grayn Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 As if I didn't have enough basses, I went out this morning with the intention of probably getting a Japanese Fender Jazz, with PJ pickups. I'd played this particular Candy Red bass, a couple of months ago and really quite fancied it. First thing I realized when I got to the shop was, they'd sold it. @%*!! Well, they had the same bass in sunburst but I already have an amazing sunburst jazz. After sulking for a few seconds, I decided to try out every bass in the shop, that 1, I liked the look of and 2, was in my price range. So I tried some great Fenders, including an unusual Precision, that had a lovely, Jazz neck, with a maple F/B and block markers. An Overwater (Inspiration 4, I think) that was beautifully made but had the skinniest neck (all the way up) I've played. No support for your hand. A US Musicman Sterling, that had a beautiful neck but like one I'd previously owned, I couldn't get a sound I liked. Far too aggressive. I even went out of my price range and tried a Yamaha 2024X, that was on special offer. Superb bass but just didn't have any magic. Then I spotted a Cort. A GB4 Custom. Some time ago, I'd owned a GB99, that was a beautifully made bass. It's only weakness was it's sweet toned, passive pickups had very little output. But the GB4 is active. Soon as I picked it up and played (unamped), I liked it. It has a Jazz type neck (my favourite), though it's not quite as wide, up the top end. Lovely, low but solid action, with a lively, responsive feel. Also IMO, this bass is rather beautiful and the finishing is as good as pretty much anything else I've played. OK it doesn't quite have the quality of my old, hand made, English Overwater but it's up there with many a "high-end" bass. Time to plug in and yes, there's plenty of power here and tone too. The volume, pan, 3 band EQ and "funk" switch, all come together to give you a very tasty range of tones. I dialled in my usual set up; Vol-full, Pan-55% mid pickup & 45% bridge pickup. EQ - Treble and middle-flat, bass +1 or 2, funk switch off. And wow! Through the shop's Mark Bass combo, things sounded delightful. I'm ashamed to say that a little snobbery struck me then. All my recent basses were made in the US, the UK or Japan. What was I thinking, buying down market? Fortunately sense prevailed and I realised this was a great bass that suited me down to the ground. What was the problem? None at all, as it turned out and as another plus, I had some cash left and I'd been thinking of dabbling with a 5-string again.I tried a lovely G&L Tribute but nah! Then I picked up a Cort A5. Now here's a top 5-string, for not a lot of cash. It played beautifully but just didn't make me want a 5-string again. I was going to give up, when, on a whim, I grabbed a Cort GB75. It's cheaper than the A5 but as soon as I played it, I knew it was the one for me. Superb set-up, string spacing and neck. Very solid but surprisingly light. It just felt right, in my hands. Responsive and musical. Amped up it pretty much sounded like a 5-string version of the GB4 Custom. So I was there. 2 lovely, inspiring basses from an unexpected source. A good day indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgmh315 Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 That GB4 looks fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Lovely basses, 2 for the price of 1, good job John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 You get a LOT of bass for your money with Cort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcro Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Welcome to the club. Balcro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamd Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Always liked the look of these, great to read a good testimony too. What's the B like on the fiver?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Great basses - i love my GB35J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Great to hear that you chose those two based on playability and sound and not the name Although saying that, I don't really hear anyone knocking Cort. Argh, you're giving me GAS now! Nice write-up of them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 Thanks folks. I can't help thinking that Corts have continued to get better. The B on the fiver is pretty well defined. I'm no expert on fivers but the lower than E notes astay pretty solid. Also, I play with fingers but for fun tried a thinnish plectrum on the fiver and it sounded really good. Some great vintage sounds to be had. Now I've got the basses home, through my own rig, it's more apparent that the pickups and preamps are different. The GB4's are just so good, getting a multitude of classy tones. The GB75's is prone to a more bassy, full sound. That's partly as fivers tend to sound more that way. with some knob twiddling, I dialled in some great single and double pickup tones. They're different but both are really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Corts are good....immensely playable and fantastic value. I intend to pick one up at one point. You made a wise move good sir, those are both lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Nice one! I have a GB74 in natural/maple like your GB75. Great bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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