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The CORT Club (Part 2)

#1,101
ebozzz said:
Man, that bass may become your main axe!
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I don’t know man……My Sadowsky Japan Modern is quite the #1. But I am really curious to see what this Cort GB Modern’s gonna be like. I am kind of a Sadowsky snob, ( The higher end Japan models specifically) but I think Warwick, who handles the Chinese ( and German) Sadowsky line could take a lesson from this GB Modern. Lumenlay? Babicz? Hipshot? Nordstrand? Light weight? Burl top? Yea…and it’s right in the same price range as the chinese Sadowsky’s with far more to offer.

I have a Chinese Sadowsky Fretless thats almost a basket case. Needs a Traditional tone control added, neck shimmed, new bridge ( the bridge is actually lifting) Its just a mess.. , i think this GB Modern is a shot across the bough (Bow?) at Sadowsky’s chinese line. I recently got a 2024 Chinese Sadowsky and it came with clearcoat blems, dent in the maple roasted fingerboard, i ordered white paper metallic, they sent a silver one, and then were like “ Oh the picture was incorrect on the webpage”so, theres nothing we can do about that.” Once the headstock split at the tuner anchor screw, and they said “ Oh you did that with your D- Tuner”, but we’ll sell you a replacement for $600” .. i was like…OK, were done here.

I’m very curious to see what arrives tomorrow. If it turns out to be what I think it’ll be, I’ll write up a comparo post of the two. Very excited indeed.
 
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#1,102
pb9717 said:
Yea, I had both an Elrick Expat NJS-4 and a Cort NJS-4. Both excellent basses. I find that I need a traditional tone control even on an active bass as the active treble control only reduces a specific frequency, vs a standard tone reduces many different hi end frequencies, and will warm uP a bass tone far better. But yea, that NJS was a peach….
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I guess that I’m not sure what you mean by “traditional tone control”. When in active mode the bass, mids & treble of the NJS4 are boost and cut. Is that not traditional? Now, it doesn’t have passive tone control….
 
#1,103
pb9717 said:
I don’t know man……My Sadowsky Japan Modern is quite the #1. But I am really curious to see what this Cort GB Modern’s gonna be like. I am kind of a Sadowsky snob, ( The higher end Japan models specifically) but I think Warwick, who handles the Chinese ( and German) Sadowsky line could take a lesson from this GB Modern. Lumenlay? Babicz? Hipshot? Nordstrand? Light weight? Burl top? Yea…and it’s right in the same price range as the chinese Sadowsky’s with far more to offer.

I have a Chinese Sadowsky Fretless thats almost a basket case. Needs a Traditional tone control added, neck shimmed, new bridge ( the bridge is actually lifting) Its just a mess.. , i think this GB Modern is a shot across the bough (Bow?) at Sadowsky’s chinese line. I recently got a 2024 Chinese Sadowsky and it came with clearcoat blems, dent in the maple roasted fingerboard, i ordered white paper metallic, they sent a silver one, and then were like “ Oh the picture was incorrect on the webpage”so, theres nothing we can do about that.” Once the headstock split at the tuner anchor screw, and they said “ Oh you did that with your D- Tuner”, but we’ll sell you a replacement for $600” .. i was like…OK, were done here.

I’m very curious to see what arrives tomorrow. If it turns out to be what I think it’ll be, I’ll write up a comparo post of the two. Very excited indeed.
Click to expand...
Well, I feel VERY good about my two. They play very well, have great build quality and sound very good. That Markbass instrument preamp is impressive! You’ll have a V/V/T setup with the knobs closest to the pickups. The tone knob is push/pull to switch from active to passive and becomes the tone control when in passive mode.
 
#1,104
pb9717 said:
Yea, I had both an Elrick Expat NJS-4 and a Cort NJS-4. Both excellent basses. I find that I need a traditional tone control even on an active bass as the active treble control only reduces a specific frequency, vs a standard tone reduces many different hi end frequencies, and will warm uP a bass tone far better. But yea, that NJS was a peach….
Click to expand...
I agree on the always available VTC, I wish all basses had them.
 
#1,105
pb9717 said:
I’m very curious to see what arrives tomorrow. If it turns out to be what I think it’ll be, I’ll write up a comparo post of the two. Very excited indeed.
Click to expand...
I'll look forward to that. Though I don't really need something more traditional(ish) a Modern 5 or a Fusion 5 is calling loud to me. Then again, so is the Space 5. And an A5 Beyond.
 
#1,106
ebozzz said:
I guess that I’m not sure what you mean by “traditional tone control”. When in active mode the bass, mids & treble of the NJS4 are boost and cut. Is that not traditional? Now, it doesn’t have passive tone control….
Click to expand...
The bass/mid/treb boost/cut circuits on an active bass only adjust a specific frequency band each, as where a traditional or in Sadowsky speak “vintage tone control” is a tone that rolls off highs across multiple frequencies. It works even in active mode on Sadowsky basses. If the tone control on the GB modern does not function in active mode, that would be a detriment.
 
#1,107
ebozzz said:
Well, I feel VERY good about my two. They play very well, have great build quality and sound very good. That Markbass instrument preamp is impressive! You’ll have a V/V/T setup with the knobs closest to the pickups. The tone knob is push/pull to switch from active to passive and becomes the tone control when in passive mode.
Click to expand...
If you’re saying the tone control doesn’t work in active mode I’m gonna be pissed. What is the purpose of a conrol that only works in one mode. Damn. One of the primary reasons I got this model was that it had a TONE control.
 
#1,108
pb9717 said:
The bass/mid/treb boost/cut circuits on an active bass only adjust a specific frequency band each, as where a traditional or in Sadowsky speak “vintage tone control” is a tone that rolls off highs across multiple frequencies. It works even in active mode on Sadowsky basses. If the tone control on the GB modern does not function in active mode, that would be a detriment.
Click to expand...
I get it. You’re seeking a more Sadowsky-like preamp system. I don’t have any experience with their preamps but I don’t.think the Markbass is that. Still, it’s VERY nice….
 
#1,109
pb9717 said:
If you’re saying the tone control doesn’t work in active mode I’m gonna be pissed. What is the purpose of a conrol that only works in one mode. Damn. One of the primary reasons I got this model was that it had a TONE control.
Click to expand...
On most basses with active/passive functionality the TONE control would serve to give the user more flexibility & diversity when in passive mode. That being said, I believe that the tone control does work in passive mode. Actually, I had my MarkBass Gloxy 5 sitting right next to me as one of the practice instruments that I’m using this morning. It has the same preamp as the GB Modern and I do notice a slight difference in tone when using the TONE control in active mode. To my ears it’s not a significant enough of difference to be a deal breaker for me. For you? I guess that you’ll find out!
 
#1,110
pb9717 said:
If you’re saying the tone control doesn’t work in active mode I’m gonna be pissed. What is the purpose of a conrol that only works in one mode. Damn. One of the primary reasons I got this model was that it had a TONE control.
Click to expand...
After playing around with it more, I believe that I notice more of a variation in tone when operating passively than I do active with the TONE control. It’s not a huge deal for me. The GB Modern is an awesome instrument in my opinion and I’m pleased with my 4 & 5. My only gripe with either of the four Corts that I own is that the GB Fusion & NJS4 don’t have passive tone control.
 
#1,111
IMG_1497.jpeg

Wow.
 
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#1,114
Ooohh very nice. I've got the 5 string version and it's my baby. The only thing I didn't like was the clear pickguard, mine seemed to have this weird, purple-ish colour to it? Might just have been me, but I took it off, then used some M3 black socket head screws to fill the holes, which in my opinion look very tidy.
 
#1,116
IMG_1500.jpeg

Neck is pitched toward the treble side as evidenced by the strings over the truss rod and pickup poles. Tried loosening the neck bolts and pulling it north but no success. Its either that or the bridge is mounted south by a couple millimeters, or I need to try harder to get this neck to center the strings. Strings not aligning over pole pieces is another peeve of mine. I know it doesnt effect the sound but, I need stuff to be assembled correctly. I’ll fix it.
 
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#1,118
pb9717 said:
View attachment 7107654
Ok…thats fixed. Had to get a little heavy handed. Now for setup, and strings.
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Yeah, you'd think a $1600 bass from a company like Cort could get the bridge in the right place.

Actually some of the Nordstrands with the twisted poles are sensitive to string alignment, not sure about the ones on yours.

What of the 'Tone' control?
Does it work in both modes?
 
#1,119
IMG_1502.jpeg


Unseated and tool marked screws. Swapping this out for a Hipshot style quick release tree. How fun is it to thread a D string thru this sucka. Yea. No.

This is my first ever experience with a Babicz bridge. It is impressive. Truss rod was pretty locked up as this has probably been in the case since 2022. Got it freed and setup the relief. These Roasted necks are much stiffer too, and the truss rod has to work a little bit harder to move em’. But she’s got great action now. Need to get a new set of nut files as I lost my last set. Nut is cut a little high, and tight. Strings not passing thru smoothly, but again. I don't think this bass has ever seen a tech. it was in its original packaging right down to the Cort cardboard box, with hang tags, tools, and control illustration.
 
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#1,120
John D Harris said:
Yeah, you'd think a $1600 bass from a company like Cort could get the bridge in the right place.

Actually some of the Nordstrands with the twisted poles are sensitive to string alignment, not sure about the ones on yours.

What of the 'Tone' control?
Does it work in both modes?
Click to expand...
Haven’t even plugged it in yet. It’s midnight on Christmas Eve. Can’t really crank it up yet.

$1600?? Where ? Australia?
 

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