Cort MR500E Brown Burst Electro-Acoustic Guitar

The Cort MR500E is a mid-range acoustic-electric guitar designed to provide a balanced sound with great tonal versatility. It features a solid spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides, giving it a rich tone with a natural resonance. With advanced electronics and a comfortable, player-friendly design, the MR500E is perfect for musicians looking to play both unplugged and amplified.

Overview

Cort is known for producing high-quality, affordable instruments, and the MR500E is no exception. It’s a part of the MR series, which is famous for blending solid craftsmanship and modern features. The MR500E combines traditional acoustic design with the convenience of built-in electronics, making it suitable for live performances or recording situations. This guitar stands out for its ability to produce a warm, full-bodied sound. The tonal balance is achieved through a combination of solid tonewoods, precise craftsmanship, and thoughtful design elements. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, the MR500E offers an excellent value in the mid-range price bracket.

Body and Construction

The Cort MR500E features a dreadnought-style body that is designed to produce a deep, resonant sound. Dreadnoughts are known for their large size and powerful projection, making them ideal for both strumming and fingerpicking. The cutaway design allows for easier access to the higher frets, making this guitar versatile for a range of playing styles.

Top: Solid Sitka Spruce

The top of the MR500E is made of solid Sitka spruce, a common choice for acoustic guitars because of its bright, clear tone and excellent projection. Sitka spruce is known for its dynamic range, making it suitable for various genres, from folk to rock.

Back and Sides: Mahogany

The back and sides of the MR500E are made from mahogany, a tonewood known for its warm, mellow sound with a pronounced midrange. Mahogany enhances the guitar’s ability to produce rich and smooth tones while maintaining clarity and depth.

Neck: Mahogany

The neck of the MR500E is also made of mahogany, which contributes to the guitar's overall warmth and stability. Mahogany is a durable wood that offers good sustain and resonance.

Fretboard: Rosewood

The rosewood fretboard offers a smooth playing surface and adds a slight brightness to the overall tone. Rosewood is a commonly used material for fretboards due to its durability, smooth feel, and tonal balance.

Finish: Gloss Natural

The MR500E features a gloss natural finish that enhances the natural beauty of the tonewoods while providing a smooth, protective layer. The finish not only looks stunning but also contributes to the guitar's overall resonance.

Electronics

One of the standout features of the Cort MR500E is its built-in electronics. This makes it an excellent choice for players who perform live or want the option to amplify their sound. The guitar is equipped with a Fishman Presys II preamp system with a built-in tuner, which is known for its clear, transparent sound and ease of use.

Fishman Presys II Preamp System

The Fishman Presys II preamp system provides tonal shaping controls, including a 3-band EQ (bass, middle, treble), a phase switch, and a volume control. The built-in tuner is a convenient feature for quick tuning during live performances or rehearsals. The Fishman Sonicore pickup provides a natural sound reproduction, capturing the guitar's acoustic tone with excellent detail. This combination of preamp and pickup makes the MR500E perfect for amplifying the rich, balanced sound of the acoustic guitar.

Neck Profile and Playability

The MR500E features a C-shaped neck profile that provides a comfortable grip for players of all hand sizes. The neck is smooth and easy to navigate, with a 22-fret rosewood fretboard that allows for effortless chord changes and soloing.

Scale Length: 25.3 inches

The 25.3-inch scale length of the MR500E offers a comfortable playing experience. This is the standard scale length for many acoustic guitars, providing a good balance between string tension and ease of playability.

Nut Width: 1.69 inches

The 1.69-inch nut width is slightly narrower than a traditional acoustic guitar, making it easier to play, especially for players with smaller hands or those transitioning from electric guitars.

Sound and Performance

The Cort MR500E produces a balanced and dynamic sound, with a rich low end, clear mids, and bright highs. The solid spruce top ensures excellent projection, while the mahogany back and sides give the guitar warmth and sustain. The combination of these materials results in a guitar that sounds full and resonant, both unplugged and amplified.

Acoustic Sound

Unplugged, the MR500E delivers a vibrant, warm sound with excellent midrange and punch. The dreadnought body ensures that the guitar has a full, resonant tone, making it suitable for both rhythm playing and lead work.

Amplified Sound

When plugged in, the Fishman Presys II electronics preserve the natural tone of the guitar while providing the option to shape the sound with the 3-band EQ. The amplified sound is clear and accurate, making it suitable for live performances, rehearsals, and studio sessions.

Hardware

The hardware of the Cort MR500E is built to last, providing excellent tuning stability and ease of use. It comes equipped with high-quality Die-Cast tuners, which ensure precise tuning adjustments and stable tuning over time.

Bridge: Rosewood

The rosewood bridge helps to transfer the vibrations from the strings to the body of the guitar, contributing to the guitar’s resonance and sustain.

Strings: D’Addario EXP16 Coated Phosphor Bronze Strings

The guitar comes equipped with D’Addario EXP16 coated phosphor bronze strings, which are known for their rich, full sound and long-lasting durability. These strings are designed to enhance the guitar’s tonal range and provide excellent clarity.

Design and Aesthetics

The Cort MR500E has an elegant design with clean lines and a refined appearance. The natural gloss finish showcases the beautiful wood grain, while the ivory binding adds a touch of sophistication to the overall look. The guitar’s aesthetic is understated yet visually appealing, making it suitable for a variety of playing environments.

Inlays: Dots on the Fretboard

The fretboard features dot inlays, which provide easy visual reference points for the player. This simple yet effective design ensures that players can quickly locate the correct fret when performing.

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Specifications Table:

Specification	Details
Model	Cort MR500E
Body Shape	Dreadnought with Cutaway
Top Wood	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back and Sides Wood	Mahogany
Neck Wood	Mahogany
Fretboard Wood	Rosewood
Bridge Wood	Rosewood
Finish	Gloss Natural
Electronics	Fishman Presys II Preamp with Sonicore Pickup
Scale Length	25.3 inches
Nut Width	1.69 inches
Number of Frets	22
Neck Profile	C-Shaped Neck
Tuning Machines	Die-Cast Tuners
Pickup System	Fishman Sonicore Pickup
Preamp System	Fishman Presys II Preamp
Controls	3-Band EQ, Phase Switch, Volume Control, Built-in Tuner
String Gauge	D’Addario EXP16 Coated Phosphor Bronze Strings
Inlays	Dot Inlays
Hardware	Chrome
Body Length	20 inches
Body Width	15.5 inches
Body Depth	5 inches
Overall Length	41 inches
Weight	Approx. 5.5 lbs

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Conclusion

The Cort MR500E is an excellent choice for guitarists seeking an affordable yet high-quality acoustic-electric guitar. With its combination of solid tonewoods, advanced electronics, and versatile design, it’s an ideal option for players who want a balanced and dynamic sound. Whether you’re performing live or recording in the studio, the MR500E delivers both tonal richness and reliability. Its player-friendly neck profile, sleek finish, and durable hardware make it a solid investment for musicians looking to expand their instrument collection. If you’re searching for an acoustic-electric guitar that offers great value without sacrificing performance, the Cort MR500E is certainly worth considering.