Cort AD880CE Black Electro-Acoustic Guitar

Description

Cort AD880CE Black Electro-Acoustic Guitar Overview

The Cort AD880CE Black Electro-Acoustic Guitar is part of the renowned Cort AD Series, a line known for providing high-quality acoustic guitars at an accessible price point. The AD880CE is designed for guitarists who require a versatile instrument capable of delivering great sound both acoustically and when plugged into an amplifier. Whether you’re playing at home, recording in a studio, or performing on stage, the AD880CE is a reliable and dynamic option. The guitar features a solid spruce top, providing excellent tonal clarity and projection, complemented by mahogany back and sides for warmth and richness. The cutaway body ensures that higher frets are easily accessible, making it a fantastic choice for solo and lead players. The open pore black finish gives the guitar a sleek, modern appearance while enhancing the natural resonance of the wood. The Cort AD880CE is equipped with built-in electronics featuring the Fishman ISYS+ preamp system, offering precise control over the sound when amplified. With an under-saddle pickup and tone control options, the preamp provides clear, natural amplification that is faithful to the guitar's acoustic sound.

Key Features:

• Solid Spruce Top: Provides clarity and projection for a bright, balanced sound.
• Mahogany Back & Sides: Delivers warmth and a smooth midrange tone.
• Cutaway Design: Provides access to the higher frets for lead and solo playing.
• Fishman ISYS+ Preamp System: Includes an under-saddle pickup, built-in tuner, and tone controls for excellent amplified sound.
• Open Pore Finish: Enhances resonance and produces a more natural sound.
• Die-Cast Tuners: Provide precise and stable tuning.

Detailed Specifications

Below is a detailed table with all the specifications of the Cort AD880CE Black Electro-Acoustic Guitar:

Additional Features:

1. Solid Spruce Top:
   • The solid spruce top is known for its ability to provide clear, bright, and balanced tones with excellent projection. Spruce is one of the most popular tonewoods used for acoustic guitar tops due to its ability to offer a broad tonal range, crisp highs, and a strong fundamental tone. Over time, the spruce top will continue to open up and become richer, improving in sound as the guitar is played more.
2. Mahogany Back & Sides:
   • The mahogany back and sides contribute to the warmth and depth of the guitar’s tone. Mahogany is known for its midrange-focused qualities, which provide a smooth and balanced sound. The tone of mahogany is often described as “woody” with a more intimate, mellow character compared to other woods. The combination of spruce and mahogany gives the AD880CE a perfect balance between brightness and warmth.
3. Cutaway Design:
   • The cutaway design is a defining feature of the Cort AD880CE. This allows guitarists to access the higher frets easily, making it a great choice for those who like to play solos and intricate melodies that require playing in the upper register of the guitar neck. The cutaway provides both comfort and playability, making it ideal for lead guitar work.
4. Fishman ISYS+ Preamp System:
   • The Fishman ISYS+ preamp system is one of the most respected and reliable amplification systems for acoustic guitars. It includes a built-in tuner, volume control, and tone shaping controls (bass, middle, and treble), giving players the ability to adjust their sound to suit different performance environments. The under-saddle pickup ensures that the guitar retains its natural sound when amplified, delivering a clear and faithful reproduction of the acoustic tone.
5. Ovangkol Fretboard and Bridge:
   • The ovangkol fretboard provides a smooth playing surface, making it easy to glide your fingers across the neck. Ovangkol offers a sound that is similar to rosewood but with a brighter tone and a slightly more responsive feel. The ovangkol bridge ensures solid tonal transfer from the strings to the body, improving sustain and resonance.
6. X-Bracing:
   • The X-bracing inside the guitar is designed to help the top vibrate freely, producing a more resonant and balanced sound. This style of bracing is known for improving the overall tonal response of the guitar, making it more dynamic and vibrant, especially in the bass and midrange frequencies.
7. Open Pore Finish:
   • The open pore finish is an important feature of the Cort AD880CE. This finish is applied to the guitar without a thick glossy coat, which allows the wood to breathe and vibrate more freely. As a result, the open pore finish enhances the natural resonance of the wood, providing a more organic and natural sound.
8. Die-Cast Tuners:
   • The chrome die-cast tuners offer precision tuning and excellent tuning stability. With these tuners, the Cort AD880CE stays in tune longer, even with frequent use, making it ideal for live performances where tuning accuracy is crucial.

Sound and Performance:

The Cort AD880CE Black Electro-Acoustic Guitar excels in both acoustic and amplified performance. The solid spruce top provides bright, crisp tones with excellent projection, making it perfect for strumming or fingerpicking. The mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm and smooth midrange, which balances the high frequencies of the spruce top, resulting in a well-rounded tone. When played unplugged, the AD880CE delivers clear, articulate notes with a good balance between warmth and brightness. The cutaway body design ensures that high notes are accessible and can be played with ease. When amplified, the Fishman ISYS+ preamp system does an excellent job of preserving the natural sound of the guitar. The under-saddle pickup ensures that the guitar’s tonal characteristics are faithfully captured, while the tone controls allow the player to shape the sound to suit different performance settings. Whether you’re performing in a small venue or large stage, the AD880CE provides natural, clear amplification without any distortion or feedback.

Comfort and Playability:

The Cort AD880CE is built for comfort. The cutaway body ensures easy access to the higher frets, which is particularly useful for lead players or guitarists who like to explore the full range of their instrument. The mahogany neck is smooth and provides excellent playability, and the low action allows for easy fretting of the strings. The ovangkol fretboard offers a fast, responsive surface, while the open pore finish makes the guitar feel lighter and more comfortable to play, even during extended sessions. The die-cast tuners ensure that the guitar remains in tune with minimal adjustments.

Pros and Cons of the Cort AD880CE Black Electro-Acoustic Guitar

Pros:

• Balanced Sound: The combination of a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provides a well-rounded tone with crisp highs and warm mids.
• Built-in Electronics: The Fishman ISYS+ preamp system allows for easy amplification without compromising the guitar's natural sound.
• Cutaway Design: Provides easy access to higher frets for solos and advanced lead playing.
• Comfortable Playability: The low action and smooth ovangkol fretboard make it comfortable to play for extended periods.
• Durable and Lightweight: The open pore finish enhances the resonance of the guitar while keeping it lightweight.
• Affordable Price: Delivers high-quality features and performance at a competitive price point.

Cons:

• Limited Advanced Electronics: While the Fishman ISYS+ preamp system is reliable, some players might prefer additional features like a phase switch or more advanced EQ controls.
• Basic Aesthetic: Some players may prefer a more intricate or decorative finish.

Conclusion

The Cort AD880CE Black Electro-Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for guitarists looking for a high-quality instrument with versatility and reliability. It offers the perfect balance between acoustic and amplified performance, with a solid spruce top for brightness, mahogany back and sides for warmth, and the Fishman ISYS+ preamp system for natural sound amplification. The cutaway design enhances its playability, and the open pore finish provides a more organic sound. Whether you're an aspiring musician, a solo performer, or a seasoned pro, the Cort AD880CE delivers an impressive tonal range, comfort, and durability at an