I received my MTD Z5 with the new natural gloss finish on Thursday. This is one of the first to hit the market in America. I'll tell right off the bat the Michael is a stand up guy. I did the the whole transaction over email, and never had to wait long for response. Michael also met the price of a competitor even though the competitor didn't have the bass in stock at the time of my purchase. When I get the money for a 535 you can bet who I'm going to call.

Michael- Thanks for the deal. God Bless!!

Hey tbone. You've been here for a while, we'd assume you now the rules, but obviously not. Check page 71, clause 3:

No Pics = No Bass :D

Hey tbone. You've been here for a while, we'd assume you now the rules, but obviously not. Check page 71, clause 3:

No Pics = No Bass :D

Does this mean the Avatar doesn't count????




http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/KZ_5_String_Natural_Maple_Burl_top_.jpg

NO, that does NOT count.


I can copy and paste any BC picture and call it my bass.

NO, that does NOT count.


I can copy and paste any BC picture and call it my bass.

Ease up turbo.

That bass looks great! I much prefer it over that Amber finish or whatever it is. Play it in good health!

Ease up turbo.

That bass looks great! I much prefer it over that Amber finish or whatever it is. Play it in good health!

Me too. In fact I was just about to pull the trigger on a cherry finish Z5 when I ran across the natural.

TBone, I hope you know I was just messing with you earlier about the pic. But seriously, with a bass like that, ya gotta get some pics up of it. Especially with a top like that :eek: Hope you'll have some up tomorrow sometime. :)

TBone, I hope you know I was just messing with you earlier about the pic. But seriously, with a bass like that, ya gotta get some pics up of it. Especially with a top like that :eek: Hope you'll have some up tomorrow sometime. :)

I know you were messing around. I also know the no pic-no bass rule stated in clause 3 on page 71. My bad. I will get pics up here in a little while. No fret, No harm. Peace ><>

Here's the pics:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/MTDZ5_4_1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/MTDZ5_3_1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/MTDZ5_5_1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/MTDZ5_7_1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/MTDZ5_6_1.jpg

Wow, I really like the natural. I am not really a fan of the amber that was kind of standard on these basses. This totally turns it around for me! Very nice!

I never liked the amber either.

that is an amazing looking bass

Nice bass. I find it humorous that the wraps on your strings match your moody and your bass. :D

Nice bass!!! I REALLY like that natural gloss better than the painted finishes they were using before. Enjoy it!!!

Just stumbled across this part of the forum and Tommy's thread.

Dude, so glad things worked out for you like that. I noticed the new mint GB750 and the Avatar 212 with the tag still proudly dangling from the handle.

What is the body wood? Is that tulipwood? It really looks great.

Weren't you planning to upgrade the preamp?

Just stumbled across this part of the forum and Tommy's thread.

Dude, so glad things worked out for you like that. I noticed the new mint GB750 and the Avatar 212 with the tag still proudly dangling from the handle.

What is the body wood? Is that tulipwood? It really looks great.

Weren't you planning to upgrade the preamp?

The GBE750 & the Avatar 212 are an awesome combo. Precise & clear. The body wood of the Z5 is mahogany. I will be replacing the preamp with an Audere, and the pickups with a set of Nordstrand DC5's when I get back in town at the end of the week. It will also have a toggle switch for each pickup that will allow me to switch between parallel/single coil/series.

You, sir, have a killer rig!

I just recently picked up a Z5 myself, the amber one...killer axe! Okay, it's a little loud...colour wise...but it plays beautifully!

That being said, I didn't even know there were other colours available at the time, let alone the natural...when I get my fretless version, I was going to go red, now it'll be a toss up between that and the natural, she's a beaut!

The GBE750 & the Avatar 212 are an awesome combo. Precise & clear. The body wood of the Z5 is mahogany. I will be replacing the preamp with an Audere, and the pickups with a set of Nordstrand DC5's when I get back in town at the end of the week. It will also have a toggle switch for each pickup that will allow me to switch between parallel/single coil/series.

Are you getting wood covers for the Nordstrands? If so, it will be interesting to see how Carey matches up the colors.

I think you'll really like the Audere. It's a very cool preamp. Sounds transparent and natural.

I will be replacing the preamp with an Audere, and the pickups with a set of Nordstrand DC5's when I get back in town at the end of the week. It will also have a toggle switch for each pickup that will allow me to switch between parallel/single coil/series.

You know the TB rule! No soundclip, no electronics change. :bassist:
Seriously, looking forward to hearing what this change does to your beautiful Z.

Are you getting wood covers for the Nordstrands? If so, it will be interesting to see how Carey matches up the colors.

I think you'll really like the Audere. It's a very cool preamp. Sounds transparent and natural.

No wood covers.

The GBE750 & the Avatar 212 are an awesome combo. Precise & clear. The body wood of the Z5 is mahogany. I will be replacing the preamp with an Audere, and the pickups with a set of Nordstrand DC5's when I get back in town at the end of the week. It will also have a toggle switch for each pickup that will allow me to switch between parallel/single coil/series.

tbone,

Have you replaced the preamp and pups in your Z? Would love to hear what you think about the change. Thanks!

tbone,

Have you replaced the preamp and pups in your Z? Would love to hear what you think about the change. Thanks!

Actually I just dropped it off at Pete Skjold's place yesterday to have all of it done. I probably won't have it back until next weekend as I am out of town from Mon-Fri.

Actually I just dropped it off at Pete Skjold's place yesterday to have all of it done. I probably won't have it back until next weekend as I am out of town from Mon-Fri.

tbone,

Thanks for getting back at me. Pete would be a great guy to have do the work. Lucky you to have Pete close enough. I would be interested to hear what he thought of the bass as well. Please keep us informed about your new bass. I am looking forward to hearing how it sounds after the upgrades.

tbone,

Thanks for getting back at me. Pete would be a great guy to have do the work. Lucky you to have Pete close enough. I would be interested to hear what he thought of the bass as well. Please keep us informed about your new bass. I am looking forward to hearing how it sounds after the upgrades.

When he looked at the bass yesterday he was blown away by the quality of the finish. We'll see what he thinks of the final build after the electronics are installed.

Wow, I really like the natural. I am not really a fan of the amber that was kind of standard on these basses. This totally turns it around for me! Very nice!+1,000.

THAT look is working for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am definitely interested in how this project turns out sonically!

I think this has made my decision.
Is there a 6-string offered in that finish?

Tommy,
I stopped by Pete's shop this Saturday and saw your bass in person. I'm very impressed. + it had the Nordstrands installed so that really should help you with the tone you're after.

Really a great looking bass in person...and it looked very well-made.

I think this has made my decision.
Is there a 6-string offered in that finish?Yep!

Check out this page: http://www.basscentral.com/2003/mtdzephyr.shtml#

I think this has made my decision.
Is there a 6-string offered in that finish?

Mark, how About This?????

KZ 6 String, Natural, Maple Burl top,
Rosewood Neck, Burlwood Pick-UP Covers,
Active Electronics, 5 Knob, Brand new in the Box!!!!!

Mark, how About This?????

KZ 6 String, Natural, Maple Burl top,
Rosewood Neck, Burlwood Pick-UP Covers,
Active Electronics, 5 Knob, Brand new in the Box!!!!!

I suddenly have an undying hate for you.
:D
How much are you asking? PM me please :)
And, is it available with maple fretboard?
Thanks Michael!

Tommy,
I stopped by Pete's shop this Saturday and saw your bass in person. I'm very impressed. + it had the Nordstrands installed so that really should help you with the tone you're after.

Really a great looking bass in person...and it looked very well-made.

Thanks John. It really is a well-made bass. The quality of construction is fantastic. I can't wait to hear it with the new electronics in it.

Cool bass. I've been considering getting a Z5. Are the stock pups that bad? I'm having trouble coming up with a grand just to get the bass.

Cool bass. I've been considering getting a Z5. Are the stock pups that bad? I'm having trouble coming up with a grand just to get the bass.

I was bound and determined I was going to transfer the EMGs from the Spector I'm selling to my Z5 when I got it...then I played a few gigs with them...and decided that they were a perfect match for the Z5, why mess with it? Totally the sound I was looking for myself for my funk/hiphop/rnb/soul gig...and cuts it real well in my rock gig as well!

Cool bass. I've been considering getting a Z5. Are the stock pups that bad? I'm having trouble coming up with a grand just to get the bass.

No they are not bad at all. I bought the bass with the specific intention in upgrading the pups & preamp. I prefer the Nordstrand pups over the ones in the Z5, and IMO the preamp that comes with the Z5 has lower output than I am used to. The bass sounds great stock. I really had made up my mind before I ordered the bass that I was changing these things out. That's why I went with a bass in this price range. The Z5's construction is far superior to any bass in this price range, and I guarantee you that it will rival basses costing $2K +.

No they are not bad at all. I bought the bass with the specific intention in upgrading the pups & preamp. I prefer the Nordstrand pups over the ones in the Z5, and IMO the preamp that comes with the Z5 has lower output than I am used to. The bass sounds great stock. I really had made up my mind before I ordered the bass that I was changing these things out. That's why I went with a bass in this price range. The Z5's construction is far superior to any bass in this price range, and I guarantee you that it will rival basses costing $2K +.


+1, except for the preamp comment...I've only used EMGs tone circuits or passive tone controls previously, though I've tried others natch when checking out different instruments, so perhaps I have a limited view...but IMO, this pre kicks a**!

Chacun son gout, I always say!

Thanks for the response guy's. I'm laying it down for the Lord with my Carvin LB75 at a local church down here in North Carolina. I have a wife and 3 kids, making it tough to justify a new bass, but I really like the feel of the Z5 I tried a few weeks back.......I'm probably a few months out from making a purchase, but I got a bad case of MTD Z5 GAS. I'm a little anxious about going to 35" scale and wider neck, but when I slap the low E on the Carvin, I keep hitting the low B and I think It would ring cleaner with a little more space.....

Thanks for the response guy's. I'm laying it down for the Lord with my Carvin LB75 at a local church down here in North Carolina. I have a wife and 3 kids, making it tough to justify a new bass, but I really like the feel of the Z5 I tried a few weeks back.......I'm probably a few months out from making a purchase, but I got a bad case of MTD Z5 GAS. I'm a little anxious about going to 35" scale and wider neck, but when I slap the low E on the Carvin, I keep hitting the low B and I think It would ring cleaner with a little more space.....

Used mine at church this morning for the second week in a row...you'll definitely be glad of the wider spacing...

Well I picked up my bass from Pete on Monday. All I can say is WOW!!!! This is one of the most amazing basses I have ever layed my hands on. I figured just between the pickup switches & z-mode switch there are 27 different tonal options. This isn't including the Hi & Mid-Z adjustments on the preamp, and the 4 band EQ. I can pretty much dial in just about any tone I am looking for. I think it would be safe to say if this bass can't find a tone then the tone isn't out there.

I couldn't be more pleased. My hats off to Pete Skjold for an amazing installation. Pete treated this bass like it was one of his own. Everything is aesthetically pleasing, and easily accessible. Thanks Pete for a top notch job.

I currently am playing with the pups in Series, and the Z-mode in Low-Z. The gives me a nice even tone with a nice amount of low end. The mid range is growly & aggressive without being overly harsh. The highs just sing. The string to string setup is perfectly balanced with an even tonal response across the entire frequency spectrum. Pete setup the bass with his Skjold strings which really adds emphasis to the high end. The Mid-Z mode with the pickups in Single Coil cops a jazz bass vibe that I think anyone would like.

Here is an idea of the tonal options available:

Front Pup / Rear Pup / Z-Mode

Parallel / Parallel / Hi
Parallel / Series / Hi
Parallel / Single Coil / Hi
Sereis / Series / Hi
Series / Parallel / Hi
Series / Single Coil / Hi
Single Coil / Single Coil / Hi
Single Coil / Parallel / Hi
Single Coil / Series / Hi
Parallel / Parallel / Mid
Parallel / Series / Mid
Parallel / Single Coil / Mid
Sereis / Series / Mid
Series / Parallel / Mid
Series / Single Coil / Mid
Single Coil / Single Coil / Mid
Single Coil / Parallel / Mid
Single Coil / Series / Mid
Parallel / Parallel / Lo
Parallel / Series / Lo
Parallel / Single Coil / Lo
Sereis / Series / Lo
Series / Parallel / Lo
Series / Single Coil / Lo
Single Coil / Single Coil / Lo
Single Coil / Parallel / Lo
Single Coil / Series / Lo

Now on to the Pics of Pete's awesome install:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/100_1186.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/100_1187.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/100_1188.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/100_1189.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/100_1192.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/MTDZ5_6_1.jpg

Awesome! Show us the innards!

Hmmm, strange... I cant hear it...


:D

Awesome! Show us the innards!

Notice the brass inserts courtesy of Pete Skjold.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/tbone0813/MTD%20Z5/100_1194.jpg

Hmmm, strange... I cant hear it...


:D

Unfortunately I have no way of recording anything.

Can we ask what Pete charged for his work? TIA

Wow, that is sweet! Pete was telling me about working on this bass, but I hadn't seen the thread until now. Very cool! I would love to play that bass sometime. :D

Wow, that is sweet! Pete was telling me about working on this bass, but I hadn't seen the thread until now. Very cool! I would love to play that bass sometime. :D

Tom, just BUY one!:D



:hiding:

Can we ask what Pete charged for his work? TIA

I paid $230 including the knobs, strings & setup which was really a bargain.

Wow, that is sweet! Pete was telling me about working on this bass, but I hadn't seen the thread until now. Very cool! I would love to play that bass sometime. :D

I think you would really dig this bass Tom. It is a little overwhelming in a good way with all the options. Next time you in Dallas just hollar.

Next time you in Dallas just hollar.

Will do! :)

MAN,

I have the same thought in mind to modify the bass like that. I am getting Nordstand DC p/ups like you but I have a few questions for you.

1. Where did you get the pickups & preamp?
2. Did you get the pickups originally wired in series or parallel (since most sellers give that option)?
3. Do the pickups come with the 4 wire conductor to allow for the serie/parallel or did Pete have to do it himself?

Congratulations on an excellent bass. I wish I could have had the natural finish but I have a builder in Beaumont, TX who may dimiss the amber for me and slap on a new top.

MAN,

I have the same thought in mind to modify the bass like that. I am getting Nordstand DC p/ups like you but I have a few questions for you.

1. Where did you get the pickups & preamp?
2. Did you get the pickups originally wired in series or parallel (since most sellers give that option)?
3. Do the pickups come with the 4 wire conductor to allow for the serie/parallel or did Pete have to do it himself?

Congratulations on an excellent bass. I wish I could have had the natural finish but I have a builder in Beaumont, TX who may dimiss the amber for me and slap on a new top.

The pups came from BestBassGear.com
The pre came from Audere.com
They were wired in Parallel
They do have the 4 wires from Nordstrand

I am in love with your bass. I have ben looking at the same places so I guess that's where I will be shopping.

Quick question, have you noticed that the hardware fades from the die cast look to just plain chrome?

When I noticed that I switched to Hipshot.

I am in love with your bass. I have ben looking at the same places so I guess that's where I will be shopping.

Quick question, have you noticed that the hardware fades from the die cast look to just plain chrome?

When I noticed that I switched to Hipshot.

Mine is still pretty new so it hasn't started that phase yet, but I can't stand the die cast look so I will be changing mine very soon.

I would absolutely love to have a fretless version of your exact bass, Tbone.

I would absolutely love to have a fretless version of your exact bass, Tbone.

Not me, way too many switches and knobs, I usually find
one setting that I like and leave it anyway, but then I'm
just a jazzer :p

I also noticed on the picture of the Z6 fretless that the
fingerboard edge dots seemed to be in the wrong place
(ie as they would be for a fretted).

She sure is a pretty bass though, looks way nicer than
the advertised pictures.

Looks like I'll be getting a natural gloss Z5 as well...my amber one is going back to the Canadian distributor for a likely warranty replacement, and I had a choice of tobacco burst or NG...I picked the latter...tried to get maple fretboard, not available...

...and was advised to place an order for my ZX (maple fretboard)...missed the February run I was told about, next availability is for July??? Aggghhhh!!!