Musikmesse 2016: Cort updates Artisan B5 bass with Markbass preamp
Cort have updated their Artisan B5 Plus AS bass with the Markbass MB-1 EQ preamp. The updated instrument is to launch at this year’s Musikmesse. As part of the Cort Artisan series, this new version will be a welcome addition to the range.
The Artisan B5 bass is a swamp ash-bodied bass loaded with Bartolini MK-1 active pickups and the new three-band Markbass MB-1 EQ preamp. The bass features a volume and blend controls, a three-band EQ as well as an EQ on/off switch. This is a 5-string instrument and has a five-piece 34″ scale length wenge and rosewood neck, with a rosewood fretboard. The headstock has a set of Hipshot Ultralight tuners and black hardware throughout. The guitar is also available in a left-handed version for all you south paws. Regular 4-string versions are also available for those that don’t require that extra string.
This bass is available in the following three finishes: B5 TAB – Tobacco Burst, B5 OPN – Open Pore Natural and B5 OPM – Open Pore Mahogany. These modern-looking basses should be popular, providing the price is right. The features and hardware are all pretty good. The range has been popular for a few years now and so this update will add something new and hopefully useful as well. This might be one to look out for if you like this kind of styling. The addition of the new Markbass MB-1 EQ preamp could be just what you need if you are a fan of active bass tones.
Cort have been building guitars and basses for around 50 years, so have proven that they can build good-quality instruments for those on a budget. A good example of this is their Matt Bellamy MBC-1, which I think for the money is a lot of guitar and also very versatile.
At time of writing, there is currently no RRP, although some stores have them listed at GBP £595 online in the UK.
http://www.cortguitars.com/uk/
This might also interest you
