The Retro 304 delivers the warm low-end, defined attack, and easy playability that makes a short-scale bass a must-have addition to any collection. Alder, maple, and a purpose-voiced passive pickup work together to produce a vintage tone character that holds up in any playing situation. This is a serious instruments built for players who know exactly what they want from 30 inches.
Less Tension. More Playing
A shorter scale changes how a bass feels under your hands-strings give more, notes come easier, and the fatigue that creeps in on a long session simply doesn’t.
One Volume. One Tone. No Distractions.
Some basses give you more controls than you need. The Retro 304 keeps it simple: one volume, one tone, and your full attention on playing rather than managing a signal chain.
Tone With a Vintage Point of View
The VTB-TB pickup is voiced specifically for the warm low-end and defined attack that vintage-style basses are known for-not a generic passive sound, but a deliberate tone character that suits the instrument and rewards the player who chose it for exactly that reason.
Wood That Works Together
Alder brings warmth and resonance to the body while the hard maple neck adds brightness and definition — two materials that have complemented each other in classic bass builds for decades.
A Bass That Earns Its Place
The comfort, feel, and tone character of a short-scale bass open up playing possibilities that a long-scale simply can’t replicate. The Retro 304 brings all of that with construction and tone quality that make it a permanent addition, not a novelty.
Rosewood Fingerboard
Smooth and warm underhand, with a traditional feel that suits the vintage character of this bass.
20 Nickel Silver Frets
Full range for expressive playing with frets that stay smooth and resist wear over time.
Retro Bridge
Vintage-styled hardware that anchors tone and sustain while keeping the aesthetic consistent throughout.
Open-Gear Tuners
Easy to adjust and reliable to hold, with an open design that fits the retro look of the instrument.
Specs:
- Construction: Bolt-On
- Body Material: Alder
- Scale Length: 30” (762mm)
- Neck Material: Hard Maple
- Neck Shape: U Shape
- Neck Thickness: 1F: 21mm, 12F: 25mm
- Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.5” (R240)
- Number of Frets: 20 Frets
- Position Inlay: White Dots & White Side Dots
- Nut Material: PPS
- Nut Width: 1 5/8” (4mm)
- Tuning Machines: Open Gear Tuners
- Truss Rod: 2-Way Adjustable with Spoke Nut
- Bridge: Cort® Retro Bridge
- Pickups: Cort® Voiced Tone VTB-TB
- Controls: 1-Volume, 1-Tone
- Hardware: Chrome
- Strings (Gauge): D’Addario® EXL170S (.045 .065 .085 .105)
- Neck Finish: Matte
- Body Finish: Gloss
