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Cort Curbow 5 - Gem or POS?

H

Hippos Melas

Apr 9, 2009
337
7
Milwaukee, WI
#1
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. :hmm:
 
#4
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.
 
#7
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
 
#8
Hippos Melas said:
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. :hmm:
Click to expand...

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.
 
#9
Evil Undead said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
#12
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.
 
#14
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
 
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#15
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.
 
#16
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.
 
#18
I have owned a Curbow 5 for 4 years now and love it. To get the action lower, I did a setup after changing the nut to a Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL. I also use a .145 B string. With the bass mid treble and the slap switch (with adjustable volume trimpot on the back) it is one of the best values for a modern bass sound. I paid $230 with a case. :bassist:
 
#19
Ed Dunning said:
I have owned a Curbow 5 for 4 years now and love it. To get the action lower, I did a setup after changing the nut to a Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL. I also use a .145 B string. With the bass mid treble and the slap switch (with adjustable volume trimpot on the back) it is one of the best values for a modern bass sound. I paid $230 with a case. :bassist:
Click to expand...
7 years later...
 
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