Cort A4 Plus FMMH OPBC

Do not buy if you want a true active and MORE INPORTANT passive bass for the Cort A4 Plus bass. This bass requires a battery in passive mode for it to work. If the 9 volt battery is removed or dies on you mid performance or mid recording, the bass does not not work at all if you switch the toggle to passive mode. This bass is described on this Thomann site as an active / passive bass and no where does it say, battery required in PASSIVE to function. This is one of the main reasons for purchasing this bass, to have that passive security, back up if you will, in case your battery dies and of course, to give you an added classic tone in passive mode. I found no distinctive sound difference in sound in either mode , so called active/ passive mode. I contacted Thomann through several emails and several phone calls regarding this issue. They said they needed to contact the Cort manufacturer before making any decisions on what steps to take next. And, just like I said, they confirmed a battery is needed to work in either mode, saying the active mode is bypassed in passive mode, but still needs a battery for the bass to function.
In the 18 years of playing basses, active, passive or active/ passive basses, I have never seen or heard of a passive bass that requires a battery to function at all. There are several other negative reviews regarding this passive mode issue for this Cort bass. Now I'm stuck with this bass.

So I got this bass after doing a lot of research into a couple brands that spoke to me. Mainly Ibanez, Schecter, Yamaha and then Cort. It's hard choosing an instrument from so many offerings online so I just started listing all the thingsI liked and did not like about models in this price range. The Cort ended up offering the best value in my opinion. It has a 5 piece neck through construction, Hipshot hardware and Bartolini Electronics. I really like the look of this bass as well with the open pore finish and contrasting neck woods showing all the way through the body. As a package, this is fabulous.

Now having handled the bass for a couple days, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. The finish is immaculate, all the carves and contours are done really well and make for a lighter and more comfortable bass than expected. It feels smooth and satin all over with no hard edges. The fingerboard seems to be flawless and the fretwork is good, nothing is ever uncomfortable. The neck has a veloute, which reinforces it where the headstock turns into the neck. I love the tuners and it seems to stay in tune very well. The pots feel sturdy and offer just enough resistance, they also have an easily felt notch at the 12 o clock position. Balance is excellent and there is no neck dive.

Really well made and well thought out! Would buy Cort again.