THIS Bass Blew My Head Off | Cort Space 5 [Review/Demo]

[@lockharthorsburgh8601]

Interesting review; thanks. Re: Bartolini, it's potentially worth noting that the "Bartolini" pickups that Cort use are made by Cort under license. My first bass was a Cort C4+, which was a good platform to learn on. After a year or so, I got frustrated with some of the tones and bought a set of "real" Bartolini pickups (MK4 CBC, about half the price of the original bass) and they transformed the sound. Now, when I play it I get frustrated with the imperfections in the neck, but that's progress. ;)

[@markwhalley8328]

Great review, mine arrives on Wednesday and I cannot wait

[@JonnyDibble]

Congrats!!!

[@MrJingles021]

How do you like it?

[@dropdead___]

After 7 months, how is it going?

[@Al_Mac125]

I love headless basses, had a few, had Status in the 80s & a custom built fretless. At the time i thought that all basses in the future would be headless. Tuning is much easier, the heavy stuff is down the right end. This bass looks nice but sounds a bit anaemic, especially the B string.

[@Sir_P]

Probably the pickups, stock barts on cort basses tend to have that effect

[@andreinicolae4787]

This is finally the review that convinced me …. I NEED THIS!

[@JonnyDibble]

Yay 😍

[@thenightlifezero9154]

Normally I'm not a fan of the MK-1 pups. However, they sound really good with Markbass Preamp. This Space bass seems like a slick package. I think a triple jazz bucker combo with 5 way switch would make slightly more slick and suite the name sake.

[@JonnyDibble]

Someone needs to fill the Gibson G3 hole!

[@matthewallen9290]

People complain about the mk1s. I've had multiple basses with these pickups and I fail to see the problem. They sound great and respond well to eq and effects.

[@ryanwarsh]

Right?! I see people complain about these pickups but usually they don’t explain why. They sound pretty good to me!

[@kanesmith4961]

@@ryanwarsh Sound isn't easy to explain, but if you try the same/a similar bass with better-liked pickups, these do sound and feel inferior in many ways (e.g., Ibby base versus premium models with Nordstrands). Inferior doesn't mean that they suck, I agree they are still pretty good doing their own thing, no need to compare everything.

[@hushpuppykl]

The complaints emanate from how the content creator EQs the bass guitar and the preamp on the amplifier. This bass generally has a slightly warmer tone and the B string lacks definition. Want better tone? Then need to pay 5-6 times more for a much better bass like a Ken Smith or Fodera. Some people just don’t understand. 😂

[@Chalngenga]

With different reviews online, i decided to get one because of you. I’ll get my hands on this beauty on 23rd Jan 2025.

[@joaniepeters2565]

Cort also manufactures a lot of other “boutique” brands that people aren’t as familiar with as well. They manufacture Strandburgs instruments too, this bass is very similar in design to the Boden basses. They took a lot of ideas from strandburg as far as roasted maple neck, the thickness top/vaneer and the same sleek widthed body. They may have even upgraded strandburgs design a bit in some areas of the bass. This is basically an upgraded wood version of those basses except a pound heavier, c shaped neck (with better woods too) and straight frets/regular 34 scaled instead of multi scale, also the electronics give this bass a more classic Bart tone (like the 80s and 90s) but can also produce a more modernized tone as well like the strandburgs. I love my Strandburg and I was extremely surprised at the quality from their factory, so now I’m waiting on this bass to come in mail: it’s regular scaled, straight fret cousin

[@chriscuthbertson]

I was lucky to get my hands on a early version and it was so good I bought another one. These are now my main gigging basses. I have one in each colour.... waiting for the inevitable Multiscale version.

[@frankkiethebassplayer]

Been loving your podcast. I just listened to the episode when you discussed this bass. I quickly jumped on KZbin, praying you had a video playing this beauty. Awesome bass, awesome review, awesome hair 😉 . Cheers ❤!

[@JonnyDibble]

@@frankkiethebassplayer AMAZING! Thanks so much 😃

[@unclescabby]

I've really wanted the black Ibanez EHB since its release, but the rising pricetag and reviews on the craftsmanship stopped me--I'm glad, the Space 5 looks even better to me. Great review! Mine ships next week!

[@leighcoulson2148]

Looks great and has some nice sounds.

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah!

[@LMaia14]

Your B-roll is getting even better with each video, Jonny. And that sounds like an awesome bass, I'm a fan of headless basses.

[@JonnyDibble]

It’s the new rug 🙌🫠😍 Thanks so much!

[@classgrooves617]

That rug really ties the room together.

[@swconnexion]

thank you a lot for all the time and efforts you put in this review !

[@mgr_1138]

Really great video, thank you

[@JonnyDibble]

Thank-you! 🫶

[@DoroninILIA]

Thanks for review! It's interesting that a couple of years ago when you published your review of the Gretsch short scale bass I had already ordered that bass and was waiting for delivery, and now I have the same situation - I ordered a Cort Space 5 and am also waiting for delivery :)

[@JonnyDibble]

Oh wow! That’s cool. What shall we get next? 😂

[@DoroninILIA]

​@@JonnyDibbleMaybe it will be... something multiscale? ;)

[@alexburton7583]

Tried this is GuitarGuitar yesterday and loved it and haven't stopped searching up on it since (full GAS right now). I went in to try a Spector which was nice and my girlfriend say try this Cort and I'm not a big fan of headless but I was blown away. The sound is incredible I went through a Darkglass amp and I couldn't disagree more about the distorted tone it's one of the best distorted tones I've played and at £700 price point it's put the Spector £1700 and my Schecter £1200 to shame. It's the lightest bass I've ever picked up but still feels sturdy, the playability was great I always say a good instrument is something you can noodle on and that inspires you, the spector did not do that for me. Seriously considering this even though I don't need it. I'm now deciding if the child really needs Christmas presents this year.

[@Youngmidnight24]

Hey Johnny, first off I just wanted to say that I love what you do for the bass community. Love all the efforts you put in to make such good contents for us . And thank you so much as I got my ehx “bass soul food” after I watched your video about it . And I’m in love with it . Now coming back to this video. I’m a four string Active bass player. Will I find any kind of difficulty, or any sort of challenges if I plan to go for this bass ? What’s your opinion regarding it ?

[@ben.barnier]

Great review as always, I think Cort have quite some business packing great spec'd instruments at reasonable prices, and this one's no exception. Would LOVE to see you review an ATK from Ibanez (or if you have experiences with them, maybe share your thoughts?)

[@ivorferris]

Great review

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks!

[@ivorferris]

Cort when you read this, make a 4 string version

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I’m not a fan of the headless basses , but from the moment I heard you play this at the guitar show I said “that’s the one!!” I’m glad you got it! Sometimes there’s just that bass that you HAVE TO own, I love the tones, I got some very nice basses I’d say, and I’d add this to the collection as my first headless bass especially for the price, unless stingray releases a headless lol

[@JonnyDibble]

I went to NAMM?!

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@JonnyDibble well the guitar show, looks close enough to NAMM to me lol I better correct that before I get slayed lmao

[@JonnyDibble]

@@bassimprovjams3772 maybe I’ll go one day 😍

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@JonnyDibble I can see you getting good use out of going, your channel is getting big enough to get great content from being there, glad to see your sun count going up you deserve it!

[@liamjenkins82]

Seems like a darn good bass for the money. I like the light weight of it. Long time bad back sufferer it could be ideal

[@JonnyDibble]

Say goodbye to neck dive 👋

[@MrJingles021]

How do you know its a Markbass amp? Isn't it a Bartolini MK-1 preamp?

[@sherlock4791]

Specified on the official website

[@MrJingles021]

@@sherlock4791 The Cort Website says Bartolini MK 1.

[@Coconut_seb]

i would love to hear that bass with a darkglass instead of obsidian 7000 but for me , you just convaince to me to buy that bass ! sounds pretty good for 34' scale

[@JonnyDibble]

The obsidian is a Darkglass B7K clone 😊 I’ve only got an Alpha Omega

[@Coconut_seb]

@@JonnyDibble i was mostly thinking about the Darkglass microtube X ultra ! but nice to hear it's the clone because i wanted to buy an hx stomp ! i've stop bass since 2016 but now i want to come back with proper stuff and actually that Cort with an HX is my option ! also thank you for that video !

[@staringatrudeboys]

What did you think of the B string? I'm always a bit concerned about 34" scale B strings, so the multi scale EHB interests; but this is much more wallet friendly.

[@JonnyDibble]

Not bad, but not the BEST. If you’re slamming it hard, I always recommend a 35”

[@bassonthemark8191]

12:42 ish, clipping some?

[@JonnyDibble]

RIP phone speakers

[@samevangelista6206]

I do wish cort made a 4 string version as well. Overall though. Amazing bass

[@JonnyDibble]

That is an odd decision tbh

[@samevangelista6206]

It would be interesting to see what that would look like though

[@AlexanderHolovachov]

The only gripe are those Cortolini MK-1. Not a fan of double split coil pickup combination. And you have them in every midrange Cort/Ibanez bass - kinda boring. This bass would be much cooler with JJ or PJ config. Coming back to electronics - I beleive Cort C5 has the same stuff. So you get upper range body with mid range electronics.

[@JonnyDibble]

Whack some Nordstrands in and this would sing even sweeter

[@luigi.zanini]

I absolutely agree with you!

[@BDLT001]

Do nordstrand big singles fit in thay body? Thanks gor the review

[@myko.lektion880]

I wanna know too lol

[@luigi.zanini]

The problem of this bass and a lot of modern basses is their double soapbar pickups at the place of two single coil (Jazz) or one split coil (P)… Soapbars sound so anonymous, flat, “plastic” and without character in comparison to other pickups…in fact usually only metal/hard rock players like them because they usually play dirty/distorced, so they cannot appreciate the vintage/biting/woody sound of P or Jazz basses that you can listen to when you play mostly clean

[@alexskibicki2262]

Augh! What happened to its head? 😱😂 jk. Joking aside, this is an awesome review, Jonny. 😎🤘🏻🎸 even though I’m not a big fan of headless instruments, this bass sounds nice. Also thanks for explaining how the strings are placed on headless basses. I never understood it until now. Also this bass sounds phenomenal with the amp simulator. And sounds beautiful with chorus.

[@JonnyDibble]

WHEERRREES YOUR HEAAAAD ATTT. Haha thanks!

[@alexskibicki2262]

@@JonnyDibble I remember that song. It was popular when I was in high school. Fun fact: basement jaxx sampled a gary numan song for their hit where’s your head at. Good times with totally awesome tunes 😎🤘🏻🎸🎹💃🕺🍻

[@DoroninILIA]

My thoughts about this bass (based on your review): it looks better, than it sounds, the pickups MUST be changed. Similar Ibanez EHB-series has the same problem with sound, but Bartolini of Ibanez sound much worse, than Bartolini of Cort. It is worth noting that cheapest 5 string Ibanez EHB is significantly more (about 25%) expensive than Cort, but if we compare the similarly nice looking Burl Top modification of EHB and Space 5 with additional really good pickups (about £250/€/$) then first one is cost about 50% more. So Cort is the absolute winner in the headless bass market battle right now.

[@JonnyDibble]

I’d say that’s accurate! I don’t hate the pickups here, but I agree they could be better

[@sauzelord]

How do you change the pickup from neck, bridge, and both?

[@JonnyDibble]

The second knob is a pickup blend 😊

[@iggynub]

Multiscale and better pickups and it'll eat the modern market. This must be to test the waters.

[@mikemarkowski7609]

My only problem is I can't find one in U.S.!

[@RasMike24]

“Cort must’ve spoken to your mom…” 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@fistinair1979]

If they came out with some solid colors (shell pink please) I'd have a hard time not buying one.

[@JonnyDibble]

I think they’d be silly not to expand the range

[@bsa2025]

Yup but still not in America😢

[@DavidJones-hd7jj]

It would be an even better bass with fishman or Nordstrand pickups put in.

[@JonnyDibble]

Yes!

[@roopekanerva5606]

Is it only me or do the strings sound really floppy? Especially the B-string. Makes me wonder why anyone would prefer this over the B5 element? Which has the roasted maple fingerboard and in natural finish probably looks better. Also has Hipshot tuners. Because if the electronics are the same and not that convincing and you get the other one a lot cheaper... Yeah they should've gone with Fishmans or Nordstrands on this. Just like with with the Ibanez EHB's, this aint it. The price is above midrange price and the electronics doesn't justify it. I mean they have these electronics on their C-level instruments as well. Also, not do they only put those barts on their mid- and low range basses every time, why the hell do they always go with black bridge and tuners nowadays? I mean the B5 element in the natural finish would look a whole lot better with chrome than black. The same for Ibanez midrange basses. A lot of basses look better with either chrome or gold depending on wood and color. Imho chrome will always look the cleanest and gold can add a bit of warmth to the look. Black, why? Well, well, thank you for the review Jon.

[@paulcornwell9207]

I agree.

[@sherlock4791]

Its your personal preference i guess?

[@dropdead___]

@@sherlock4791 Even though he has solid points as a customer, here are some things to consider. I haven’t played bass in the past 7 years, so getting a new one is something I want to think carefully about. I don’t want to feel frustrated in a few months, knowing I could’ve gone for a better option, whether it’s cheaper or a bit more expensive. For me, I really want a headless bass (just for selfish purposes), and this is the cheapest one you can find on the market.

[@dropdead___]

Also, I fucking wish they should have put a golden bridge on this model and made a finish in resin 😢

[@marck7270]

a headless bass just looks "wrong" to me ... just a subjective thing. Cort make phantastic instruments, underrated as f*ck

[@JonnyDibble]

I’ve got 2 atm and they’re both great!

[@lewisthebat3408]

4:00 🤣🤣🤣