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Cort® celebrates the 30th anniversary of collaborator Elrick Bass Guitars® with the introduction of the Cort Elrick NJS models. Short for “New Jazz Standard,” the NJS basses are modern J-bass styles available in 4- and 5-string models. They offer several unique features, including 24 frets with zero fret; a “heel-less” body design with extended treble access; an angled headstock; and Voice Tone VTB-ST pickups with Bartolini® preamp. Loved by many aspiring and experienced bass players alike throughout the years, the innovative design and superb playability of the Cort Elrick NJS 4 and NJS 5 basses is sure to satisfy high-end bass aficionados.
Watch as Daric Bennett demo’s the Cort Elrick NJS-4 electric bass guitar with this funky little tune.
Elrick’s anniversary celebration is two-fold because 20 years ago, Cort joined forces with world-renowned luthier Rob Elrick to develop a Cort version of the Elrick eVolution Bass that gained popularity among serious bass players. With all of the accolades and success with the eVolution, it only made sense to collaborate again on a brand-new design. The newly released Cort Elrick NJS basses offer modern enhancements that are surely to make it a new favorite amongst the bass playing community.
The Cort Elrick NJS design starts with a solid alder body that provides an ideally balanced tone with a slight boost in the high mid-range. A unique feature is the neck joint, which has a heel-less body design to facilitate easy access to the upper register of the fingerboard. To optimize stability and playability, the neck attaches via six bolts in an asymmetrical pattern.
This sonic foundation sets the stage for new Voiced Tone VTB-ST single-coil pickups that ideally complement the big, robust sound of the Cort Elrick NJS with modern clarity, transparency, and vintage warmth, all while eliminating noise with their hum-canceling design. These pickups are paired with the Bartolini Elrick NJS special preamp — the same installed in U.S.-made original Elrick basses — offering 3-band EQ, two-way push/pull mid select, and push/pull active bypass for a variety of tone combinations and manipulations.
The Cort Elrick NJS 4 and NJS 5 spare no detail when it comes to tonal transfer. The solid, high-mass MetalCraft M bridge offers greater tone transfer and improved ease of use. This bridge has been specifically adjusted for the Cort Elrick NJS and offers string loading from the back of the bridge for easier operation as well as greater tuning stability and focused sound. A notable sonic improvement is the deep individual slots that hold the saddles rock-tight and prevent unwanted movements while ensuring string vibrations correctly transfer to the body. The 4-string MetalCraft M4 comes with string spacing of 19 mm while the 5-string M5 offers 18 mm.
On the neck, the zero fret does the job of the bass nut by setting the string height over the fretboard when being played open. The nut (1 21/32-inch width on 4-string and 1 7/8-inch on 5-string) is still used as a guide to set the string spacing before going to the tuners. Since the nut is not responsible for the open notes, players can change to any string gauge without worrying about resizing or replacing the nut, all while eliminating unwanted friction between the nut and the strings. The angled headstock provides better string tension for longer sustain and even resonance without the use of string trees.
The 35-inch (5 string) and 34-inch (4 string) scale Cort Elrick NJS have a 3pcs hard maple neck and fingerboard, with 12-inch radius, providing power and stability while contributing warm, beefy, and punchy tone with a strong upper midrange. Dense and rigid, the neck provides just the right amount of tactile flexibility, responding sensitively to picking attack and slapping techniques with plenty of articulation and power. The 24 frets have white pearloid block inlays that are eye-catching and complement the chrome hardware and the player’s choice of a classic Black or White finish.
At the headstock, Hipshot® Ultralite tuners (classic 20:1 tuning ratio) are made of cast zinc with aluminum string posts and mounting nuts, resulting in 30 percent weight reduction over other regular tuners, improved balance, and tuning accuracy.
Whether an aspiring player is looking to expand into the New Jazz Standard style or a professional is in search of a fine instrument, the Cort Elrick NJS bass guitars are excellent options that unite traditional sonic performance with modern playability.
Learn more about the Cort Elrick NJS and other bass guitars at www.cortguitars.com.
Where to buy: 
Elrick NJS4: MSRP $1,999.99 / MAP $1,399.99
Elrick NJS5: MSRP $2,199.99 / MAP $1,499.99
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