Cort Curbow 5 - Gem or POS?

[Hippos Melas]

So I've got a small chunk of change to spend on a 5 string and I've been GASing for a Cort Curbow 5 just based on looks and a couple of YouTube clips (yes, I know, not the BEST way to shop for a bass...). However, I've come across a couple of issues that people seem to have with this bass:

-The whole thing warps (I've read about body warping, neck warping)
-Awful, persistent smell from the Luthite body
-You can't play it sitting down (I can live with this, though)

Can anyone talk about these a little? The posts I was reading were a couple years old, so I don't know if the newer ones have fewer problems than the older ones.

And yes, I'm aware that the true value of an instrument comes from the player and not the bass, but I'd rather not spend $400 USD on a bass that will fall apart on me in a year.

[etechstan]

I have read the usual claims about warping and smell and it's always prefaced by "My second cousins best friend had one and it..." I never read any complaints from actual owners. I was real close to buying one but a great deal on a Rockbass got in the way.

[MNAirHead]

I owned one for a while.

Eventually the phenolic finger board unglued from the neck at frets 1-3..

Great bass otherwise.

====

My blanket recommendation is a Millenium PLus for your budget.

[Evil Undead]

I had a Curbow 4 for over a year, and loved it. No warping, no smell, no ungluing of the ebanol fingerboard.
It wasn't the most comfortable bass to play whilst sitting, but I have big thighs so the lower horn did dig in a little. I had to adapt my playing position a bit.
Standing though, it was amazing... seriously light weight and perfectly balanced.

My only real issue with the bass was that I couldn't get the action as low as I would have liked it.

Like all basses (or any instrument) you should try before you buy of course.

[Absentia]

I've always loved and wanted a curbow, I don't care what anyone says they are great basses, pickups on them are hot too.
I want a blue 6 string one lol so be on the lookout.

[Nurb]

I had a 5 string curbow, it was light, comfortable and played good. I didn't really like the tone, it was kind of undefined, the sustain was a bit short.
Here's a vid of me playing it, if you want to check out the tone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKrZqtIISkA.
BTW. As you can see in the video I'm sitting so it's possible if you use a strap.

[NicJimBass]

I have one currently... not had any problems with waping or ungluing or anything. In fact, the neck is one of the major reasons I like this bass so much... relatively narrow string spacing and a nice fast neck overall. The weak point on mine was the electronics- I have an early one with the Mighty Mite pickup and no-name preamp. I swapped the pickup for a US Bartolini, and have been looking for a used pre for a while now. The Bart made a huge difference, and now the tone is very nice.

I do notice the smell, especially when I take off the control cavity cover, or remove the neck. Reminds me of gasoline. It's not overwhelming, but it is present. Mine's a 1999 model, BTW, so it's had time to gas out or whatever, but hasn't! lol

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by Hippos Melas

So I've got a small chunk of change to spend on a 5 string and I've been GASing for a Cort Curbow 5 just based on looks and a couple of YouTube clips (yes, I know, not the BEST way to shop for a bass...). However, I've come across a couple of issues that people seem to have with this bass:

-The whole thing warps (I've read about body warping, neck warping)
-Awful, persistent smell from the Luthite body
-You can't play it sitting down (I can live with this, though)

Can anyone talk about these a little? The posts I was reading were a couple years old, so I don't know if the newer ones have fewer problems than the older ones.

And yes, I'm aware that the true value of an instrument comes from the player and not the bass, but I'd rather not spend $400 USD on a bass that will fall apart on me in a year.

I had two 4s, fretted and fretless, both used, both had some body warp, both were still a joy to play. I know it's a personal taste matter, but I found the neck feel to be awesome. The only reason they're gone is that I want to stick to 5 strings for consistency. I can see myself getting a Cort Curbow 5 at some point. I'd be wary of buying an older used one.

So, on body warp -

While I don't think there's any reason to think that newer ones are somehow less susceptible to body warp, where it does occur, as far as I know, it's a long-term issue, not something that appears right away or in a year or two.

On the odor of Luthite -

There is a distinct chemical smell that does persist over time, however, you have no reason to smell it unless you take the bass apart. I've heard that you might also catch a whiff if you use a hard case, but just when you first open the case. This would have to be very faint.

On playing seated -

You absolutely can play seated.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I had a Curbow 4... No warping...
My only real issue with the bass was that I couldn't get the action as low as I would have liked it.

When you say you had it for a year, if that was after buying it used, your inability to adjust the action to your like may have come from body warp.

From my experience, the warp itself is subtle. It's detectable from its outcome symptoms of string height and adjustment problems.

[TomA1234]

A cort corbow 5 is one of the basses I would love to own in the future. I played a 4 string ages ago and found it really comfortable to play seated. I think they are great basses but again, you should try before you buy.

[chicago_mike]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I owned one for a while.

Eventually the phenolic finger board unglued from the neck at frets 1-3..

Great bass otherwise.

====

My blanket recommendation is a Millenium PLus for your budget.

Same thing happened to mine. Bought one new around 2000. went back for MIM jazzes.

[Hippos Melas]

Thanks for the input, everyone!

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and buy one. I haven't had a chance to play one because the GC and other local shops don't carry anything besides Ibanez, Musicman, and Fender. All of those are kind of out of the price range I'd like to spend on a new bass, plus I'm making use of GC's trade in for 15% off deal.

[cmalidore]

I purchased a Curbow 4 years ago and I still play it. It doesn't quite fit what I'm doing now with my band, so it's not my main instrument or anything - but it is a fun one.

There is neck warping on mine, it raised my action a bit, but otherwise it's been quite a trooper. I found it to be quite comfortable.

[chuck1073]

I guess I'm waking this thread up again. After much searching I finally found a blue 6 string...in mint condition. This is my second Cort/Curbow 6. The first was one of the "burl" finish 6'ers. That finish must have been discontinued due to the fact that it wears off so easily. With that bass I did notice the smell....especially when it was in it's gig bag for any period of time. The new blue bass has no smell at all and was set up perfectly when I got it. I actually drove 3 hours each way to pick it up so I didn't miss the chance. The 6'er are getting rarer and rarer these days. Played a gig last night with it to rave reviews....this one's a keeper

[LilloEsquilo]

I've had several, both 5s and 4s, never had warping, never had that smell, I thought they were a great bass in every way, though not the best for sitting down with and holding with your arm and leg due to the body style. Very lightweight, modern hi-fi style tone, VERY easy to play, fret access all the way up, they are a good bass not a POS IMO.

[gjbassist]

I had a Cort Curbow 5 for a while. Great playing and sounding bass. Hated the smell! Every time I opened the case I about passed out! Also the small size of it made it look like a toy on me. I'm 6'3" and 240lbs. It is one of those basses you will either love or hate.

[jetgraphics]

I picked up a used Cort Curbow 4.
Didn't catch the body warp until it was too late.
Sigh.