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Cort Artisan A5
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Cort Artisan A5

5+ string bass guitar from Cort belonging to the Artisan series

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« Cort A5 »

Published on 09/02/02 at 15:00
My "learner" bass (unknown name - dodgy quality) was stolen and precipitated the purchase af a new guitar. I had been thinking about replacing it and this gave me the ideal(!) oppertunity. I am still a learner on the bass but I have been playing instruments of one sort or another for about 25 years so I had a good idea in my head as to what sound I wanted. I paid AU$1,300 (which is about US$650) from JR Musicin Adelaide which is a brilliant price.

I had two requiments - a smooth clear low end and a sharp high attack high end for good slap and more driving sound. I thought it was a pipe dream - not so. I played this unit in the shop and was blown away at its clarity and varied range of sounds.

The controls include volume, pickup balance, bass, mid and trebel tone controls. Because it is an active equaliser thge controls not only alter the level but the timbre as well. Tugether with the pickup balance it can turn this guitar from a smooth jazz instrument into a funky slap bass.

The low end is exceptionally clear - none of that cloudiness that is common in many basses. I have a home made quad box with very high quality drivers and so I know that the speaker is capable of excellent clarity at the low end - and this is the first bass that has produced this clarity.

The look. Just tkae a look at the pictures at the Cort site and tell me that you would not be proud to hang this around your neck. Mine is the light woodgrain and looks fantastic.

My son has designes on it. He plays lead and I think that this may convert him into a bass player. He was playing it last noght at his band practice.

The weight. It is heavy - even for a bass. But I suppost that that is the sacrifice for such a resonant instrument.

The US site says that htis is an active/passive unit - however there is no swithc on the Australian model. Not sure why but that is realy no big deal.

First class. Good mounting hardware. All recesses are well shielded and earthed so that there is little to no hum. Some of the guitars I looked at hummed straight up - not his one though.

However - Under the cover the wiring is a mess. No neatly tied and run wiring and some wires twisted with a slip cover. I was surprised when I removed the cover the reveal a rats nest.

Also the battery is secured with a screw on cover. For a few extra dollars they could have providid a well constructed clip. And not the dodgy plastic things you see on even the most expensive acoustics. Screws have a tendency to strip.

The through neck looks good and enhances the resonant quality of the body. The laminated neck also adds to the ridgidity of the consrtuction.

Like so many guitars the overall consrtuction is excellent but falls down in the electronic construction.

Value for money - excelent.
Construction - Excelent - with a few misgivings.
Sound - brilliant.

If you are looking to upgrade from your first insrtument and you want a clear sounding bass then you could do a lot worse (believe me a LOT worse) than buy this guitar.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com