Tele style Cort's anyone?

rikus

Hey,

Does anyone know anything about Tele copies by Cort?

I saw one at a Cash Crusaders today... it was a beat up old burst with cream bindings. Looks like this -> http://picasaweb.google.com/kenni.bagger/Corttelecaster# (only pics I could find online)

I think it's priced at R750, but it's really pretty beat up. Thought I took a photo of the headstock and serial number, but I didn't... I think the serial started with a nine, so it's from the ninety's...

The thing is, this guitar has stayed with me...

The Google is failing at giving me any info. Does anyone know anything about these guitars?

AlanRatcliffe

They aren't bad - better than a modern Squier. As long as there is nothing wrong with it, it's well worth the R700.

makepeace

there's only one thing i can see wrong with it.. the headstock

???

?

looks like a rad find otherwise ? are the frets mashed? if so why not go for a fender tele neck off ebay?

rikus

Thanks Alan. Appreciate the input!

makepeace wrote: there's only one thing i can see wrong with it.. the headstock

???

?

looks like a rad find otherwise ? are the frets mashed? if so why not go for a fender tele neck off ebay?

I know! First thing that popped into my head was that I need to get a neck somewhere, that headstock isn't working! ? I'm popping by the store again tomorrow to check it out again.

giggsy

I was going to mention the headstock too! If you dont buy it for yourself I'd be tempted to ask you to buy it for me and send it to JHB ?

rikus

Giggsy wrote: I was going to mention the headstock too! If you dont buy it for yourself I'd be tempted to ask you to buy it for me and send it to JHB ?

I'll let you know! ?

Ok, so what do I need to check for this afternoon to be safe? I've never really bought a second-hand like this.

Check the neck (frets, action, bow)?

Also, the finish is a transparent (you can see wood grain) cherry/sunbursty affair. Would that be the real grain or a veneer? How can I check whether it's the real wood grain?

giggsy

I may be wrong, and I am sure I'll be corrected if I am, but I think that the only way to check if its a veneer would be to remove the neck?

chris77

If you can see the grain and it looks like a jointed body, i.o.w. the places where the pieces are glued together is clearly visible, then it would suggest a solid body. If the grain does not have joint lines and looks like a one piece body, it is probably veneer. At that pricepoint, and basically everything else up untill the premier level guitars mind you, you will not find one piece bodies. Another sign that the top is veneer is that mostly, but not always, the burst will only be on the top and the back and sides will be black. Don't assume the guitar is crap because it has a veneer top though. Try her out. At that price you have nothing to lose really.

rikus

Thanks for the top tips gents! ?

rikus

I found pics online!

This is what it looks like!

I have no idea why I like it, but I do!!!

Would that by plywood or solid wood?

Elfreako

It looks awesome to me!!! ?

makepeace

Looks like ply to I. But it also looks cool ? For 750, you can't really go wrong, esp if you're going to rod it.

MIKA-the-better-one

Why do Cort make the headstocks so ugly....... Bleh

rikus

So I went back and had a look again.

Seems to be a 1996 from the serial number:

My jets have cooled slightly. It really is in a ratty state (not in a cool relic'ed way, just ratty).

Frets 1 to about 5 have got serious grooves in them, so some new frets or new neck is a must.

I plugged it into a little 10watt marshall they had in the store, and it sounded really weak/thin.

In short it seems that it's going to need a bit more cash thrown at it to get it playable than I'd like...

I'd really like a tele, but if I'm going to be replacing the neck and other hardware I might as well start with scratch.

giggsy

It still has something about it (but I guess you have to see it in person to know how bad teh condition is).

makepeace

the body does look pretty. but i guess you're right. i also want a tele. thinking of getting one of those guitar fetish tele kits.

rikus

I know, it has got something...

I just don't know whether it's smart to buy something and needing to spend more than it cost to get it nicely playable.

I've now started wondering what it would sound like through my 5watter as opposed to the little marshall in the store... ☹ ☹

What to do...

giggsy

rikus wrote: I just don't know whether it's smart to buy something and needing to spend more than it cost to get it nicely playable.

I know what you mean... done that twice where I have bought "bargains" only to have spent twice or three times as much I originally paid to get them playable. Still, those are two of my favourite guitars and ones that I will never sell, basically due to the sentimental value and because only I will really know what went into them to get them where they are today.

Rudolf

Well..a 14 year old guitar wasn't born yesterday so I guess in some ways the scars can be considered earned? I would have had a hard time leaving it there...for R700 anyways. Hehehe. Pictures don't ever tell the whole story though, agreed.

flatfourfan

Have you thought of going in and making them an offer on it?

Overall I like the look of it and I've seen way worse than that, that have been brought back from the grave for not much $$$ to end up being perfectly playable twangers.