TEST: Cort KX508MS II

 If you want to experience the wide range of human facial features, give a regular 6-string guitarist an 8-string guitar, possibly in a multiscale version. The emotions that can be seen on the person's face range from curiosity to enthusiasm to desperation to disgust. But one thing is certain: the person you're talking to, unless he/she is an experienced 8-string player, will definitely pick up the instrument like a crate of beer; the tactile differences are already too great upon first contact. One of these “frequency range monsters” is available to us for testing today in the form of the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst.

The concept of the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst

If there is a guitar company that has always attracted attention with its good quality, but has never risen above the status of a "gray mouse" due to the lack of its own "signature model", it is the South Korean company Cort. Nevertheless, the company enjoys a very good reputation, especially since it has already manufactured for companies such as Hohner and Kramer in its 50-year history. The legendary ax bass by stage performer Gene Simmons was also made by Cort.

All the more interesting is the fact that Cort is consciously venturing into an extreme niche with the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst, especially since the instrument, which is manufactured in Indonesia, is comparatively inexpensive with a retail price of only 899 euros despite the high-quality components at first glance . Although an eight-string instrument in the guitar sector is no longer on another planet in terms of popularity thanks to the respectable success of the band Meshuggah and the technical high-end prog of the band “Animals As Leaders”, but with the best will in the world you can't speak of it as mainstream .

The reason can be found in the fact that by extending the frequency spectrum downwards by a small seventh, the function of the bassist becomes obsolete and thus massively interferes with the traditional band structure. Their perfection is in fact achieved in “Animals As Leaders”, in which two 8-strings alternately share the bass/guitar function, thus creating an extremely dense sound field in a trio setting.

Ultimately, all 8-strings fight against the natural physics of a vibrating string. If you want to have the tight sound of a medium scale bass, you have to deal with a scale length of approx. 760 mm, at least in the bass range, which, however, results in significant compromises in the playability of the classic guitar range in the treble strings. On the other hand, if you stick with the classic long scale length of 648 mm, the low F # string, even with very thick diameters, will slop around on the fretboard as if you had hung up a clothesline.

In order to reduce these problems, Cort uses the multiscale scale length of 673 mm (treble strings) - 711 mm (26.5" - 28"), which entails a corresponding alignment of the saddle and the bridge construction. This achieves a comparatively balanced vibration behavior, which also benefits a regular 6-string guitar. The second problem with an 8-string guitar is the diametrical alignment between a fingerboard that can still be grasped in contrast to the distance between the strings between the individual strings. Here too, a compromise must be found, which Cort specifies in the form of a nut width of 56.5 mm. Although the strings are now much closer together than on a six-string, there are still some hanging guitar stands where the neck dimensions prevent you from getting the instrument into the stand. Should If you use such a tripod, be sure to test it out beforehand.

The structure of the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst

If you want to classify the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst into a category, you would have to fall back on the Powerstrat category. The body made of the African, comparatively soft Okume wood seems a bit small, but this is due to the excessively large dimensions of the neck, pickups and bridge construction. For visual reasons, a poplar ceiling veneer was glued on, which was painted in a kind of matt blue-green-yellow burst. The neck is screwed four times and consists of three strips of maple and 2 strips of amaranth, the fingerboard made of relatively light Macassar ebony. Teardrop inlays were used as fingerboard markings, which are located up to the 12th fret on the top and from the 13th fret on the underside of the fingerboard. The fingerboard has 24 frets. In order to quickly adjust the neck, the truss rod was made accessible from the body. In order to keep the headstock as stable as possible, a wooden thickening was placed on the opposite side of the saddle.

The hardware of the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst in the form of eight clamp tuners and eight individual riders with a string guide through the body is made of a mixed color of black / nickel and can be seen in one direction or the other depending on the incidence of light.

For the pickups, Cort once again relies on a Fishman Fluence Modern humbucker set, which comes in the form of 2 huge, diagonally installed soap bars. The usual pickup selection can be implemented using a three-way switch. The master volume and mastertone controls are designed as a push/pull version and allow you to switch between the two modes Modern and Vintage, as well as a single coil tap. The operating voltage required for the active electronics is supplied by a 9V battery, which is accessible via a plastic plate on the back of the guitar.

The Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst in practice

When you pick up the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst for the first time, you notice two points in particular, apart from the slight confusion at first glance about the many strings. On the one hand, the combination of the flattened neck and the fingerboard radius of 400 mm (15.75"), which makes the neck appear almost like a plank, and the really very thin set of strings from 009 - 080, which gives you a very "floppy" despite the multiscale fingerboard “ approach offers. Imagine taking the A string of a regular medium scale electric bass and tuning it down to E, this is approximately the string tension that the low F# string on the D'Addario NYXL0980 offers.

I was able to easily pull the F# string up by a minor seventh (10 semitones) using bending, which gives an approximate impression of the string tension. It was correspondingly difficult for me to play the two low strings without the strings hitting both the fretboard and the pickups every time I played them. At least with this set of strings you have to completely change your playing style in order not to be overwhelmed by clicking noises. However, I am sure that this and the associated intonation problems of the vibrating string can be managed with correspondingly thicker sets of strings. I would recommend at least a 090 string on the F# string. By the way, the closer you get to the treble strings, the more defined the sound becomes, until finally, at the latest on the G string, a clean and defined tone is created due to the extra long scale length.

In terms of sound, the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst offers a lot of quality for the stated retail price. The playability is good for an 8-string guitar, especially since the multiscale fretboard interferes significantly less with your personal playing style in terms of fingering technique than you might expect at first glance. It should be clear to everyone that the instrument is not a regular electric guitar + 2 additional strings, but rather an independent type of instrument, so it is not surprising that you first have to learn a new instrument before you can use it 100% follows the brain's commands.

I'm not entirely sure whether the unusual body wood or the overall construction of the instrument is responsible for a unique sound that I didn't expect. The overall sound of the instrument is relatively high-mid-heavy, so that the low-mid and bass boost that one would have expected with this design was missing in practice. Everyone has to find out for themselves to what extent this more or less suits their personal taste; the attached sound files should help.

Another special feature is of course the fact that the damping technology that was developed on a 6-string guitar has to be revised again for an 8-string guitar. I myself had a bit of difficulty with a proper damping technique, especially with the bass strings, but it's probably just a question of practice.

Conclusion

With the Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst, the South Korean manufacturer has a good and affordable eight-string guitar in its portfolio. The components used are of high quality and anyone who would like to get a taste of the world of djent can do so for a comparatively small course with this instrument.

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Additional Informations:

Since its inception in 1960, Cort Guitars has burgeoned into a titan within the global guitar manufacturing industry. With a legacy spanning over six decades, Cort has consistently delivered instruments of exceptional quality, catering to the diverse needs of musicians worldwide. The enthralling saga of Cort's rise to prominence is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.

### Origins:
Cort's journey commenced in the picturesque city of Seoul, South Korea, where a small team of dedicated luthiers harbored a shared vision of crafting world-class guitars. In 1960, Jack Westheimer, an American entrepreneur with a profound appreciation for musical instruments, recognized the burgeoning potential of Korean craftsmanship and established the Yoo-Ah guitar company. This marked the nascent stage of Cort Guitars, laying the foundation for its eventual ascent to eminence.

### Evolution and Expansion:
Under Westheimer's astute guidance, Yoo-Ah steadily evolved, rebranding as Cor-tek in 1973 and later adopting the name Cort in 1987. Embracing a philosophy of continual improvement, Cort ventured into collaborations with renowned musicians and industry luminaries, amplifying its creative prowess and refining its manufacturing processes.

### Strategic Partnerships:
Cort's ascent was catalyzed by strategic partnerships with prominent brands and artists. In the 1980s, an alliance with Matt Raines, a seasoned American guitar designer, propelled Cort onto the global stage. This collaboration yielded a series of groundbreaking innovations, including the introduction of the "Superstrat" design, characterized by its sleek contours and versatile tonal palette.

### Technological Advancements:
Throughout its trajectory, Cort remained at the vanguard of technological innovation, integrating cutting-edge techniques to enhance instrument performance and playability. Notably, Cort pioneered the application of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numerical control (CNC) machining, revolutionizing the precision and consistency of guitar production.

### Global Reach:
With a steadfast commitment to quality and innovation, Cort rapidly expanded its global footprint, establishing a network of manufacturing facilities and distribution channels across Asia, Europe, and North America. This strategic expansion facilitated greater accessibility to Cort instruments, fostering a burgeoning community of musicians and enthusiasts worldwide.

### Collaborations and Endorsements:
Cort's enduring legacy is punctuated by collaborations with an illustrious cadre of artists, whose indelible imprint adorns signature Cort models. From the iconic designs of Jeff Berlin and Frank Gambale to the refined craftsmanship of Matthew Bellamy's signature guitars, Cort's roster of endorsees reflects a diverse spectrum of musical genres and sensibilities.

### Commitment to Sustainability:
In tandem with its pursuit of excellence, Cort remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility. By implementing eco-friendly practices and sourcing ethically harvested tonewoods, Cort strives to mitigate its ecological footprint while safeguarding the planet's natural resources for future generations.

### The Digital Age:
In the digital age, Cort continues to innovate and adapt, leveraging emerging technologies to engage with a global audience of musicians and enthusiasts. Through interactive online platforms and immersive virtual experiences, Cort fosters community engagement and empowers aspiring musicians to unleash their creative potential.

### Conclusion:
As Cort Guitars traverses the annals of time, its narrative emerges as a paragon of resilience, ingenuity, and artistic expression. From humble beginnings in Seoul to global acclaim on the world stage, Cort's trajectory epitomizes the transformative power of passion and perseverance. With each meticulously crafted instrument, Cort embarks upon a timeless journey, resonating with the melodies of generations past, present, and yet to come.