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The CORT Club (Part 2)

#1,181
How do you treat or maintain the finish on an A5 FMMH? I just got one a couple of weeks ago and love almost everything about it. The one thing I was not thrilled with was the lack of any type of finish. I knew that it didn't have a clear coat, but I thought it at least had some type of oiled finish. It was very dry and rough feeling until I wiped it down with some beeswax. I'm hesitant to try using Tung oil on such a nice bass, but was wondering if anyone has tried it.

How do you maintain yours?

Also, I should be receiving a new B4 Element soon. It's there any type of finish on it?
 
#1,182
Well i took me about 20 years to track one of these Cort RB5's down (ended up importing one into the UK from Italy) & this one was in a bit of a state when it turned up! but after a few hours of work im happy to say it was worth the wait.

IMG_20260310_103000.jpg


Im pretty sure i'll be swapping out the Mk1's (and maybe the pre) for something else. very soon (they are weak sauce IMO and i've disliked them on every bass i owned that they been in...) .Time to have a dig around TB and see what other folks have done with theirs.

Cheers
 
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#1,183
Thonk said:
Well i took me about 20 years to track one of these Cort RB5's down (ended up importing one into the UK from Italy) & this one was in a bit of a state when it turned up! but after a few hours of work im happy to say it was worth the wait.

View attachment 7451984

Im pretty sure i'll be swapping out the Mk1's (and maybe the pre) for something else. very soon (they are weak sauce IMO and i've disliked them on every bass i owned that they been in...) .Time to have a dig around TB and see what other folks have done with theirs.

Cheers
Click to expand...
I am looking at the Nordstrand Big Rigs to put into mine, they have three mounting screws for the covers, but I'm sure that is not a major deal.

Their Series optimized DC5's are also very nice, as well as the Big Splits and Fat Stacks.

Also lusting for a John East Uni Pre, but that is farther down my GAS list, because I currently like running passive into a Two Notes Opus modeler!
 
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#1,185
Panych said:
Hello Cort lovers,
Recently I have bought Cort Artisan Space 5. What a bass! Now it is my main bass although I have several MIA Fender and Music Man.
I like everything, weight, balance, tone, ergonomics and look. I love how it sounds in passive. B string is tight and sounds great for 34’ scale.
View attachment 7390221
​
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4-Month Update - Cort Artisan Space 5
After about four months with the Cort Artisan Space 5, I wanted to share a quick update.

Overall, I was very impressed with the bass. The build quality is excellent, the instrument feels solid and well-crafted, and the sound is versatile and modern. The electronics are very usable, and I especially liked how clear and articulate the low B string was. In terms of tone and quality, the bass definitely met my expectations.

However, despite all the positives, I ultimately decided to sell the instrument. The main reason was ergonomics. Because of the shorter upper horn design, the bass sits slightly further to the left when worn on a strap. This increases the distance to the lower notes, and I found myself having to stretch my left hand more than I’m used to. I tried to adapt over several months, adjusting strap height and playing position, but I never fully got comfortable with the extra reach required for the lower frets. Unfortunately, this became a deal-breaker for me in long playing sessions.

That said, this is very much a personal ergonomics preference rather than a flaw in the instrument. If the body shape works for you, the Cort Artisan Space 5 is a decent bass with good tone, strong build quality, and modern features.
 
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#1,187
Panych said:
4-Month Update - Cort Artisan Space 5
After about four months with the Cort Artisan Space 5, I wanted to share a quick update.

Overall, I was very impressed with the bass. The build quality is excellent, the instrument feels solid and well-crafted, and the sound is versatile and modern. The electronics are very usable, and I especially liked how clear and articulate the low B string was. In terms of tone and quality, the bass definitely met my expectations.

However, despite all the positives, I ultimately decided to sell the instrument. The main reason was ergonomics. Because of the shorter upper horn design, the bass sits slightly further to the left when worn on a strap. This increases the distance to the lower notes, and I found myself having to stretch my left hand more than I’m used to. I tried to adapt over several months, adjusting strap height and playing position, but I never fully got comfortable with the extra reach required for the lower frets. Unfortunately, this became a deal-breaker for me in long playing sessions.

That said, this is very much a personal ergonomics preference rather than a flaw in the instrument. If the body shape works for you, the Cort Artisan Space 5 is a decent bass with good tone, strong build quality, and modern features.
Click to expand...
Have you considered strap pin extender?
 
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#1,189
I have a Stagg bass that has a little damage to a finish that's similar to the grain-shows-through black on Actions. Has anyone found a paint or stain that will touch in loss of this finish on the Cort and look reasonable, preferably one available in the UK?
 
#1,194
Thonk said:
Well i took me about 20 years to track one of these Cort RB5's down (ended up importing one into the UK from Italy) & this one was in a bit of a state when it turned up! but after a few hours of work im happy to say it was worth the wait.

View attachment 7451984

Im pretty sure i'll be swapping out the Mk1's (and maybe the pre) for something else. very soon (they are weak sauce IMO and i've disliked them on every bass i owned that they been in...) .Time to have a dig around TB and see what other folks have done with theirs.

Cheers
Click to expand...
First of all..CONGRATS! I am a huge Elrick fan, and boy thats a pretty dead on Elrick lookin Cort you go there. In regard to recommendations, I had a Cort A5PlusSC with less than stellar electrics ( OEM Pre, Mk1’s ) and I swapped in a John East UNI5 and LeCompte triple threats pickups and …wow.

My FOH sound guy said it was the best sounding bass he’d ever heard come outta the PA. The upgrades are pricey, but they transform the instrument.
71441350968__D186C9CB-A68E-4B44-A0B9-1E000C66B75F.fullsizerender.jpeg


Thats a major catch you got there. Your upgrade plan is gonna pay off. Enjoy.
 
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#1,195
pb9717 said:
First of all..CONGRATS! I am a huge Elrick fan, and boy thats a pretty dead on Elrick lookin Cort you go there. In regard to recommendations, I had a Cort A5PlusSC with less than stellar electrics ( OEM Pre, Mk1’s ) and I swapped in a John East UNI5 and LeCompte triple threats pickups and …wow.

My FOH sound guy said it was the best sounding bass he’d ever heard come outta the PA. The upgrades are pricey, but they transform the instrument.
View attachment 7488828

Thats a major catch you got there. Your upgrade plan is gonna pay off. Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Very nice indeed!
I love East's preamps!

I'm not crazy about the bridge on my B5 Element.
If I upgrade my pickups, the bridge would be next.
 
#1,200
Here the review and the bass tone his shown are the reason why i skip the Space 5 several years ago.



That bass tone has those unwanted honky-choke effect , more notable while solo bridge pickup. Meanwhile, the neck pickup has no hope for P vibe but smooth. Overall tone quite different than my previous Artisan B5.
 

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