Cort Artisan A5

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

I bought this bass guitar last year at Interlochen Guitar Company in Interlochen Michigan. It is my first Bass, and came highly recommended by the owner of the store. I paid $600.00 for this instrument, which is worth much more, considering the features that make up this bass.

The first feature that got my attention on the A5 was the thru the body neck. This feature is found on many higher end bass guitars made by prestigious makers such as Carvin and Tobias. The tone and sustain of my bass is similar to those instruments and is further enhanced by the two Bartolini "Soap bar" style pick-ups. The body is made of Curly Maple and the neck is constructed of Wenge. The A5 also has active electronics, which add to the meaty tone that it produces. I use Dean Markley SR2000 Will Lee Bass Strings, which give the guitar a fat bottom end sound.

The only thing that I don't like about the bass is the size of the body and the lack of sharper contouring. I would be comparing it to the look and design of the Tobias Bass line of instruments.

The construction of this bass is excellent. All the hardware is platinum colored and the bridge is very well built and accurate. Details such as hardware alignment and finish show the quality and craftsmanship that go into the bass.

The bottom line for this instrument is the sound or voice of the instrument. Most every rhythm section player I have performed with has gone over board on the sound quality. The tone is Fat at the bottom and very clear on the top end. I tend to be a melodic player when given the opportunity, and find that this bass guitars voice is very "yummy" on those expressive lines. One of my favorite bass players is Jimmy Haslip, and this instrument allows me to explore playing with the quality of voice that he strives to perform with.

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

- Channel crossing
- Active EQ (only the version that I have if it is to switch or push-pull active / passive)
- Two Bartolini MK1 pickups, active equalization of the same brand.
- 5 knobs: 1 volume and 4 to sculpt your sound
- A little heavy but still contributes so much wood used for sound angry!!

UTILIZATION

- The handle is excellent, mine was set by a luthier with action strings very close race, that sounds alone, and it is pure pleasure to play on it!
- Access to acute infantile
- Spacing between the strings very correct to slap pretty easy (at the same time I am a guitarist originally, so it helps maybe a little better understanding of the 5 strings!
- Knobs are very responsive, it takes a little time to find THE SOUND you like, depending on your style and your game That said, it is a remarkable versatility, I imagine at ease all styles.

SOUNDS

I play rock and metal, sometimes a little "fusion" and damn it! what a feeling of power, a round, warm, accurate (especially the bass)
I managed to get sounds a little closer "The Clash" sounds closer to those of Tool and Sleeppers. Imagine the range of sound colors available.
Good at the same time I plug in a TECH SANSAMP RBI, it also contributes (I invite you to try this 1U rack preamp handmade in the USA, I challenge you to be disappointed!)

I love everything about this bass, and it is inconceivable to me to change!!

OVERALL OPINION

a MUST have in this type of budget, this budget Ibanez go your way please ....

* In what country does she makes? (United States, Japan, Mexico, France ...)
* How many frets, what kind of micro as well as their configuration?
* What type of bridge (Floyd, Wilkinson ...)?
* What type of race?
=> Cf. description and view previous ones

* What are the rglages (Volume, Tone slecteur micro ...)?
5 knobs: 3 for EQ (low, mid, treble), for a balance between the two microphones, one for volume and gnral
A switch active / passive

UTILIZATION

* The handle is it enjoyable?
Trs indeed enjoyable, comfortable and conducive VLOC a good left hand

* Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
RAS

* Access in acute (dernires freight) is it easy?
Yes, thanks to the handle through notemment (= No over-thickness at the junction body / sleeve as the sleeve intruments glued or screwed.

* Gets it easy to sound good? ...
Oh yes! Dj it sounds good base, and more EQ is really good and makes it easy to change compltement sound.

SOUNDS

* Suitable they your style of music?
Yes, all fawn it is so versatile that it can suit me any style of modern music.

* Which types of sound you get and with what rglages ("crystalline", "fat ",....)?
She does it all and does it well, again: trs really versatile.

* With what (s) amp (s) or effect (s) do you play?
Amps: Ashdown stack (SERIES MAG), Hartke stack (SERIES XL), combo Ampeg B-100 R
Effects: compressor and distortion, both analog pedals Markbass and lamps.

* What are the sounds you prfrez, you dtest?
I love them all and do not dtest. Seriously, it seems almost impossible to hurt this bass sound, even in doing expr. Modeling all types of sound with the EQ is a real treat on this bass.
Excellent sustain also.

OVERALL OPINION

* How long have you use it?
1 year

* Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
I had a low price before the first (Harley Benton), and it is day and night.
I have also a fender precision electronic active US (SERIES Deluxe), and they are trs diffrent, difficult to compare (the Fender REALLY more personality and sound sublime, but the Cort is really much, much more versatile and versatile).

* What is the particular feature you like best and least?

the -:
- Not super easy to slap because of the small space between the 5-string

and +:
+ Trs comfortable and easy to play
+ Good sound trs
+ Trs sustain good
+ Trs good EQ
Trs + versatile
+ Too good! I love the look and the beauty of wood, trs class