Price Paid: US $1400
Features: 10
Bass was made in the USA in 2004. It has 24 frets, plus a zero fret, and four strings. The bass body is made of solid mahogany, and has a natural finish. There are two volume controls and a Varitone 6-position tone selector. The neck pickup is a Lace Sensor pickup, and the bridge pickup is an EMG select pickup. The bass has passive electronics. You can either string through the body, or on top. The neck scale is 32", and the bass came neatly packed in its own hard case.
Sound: 10
It sounds a lot better than a Fender active or passive that I have owned. It sounds better than my Yamaha, or my 1960s EBO. The only bass that comes close to the sound is my Martin B-1 bass, which, of course, is only acoustic.
Action, Fit, & Finish: 8
I didn't like the jack on the back of the bass. It's a standard Fender Stratocaster jack reversed, so it sticks out. I did find that using a right-angle jack is the best solution.
Reliability/Durability: 9
As I've only owned this bass for a month and a half, I don't yet know about long-term durability. I have noticed that I don't have to tune the bass nearly as often as any other bass I've owned. It also generally seems well-built.
Customer Support: 10
Dealing with the company was a breeze! The company owners managed to get it to me before Christmas, when I knew I was ordering it during the busiest time of the year. The owners even gave me their cell phone number so that I could call them to let them know that the bass had arrived!
Overall Rating: 10
When I received the Birdsong, I gave away my Fender to a friend who is just learning to play. The Cortobass 4C1-003 is as well-crafted as my Martin B-1 bass, and looks like an electric version of it. I like the Varitone, which has six real options of bass sounds. It's much better than active electronics. Remember when you were a child and opened your favorite toy and the battery had leaked acid inside and ruined it? That's why I don't like a battery in my bass. The tone of the Cortobass makes me want to play without my effects pedals!
Submitted by Kevin Hassett at 02/02/2005 17:18
