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New Cort Headless Bass

What Edwards do you have? I just played my Edwards p bass at church all morning
It is an ENA 98 JJ. Signature from 1998
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I've noticed that the CND (nortdstrand) pickups on my ibanez are way louder (in passive) than the MK1s on the Cort. I'm considering upgrading the MK1s to real Bartolini MKs since other brands don't seem to have the exact dimensions of the MK1s.
I wonder if the MK5S (singularity) or MK5P / MK5J would be louder and cancel noise better. If anyone has experience with real Bart MK pickups let me know what you think!

Also, there seem to be some prewired preamps that could work to make this a monster - Nordstrand 3b-5A and Bartolini HR-5.2AP. There are probably others, but that upgrade would have to come after the pickups anyway.
 
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Thanks. The MK1s have 2 screw holes (one per side), and the upgrades often have 3 screws, so not exactly drop in. I think there are P2 Sadowsky soapbars with 2 screws that I might go for to avoid drilling holes. Any P2s with 3 screws could also make it hard to fit MK5s later if their 2-hole side ends up not lining up due to the size difference. Doesn't really matter if you stick with whatever pickups you choose but something to think about.
 
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Thank you. This really opens up any number of avenues. I'd hate to think I'm limited to the Bart drop-in although it is a great product.

Riis
The Bart site has the dimensions of almost all bass and guitar pickups so is a very useful reference.
The MK1s have 2 screw holes (one per side), and the upgrades often have 3 screws, so not exactly drop in.
This is not ever going to be a problem as the new holes will be below the pickup and offset laterally from the originals so can't be seen and won't affect anything if the originals are replaced back in later. This isn't a rare vintage bass where absolute originality is a must of value drops markedly.
 
For just playing at home, the sound of the Space 5 with some Thomastik flatwounds or D'addario chromes is very pleasing. It has kind of a dry P bass sound on the front pickup without a ton of harmonics which to me feels easier to control and more retro perhaps. The CND nordstrand PJ that I have is louder and its P cancels hum better, but it doesn't sound as pleasing to me. And every time I'm taking the Space 5 to a gig, the small case makes me smile. Maybe that's why they named it "space" 5, because it saves SPACE? Heh. I hope upgrading the pickups is worth it because the MK1s sure ain't bad sounding.
 
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I have a question. The bridge pickup have a little bit of noise. This is normal? I thought that the pickups are humbuckers.
They are reverse P pickups so yes, they are supposed to be hum canceling. It's possible that either the pickup is not working right, or the noise is coming in somewhere after the pickup. If you happen to remove your preamp like you mentioned, you could wire the pickup straight to the jack to see if it's the pickup's fault.
 
I tried a Space 5 and a Ibanez EH1505 yesterday in a store. The Ibanez felt just a little better, but on looks and price the Cort is the clear winner. I would seriously consider it as a travel bass, given its size and light weight, and with some airline’s overhead bins are getting smaller travelling with my regular basses is getting harder. The string spacing is 18mm (I think) so it is very playable, I’d probably get one tomorrow if they had a six string version with 18 or 19mm spacing. I reckon with an Aguilar OBP 3 this bass would be ready for the road.
 
I tried a Space 5 and a Ibanez EH1505 yesterday in a store. The Ibanez felt just a little better, but on looks and price the Cort is the clear winner. I would seriously consider it as a travel bass, given its size and light weight, and with some airline’s overhead bins are getting smaller travelling with my regular basses is getting harder. The string spacing is 18mm (I think) so it is very playable, I’d probably get one tomorrow if they had a six string version with 18 or 19mm spacing. I reckon with an Aguilar OBP 3 this bass would be ready for the road.

Any glaring differences in build quality / finish work (frets, etc)?

Riis
 
Any glaring differences in build quality / finish work (frets, etc)?

Riis
I tried an EHB in-store as well and I can say it's pretty close. Ibanez manufactures their basses and guitars on Cort factories anyway. The glaring difference I would say is the way the basses are set up. Ibanez probably spent more time in QA with the setup and fretwork than the specific Space 5 I got (my profile pic btw)
 
I tried an EHB in-store as well and I can say it's pretty close. Ibanez manufactures their basses and guitars on Cort factories anyway. The glaring difference I would say is the way the basses are set up. Ibanez probably spent more time in QA with the setup and fretwork than the specific Space 5 I got (my profile pic btw)
I can live with a sub-optimal set up but would hedge if the durn thing required fretwork OOB.

Riis
 
Any glaring differences in build quality / finish work (frets, etc)?

Riis
I didn’t notice any difference in build quality on the two I played. But at this price point it is often best to try before you buy. As a previous poster said, they are probably built in the same factory, and with a good set up, the Cort I played would probably feel as good as the Ibanez.