I don't know much about Cort basses, but I knew a bunch of 'em had only one pickup and that luthite body and I thought some had an ebonol fingerboard, which was an epoxy made to look like ebony. I think the ebonol had a brighter sound, was more durable, less weather sensitive, and a lot less expensive.
Manring's bass has a pretty specific tone because it's a very specific bass. Without getting a Zon like his Hyperbass, it would be very hard to duplicate the tone. Perhaps a Status might come close, but not many companies offer graphite necks that are set neck or set through construction.
http://www.zonguitars.com/zonguitars/hyperbass.html
That's not to say his fretless tone is the best tone out there, but certainly a nice signature tone.
