You can always change the preamp to Bart's as well. The HR-5.4AP/918 pre-wired preamp has an in-cavity mini potentio for adjusting the gain. Thus, you can match the active/passive output level.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Thanks for the suggestion! I think I'll keep the original MarkBass preamp (I hope that's possible when changing the pickups?) and see how it goes...The active/passive difference in volume I can 'fix' by simply turning up the volume of the amp (or a simple clean tone booster pedal)
My brother plays my Cort GB5. He's a jazz player and lecturer at the local university. Hope you enjoy.
This is timely, because I have an older (2000?) B4FL and finally decided to replace the MK1 pickups and noisy preamp. I just ordered the Bartolini MK4CBC set (same size as the MK1s) and the NTMB+FL 3-band preamp (which has the adjustable gain as well). Based on my research, this combo should give the bass a more defined sound and quieter operation.
Hi everyone !
I'm planning on modifying the electronics of my Action V Plus, so I was looking at the preamp, and I have questions about it. Just out of curiosity, I don't plan on replacing it (at least for the moment), I'll just hardwire the bass pot to full boost so it works like a simple tone control. That plus a 4 way rotary switch to put the pickups either in series or in parallel, and one volume per pickup.
From the serial number, it appears the bass is from 2017. Here is the preamp :
As you can see it is pretty basic.
On the top right corner of the first picture, it says "Spector bass". What do Spector and Cort have in common ? Built in the same factory, possibly ? Does Spector build preamps for Cort, or the other way around ?
On the bottom right of the first picture, top right of the second one, there's room for a component, which isn't here. That's the symbol for a diode, right ? Why isn't it present ? What would it change if there was one ? (everything works fine by the way)
Also, I wanted to equip it with strap locks, and the holes weren't the right size, I had to use toothpicks and wood glue. Having two basses from American brands I'm used to this problem, but I thought the Koreans would use the metric system everywhere...
And I mesured the pickup positions out of curiosity, down to half a millimetre they are the same as on a 60s Jazz Bass. I thought they'd be closer to the bridge on such a modern bass. Not sure what to do with this information, but I wanted to know.
I'm planning on modifying the electronics of my Action V Plus, so I was looking at the preamp, and I have questions about it. Just out of curiosity, I don't plan on replacing it (at least for the moment), I'll just hardwire the bass pot to full boost so it works like a simple tone control. That plus a 4 way rotary switch to put the pickups either in series or in parallel, and one volume per pickup.
From the serial number, it appears the bass is from 2017. Here is the preamp :
As you can see it is pretty basic.
On the top right corner of the first picture, it says "Spector bass". What do Spector and Cort have in common ? Built in the same factory, possibly ? Does Spector build preamps for Cort, or the other way around ?
On the bottom right of the first picture, top right of the second one, there's room for a component, which isn't here. That's the symbol for a diode, right ? Why isn't it present ? What would it change if there was one ? (everything works fine by the way)
Also, I wanted to equip it with strap locks, and the holes weren't the right size, I had to use toothpicks and wood glue. Having two basses from American brands I'm used to this problem, but I thought the Koreans would use the metric system everywhere...
And I mesured the pickup positions out of curiosity, down to half a millimetre they are the same as on a 60s Jazz Bass. I thought they'd be closer to the bridge on such a modern bass. Not sure what to do with this information, but I wanted to know.
Check out this sneak preview for the 2022 line! Looks like Nordstrand pickups and Babicz bridges, such a killer combination. Hope they do a short scale too.
My guess would be that the previous owner replaced the preamp with a Spector one (unless you purchased it new?). Could you post a picture of the entire bass? That may help with the other questions.
Look like a replacement model on GB74/75 series . There are only GB64,34,24 on their website.
GB Series > Cort Guitars and Basses | Electric Guitars, Basses & Amplifier
My Cort finally arrived! Proud owner of a B5 Plus! It's a dream, especially for a 1st time bass player.
However, my A string seems particularly quieter than the other four. I plan to go to the store and see if it can be repaired. My best guess is the PUPs, but it's not only one, I mean, what are the chances of pickups being faulty on the same place. It's like that on both PUPs.
Unplugged, it seems fine, as far as I can tell (that's not really reliable).
The bass was set up today with new Mark Bass Ultimate strings .40-120s.
Anybody had that problem?
However, my A string seems particularly quieter than the other four. I plan to go to the store and see if it can be repaired. My best guess is the PUPs, but it's not only one, I mean, what are the chances of pickups being faulty on the same place. It's like that on both PUPs.
Unplugged, it seems fine, as far as I can tell (that's not really reliable).
The bass was set up today with new Mark Bass Ultimate strings .40-120s.
Anybody had that problem?
Attachments
Last edited:
I suggest check both action and pickups height first.
You can try this action guide first, check point at fret 20th .
B 2.25mm
E 2.0mm
A 1.75mm
D 1.65mm
G 1.5mm ~ If you prefer low action and the neck has no fret buzz issue.
or
B 2.5mm
E 2.25mm
A 2.0mm
D 1.85mm
G 1.75mm Medium action.
Later adjust each pickups height , suggest start with 2.5mm on G side and 3.5mm on B side. Fine tune each pickups height until you hear all string sound balance.
I use this method on 12 ~24 radius fretboard with flush/flat magnet pickups.
Hope help.
Well, there was a deeper problem with the instrument. Probably some PUP stuff. The store very generously gave me the B5 Element OPN as a replacement. That one works like a dream, all strings sound beautifully equal in volume. The mahogany is a bit heavier, but fml is it beautiful. Not to mention the roasted maple neck, easily the best neck I've ever touched on an instrument.
Here's some pics!
beautiful! I can't agree more about the neck (I'm guessing it's the same as on my C5) - that combination of 18 mm string spacing / 400 mm fretboard radius and whatever the neck profile shape is - is just perfect! How's the active/passive difference in output? In my case the output level is approx. twice lower in passive mode compared to active mode.
Hey all! I have a chance to pick up this Cort locally through Marketplace. This is unfortunately the only picture of it. I've come to the conclusion its a GB34a, but it looks different than most of the other ones I'm seeing online. Obviously the black hardware (which could have just been swapped out) but also the pickguard. Anyone have any experience with one of these? I'm trying to decide if I should buy this bass or get an Audere preamp for my currently passive P/MM set up bass (see avatar). Any feedback appreciated!! Thanks!
after doing a google lens image search of your posted picture I believe your bass is actually a European/AUS market GB34A , Seems like they have the full pickguard , US market get different pickguards without the control plate guard , I'm no expert just a conclusion from internet searching , Pickups are Mighty Mite brand - that's all I have for ya --
Just searched this thread, and why no love for the unmodified Action Junior?
My black one has the (unknown) flatwounds it had when I bought it second-hand, and I love it. The new walnut was a problem at first; the neck was absolutely flat - no relief whatsoever, so I couldn't play most of the notes at all, let alone worry about fret buzz. A setup later, and it's OK with the factory strings, although there's a pack of DR Sunbeams sitting waiting. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a cherry Junior for them, though.
But both I already have are a pleasure to play. Nice low, action a fast neck, and I can get all the tones via pedals and combo settings. I can even bend the factory strings just enough when I want to get blues-y.
So, where are all you other Juniors?
My black one has the (unknown) flatwounds it had when I bought it second-hand, and I love it. The new walnut was a problem at first; the neck was absolutely flat - no relief whatsoever, so I couldn't play most of the notes at all, let alone worry about fret buzz. A setup later, and it's OK with the factory strings, although there's a pack of DR Sunbeams sitting waiting. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a cherry Junior for them, though.
But both I already have are a pleasure to play. Nice low, action a fast neck, and I can get all the tones via pedals and combo settings. I can even bend the factory strings just enough when I want to get blues-y.
So, where are all you other Juniors?
I have a beautiful Cort B5 plus AS in Aqua Blue. It is constructed so perfectly and is an amazing instrument for the price.
I have a few other basses with Bartolini MK1 pickups (2 with Bart preamps and 2 with Markbass preamps), but this one seems to be more bland than the others. I brought it to jazz band rehearsal last night and I couldn't dial in a sound to cut through like I wanted. It was too generic and seemed to lack character in the mids even with the mids almost maxed out.
It is currently strung with the original (I believe D'Addario) strings. I'm wondering if a new set would give this bass more character. Lately I've really liked light gauge GHS Boomers on my basses. Does anyone have a suggestions on strings? Has anyone else experienced this "generic" sound?
I have a few other basses with Bartolini MK1 pickups (2 with Bart preamps and 2 with Markbass preamps), but this one seems to be more bland than the others. I brought it to jazz band rehearsal last night and I couldn't dial in a sound to cut through like I wanted. It was too generic and seemed to lack character in the mids even with the mids almost maxed out.
It is currently strung with the original (I believe D'Addario) strings. I'm wondering if a new set would give this bass more character. Lately I've really liked light gauge GHS Boomers on my basses. Does anyone have a suggestions on strings? Has anyone else experienced this "generic" sound?
Last edited:
Yes, with my B4FL. My guitar tech currently has it on his workbench to replace the electronics with Bart MK4CBC pickups and the NTMB+F preamp. I have no doubt that the bass will sound so much better when I get it back.
EDIT: I also asked him to rewire the preamp bypass switch as a single coil tap for both pickups. The MK1s are split coil whereas the MK4CBCs are dual coil.
