Fair enough that you didn't like the non-symmetry of the bridge, but to be fair to Cort I found they do this by design, as do some other manufacturers (Like Eastman). Obviously I would also have returned it for the lifting bridge.
Thinking of picking up a spruce model. Love that trans black finish. You’ve given me some things to look out for and I appreciate it. Otherwise, how does it compare sound-wise to other all-solid guitars you own?
I'm glad you found the video helpful. I was able to return this model for an identical model. I'm making a video about the current model I have, how I set it up and the measurements I used, and a final video comparing it to my other guitars. To answer your question now, I would say that the difference in tone isn't exactly where you will notice a big difference. Although there is a difference in sound, I don't think that any of the guitars have a bad tone. That is to say that the Cort sounds very good when compared to my Taylor's, Takamine, Fender, and Martins. It's a difficult subject to write about, just know that the sound is good in comparison. I think that the difference in price between this and a Taylor GTe, for example, is made up in select woods, construction, case, setup, and warranty. Is that a $1K difference? I think that depends on your needs and purpose. Would I have bought a Cort in place of a GT? No. I wanted the GT for many reasons. But I also bought the Cort for other reasons that are just as important. I think that Cort's construction methods can be aittle haphazard compared to an American made Taylor Guitar, but that is a high bar. In the 600 price range I think Cort is bringing a lot to the table. I don't think there is a sacrifice in sound, and with the three different models, you do get to choose between three different sounds. I still haven't heard back about warranty information from Cort. Here is an example to consider- if you were going to pick up a Cort for 600 bucks or so, I would truly consider a Taylor GS Mini. The tone is very similar, even though the Taylor has layered sides with a sold top compared to the Cort. They both sound great, are in the same price range, but the Taylor will be better constructed, have a better included bag, provide a lifetime warranty, and have a great setup out of the box. It's a tough decision. I hope you can get your hands on them in person to check them out. I bought one even and kept it even though I had to exchange it. That says a lot. I think it's a good guitar with a great sound and I like the fact that it's all solid wood. It's a hard package to beat. Good luck, and let me know how it turns out.
@@RobertHamm Thanks! I found a spruce one used at Guitar Center for $349 ($397 w/ tax and shipping) but it doesn’t come with the Cort gig bag. Looking forward to seeing it when it comes in.
That's awesome. You got a deal. Consider a light gig bag for it. You can pick up a roadrunner OM size for around 60 bucks. Ibanez had a sale on a nice gig bag in your choice of colors from guitar center for around 40. If it's still going on, it's worth a look. You aren't missing much by not getting the one that shipped with it new. It's nice, but too big for the guitar. Make sure to give it a good set up and new strings and let me know how it goes. Cheers.
@@RobertHamm Got my Cort this past Friday. Mine had the exact same bridge shape (mis-shape?) as yours. No gap though. My fretboard is a bit asymmetrical as well. According to acoustic guitar forum, this may be to adjust for the action of the larger strings. Seems sus though. I’m gonna keep it. It plays great but I will be getting it set up and cleaned up by my local luthier.
The bridge is probably overbuilt. The asymmetrical shape accounting for the radius on the feetboard being built into the bridge would be odd because the slot for the jobw saddle would have a flat bottom (needed for the pickup and normal building practice). Generally, the saddle is radiused to match the fretboard and provide proper string height (considering that the strings are different diameters). I came to the conclusion that the bridge is just overbuilt. A bridge height of 5/16" (just over 1/4") seems to be a pretty standard bridge height. Anyway... I wouldn't worry at all about the bridge as long as you have good action at the 12th fret. If it plays well, you are good to go. Speaking about setup.. on the Cort guitar FAQ the stated specification from the factory at the 14th fret is 3/32". That's a little high for me. 3/32" is 6/64" and I prefer my action at the 12th fret to be 5/64" on the low e and 4/64 on the high e. That means that out of the factory the action is a little high for me. So, I set up my guitar by sanding the saddle bottom to give me the action I wanted at the 12th fret. This meant that I had to bring down the bridge through sanding by over 1/8" because there wasn't enough exposed saddle after adjustment. It was a process but pretty easy. I have a video coming out where I talk about what I did. I love the result. It plays great. It's easier to fret than my other guitars. It kind of makes me upset because it cost so little on comparison to my others.. If you ever want to do this kind of setup, you'll need to watch some videos unless you've learned the skill somewhere else. Check out the RUclipsr twoodford. That guy is great and where I learned everything I know about setup stuff. Cheers.
I have similar workmanship issues with my Cort Core OC Spruce (Trans-Black). Did not notice them until I saw this video! The guitar sounds good, though!! Courtesy Robert Hamm, I now know what to look out for when buy my next guitar!!!
I inspected my other Corts, AF510M and AF550SE. They have the same issues as well. I like(d) Cort a lot too!! Seriously, the Indonesian Cort factory needs a revamping. @@RobertHamm
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Fair enough that you didn't like the non-symmetry of the bridge, but to be fair to Cort I found they do this by design, as do some other manufacturers (Like Eastman). Obviously I would also have returned it for the lifting bridge.
Doesn't this affect the quality or anything?
Thinking of picking up a spruce model. Love that trans black finish. You’ve given me some things to look out for and I appreciate it. Otherwise, how does it compare sound-wise to other all-solid guitars you own?
I'm glad you found the video helpful. I was able to return this model for an identical model. I'm making a video about the current model I have, how I set it up and the measurements I used, and a final video comparing it to my other guitars.
To answer your question now, I would say that the difference in tone isn't exactly where you will notice a big difference. Although there is a difference in sound, I don't think that any of the guitars have a bad tone. That is to say that the Cort sounds very good when compared to my Taylor's, Takamine, Fender, and Martins. It's a difficult subject to write about, just know that the sound is good in comparison.
I think that the difference in price between this and a Taylor GTe, for example, is made up in select woods, construction, case, setup, and warranty. Is that a $1K difference? I think that depends on your needs and purpose. Would I have bought a Cort in place of a GT? No. I wanted the GT for many reasons. But I also bought the Cort for other reasons that are just as important.
I think that Cort's construction methods can be aittle haphazard compared to an American made Taylor Guitar, but that is a high bar. In the 600 price range I think Cort is bringing a lot to the table. I don't think there is a sacrifice in sound, and with the three different models, you do get to choose between three different sounds. I still haven't heard back about warranty information from Cort.
Here is an example to consider- if you were going to pick up a Cort for 600 bucks or so, I would truly consider a Taylor GS Mini. The tone is very similar, even though the Taylor has layered sides with a sold top compared to the Cort. They both sound great, are in the same price range, but the Taylor will be better constructed, have a better included bag, provide a lifetime warranty, and have a great setup out of the box.
It's a tough decision. I hope you can get your hands on them in person to check them out. I bought one even and kept it even though I had to exchange it. That says a lot. I think it's a good guitar with a great sound and I like the fact that it's all solid wood. It's a hard package to beat.
Good luck, and let me know how it turns out.
@@RobertHamm Thanks! I found a spruce one used at Guitar Center for $349 ($397 w/ tax and shipping) but it doesn’t come with the Cort gig bag. Looking forward to seeing it when it comes in.
That's awesome. You got a deal. Consider a light gig bag for it. You can pick up a roadrunner OM size for around 60 bucks. Ibanez had a sale on a nice gig bag in your choice of colors from guitar center for around 40. If it's still going on, it's worth a look. You aren't missing much by not getting the one that shipped with it new. It's nice, but too big for the guitar.
Make sure to give it a good set up and new strings and let me know how it goes. Cheers.
@@RobertHamm Got my Cort this past Friday. Mine had the exact same bridge shape (mis-shape?) as yours. No gap though. My fretboard is a bit asymmetrical as well. According to acoustic guitar forum, this may be to adjust for the action of the larger strings. Seems sus though. I’m gonna keep it. It plays great but I will be getting it set up and cleaned up by my local luthier.
The bridge is probably overbuilt. The asymmetrical shape accounting for the radius on the feetboard being built into the bridge would be odd because the slot for the jobw saddle would have a flat bottom (needed for the pickup and normal building practice). Generally, the saddle is radiused to match the fretboard and provide proper string height (considering that the strings are different diameters). I came to the conclusion that the bridge is just overbuilt. A bridge height of 5/16" (just over 1/4") seems to be a pretty standard bridge height. Anyway... I wouldn't worry at all about the bridge as long as you have good action at the 12th fret. If it plays well, you are good to go.
Speaking about setup.. on the Cort guitar FAQ the stated specification from the factory at the 14th fret is 3/32". That's a little high for me. 3/32" is 6/64" and I prefer my action at the 12th fret to be 5/64" on the low e and 4/64 on the high e. That means that out of the factory the action is a little high for me.
So, I set up my guitar by sanding the saddle bottom to give me the action I wanted at the 12th fret. This meant that I had to bring down the bridge through sanding by over 1/8" because there wasn't enough exposed saddle after adjustment. It was a process but pretty easy.
I have a video coming out where I talk about what I did. I love the result. It plays great. It's easier to fret than my other guitars. It kind of makes me upset because it cost so little on comparison to my others..
If you ever want to do this kind of setup, you'll need to watch some videos unless you've learned the skill somewhere else. Check out the RUclipsr twoodford. That guy is great and where I learned everything I know about setup stuff. Cheers.
I have similar workmanship issues with my Cort Core OC Spruce (Trans-Black). Did not notice them until I saw this video! The guitar sounds good, though!! Courtesy Robert Hamm, I now know what to look out for when buy my next guitar!!!
I'm glad the video was helpful. I like Cort a lot.
I inspected my other Corts, AF510M and AF550SE. They have the same issues as well. I like(d) Cort a lot too!! Seriously, the Indonesian Cort factory needs a revamping. @@RobertHamm
What kind of strumming is that?
It's just how I strum. No name for it.
The Hammstrum😊
@@RobertHamm I like your strumming! I might try this. (I'm a new-ish player.)
Stay away from bulk china made guitar. Only fair bulk china made guitar are yamaha as there quality control is great