlay side dots |
| Hardware | Black |
Quick settings for a tight sound
- Overdrive as boost: low gain, high level, tone adjusted according to the amp to tighten the bass.
- Low-cut filter: around 70 to 90 Hz to avoid an overly intrusive bass in the mix.
- Aggression zone: monitor 3 to 4 kHz if the sound becomes too cold or too sharp.
- Noise gate: light setting, just enough to clean up silences without killing note decays.
- Low tunings: adapt string gauge and readjust intonation to maintain a clean attack.
View the Cort KX500 Pale Moon
A modern, stable, and powerful guitar, ideal for guitarists who want a serious foundation for high-gain, studio, stage, and heavier tunings.
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