I finally got to play my new bass on a show last night. It was totally awesome. The biggest thing I noticed about the bass was how even the neck is. The superb fret dressing allows each note to sing perfectly one to the next and as our expert monitor tech said, “it’s like a built in compressor” … and I felt that was such a unique observation. I fully agreed. As I played… no matter where I was on the neck… or how hard I played, it seemed to have a uniform feel and sound. That’s not to say it didn’t have dynamics… just that there weren’t “hot spots” that jump out at you negatively, it gave me the comfortable feel of an instrument I would have played for decades… allowing me to create just a smooth groove. The balance of the bass was perfect, weight totally acceptable and… beauty?… Yes I’m sure anyone who sees it will agree it is one of the most beautiful basses around… everyone in the band and crew were saying how gorgeous it is. In 1984 I switched from playing 4 string to 5 string, and it doesn’t seem natural to play 4 string anymore. One thing that 5 string players are always looking for is clarity on the low ‘B’ string… It’s common that the ‘B’ string can be “floppy” – “pitchy” and lack punch. This bass is truly outstanding in this department! I felt that the tightness, clarity, intonation and punch of the low notes… all the way down to the ‘D’ – ‘C’ – and ‘B’ were better than any of the other 5 strings I’ve had (and this includes most of the major 5 strings out there). All of the points of a first class, hand made, top tier bass are there. The workmanship is outstanding, the care and love that Marco puts into his instruments is obvious and anyone who is lucky enough to have Marco make one of these beauties should feel truly blessed by the bass gods. Thank you Marco for all the hard work and care you put into creating this masterpiece. Marco is a wonderful person I count as a true friend, only surpassed by his professionalism and dedication to making each instrument he creates, the very best! If you have not yet had the pleasure of playing one of Marco’s creations….don’t waste any more time….get your hands on one NOW!
— Chuck Jacobs (Kenny Rogers Band)
This Marco Bass has all of the natural elements of Feel, Sound, and Look I’ve been looking for a long time. It’s a match made in Heaven.
Pennal Johnson
Marco is the guy you want making your bass. His knowledge of wood recipes and his unique hand-made pickups make every Marco Bass melt in your hands, he is a true artist.
After a home-studio burglary in 2013, I lost my 3 fender bass guitars. I thought replacing these stolen vintage basses so dear to my heart would be difficult. Then after weeks of online searching I found Marco Bass Guitars and his beautiful TFL Jazz Bass. Best bass I ever played!! Sounds and looks great, action is great, records great. Marco Cortes is great. You owe it to yourself to try one out.
My first exposure to Marco basses was when my friend brought a couple of Marco basses to an event I coordinated in October of 2013. I picked up the first of two basses, a Marco Silver Sparkle TFL 5, plugged it in and was blown away by its tone and playability. The bass was loaded with Marco’s passive Neodymium pickups and had a very modern J bass sound with plenty of warmth. Then I plugged in the other bass, a 34.5″ scale white Marco Relic TFL 4, also loaded with passive Marco Neodymium pickups in the 70’s pickup position, this bass also had THE deadest strings I’ve ever played. The moment I played the first note on that bass I knew that I had found my soulmate bass. I can’t explain it in words, the bass just fit me, my hands, my tone, it fit me!!!! Even with the strings being so dull and dead the bass still spoke and sounded amazing!!!! The playability is also something that I’ve never experienced. I describe the tone as modern 70’s Jazz bass tone with a modern edge, it sounds as if it is an active bass without the high end brash, it’s super warm and sounds so appealing. It’s a very attractive sounding bass!!! Haha!! That’s the way I hear it. It also has THE BEST open E I’ve ever heard, everyone that plays that bass agrees that there is something special about the instrument. I’m proud to be an endorser and supporter of Marco Basses. I own the White Relic TFL 4 and a new Marco Fretless TFL 5, both basses are in heavy gig, session, playing rotation. I don’t collect basses, I am a working bassist and my instruments are my tools. I depend on them, Marco Basses always work and deliver the sound and playability I need to make my living. I also have to give a huge thank you to Marco Cortes of Marco basses. Not only does he build these amazing instruments, he also is an amazing bassist who gigs regularly, but he also really listens to his artists, always working with them to deliver the perfect instrument to every player. I’m already planning my next Marco bass…..maybe a single cut TFL 5?!?!
I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting Marco a year and a half ago in Nashville at the NAMM show. The quality of workmanship on his basses is very high, he is a very gifted luthier. Last summer I purchased this P-bass fromhim and it has become one of the very few basses that I always take to recording sessions. The playability is second to none and the tone is righteous!
When I wanted a 6 string passive J bass with a great organic essence, of course I knew where to turn.I actually got more than what I asked for. I got a killer 6 string passive J bass (with Marco’s pickups) with the advantage of having a nice B and C string that sounded like it was actually part of the instrument. I can say with great confidence and high satisfaction that Marco did indeed deliver.
Jauqo III-X
I have been playing Marco bass guitars since 2008. They will remain my primary bass guitar for many years to come. They have amazing tone, exotic/gorgeous woods used, high grade hardware and those wonderful pickups that only Marco can make. One of the things I like most about my Marco is when another bass player tries my guitar and hearing them say, “OHHH, AHHH, Wow, amazing guitar.” I had the opportunity to meet Marco Cortes a while back. He is one of the kindest, sweet and delightful guys I have ever met.
Chuck Zendner
It was my first time at NAMM, I had been playing the finest Basses all day, I stumbled upon Marco’s booth and picked one up, then I had to play all of them, I was there for over an hour, I knew I needed one of his instruments, After a few phone calls the build was under way. Marco has a terrific eye for choosing and putting together the most beautiful wood grain patterns, he custom made my neck to my specs and it fits like a glove but most impressive are his pick ups, they sound amazing. I sent him a few recordings of what I wanted the Bass to sound like and he delivered a sound that exceeded my expectations, his pick ups capture an amazing level of detail and nuance. I have been using my first Marco bass “Carrot Cake” for over 3 years now, it has been rock solid, dependable and sits in the mix like no other, you won’t find a better custom Fender style Bass or a nicer guy to build it for you.
I LOVE this bass (Marco VD-4). It is wonderful down to all the little details. The pickup covers, the crazy acrylic pickguard, the detail in the headstock, the stunning choices of wood, and the perfect weight and feel of the knobs. It inspires me as a player and allows me to be more creative and expressive than any bass I have played before. On top of Marco being an incredible builder he is an extremely kind and genuine person. His work inspires me as a player and as an enthusiast of lutherie.
Marco built the bass of my dreams for me. It looks killer, and sounds as awesome as it gets. I have it for more than one year now and the bass keeps surprising me and putting a smile on my face every time I play it. Marco is an amazing luthier and a great person, but even more important than that is the fact that he listens to what his customers want and need, and is then able to deliver beyond all expectations.
My Marco electric guitar has been my main gigging axe for the last 2 years in hundreds of gigs, and my main weapon for Nashville sessions and live gigs. As a hired gun, I have to deliver the best tone for various situations, and the hand-wound pickups in my custom Marco guitar have gotten me compliments from dozens of professional players over the years. This guitar feels like no other, the craftsmanship is unparalleled, and it offers a unique and extraordinary new take on the classic tele tone. Time and time again, my friends and fellow musicians have discovered ‘their own voice’ in a handcrafted Marco Cortes instrument. I encourage any player who is serious about their tone to pick up and play several Marco instruments, and discover their own unique voice.
Unless I am left with no other choice, I will play Marco Bass Guitars. I own two Marco basses: V.D. 4 sting and a Vintage P-bass style 4 string. I have played countless other Basses, Acoustic/ Electric guitars and a Mandolin built by Marco over the years – all of them were incredible. There are certain levels of craftsmanship and artistry that are generated from Marco’s shop that can’t be overlooked or recreated. He has the ability to take layers of wood, glue, paint, and steel and sculpt them into an instrument of remarkable precision, play-ability, tone, beauty and quality. He is also a very positive person with a big heart and an endless stream of laughter and musical insight.
