The Cort Sterling series guitars were made from the mid 1990s until around 2000. They had a double cut-away stratocaster style body but the body was offset allowing better balance. The Cort S series models had an extra deep cutaway for easy access to the upper frets. The headstock was designed with a three-each-side tuner layout for straight string pull from the bridge to the nut. With the S series, the higher the model number the better the specifications. Not surprisingly the overall design of the Sterling Series owes something to MusicMan - for example straight pull headstock, direct mounted uncovered pickups on some models on others the pickguard shape looks like a silhouette pickguard, Maybe there were some legal issues with MusicMan because the "Sterling" was dropped from the name and this series was marketed as "The S Series" from around 1998 onwards. The models ranged from the entry level S400 - with agathis body and Powersound pickups to the S2900 model with alder body, quilted arched maple top and Seymour Duncan pickups. Some had fixed bridges, others Full Action II tremolos or Wilkinson VS-50Ks but the S3000 was the only one fitted with a Floyd Rose tremolo.
CORT S1000Manufacture of the Cort S1000 ended in 1999. The S1000 model featured a hand selected Mahogany body in Black and Cherry Red finish. The neck was hard rock maple with a rosewood fretboard, ring mounted MightyMite CTK Series pickups (2 Humbucking pickups) and a non tremolo standard diecast fixed bridge | |
CORT S2000The S2000 was discontinued by CORT in 1998. The S2000 was like the S1000 but had a maple fretboard and HSS pickup configuration. Other features included: light weight agathis body, Black or Crimson Burst finish. The neck was hard rock maple.Pickups were direct mount MightyMite CTKs (Single, Single, Humbucker). The bridge was a Full Action II, 2 point tremolo system.
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No image yet | CORT S2100CORT made the S2100 between 1997 and 1998.It was like the S400 but with a black headstock. The S2100 model had a light weight agathis body and was available in Black, White or Red Metallic finishes. The neck was hard rock maple with a rosewood fretboard, pickguard mounted MightyMite CTK Series pickups (Single, Single, Humbucker). The bridge was a Full Action II, 2 point tremolo system. |
No image yet | CORT S2500CORT produced the S2500 between 1996 and 2001. |
CORT S2500MCORT manufactured the S2500M between 1996 and 1998. It was the maple bodied version of the Cort S2500. The S2500M model featured a light weight soft maple body available in Black and Amber Stain. The neck was constructed of hard rock maple with a rosewood fretboard and offset abalone dots. The scale length was 25.5" with a specially designed truss rod to strengthen the neck allowing a thinner profile. The Wilkinson VS50K with a SK5 hardness bridge plate was used along with a custom radius roller nut. | |
CORT S2550Manufacture of the Cort S2550 ended in 2000.The S2550 models featured a soft maple body, Mightymite pickups, roller nut and a Wilkinson VS50K Tremolo. | |
CORT S2600CORT discontinued the S2600 in 2000. The S2600 models featured a soft maple body, Duncan designed blade pickups, roller nut and a Wilkinson VS50K Tremolo. | |
CORT S2800The Cort S2800 was made between 1998 and 2000. The S2800 had an offset Strat style body with an extra deep cutaway allowing easy access to the upper frets. The headstock was designed for straight string pull from the bridge to the nut. The S2800 models featured a soft maple body with a quilted maple top. Duncan pickups, Sperzel Trim-lok tuners and a Wilkinson VS50II Tremolo. The earlier models had a block "Cort" logo at the 12 fret and also appeared to have a different shaped body - with a longer upper horn, a different shaped headstock and different headstock logo. | |
CORT S2900The Cort S2900 was made between 1999 and 2000.It was like the S2500 except its alder body had a quilted maple top. Duncan pickups, Sperzel Trim-lok tuners and a Wilkinson VS50K Tremolo. | |
CORT S3000CORT introduced the Sterling Series S3000 in the mid 1990s and it was made until around 1998. It had a basswood body and was notable as the only Sterling Series model with a Floyd Rose tremolo. | |
CORT S400CORT produced the S400 between 1997 and 2001. The S400 model featured an agathis body, Powersound pickups, and a Wilkinson VS10 tremolo. | |
CORT S500CORT produced the S500 between 1998 and 2000. The S500 was like the S400, but had a humbucker at the bridge. Other features included: agathis body, Powersound pickups, and a Wilkinson VS10 tremolo. | |
CORT SB10Production of the Cort SB10 began in 1997 and ended in 1998. It was part of the Cort S series and had an offset Agathis body, extended cutaway with headstock designed for straight string pull. It had a single Mighty Mite humbucker. | |
CORT SB70CORT stopped making the SB70 bass around 2001. The Cort S series guitars and basses had an offset body for better balance with an extra deep cutaway. The headstock was designed for straight string pull from the bridge to the nut. The Cort SB70 bass was like the SB10 except it featured a soft maple body, Alnico bass pickup, and a Mightymite Vintage bridge. |
Specifications:
Model | Image | Finish colors | Finish effects | Made in | Number of strings | Scale length | Finish material |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CORT S1000 1995 | black finish, red finish | sunburst finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S2000 1997 to 1999 | black finish, red finish, walnut finish | satin finish, sunburst finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S2100 1997 to 1998 | No image yet | black finish, red finish, white finish | metallic finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - |
CORT S2500 1996 to 1999 | No image yet | amber finish, black finish, red finish | satin finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | oil finish |
CORT S2500M 1996 to 1998 | red finish | satin finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | oil finish | |
CORT S2550 1998 to 2001 | amber finish, walnut finish | satin finish, sunburst finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S2600 1999 | blue finish, red finish | sunburst finish, transparent finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S2800 1998 to 2000 | amber finish, walnut finish | satin finish, sunburst finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S2900 1999 to 2000 | blue finish, red finish | sunburst finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S3000 1995 to 1998 | black finish, blue finish, red finish | metallic finish, transparent finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S400 1997 to 2001 | black finish, green finish, pink finish, red finish | transparent finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT S500 1998 to 2000 | black finish, blue finish, green finish, red finish | transparent finish | Korea | 6 strings | 25.5 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT SB10 1998 to 2001 | black finish, green finish, red finish | transparent finish | Korea | 4 strings | 34 inches scale-length | - | |
CORT SB70 2000 to 2001 | amber finish, walnut finish | sunburst finish | Korea | 4 strings | 34 inches scale-length | - |
Model | Tone controls | Volume controls | Pickup selector controls | Controls material | EQ or mix controls | Number of control knobs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CORT S1000 1995 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2000 1997 to 1999 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2100 1997 to 1998 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2500 1996 to 1999 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2500M 1996 to 1998 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2550 1998 to 2001 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2600 1999 | 1 tone control, 1 tone switch | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2800 1998 to 2000 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S2900 1999 to 2000 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S3000 1995 to 1998 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S400 1997 to 2001 | 2 tone controls | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT S500 1998 to 2000 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
CORT SB10 1998 to 2001 | 1 tone control | 1 volume control | - | - | - | - |
CORT SB70 2000 to 2001 | - | 1 volume control | - | black controls | 2-band EQ control | 3 control knobs |
Model | Pickups brand and model | Pickups configuration | Preamp |
---|---|---|---|
CORT S1000 1995 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 2 humbucker pickups | - |
CORT S2000 1997 to 1999 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT S2100 1997 to 1998 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT S2500 1996 to 1999 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT S2500M 1996 to 1998 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT S2550 1998 to 2001 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | - | - |
CORT S2600 1999 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT S2800 1998 to 2000 | Seymour Duncan SSL-1 pickup(s), Seymour Duncan TB-4 pickup(s), Seymour Duncan pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT S2900 1999 to 2000 | Seymour Duncan SSL-1 pickup(s), Seymour Duncan TB-4 pickup(s) | - | - |
CORT S3000 1995 to 1998 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 1 single coil and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT S400 1997 to 2001 | Cort Powersound pickup(s) | 3 single coil pickups | - |
CORT S500 1998 to 2000 | Cort Powersound pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT SB10 1998 to 2001 | Mighty Mite pickup(s) | 1 humbucker pickup | - |
CORT SB70 2000 to 2001 | - | 1 humbucker pickup | active preamp |
Model | Body material | Body shape features | Pickguard shape | Pickguard material | Body style | Body top material |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CORT S1000 1995 | mahogany body | double cutaway | no pickguard | - | - | - |
CORT S2000 1997 to 1999 | agathis body | double cutaway | no pickguard | - | - | - |
CORT S2100 1997 to 1998 | agathis body | double cutaway | - | white pickguard | - | - |
CORT S2500 1996 to 1999 | maple body | double cutaway | no pickguard | - | - | - |
CORT S2500M 1996 to 1998 | maple body | double cutaway | no pickguard | - | - | - |
CORT S2550 1998 to 2001 | maple body | double cutaway | no pickguard | - | - | - |
CORT S2600 1999 | maple body | double cutaway | no pickguard | - | - | - |
CORT S2800 1998 to 2000 | maple body | double cutaway | - | pearloid pickguard | Stratocaster style | quilted maple body top |
CORT S2900 1999 to 2000 | arched body | archtop | no pickguard | - | archtop | quilted maple body top |
CORT S3000 1995 to 1998 | basswood body | double cutaway | no pickguard | - | - | - |
CORT S400 1997 to 2001 | agathis body | double cutaway | - | white pickguard | - | - |
CORT S500 1998 to 2000 | agathis body | double cutaway | - | white pickguard | - | - |
CORT SB10 1998 to 2001 | agathis body | double cutaway | - | white pickguard | - | - |
CORT SB70 2000 to 2001 | maple body | - | - | pearloid pickguard | - | - |
Model | Bridge | Hardware color | Tuners |
---|---|---|---|
CORT S1000 1995 | fixed bridge | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S2000 1997 to 1999 | Full-Action II tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S2100 1997 to 1998 | Full-Action II tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S2500 1996 to 1999 | Wilkinson VS-50 tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S2500M 1996 to 1998 | Wilkinson VS-50 tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S2550 1998 to 2001 | Wilkinson VS-50 tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S2600 1999 | Wilkinson tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S2800 1998 to 2000 | Wilkinson VS-50 tremolo | gold hardware | Sperzel Trim-Lok tuners |
CORT S2900 1999 to 2000 | - | chrome hardware | Sperzel Trim-Lok tuners |
CORT S3000 1995 to 1998 | Lo-Pro Floyd Rose licensed tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S400 1997 to 2001 | Wilkinson VS10 tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT S500 1998 to 2000 | Wilkinson VS10 tremolo | chrome hardware | - |
CORT SB10 1998 to 2001 | fixed bridge | chrome hardware | - |
CORT SB70 2000 to 2001 | - | black hardware | - |
Model | Fingerboard material | Fingerboard position markers | Fingerboard inlay material |
---|---|---|---|
CORT S1000 1995 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2000 1997 to 1999 | maple fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2100 1997 to 1998 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2500 1996 to 1999 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2500M 1996 to 1998 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2550 1998 to 2001 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2600 1999 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2800 1998 to 2000 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S2900 1999 to 2000 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S3000 1995 to 1998 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S400 1997 to 2001 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT S500 1998 to 2000 | rosewood fingerboard | offset dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT SB10 1998 to 2001 | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers | - |
CORT SB70 2000 to 2001 | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers | abalone fingerboard inlay material, pearloid fingerboard inlays |
Model | Neck joint | Neck material | Number of frets | Peghead (headstock) | Tuner layout | Nut | Headstock inlays or logos |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CORT S1000 1995 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S2000 1997 to 1999 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | - | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S2100 1997 to 1998 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S2500 1996 to 1999 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S2500M 1996 to 1998 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S2550 1998 to 2001 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | roller nut | - |
CORT S2600 1999 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S2800 1998 to 2000 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S2900 1999 to 2000 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S3000 1995 to 1998 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 24 fret | black face headstock | three-each-side | locking nut | - |
CORT S400 1997 to 2001 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | - | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT S500 1998 to 2000 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | - | three-each-side | - | - |
CORT SB10 1998 to 2001 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | - | two-each-side | - | - |
CORT SB70 2000 to 2001 | - | maple neck | 22 fret | - | - | graphite nut | metal logo on headstock |