"Wah, this one is nice!" my mother exclaimed as I took the guitar out of the bag.
Indeed, with the common sights of the darker mahogany and rosewood bodies, the creamy maple back and sides renders an alluring glow to the Cort MR-710F.
But the main motivation for getting this piece was more tonal than aesthetics. Having read a lot about maple tonewood, I have always wanted to own one.
The design of the guitar is rather simple. Classic dreadnought with Venetian cutaway.
Plastic bindings with black-lined purflings.
The back and sides takes centerstage for this piece: beautiful maple back with lovely grains with a hint of flaming.
The top is a satin-finished Sitka spruce top with subtle bearclaws!
Maple neck and headstock with the vintage Cort inlay logo.
Scooped rosewood bridge which increases the break angle of the strings allowing more efficient transfer of energy to the top.
Internal landscape: notice the flat slabs in place of side tone braces. Not sure how it affects the guitar tonally. Wired up to the piezo pickup on the Fishman Classic 4 preamp.
This old guitar was still handcrafted in their Korea factory before they moved their production to China following a massive furore over the ill treatment of their local workers.
Trying out some Black Smith coated PB 12-53 strings. Online reviews compared these strings to the better known Elixirs but without stripping the guitar of its character.
And now for the sound test!
Plugged in to the Fishman Classic 4.
Maybe its the dreadnought construction, the guitar didn't sound as bright as I thought it would be. Clarity and note separation is striking as the fundamental notes ring strongly with little overtones.
Cort MR-710F meets Cort Earth 1200. I really don't fancy dreadnoughts. But life seems to like to prank me. Oh wells, I don't fancy Brazilian rosewood guitars too!
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