Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass Guitar, Open Pore Blue Black

The Cort Artisan A4 Plus FMMH Open Pore Blue Black is a premium 4-string electric bass guitar designed for serious musicians who demand exceptional tone, professional playability and outstanding reliability. Combining sophisticated neck-through-body construction, premium tonewoods and industry-respected electronics, the A4 Plus delivers the performance and versatility required for studio recording, live performances and demanding professional applications.

Featuring a beautifully figured maple top over a resonant mahogany body, a five-piece maple and panga panga neck, and a smooth panga panga fingerboard, this instrument offers an outstanding balance of warmth, clarity, sustain and articulation. Its neck-through construction enhances resonance and provides comfortable access to the upper frets, making it particularly appealing to players who appreciate responsive, effortless performance.

A pair of Bartolini MK-1 pickups and a matching active 3-band EQ provide extensive tonal possibilities, while premium Hipshot hardware ensures precise tuning and dependable performance. Finished in the striking Open Pore Blue Black colour, the A4 Plus combines contemporary aesthetics with professional-grade specifications, representing exceptional quality and value.

At A Glance

Detailed Features & Benefits

Figured Maple Top on Mahogany Body

The Artisan A4 Plus FMMH features a beautifully figured maple top over a solid mahogany body, creating an exceptional combination of visual appeal and tonal performance. The mahogany provides a warm, rich low-midrange foundation, while the figured maple adds definition, clarity and brightness to the overall response. This carefully selected tonewood combination produces a balanced sound that works equally well for deep fingerstyle grooves, punchy rock bass lines and articulate modern playing techniques. The stunning Open Pore Blue Black finish enhances the natural figuring of the maple, giving the bass a distinctive, sophisticated appearance.

Premium Neck-Through-Body Construction

One of the standout features of the A4 Plus is its neck-through-body construction, which extends the neck continuously through the centre of the instrument rather than attaching it with traditional bolts. This design promotes efficient vibration transfer, excellent sustain and a consistent tonal response across the fingerboard. The contoured body and smooth neck joint also provide comfortable access to the upper register, making demanding bass lines, melodic passages and expressive solo playing feel remarkably natural.

Five-Piece Maple and Panga Panga Neck

The A4 Plus features a five-piece laminated neck constructed from maple and panga panga, combining excellent structural stability with a responsive and articulate tonal character. Maple contributes brightness and definition, while panga panga introduces a warm, focused midrange. The comfortable C-shaped neck profile provides a familiar, natural feel, while its matte finish allows the fretting hand to move smoothly during fast passages and extended performances. This premium construction makes the instrument particularly well suited to musicians who demand consistency and precision.

Panga Panga Fingerboard

The dark panga panga fingerboard provides a luxurious playing surface with excellent tactile response and a distinctive appearance. Its dense character contributes to the bass's articulate attack and clear note separation, while the 15.75-inch radius strikes an excellent balance between comfortable fretting and technical playing. Equipped with 24 medium-jumbo frets, attractive abalone position markers and elegant black binding, the fingerboard offers impressive playability throughout the instrument's extended range.

Bartolini MK-1 Pickups

A pair of Bartolini MK-1 pickups provides the A4 Plus with a versatile and expressive tonal foundation. Renowned for their warm, punchy midrange and articulate high frequencies, these pickups deliver a balanced response that suits a wide variety of playing styles. From rounded vintage-inspired bass tones to aggressive modern sounds with exceptional note definition, the MK-1 pickups offer outstanding flexibility. The onboard pickup blend control allows players to fine-tune the balance between neck and bridge pickup characteristics, ensuring precise tonal adjustment for any musical setting.

Bartolini Active 3-Band EQ

The Bartolini MK-1 preamp provides powerful and flexible tone shaping through dedicated bass, middle and treble controls. Players can enhance low-frequency depth, introduce additional midrange punch or increase treble clarity to suit their instrument, amplifier and musical style. Whether dialling in a warm fingerstyle sound, a bright slap tone or an aggressive rock bass response, the 3-band EQ offers intuitive control. An active/passive mini-toggle switch provides further versatility, allowing players to switch between the enhanced tonal flexibility of active operation and the direct response of passive electronics.

Hipshot TransTone Bridge

The premium Hipshot TransTone bridge offers exceptional stability, precise string adjustment and efficient vibration transfer. Its substantial construction helps maximise sustain and note definition, while the dual string-loading design accommodates both traditional top-loading and string-through-body configurations. This allows players to choose their preferred string response and playing feel. Combined with the instrument's neck-through construction, the TransTone bridge contributes to the tight, articulate low-end and excellent tonal consistency that make the A4 Plus such a capable professional instrument.

Hipshot Ultralite Machine Heads

The A4 Plus is fitted with high-quality Hipshot Ultralite tuning machines, designed to deliver accurate tuning while reducing unnecessary weight at the headstock. Their lightweight construction improves instrument balance and helps minimise neck dive, making the bass more comfortable during extended rehearsals and live performances. Featuring a precise 20:1 tuning ratio, these premium machine heads provide smooth, dependable adjustment and excellent tuning stability.

Striking Open Pore Blue Black Finish

The Open Pore Blue Black finish gives the A4 Plus a distinctive contemporary appearance while highlighting the beautiful figuring of the maple top. Its understated matte surface retains the natural texture of the wood, creating an attractive organic aesthetic that feels premium without being overly elaborate. Platinum Silver hardware provides an elegant contrast against the darker finish, while the black-bound panga panga fingerboard completes an instrument that looks every bit as impressive as it sounds.

Product Specifications

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

The Cort Artisan A4 Plus FMMH Open Pore Blue Black is an outstanding example of how premium construction, high-quality electronics and carefully selected components can combine to deliver genuine professional performance at a highly competitive price.

The neck-through-body construction is a particularly impressive feature, providing excellent sustain, comfortable upper-fret access and a responsive playing experience. Combined with the five-piece maple and panga panga neck and beautifully finished fingerboard, the result is a bass that feels refined, stable and exceptionally comfortable.

The Bartolini MK-1 pickup and preamp combination is another major highlight, offering tremendous tonal versatility. Whether you're looking for smooth, warm fingerstyle sounds, articulate slap tones or a powerful modern bass response, the A4 Plus provides the flexibility to adapt to virtually any musical situation.

Premium Hipshot TransTone and Ultralite hardware further elevates the instrument, offering dependable tuning, impressive sustain and excellent overall balance. The striking Blue Black open-pore finish gives the bass a distinctive boutique-inspired appearance that complements its premium specification.

For experienced bassists, professional performers and ambitious players seeking an instrument capable of handling demanding musical environments, the Cort A4 Plus represents exceptional value and a superb alternative to considerably more expensive professional bass guitars.