Cort Guitar MR710F

The Cort MR710F is a premium electro-acoustic guitar from Cort’s MR Series, designed to offer high-quality traditional craftsmanship combined with modern features at an affordable price. Featuring a dreadnought body with a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a Venetian cutaway, it delivers a rich, balanced tone suitable for genres like folk, country, blues, and pop. Equipped with Fishman® Presys electronics and a Sonicore pickup, it’s ideal for both acoustic and amplified performance, making it a popular choice for Australian guitarists seeking versatility and value. Available in Natural Satin (NS) finish, with some variants in black, it’s praised for its solid construction and stage-ready sound.

High-Quality Performance

The MR710F is crafted for vibrant tone, playability, and reliable amplified performance:

• Body: Dreadnought shape with a solid Sitka spruce top for bright, articulate highs and robust lows, offering excellent projection that improves with age. The mahogany back and sides (African mahogany or okoume in some descriptions) provide a warm, strong midrange, a hallmark of premium acoustics. The Venetian cutaway allows easy access to higher frets for soloing or intricate playing.
• Tone: The spruce top delivers a versatile sonic character, ideal for strumming and fingerstyle, while the mahogany adds warmth and depth. Advanced scalloped X-bracing enhances volume, sustain, and tonal clarity, producing a classic dreadnought sound .
• Electronics: Features Fishman® Presys electronics with a Sonicore pickup, including a 3-band EQ (bass, mid, treble), LED tuner, and phase control for a natural, dynamic amplified sound suitable for live performances and recording. Some reviews note a slightly tubby sound when amplified, which can be adjusted by tweaking the EQ (e.g., reducing mids) .
• Neck: Mahogany (or palaquiium in some regions) with a slim, C-shaped profile and satin finish for comfortable playability. The dovetail neck joint ensures efficient vibration transfer for enhanced resonance and sustain.
• Fingerboard: Ovangkol (or rosewood in some models) with a 25.3” (643 mm) scale, 20 frets, 43 mm (1.69”) nut width, and white dot inlays for a clean look .
• Bridge: Ovangkol (or rosewood) with a scooped surface design to improve sustain, increase string angle, and reduce finger fatigue by lowering string tension .
• Nut and Saddle: Genuine bone for natural, transparent vibration transfer, enhancing tone and sustain .
• Tuners: Die-cast nickel with black knobs for reliable tuning stability.
• Strings: D’Addario EXP16 Light coated strings (.012–.053) for durability, humidity resistance, and consistent tone.

Reviews praise its value and performance. Acoustic Guitar magazine states, “With its smooth cutaway, premium solid soundboard, and Fishman electronics, the MR710F is a lot of guitar for under $400” . Guitar World highlights its ability to produce “full, loud, and properly intonated upper-register notes”. Some users note minor finish imperfections (e.g., orange-peel effect) and suggest a professional setup to optimize action and intonation.

Durable and Stylish Design

• Finish: Natural Satin (NS) with an open-pore, sonically enhanced UV finish to maximize wood resonance and reduce weight (approx. 2.0–2.2 kg). Some variants are available in black .
• Aesthetics: Features a multiple abalone rosette with ABS black/white accents, ivory binding, and a tortoise-style pickguard for a classic, elegant look. The headstock includes a mother-of-pearl Cort logo and a triangles-and-diamond motif.
• Build Quality: Crafted with high-quality tonewoods, a genuine bone nut and saddle, and a robust dovetail neck joint for durability and tonal efficiency. The scooped bridge and Venetian cutaway enhance playability and stage presence.

Backed by a typical 2-year warranty (verify with retailer), the MR710F is built for longevity. Prices range from $250–$369 USD (AUD 370–550) for new units, with significant discounts noted at retailers like Bajaao ($246 USD after discount) []. Used units are available on eBay or Reverb from ~$200 USD.

Integration with Rode Audio Equipment

Given your interest in Rode products (e.g., RØDECaster Pro II, PodMic), the MR710F integrates seamlessly into a recording or live setup:

• RØDECaster Pro II or Duo: Connect the MR710F directly via its Fishman Presys output to a RØDECaster Pro II or Duo’s XLR input. Use Aphex® processing (Aural Exciter, Big Bottom) to enhance the spruce top’s clarity and mahogany’s warmth. Adjust the 3-band EQ to reduce any tubbiness noted in reviews. Record multitrack to microSD or USB for DAWs like Reaper or Logic Pro
• Rode PodMic and PSA1+: For acoustic recordings, use the PodMic on a PSA1+ boom arm to mic the guitar’s soundhole or body (6–12 inches away) for a warm, natural tone. A condenser mic like the Rode NT1-A is preferred for pristine acoustic captures.
• Rode NTH-100 Headphones: Monitor recordings with these headphones, capturing the MR710F’s tonal range (5Hz–35kHz) from bright highs to warm low.
• Setup Tip: Use Rode Connect software to mix guitar and vocal tracks. Adjust mic placement or Fishman EQ to balance spruce brightness with mahogany warmth for recording or live settings .

Comparison to Other Cort Models

Given your queries about the Cort KX507MS, X300, G250, Earth 60, Earth 70, and MR600F:

• Vs. MR600F:
  • Tone: Both feature a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back/sides, but the MR710F’s Fishman Presys electronics (3-band EQ) offer more tonal control than the MR600F’s Presys II (2-band EQ). The MR710F’s bone nut/saddle enhances sustain compared to the MR600F’s standard nut/saddle.
  • Playability: Both have a 25.3” scale, 9.5” radius, and Venetian cutaway, but the MR710F’s genuine bone components and scooped bridge provide slightly better sustain and comfort.
  • Design: The MR710F’s abalone rosette and premium aesthetics give it a more refined look than the MR600F’s simpler rosette .
• Vs. Earth 70:
  • Tone: The MR710F’s spruce/mahogany tone with Fishman electronics is stage-ready, while the Earth 70 is acoustic-only unless upgraded to the 70E. Both offer similar tonal warmth.
  • Playability: The MR710F’s cutaway improves high-fret access compared to the Earth 70’s non-cutaway body .
  • Design: The MR710F’s electronics and premium features (bone nut/saddle, abalone rosette) make it more versatile than the Earth 70 .
• Vs. Earth 60:
  • Tone: Similar spruce/mahogany construction, but the MR710F’s electronics and bone components offer amplified versatility and enhanced sustain compared to the acoustic-only Earth 60 .
  • Playability: The MR710F’s cutaway and scooped bridge improve access and comfort over the Earth 60’s non-cutaway design .
  • Design: The MR710F’s Fishman system and aesthetic upgrades (abalone rosette) elevate it over the Earth 60.
• Vs. KX507MS:
  • Tone: The MR710F’s acoustic spruce/mahogany tone is warm and resonant for folk/blues, while the KX507MS’s Fishman Fluence pickups and 7-string multi-scale design cater to heavy metal/djent .
  • Playability: The MR710F’s 25.3” scale and 9.5” radius are beginner-friendly, while the KX507MS’s multi-scale (25.5”–27”) neck is optimized for low tunings and technical play.
  • Design: The MR710F is an electro-acoustic with a cutaway, while the KX507MS is an electric with a hardtail bridge.
• Vs. X300:
  • Tone: The MR710F’s acoustic tone is natural and resonant, while the X300’s EMG RetroActive Hot 70 humbuckers deliver high-output electric tones for rock/metal.
  • Playability: The MR710F’s acoustic neck and 25.3” scale suit strumming, while the X300’s 25.5” scale and 15.75” radius favor shredding.
  • Design: The MR710F’s dreadnought cutaway contrasts with the X300’s FloydRose tremolo and electric design.
• Vs. G250:
  • Tone: The MR710F’s spruce/mahogany acoustic sound is warm and full, while the G250’s Alnico V single-coils offer electric rock/blues tones .
  • Playability: Both have a 9.5” radius, but the MR710F’s 25.3” scale is slightly shorter than the G250’s 25.5”, making it easier for smaller hands.
  • Design: The MR710F’s electro-acoustic cutaway body contrasts with the G250’s electric tremolo design.

Comparison to Fender Stratocaster

Given your interest in Fender Stratocasters (e.g., Player Plus):

• Tone: The MR710F’s acoustic spruce/mahogany tone with Fishman electronics is warm and resonant for unplugged or amplified acoustic playing, while Stratocasters offer electric single-coil or HSS tones for rock/blues. The MR710F’s amplified sound is more natural than a Strat’s electric tone.
• Playability: The MR710F’s C-shaped neck and 9.5” radius are beginner-friendly, similar to the Strat’s 9.5”–12” radius, but the acoustic action may feel stiffer.
• Design: The MR710F’s dreadnought cutaway body with electronics is stage-ready for acoustic performance, while the Strat’s double-cutaway and tremolo cater to electric versatility.

Key Performance Features

• Body: Dreadnought with Venetian cutaway, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany (or okoume) back/sides, Natural Satin (NS) finish
• Neck: Mahogany (or palaquiium), C-shaped profile, satin finish
• Fingerboard: Ovangkol (or rosewood), 9.5” radius, 20 frets
• Electronics: Fishman® Presys preamp, Sonicore pickup (3-band EQ, tuner, phase control)
• Bridge: Ovangkol (or rosewood), scooped surface
• Nut & Saddle: Genuine bone
• Tuners: Die-cast nickel with black knobs
• Strings: D’Addario EXP16 Light coated (.012–.053)
• Bracing: Advanced Scalloped X-Bracing
• Warranty: Typically 2 years (verify with retailer)

Notes

• Setup Tip: Adjust saddle height and truss rod for lower action; professional setup recommended to address high action or intonation issues noted in reviews. Use medium-gauge strings (e.g., 12–53) for richer tone. Pair with Rode NT1-A and RØDECaster Pro II for recording.
• Care Instructions: Store in a gig bag (included with some retailers, ~$50–$100 USD separately) to protect the open-pore finish; clean with a soft cloth and condition fingerboard periodically .
• Compatibility: The Fishman Presys system pairs well with acoustic amps or PA systems; use with RØDECaster for direct recording. Test mic placement for unplugged captures .
• Warranty: Verify with retailers like Musos Corner or The Guitar Shop; register with Cort for support.
• Community Feedback: Reddit users and Acoustic Guitar Forum posts praise the MR710F’s value, comparing it to pricier Martin or Taylor models, though some note setup variability.

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