With a soundhole-less high sleekly completed in its eponymous coloration, the Cort Fashionable Black makes a visible assertion proper out of the case. Offset by the wealthy browns of the walnut binding and the contrasting fretboard colours, the guitar has an after-hours look that’s elegant however casual—suppose turtleneck and sports activities jacket for a literary afterparty. Even the bronze end of the strings matches the colour scheme like a well-chosen accent.

Whereas the Fashionable Black has lots to catch the attention, it’s not only a looker. From the physique form to the neck profile, the pair of soundports on the aspect, and the onboard Fishman electronics, the instrument takes a conceptual method to guitar design that one way or the other balances the unconventional with the snug and sensible.

Shapes of Issues

With its Fashionable Live performance single-cutaway physique form, the Cort is designed for consolation. The rounded fringe of the decrease bout jogs my memory of a much less excessive model of the sort of slope you’d discover on a Stratocaster. The sloping Venetian cutaway affords ample entry to the higher frets, and the offset neck profile is ergonomic.

Regardless of the unconventional look, the physique supplies are conventional. The highest is produced from master-grade European spruce, and the again and sides are crafted from mahogany. The sonically enhanced UV end protecting the highest is simply translucent sufficient to let the spruce’s grain present via. Relying on the sunshine, this creates a little bit of a shimmering impact. Extra importantly, the end doesn’t overwhelm the wooden, possible contributing to the guitar’s energetic tone—extra on that in a bit.

Manufactured from walnut-reinforced mahogany, the neck joins the physique with a dovetail joint on the 14th fret. The 20-fret ebony fingerboard has picket block inlays that present visible reference whereas sustaining the Fashionable Black’s late-night vibe. A darkish ebony headstock, complemented by gold-finished Gotoh tuners and a walnut Cort emblem inlay, completes the elegant image.

If the front-on view is non-traditional, it’s much more so from the taking part in place, the place the guitar’s two soundports—one on the higher bout, the opposite on the decrease—dominate your eyeline. You’ll be able to actually see contained in the guitar in a manner I’ve by no means skilled with an intact instrument. The view is sort of surgical. And naturally, the soundports—that are seen solely to the participant when the Fashionable Black is in motion—aren’t there for his or her look however to venture the sound.

The Gap Concept

Placing holes on the aspect of a guitar isn’t a brand new thought, but it surely stays uncommon. Eradicating the standard soundhole strengthens that a part of the instrument, in principle giving it enhanced ahead projection and a unique sonic image than a standard flattop design.

Is it higher? Not essentially. But it surely positively made me take into consideration my taking part in somewhat otherwise. Cort says one benefit is that you simply hear your self even when taking part in quietly; I don’t know that I agree with that, however the soundports do provide you with a wider image of the sonic spectrum, particularly the bass and low midrange. Harmonics actually bounce off the guitar.

Total, the Fashionable Black affords a spherical and heat tone with a wealthy midrange that connects properly to the higher and decrease registers. The bass is robust, particularly for a guitar of this measurement, but it surely by no means will get boomy. The highest finish shouldn’t be sharp or chopping; it’s nearly like a nylon- string however with the assault and maintain of a steel-string.

If you happen to are likely to bash the guitar, having the ports aimed toward your head will certainly get your consideration. Strumming, I discovered myself dialing again somewhat extra, which was good after I was taking part in and singing. On single-note melodies, the overtones have been wealthy and vibrant, lingering in a lovely manner after I moved to the subsequent observe.

Personally, the general really feel and sound of the Fashionable Black tended to steer me to play with naked fingers, however the big-sound-small-box vibe additionally labored nicely with a flatpick. Jazz and blues solos sounded good with each fingers and a choose—wealthy and full-bodied, although not sharply chopping.

I used to be most impressed with the stability throughout the strings on arpeggios and chords, and I particularly preferred taking part in round with chord voicings. The nice intonation made tight triads ring nicely, whereas the cohesive tonal spectrum prompted wider intervals to sound unified.

Fashionable Conveniences

The Fashionable Black is a really playable guitar. With a 25.5-inch scale, 1.75-inch nut width, and 15.75-inch radius, the fretboard feels acquainted and conventional, with loads of area for chording. Nonetheless, the again of the neck breaks custom with an asymmetrical form that adjustments as you progress greater—a refined change I may not even have seen except I knew it was there.

What I largely seen was that the guitar felt simple to navigate, particularly welcome since I’m affected by a ligament problem that makes it more durable to crunch my fingers collectively for tight chords. After taking part in a bunch of devices with skinny, nearly electrical necks, I welcomed the fullness of the Cort’s profile, which I discovered much less fatiguing. The fretboard’s rounded edges have been additionally very snug, as was the low, buzz-free motion. All the things comes collectively to make the Cort exceptionally player-friendly.

Plugged In

The Fashionable Black contains a Fishman Matrix Infinity VT pickup and preamp system with quantity and tone controls tucked away contained in the higher soundhole. I discovered it fascinating to see the wiring via the aspect port. You even have to achieve into the decrease soundhole to get to the battery compartment, which is up by the neck joint.

The Fishman carried out nicely for an undersaddle pickup and did an excellent job of capturing the Fashionable Black’s sturdy bass. It was particularly spectacular on a percussive however sluggish fingerstyle composition with a droning low E string, the place the Cort’s sturdy low-end maintain introduced out the potential of the piece in a manner I didn’t count on. The plugged-in sound was sturdy on extra conventional fingerstyle and strummed materials, too.

The Backside Line

Cort’s Fashionable Black is an unconventional but sensible guitar that cuts a placing determine. For an instrument listed at $1,499 with a hardshell case, the construct high quality is outstanding. Positioning the soundholes on the aspect offers it a singular voice and affords a unique perspective to the participant that may make you suppose otherwise about your sound, assault, and chord voicings. Add a really snug neck and a compact physique that sounds larger than it’s, and the Fashionable Black could be very interesting certainly.

Specs

BODY Fashionable Live performance form; Venetian cutaway; stable European spruce spruce high with scalloped X- bracing; stable mahogany again and sides; twin aspect soundports; ebony bridge with black Tusq saddle; walnut binding; gloss UV end

NECK 25.5″-scale walnut-reinforced mahogany neck; dual-action truss rod; ebony fretboard; picket block inlays; 15.75″ radius; 20 frets; 1-3/4″ black Tusq nut; gold Gotoh 510 tuners; satin end

OTHER Fishman Matrix Infinity VT electronics; Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb gentle strings (.012–.053); hardshell case

MADE IN China

PRICE $1,499 road

cortguitars.com

This text initially appeared within the March/April 2025 problem of Acoustic Guitar journal.