Natalie Cortez’s Movies & Theatre Shows.

Natalie Cortez’s Acting Career, Lifestyle & Professions.

Natalie Cortez’s Children (Son & Daughter).

Natalie Cortez’s Boyfriend Name, Husband & Relationships.

Natalie Cortez’s Family (Father, Mother & Siblings).

Natalie Cortez Wiki / Bio (Trivia & Ethnicity).

Natalie Cortez’s Biography (Age, Birthday & Education).

The Cortez brand remained active at least until ’86, although it may have lingered another year or two. There are also some Cortez copies of the Gibson ES-175 that appear to be similar to Japanese-made Venturas of the time.Ĭortez guitars were always made in Japan, never in Korea. Matsumoku also made sewing machines, and was purchased by Singer in 1987, after which the guitarmaking operation was closed. The latter came in both bolt-neck and set-neck versions, many made by Matsumoku, the factory responsible for many of the better Aria guitars, as well as the Electra, Westone, Univox, and Westbury brands. Most Cortez guitars have fallen into a “copy” vein – Strats and Les Pauls.

Westheimer was able to locate several examples in various warehouses and got them to the crooners. One day, the Everly Brothers’ manager called Westheimer to see if any more could be obtained because the Everly’s guitars had run into repair problems. Fewer than 180 of those guitars were imported because they just didn’t catch on. Westheimer recalls one acoustic/electric model made by Hiyashi carrying his Emperador brand that was actually played by the Everly Brothers. Hiyashi was bought out by Pearl sometime in the early ’70s and that marked the end of its glory days.Īgain, no reference materials are available to document Cortez guitars in detail. According to Westheimer, Hiyashi was one of the top Japanese acoustic factories, and it was responsible for many Cortez and Emperador acoustics. Remember, guitars were still called Spanish guitars in those days, an appellation that has fallen by the wayside hence, the “Spanish” names like Cortez and del Rey. Westheimer dispatched some of his staff to visit the factory and work with them to develop the product, resulting in Cortez acoustic guitars. The Cortez brand was given (by Westheimer) to a line of good-quality Martin-style dreadnoughts manufactured in Japan by the Hiyashi (or Yashi?) factory.

The Cortez brand name dates bact to around ’60, and the beginning of our tale. Cortez would be important because it’s from that moniker that today’s Cort brand derived, in abbreviated form. Another, which would have added significance today, was Cortez. Teisco del Rey and Kingston were not the only brand names associated with Jack Westheimer.

Cortez guitars wiki