• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The CORT Club (Part 2)

#43
I have a Cort Artisan A4, built in 2000. Originally had the stock licensed Bartolini MK1 pickups and preamp, which were pretty good, but i ordered the Bartolini MK4 pickups and HR5.2 preamp. The pickups are humbucking and the preamp is 5 knob which push-pull volume (active/passive switch), blend, treble, push-pull mid (freq. select) and low. It also has the older two-peice bridge, which i like, its unique. I do have a problem with one of the tuning machines though, the plastic piece between the button and rest of the machine broke, so i have to tighten the bottom with the metal ting scraping both sides. Anyone know how to fix this/where to find a replacement? I asked cort and only the dealers can provide replacements but might not have them any way. Thanks!
p.s. im proud to be part of the cort club :D thinking about getting an A6 :bassist:
 
#44
karlmalised said:
I have a Cort Artisan A4, built in 2000. Originally had the stock licensed Bartolini MK1 pickups and preamp, which were pretty good, but i ordered the Bartolini MK4 pickups and HR5.2 preamp. The pickups are humbucking and the preamp is 5 knob which push-pull volume (active/passive switch), blend, treble, push-pull mid (freq. select) and low. It also has the older two-peice bridge, which i like, its unique. I do have a problem with one of the tuning machines though, the plastic piece between the button and rest of the machine broke, so i have to tighten the bottom with the metal ting scraping both sides. Anyone know how to fix this/where to find a replacement? I asked cort and only the dealers can provide replacements but might not have them any way. Thanks!
p.s. im proud to be part of the cort club :D thinking about getting an A6 :bassist:
Click to expand...

Sounds like the same (or nearly the same) bass I have, I also bought mine in 2000 and the serial number bears the Y2K birth date as well. I love mine and it is NEVER for sale.

No help from me on the tuner issue though, sorry. You may end up having to replace all four tuners with matte nickel finish Hipshot "Y key" tuners to solve the problem. At which point you can add a D-Tuner that would be a dead match with the other three though!

Just something to consider.

Also, I think that "active passive switch" you're talking about may actually be just an EQ bypass. It's been the subject of MANY posts in the Part-1 Cort thread. Myself, I prefer the unique sound the stock preamp provides. But everyone has their own ideas of "good".

Flux Jetson said:
Picking up where I left off, the preamps are pretty stout on the A-series. You either like them or you do not.

IMGP1357.jpg


IMGP1351.jpg


IMGP1354.jpg


This A4 is 13 years old, bought brand new in 2000, has been on dozens and dozens of recordings, countless live gigs. These pictures are 13 years old, this bass looks exactly the same today. The finish is stone-solid and has held up perfectly, there isn't a mark on it. Stock licensed Bartolini single coil pickups (the neck pickup does a GREAT P-Bass sound). Stays tuned, no neck issues, it's easily the best $600 bass I have ever owned (I've owned 27 basses so far .. no wait ... make that 28).

:)
Click to expand...

:hyper:
 
#45
Hey guys wondering if you can help me identify a bass. Picked up a headless Cort V Bass with Steinberger licensed bridge. I was wondering how you identify Corts? I know most the formulas for Ibanez, but have no idea how or where to start looking for info on this bass. Any help would be greatly appreciated. (Specs, Date/place of production, etc.)
 

Attachments

  • Cort V Bass 1.JPG
    Cort V Bass 1.JPG
    40.7 KB · Views: 383
  • Cort V Bass 2.jpg
    Cort V Bass 2.jpg
    48.2 KB · Views: 351
#47
hi to all cort lovers out there.

i have a small request if you could help me, i need a picture of the output jack on the arona4 (mounted on the bass ofcourse). i seam to have lost the 'screw' thet goes on the output jack and cant find any new one that fits, so i would like to see how on of them looks to see what i can do with it

thank you
 
#48
karlmalised said:
Flux, you dont happen to know the post hole diameter do you? I plan on biying some hipshot ultralites soon and they have a 1/2" and /38"
Click to expand...

It's 3/8", like many modern basses in modern style, the smaller diameter of the two version available (in the Metric system, the difference requires some thinking, those among us rooted in the imperial system might find it weird at first).

Historically, all basses from the "old school" age came with 1/2" tuner shafts because... well, because roundwounds weren't there, or weren't to anyone's taste, and you can't wind flatwounds onto such small diameter shafts without risking to break the inner core.

I've yet to find a bass I wanna have roundwounds on, among my own ones, and I keep replacing broken flatwounds because of the excessive twist on the 3/8" tuner shafts... same brand, same type, same gauge... never broke the core on 1/2" tuners.

Problem is, while flatwounds aren't gaining significant market share over roundwounds, today's headstocks are incredibly crowded, compared to yesterday's. Populating a 6-string headstock with 1/2" tuners requires a lot more real estate, which in turn translates into "neck-dive" problem... and 3/8" soon became mainstream.
 
#50
I've had a C4H for 3 years and it feels like it was made for me - except I don't really like the frequency the mid-boost switch works at.

1. Anyone got a schematic of the preamp (not the bass wiring diagram)

2. Saw a new one in a shop last week and the neck felt narrower at the nut than mine (40mm). Did I imagine that or have they changed it?
 
#51
Hi Cort clubbers!

I'm trying to decide between a GB5 and Artisan A5. I love both bases, and need one versatile enough to be on the church, road and studio.

I actually own an Action V DLX, but can't make up my mind between this two guys.

I play alternative Christian and classic rock, any help?

Thks!

This are the two available guys...
 
#52
djasterix said:
Hi Cort clubbers!

I'm trying to decide between a GB5 and Artisan A5. I love both bases, and need one versatile enough to be on the church, road and studio.

I actually own an Action V DLX, but can't make up my mind between this two guys.

I play alternative Christian and classic rock, any help?

Thks!

This are the two available guys...
Click to expand...
Well, people can only tell you so many things about a bass. But it's kinda like buying shoes, you eventually have to pick it out for yourself. Pick the one that suits you best.
 
#53
I wanted a GB5 Custom for a long time (still do, actually, but I have put a limit of 3 basses on myself).
I DO, however have a Cort Artisan C4 2004 LTD with humbuckers (not the same as the A5, but still...) That bass is my main bass (I guess it's the wenge neck that does it for me).

I find it to be very versatile, BUT lately I have been wanting to try a P-type bass, and classic rock is one of the reasons for that. There is something about that P-pickup that cuts through the mix in a way that you have to work with EQ and effects to get right with a J-type or a humbucker type bass like the Artisans.

I guess I have been looking at Cort basses for a long time without finding that perfect P-bass, and having a Cort Artisan as my main bass, and I adding a second doesn't make much sense to me. The A5 will surely be an upgrade from your V-DLX, but it will be better within the same type of bass. Sure, the A5 have more bells and whistles and better wood, electronics and parts, but it is still the same family of pickups and body shape.

I guess you should ask yourself: Do I want an upgrade of what I have, or do I want something different?

If you want something different, and a Cort, I'd go for the GB5, otherwise the A5. And running the risk of swearing in church (I DO love my Cort bass): You should also consider a P-type bass if you play a lot of that classic rock, and then you need to look at other brands. The new Squier VM models have a lot to offer, and I sometimes wonder if Cort factories play a part in some of those models... ;) I understand you want a 5 string, and then I think this is an interesting model: Invalid Link Removed (I am a 4 string bass player myself)

Edit: Since I mentioned my bass, I guess I can post my picture of it, too:
CortArtisanC4_Limited_2004.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: generalduncan
#55
Shardik said:
The A5 will surely be an upgrade from your V-DLX, but it will be better within the same type of bass. Sure, the A5 have more bells and whistles and better wood, electronics and parts, but it is still the same family of pickups and body shape.

I guess you should ask yourself: Do I want an upgrade of what I have, or do I want something different?

If you want something different, and a Cort, I'd go for the GB5, otherwise the A5.
Click to expand...

Nice Bass!!! And thks for the opinion... I'm stuck on the same thinking, and that's because I have played, tested and really liked both basses, and have no option to buy both of them...

I think I'll go for the GB5 and plan and upgrade for my Action V-DLX, maybe MK1's and a new preamp...

Has anyone played the GB5 on a nice and expensive amp like a Burgera, Mesa Boogie, or Markbass?
 
#60
Hi everyone, I've commited to buy a six-string one, a first for me as I only had and have fours, and I choose to look for an Artisan 6 pre-owned, last version (current) with Hipshot TransTone bridge. I'm gonna see, touch, taste and, hopefully, buy it from its owner next monday.

Beside the general rules of wisdom and expertise that apply to buying any pre-owned bass (or fretted instrument in general), may I ask in this forum if any of you Cort-ers know of issues I should actually spot and beware of, in the case of this current version?

Scout's honor, I've been trying to read as much as I could around the whole site, but couldn't find any negatives. Which scared me, and pushed the notion of asking here.

Any experience you feel worth sharing with a newbie here? Thanks in advance.

R(u)bb(e)rn(e)ck
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back