SNDCHECK *THEHOLE TRUTH CROSS COUNTRY Cort EVL AG BKS acoustic % BY ERIC KIRKLAND ANY ELECTRIC GUITAR manufacturers cater to the needs and tastes of metal and hardcore guitarists, but only a few acoustic builders do. Cort recognized this underdeveloped market and conjured up its EVL acoustics series. The EVL A6é BKS s the first of this new line, boasting pentagram and cross inlays, a matte black finish, an onboard Fishman preamp/pickup and a neck that feels a lot like what you'd expect to find ona vintage electric guitar. 94 GUITAR WORLD FEATURES CORT FASHIONED THE EVL's body from its SFX shape. It’s essentially a medium-depth dreadnought with a wide lower cutaway. The solid CEs SPECS spruce top features advanced scal- loped X-bracing that delivers quick response and ghost-free highs. Mahogany is used for the sides, and Cort arches the mahogany back to create more internal air and produce sr price $588.00 MANUFACTURER Cort, cortguitars.com TOP Solid spruce top with advanced scalloped X-bracing BODY SFX shape; ‘mahogany sides, ‘arched mahogany back, Florentine almost jumbo-like volume level The 25.3-inch-scale mahogany neck has a modern V contour that feels either thin or thick, depending cutaway on how the hand is positioned. Its: NECK Mahogany stabilizing advantage becomes evi- anne stabilizing advantage or dent when playing single-note runs, because the V-shaped hill tends Rosewood, bound, with pear! pentagram and Celtic cross to lay right in the webbing of the iar thumb and forefinger. ne ee Plugging a cable into the rear Frers 20 strap pin activates the onboard Fish- | MAROWARE man Classic 4T preamp and Sonic- core bridge, die-cast black satin tuners PREAMP Fishman Classic 4T, powered by anine-lt battery CONTROLS Volume, bass, middle, trie and brilliance; mi ‘button activates PERFORMANCE ‘tuner ‘THE EVLCoRT produces a bal- Se ee ae anced but powerful acousti tone, and while it’s not imbued with layers of overtone: focused and responsive to pick attack variations, making the guitar an inspiring songwrit- ing and performance partner. The Fishman Classic 4T preamp is an excellent match, maintaining the guitar's mellow low-end warmth ickup. Sliders let you shape the volume, brilliance, treble, middle and bass. When the preamp’s tuner is activated, the output is muted. it’s and percussive highs, even through a Marshall JCM800. THE BOTTOM LINE BEYOND ITS HEAVY metal good looks, the Cort EVL A6 BKS projects balanced and loud tones, performs well through any amp and plays almost as fast as an electric. SC ‘+ SMOOTH AND RESPONSIVE * BATTERY CAN BE ‘TOUGH To ACCESS Quick.y TONES ‘+ FAST PLAYABILITY * GREAT METAL APPEARANCE