Tag Archives: Cort Frank Gambale Signature Model

Giant Korean-based guitar manufacturer Cort continues to expand its range of guitars featuring Australian blackwood.

http://www.cortguitars.net/en/

Cort produce guitars for other well known brands under license but also have their own brand.

In addition to limited edition models for the Australian market, Cort is now expanding the use of blackwood in its international models.

Here are a few examples:

Frank Gambale Signature (FGS) model

I previewed this new model back in February:

https://blackwoodgrowers.com.au/2016/02/29/cort-frank-gambale-signature-model/

AS 06 Orchestra Model (OM)

http://www.cortguitars.net/en/product/product_view.asp?qCate=00002&qSeries=0&qProdTag=&qPack=&qNew=&qKey=all&qWord=&idx=168

The AS series is Cort’s flagship series of premium acoustic guitars. The other models in the series feature Indian Rosewood and Mahogany. The AS06 is the first AS model to feature an “exotic” non-traditional tonewood.

Both the AS06 and the FGS models are top-of-the-line acoustic guitars featuring solid blackwood back and sides. Both retail for about $AU1,500 but neither is currently available in Australia.

But if you want something really special from Cort check out their 1200 series models. To date only three 1200 models have been produced the Earth 1200 dreadnought, the L1200P parlor and the MR1200FX dreadnought. All of these models feature solid rosewood, but I do have concerns about the legality and sustainability of rosewood timber. Now if a 1200 blackwood model should ever come along I’ll be down the shop in no time, and ringing bells on this website!!

Grand Regal GA5F-BW

Another recent addition to Cort’s international range. A Grand Auditorium body in a mid-priced guitar.

http://www.cortguitars.net/en/product/product_view.asp?qCate=00002&qSeries=0&qProdTag=&qPack=&qNew=&qKey=all&qWord=&idx=203

This model is available in Australia and retails for around $650.

MR710F –BW

A mid-priced Dreadnought workhorse featuring blackwood that retails for around $600.

http://www.cortguitars.com/uk/product/mr710f-bw

Ukeleles

Cort’s answer to the ukulele craze that has gripped the planet for the past 10 years is a series of solid quality blackwood ukes.

http://www.cortguitars.net/en/product/series_view.asp?qCate=00002&idx=154

Cort SJB Blackwood

And for the bass players the Cort SJB Blackwood. This model is currently only available in Australia.

http://www.basscentre.com.au/collections/acoustic-basses/products/cort-sjb5-blackwood

Cort’s ability to gain exposure for blackwood tonewood by catering to the mass guitar market can only be a good thing. Blackwood may be highly regarded in the domestic Australian guitar market but it is still largely unknown overseas.

With a production capacity of over 1,000,000 guitars per year (I read somewhere that this represents 30% of total world production!) even if 1% of that production included blackwood it would provide a significant boost to local demand for blackwood timber. All of these guitars use plain-grain blackwood which is another bonus to growers.

It would be fantastic if Cort joined the growing trend for guitar companies to demonstrate greater environmental and social awareness and engagement as a good global corporate citizen.