MPG Level 5

emblymouse · #1 10-28-2010, 09:25 PM

Here is an unusual Precision/Music Man pickup combo, in a 5 string no less! I understand this was Matt Pulcinella's personal bass before I got it. Since acquiring this last year I have purchased 2 other Level 5's based on how impressed I was with this one.

Both pickups are by Nordstrand, there is a 3 way coil tap installed for the MM pickup (which also has a dummy coil). I had a Glockenklang 3 band pre installed, the previous owner was running it passive. Spot on classic P tone, especially w/ flats. The many tonal options with the MM coil tap really gives a wide range onboard from organic to sizzling modern snap. Gotta love those Nordstrands! The pre is very transparent leaving the Precision sound very natural while still being able to shape it.

The neck is what really sold me on Matt's builds. It is a combination I haven't found anywhere else. 34" scale, narrow at the nut (1.75") with a full 19mm spacing and a more rounded profile than you get elsewhere. I found it ideal for me and I have pretty small hands. The board has nicely rolled edges too

From the 12th fret up he has used smaller wire, an interesting concept but I can't say I notice it when playing. Quartersawn maple with a gloss back a nicely figured birdseye board.

The body is alder with a satin finish over a multicolored stain. I love it, but I'm also known for playing a Pink Kubicki, so there. Way comfortable and balanced and not heavy.This bass has normal playwear for a well used instrument a couple years old. No real dents, scratches or boo boos of note. Hipshot bridge and Ultralite tuners. Dunlop straplocks. Comes shipped in a Gator rectangular foam case and I'll include the nice Levy's matching red glove leather strap.

I love the bass and do not need to sell, but my MPG jones is pretty well covered with my other 2. $1075 PayPal'd and shipped.

bongomania · #2 10-28-2010, 09:37 PM

Very, very cool bass.

Georynn · #3 10-29-2010, 12:57 AM

Dang, I wish I had the scratch for this one...

kurcatovium · #4 10-29-2010, 02:01 AM

I love that colour!

emblymouse · #5 10-29-2010, 09:00 AM

I realized that the photos I posted were of the bass before I had the Glock pre installed. Here is the current knobology:

Vol-push / pull active/passive, Blend, bass/treble stack and mids

Here is the case:

I have been asked about the sound of this. If pressed for a one word description, I'd call it 'thick'.
I'll try to make soundclips but I don't have a place to post them. Other than the classic P and MM sounds, I'd say when equally blended it favors the MM end and tightens up. The coil taps add different flavors of the way high end when singled and smooth out when both coils are chosen. This is noticeable even when the 2 pup's are blended.

cybersnyder · #6 10-29-2010, 09:17 AM

I love my 4 string MPG P/MM. If this is still here in a few days when a bass that I recently sold is received and the buyer is happy, I may have to take the plunge.

Which Glock preamp is this? Does it have the passive treble cut when you put it in passive mode? (I'm assuming it has passive bypass.) Also is the MM wired single, series, parallel?

emblymouse · #7 10-29-2010, 11:47 AM

The pre is their 3 band 4 knob. No passive tone control, their 2 band does that. Here is a link:http://www.bestbassgear.com/glockenk...ss-preamps.htm

I don't know my series from my parallel

how do I tell?

mmbongo · #8 10-29-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emblymouse

The pre is their 3 band 4 knob. No passive tone control, their 2 band does that. Here is a link:http://www.bestbassgear.com/glockenk...ss-preamps.htm

I don't know my series from my parallel

how do I tell?

Man that's killer. I did a double take at the price, what a deal!

And parallel is thinner and brighter, series is thicker and louder.

emblymouse · #9 10-29-2010, 01:35 PM

Ok, then I'm going to say 'series' 'cause thick is the magic word for this bass.
I was being sensitive to the blah market when I priced this. That said, I'm not inclined to go lower on it. This is a great price, if Matt built it for you now it would be double (and that is still a great price). This is all handmade by one guy, even the necks. I have 3 of his 5's and each neck has a slightly different shape. I'm not selling this to get another 5'er, I'm done. These are 'it' for me.

Commreman · #10 10-29-2010, 02:00 PM

Wow. That one was always my favorite MPG. If this is still around after the 1st of the year, I'm all over this.

phillipkregg · #11 10-29-2010, 02:20 PM

Amazing bass - how sweet the growl.

Love his pickguards too.

MikeBass · #12 10-30-2010, 08:41 AM

Where the hell was this about 5-6 weeks ago?? (before I bought my PRS 4)

bastard!

emblymouse · #13 10-30-2010, 08:47 AM

Mike, 6 weeks ago I would have thought you were a crazy man for even suggesting I sell this. Now I'm the crazy man!

ubado · #14 10-30-2010, 10:49 AM

BUMP for the use of the word ... knobology.

Not to be confused with the study of: a person being a knob in comparison to a hoser.

PeterF · #15 10-30-2010, 11:29 AM

Any interest in trades?

emblymouse · #16 10-30-2010, 11:42 AM

Yeah, sometimes beautiful things happen. I got this in a trade and I'm sure I would have never tried one otherwise. I am really loving MPG for 5'ers but PM me please.

mmbongo · #17 10-31-2010, 11:52 AM

I need to quit opening this thread. I love that thing! Wish I had the cash for it.

TimBosby · #18 10-31-2010, 12:15 PM

Cool bass.

emblymouse · #19 10-31-2010, 04:56 PM

Ding dong, Halloween bump

StuartV · #20 10-31-2010, 07:49 PM

I have a Level 5 with the same pickups. Love IT!