Cort: The Quiet Giant of Global Guitar Making

Cort: Much More Than a Brand, a Pillar of the Industry

When we think of major guitar brands, names like Fender, Gibson or Ibanez immediately come to mind. Yet behind many of these legendary instruments hides a discreet but colossal player: Cort. Based in Seoul, South Korea, Cort is quite simply the world's largest guitar manufacturer, with over one million instruments produced each year.

Founded in 1960 by Yung H. Park, the company modestly began as a piano importer under the name "Soo Doh Piano" before venturing into guitar manufacturing in 1973. The Cort brand was officially born in 1982 and has grown ever since, becoming an essential partner for the biggest names in global guitar making.

Whether you are a beginner guitarist or a seasoned musician, chances are you have already played a guitar made by Cort, sometimes without even knowing it. Let's dive into the fascinating world of this quiet giant.

A Story of Family and Passion

Cort's story is above all a family adventure. For over sixty years, the company has remained under the leadership of the Park family, an exceptional longevity in the music industry. This stability has allowed Cort to develop a long-term vision and invest heavily in its production tools.

The key milestones of this industrial saga:

• 1960 - Yung H. Park creates "Soo Doh Piano", a piano import company in Seoul
• 1973 - The company diversifies and enters the guitar manufacturing sector
• 1982 - The Cort brand is officially launched (a contraction of "Cor" for culture and "t" for technology)
• 1990s-2000s - Cort becomes the world's largest manufacturer by volume, producing for Ibanez, Squier, G&L Tribute, PRS SE and many others
• Today - The brand owns factories in South Korea, Indonesia (the world's largest guitar factory in Surabaya) and China

What sets Cort apart is its unique ability to combine mass production with consistent quality. Cort's factories have trained generations of luthiers and have helped raise the quality level of guitars made in Asia, to the point that the "Made in Korea" label is now synonymous with excellence.

Innovations That Changed the Game

Cort hasn't just focused on mass production: the brand has also been a driving force for innovation in the guitar world.

Large-scale OEM: Cort revolutionized the subcontracting model in guitar making. By manufacturing for prestigious brands like Ibanez, Squier, G&L or Lakland, Cort enabled these companies to offer affordable ranges without compromising on build quality.

High-end onboard electronics: On its production models, Cort regularly incorporates Fishman preamp systems and Seymour Duncan, EMG or Bartolini pickups - components typically found on much more expensive instruments.

The democratization of fanned-fret: Cort was among the first major manufacturers to offer multi-scale (fanned-fret) guitars at accessible prices, bringing contemporary lutherie innovations closer to the general public.

Exceptional collaborations: The Curbow series, developed with American luthier Greg Curbow, illustrates Cort's commitment to collaborating with the best craftsmen to offer innovative designs, particularly in the field of electric basses.

Sustainable materials: Aware of environmental challenges, Cort develops eco-friendly production processes and uses certified woods, an approach still rare at this scale of production.

A Range for Every Musician

One of Cort's greatest strengths is the diversity of its catalog. Whether you are looking for a warm acoustic, an electric built for metal or a bass with an avant-garde design, Cort has a model for you.

Acoustic Guitars

The Earth series is Cort's flagship in acoustic guitars. Renowned for its excellent value for money, it features solid wood tops (solid top) and balanced tone. The Gold series steps up with premium woods, refined inlays and integrated Fishman electronics. For tighter budgets, the Core and Standard series offer an ideal entry point into the world of acoustic guitar.

Electric Guitars

The G series features versatile double-cutaway models, perfect for rock and blues. The CR and X series cater to rock and metal guitarists with more aggressive designs and high-output pickups. The M series focuses on ergonomics with lightweight, comfortable guitars, ideal for long sessions.

Electric Basses

The Action series stands out with its sleek design and remarkable lightness. The Artisan series represents the high-end of Cort basses with exotic woods and sophisticated active electronics. The Curbow models, with their unique look, are the result of the collaboration with Greg Curbow and appeal to bassists seeking originality.

Classical Guitars

The AC and CEC series offer nylon-string classical guitars, with or without amplification, for classical guitarists and lovers of mellow tones.

Cort is also the Parkwood brand, a premium range of acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars crafted with exceptional woods and meticulous attention to detail.

The Musicians Who Shine a Light on the Brand

Many renowned artists have chosen Cort as their musical partner:

• Larry Coryell, jazz fusion legend and pioneer of jazz-rock guitar
• Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Blues Brothers blues guitarist
• Hiram Bullock, eclectic guitarist who collaborated with Sting and Paul Simon
• Hedras Ramos, progressive metal and shred virtuoso
• Frank Gambale, Australian master of sweep picking in jazz fusion
• Neil Zaza, melodic rock guitarist with captivating instrumental compositions
• Matthias Jabs, legendary Scorpions guitarist

This eclectic list - from blues to metal to jazz - reflects the versatility and quality of Cort instruments, capable of meeting the demands of the most discerning musicians.

Further Reading on the Green Musicians Blog

If you enjoyed this article, here are other reads you might find interesting:

• Used Guitar: Buying Guide to Find the Rare Gem
• Essential Guitar Effects Pedals: Guide and Tips
• Why Buy a Used Musical Instrument?
• Refurbished Musical Instruments: Economy and Ecology
• Fender: The American Legend That Shaped the Sound of the Electric Guitar

Why Choose Green Musicians for Your Cort?

Green Musicians is the go-to marketplace for all musicians, amateurs and professionals alike. You will regularly find Cort guitars there, whether new, refurbished or used, at competitive prices. Our platform directly connects buyers and sellers, ensuring transparency and trust.

Hand-to-hand delivery is the preferred shipping method on Green Musicians: you can meet the seller, try out the instrument and leave with complete peace of mind. For a guitar, nothing beats direct contact with the instrument.

And there you have it! We hope this article has inspired you to discover or rediscover the world of Cort and its guitars. All that's left is to browse Green Musicians to find the Cort of your dreams at the best price.

We offer a complete catalog of musical instruments featuring brands from around the world such as Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Ibanez and many more. Whether you are an amateur or professional musician, our marketplace is designed to give you the best in music.

Want to try before you buy?
That's perfectly normal, which is why we encourage you to meet sellers near you and test instruments in person. Hand-to-hand delivery is also the preferred shipping method on Green Musicians.

Green Musicians is also a music marketplace where everyone can sell or buy music gear with complete confidence: new, refurbished and used instruments, as well as software, plugins, sheet music and samples.

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