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Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass vs Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass

The Cort A4 Plus FMMH is the more feature-complete bass: neck-thru mahogany body with a figured maple top, Hipshot hardware and a Bartolini MK-1 set with 3-band EQ. The Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E is the lighter, faster-playing choice from the long-running SR line, with a slim neck and its own active electronics. Owners of both tend to praise build quality for the money; the Cort wins on hardware and pickup spec, the Ibanez on comfort and familiarity.

  • Choose the Cort A4 Plus FMMH if you want neck-thru construction, Hipshot tuners and bridge, and a Bartolini pickup set with a full 3-band EQ.
  • Choose the Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E if you want the slim, fast SR neck profile and a lighter, modern-feeling bass for long sessions.

Prices

  • Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass: $839.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass: $1,099.99 at Las Vegas Guitars (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass is $260.00 cheaper than the Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass at the latest prices (Nov 9)
Cort
Cort A4 Plus FMMH 4-String Bass

Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass

Cort A4 Plus FMMH 4-String Bass

$839.99at eBayChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Neck-thru construction aids sustain
  • Hipshot tuners and bridge are a real upgrade
  • Bartolini MK-1 pickups with 3-band EQ are flexible
  • Figured maple top over mahogany looks and sounds rich
Cons
  • Heavier than the Ibanez
  • C shape neck is chunkier than the SR profile
  • Active EQ needs a battery
Ibanez
Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E 4-String Electric Bass

Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass

Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E 4-String Electric Bass

$1,099.99at Las Vegas GuitarsChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Las Vegas Guitars
Pros
  • Slim, fast SR neck suits technical playing
  • Lighter body is easier on the shoulder
  • Well-known SR feel and resale familiarity
  • Active electronics cover many styles
Cons
  • Hardware is more basic than Hipshot
  • Bolt-on build gives less sustain than neck-thru
  • Fewer tone-shaping controls than the Cort

What separates them

Cort A4 Plus FMMH BassIbanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass
ConstructionNeck-thru, five-piece maple and panga panga neckSR Premium bolt-on style build with a slim neck
Body and topMahogany body with figured maple 9T topMahogany body, SR Premium finish
PickupsBartolini MK-1 setIbanez active pickups with onboard EQ
HardwareHipshot Ultralite tuners and TransTone bridgeIbanez-branded tuners and bridge
Neck feelC shape, 38mm nut, 34-inch scaleThin, fast SR neck profile
ControlsVolume, blend, 3-band EQ, mini toggleActive EQ with balance and tone shaping
Weight and balanceNeck-thru mahogany build runs heavierLighter, contoured SR body

Price history

$1,099.99$820.00
Nov 1Nov 9
  • Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass: lowest $820.00 on Nov 9 at Richards Guitars.
  • Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass: lowest $1,099.99 on Nov 9 at Studio Gears.

Prices at every store

Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass

  • ReverbNew

    In stock

    $839.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Reverb
  • Richards GuitarsNew

    In stockShips from the UK · duties may apply

    $820.00+ $50.00 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Richards Guitars
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by hitchhikermusic

    $839.99Checked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • Uhlik MusicNew

    Availability unknown

    $839.99Checked Nov 9
    Visit Uhlik Music

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 11 stores and price history →

Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass

  • Las Vegas GuitarsNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,099.99Checked Nov 9
    Visit Las Vegas Guitars
  • ReverbPre-owned

    Availability unknown

    $1,110.42+ $168.89 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Reverb
  • Studio GearsNew

    Out of stock

    $1,099.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Studio Gears
  • 6-StringNew

    Out of stock

    $1,099.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit 6-String
All 5 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecCort A4 Plus FMMH BassIbanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass
Number Of Strings4-string4-string
ColorBlack, Open Pore Natural ProductMahogany
ConstructionNeck-Thru—
Body MaterialMahogany—
Top MaterialFigured Maple 9T—
Scale Length34″ (864mm)—
Neck MaterialMaple & Panga Panga 5-ply Laminated—
Neck ShapeC Shape—
Number of Frets24 Frets—
Nut Width1.496″ (38mm)—
TunersHipshot® Ultralite—
BridgeHipshot® TransTone (String Spacing :19mm)—
Show all 14 specsShow fewer specs
SpecCort A4 Plus FMMH BassIbanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass
PickupsBartolini® MK-1 Pickup Set—
Controls1-Volume, 1-Blend, 3-Band EQ, 1-Mini Toggle—

What reviewers say

Cort A4 Plus FMMH Bass

Owners of the A4 Plus generally rate it highly for build quality and hardware at its price. Many praise the neck-through feel and the flexible active tone. A few mention weight and the need to tweak the preamp to taste.

What people mention
  • Build qualityPraisedOwners say the neck-through joint and hardware feel above the price.
  • TonePraisedThe Bartolini pickups and 3-band EQ are called flexible and punchy.
  • WeightCriticisedSome players find the mahogany body heavy for long gigs.
  • SetupMixedOut-of-box action and strings are reported to vary between units.

Ibanez SR Premium SR1300E Bass

Owners of the SR Premium line generally praise the fast neck, light body and punchy Nordstrand pickups, and many call it one of the best-playing basses in its class. Criticism tends to focus on single-coil hum and the extra care an active preamp demands.

What people mention
  • Neck feelPraisedPlayers consistently call the slim SR neck fast and easy to play for long sets.
  • Pickup noiseCriticisedSome owners report single-coil hum in electrically noisy rooms or with high gain.
  • WeightPraisedThe mahogany body is described as light and well balanced on a strap.
  • Active preampMixedThe EQ is useful, but some players dislike depending on a battery.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a beginner?
The Ibanez SR Premium is the easier first bass: the slim neck and light body are forgiving for new players. The Cort rewards players who already know they want active tone shaping.
Which has the better hardware?
The Cort. Hipshot Ultralite tuners and the TransTone bridge are a step above the Ibanez's stock hardware and help tuning stability and sustain.
Which is better for slap and fast playing?
The Ibanez. Its thin SR neck profile and lighter body make fast runs and slap passages more comfortable for most players.
Is the Cort worth stepping up to over the Ibanez?
If you value neck-thru sustain, Hipshot hardware and Bartolini pickups, yes. If comfort and a familiar slim neck matter more, the Ibanez is the better fit.
Which stays in tune better?
The Cort's Hipshot Ultralite tuners give it the edge, especially with heavy playing. The Ibanez is fine but uses more basic tuners.
Do both have active electronics?
Yes. The Cort uses a 3-band EQ with a mini toggle; the Ibanez uses its own active preamp. Both need a battery.

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