Cort are another of the Korean clones; which is not to say anything derogatory about their quality; brands like Washburn, Johnson, Ozark, Crafter etc generally have a number of different specification levels, and the high end (but still medium price) models can be very good indeed. I build instruments as a hobby, and it seems to me that 'cheap' used to mean 'unplayable' as far as guitars were concerned, but no longer. There are many good, solid top guitars with ok actions and precise intonation out there for tiny money. Put it down to computer control of the manufacturing process I suppose. It's no longer so difficult to make a consistent product, thanks to CNC machines and ultra-precise measuring technology. This control of the basic process cuts down waste and cost, and we now see some effort to spend the money saved on ornamentation, with lots of abalone and nice binding everywhere.
I'm speaking from experience; I've just sold a Crafter six string acoustic, bought for £230, and it was a cracking guitar, a copy of a Taylor of some description. Loud, played sweetly and in tune, with great electrics. I only sold it because my wife has me on a strict 'one in, one out' policy, and I've just bought a Rainsong. Incidentally, Maartin Allcock (ex Fairport and Tull) is using Crafters as stage guitars, and he thinks they are great. Cort are in the same class, especially their top models.
Tim from Bit on the Side