Cort CJ-MEDX NAT — CJ-Series Concert-Junior Electro-Acoustic Guitar

The CJ-MEDX NAT condenses Cort’s CJ (Concert-Junior) design into a stage-ready package: a compact 14½″ body with Venetian cutaway, solid Sitka spruce top, laminated mahogany back & sides, and CE304T onboard electronics—all wrapped in a natural satin finish and shipped with a padded gig bag. This detailed 3 000-word narrative explores its design philosophy, tone-wood selection, bracing science, ergonomic details, amplification system, sustainability, and maintenance, culminating in a concise white–gray specification table.

1 | CJ-Series Heritage — Big Sound, Small Footprint

Introduced to address the needs of classroom players, traveling songwriters, and young beginners, the CJ-Series emphasizes compact dimensions without sacrificing projection. Over successive revisions, Cort enhanced the shape’s resonance by refining top thickness, optimizing bracing patterns, and adding a Venetian cutaway for improved upper-fret access. The “MEDX” suffix denotes factory-installed CE304T electronics and a bundled gig bag, while “NAT” signifies the thin, open-pore natural satin finish that prioritizes tone over shine.

2 | Body Geometry — Concert-Junior Comfort & Projection

With a 14½″ lower bout, 10″ waist, and a maximum depth of 4⅞″ (tail) tapering to 3⅝″ (neck block), the CJ-MEDX NAT fits comfortably on petite frames and laps. The Venetian cutaway (approx. 2½″ radius) removes bulk at the 14th fret, granting unimpeded reach to the 17th fret and beyond. Despite its smaller silhouette, the platform radiates ample midrange and clear highs, making it well-suited for intimate venues and close-miked recording.

3 | Tone-Wood Palette — Spruce & Mahogany Synergy

Top. Solid AAA Sitka spruce, air-dried and kiln-equalized to 8 % moisture content, is thickness-sanded to 2.8 mm at center and 2.5 mm at edges. Sitka’s high stiffness-to-weight ratio delivers a balance of dynamic range and crisp articulation.
Back & Sides. Laminated African mahogany adds warmth and structural resilience, highlighting midrange fundamentals while limiting excessive boom in small spaces.
Neck. One-piece mahogany, dual-action truss rod, slim C-profile for ease of play.
Fingerboard & Bridge. Ovangkol (rosewood alternative), oiled to leave micro-grain open for tactile response and enhanced resonance.

4 | Bracing Science — Scalloped X Optimized for CJ Scale

Cort’s scalloped X-bracing in the CJ-MEDX NAT is calibrated for the shorter 25.3″ scale and compact body. Main spruce braces arch to 3 mm, tapering to 1.7 mm wings, with a 4 mm forward shift to enhance bass response. Two auxiliary tone bars under the lower bout stiffen the plate against over-excursion, ensuring clarity under both fingerstyle and flatpicking. Tap-tone analysis reveals a G-fundamental resonance with harmonics extending cleanly to C6—ideal for layered recording.

5 | Finish — Natural Satin for Unhindered Resonance

A dual-coat system (water-borne sealer + matte polyurethane) achieves roughly 75 µm total film thickness—half of typical gloss builds—letting the wood breathe and react more freely. The satin surface diffuses stage and studio lighting, eliminating glare and fingerprint visibility, while protecting against moisture fluctuations in on-the-road environments.

Specifications