For sale MTD Kingston Super 5 - Heavily Upgraded - L@@K!!

UPDATE 4/29/19: This bass came back to me in a round about way, and while I'm happy to have it back for a second go round, I'm entertaining trades and would like to sell it to put those funds to something else.

I'm pleased to report that this bass is still basically pristine, and sounds and plays really well. I dropped the price to move it quick. Let me know if you have questions!!!

So you want a MTD Super 5, you say? Well, you decide to look at the catalog, or even call Mike, and realize the price for a new US Super 5 is roughly $6k.

So, you decide to investigate. What about the Kingston line? And you see that you can pick a new one up for about $1200 shipped! Score!

Then you do some more digging and read all the online reviews which talk about how average the standard electronics are in the Kingston Super 5. (I have them and can include them if you want them....)

So, you decide to shop for hardware for the Super 5 thinking you can replicate a MTD Super 5, and realize you're going to spend Hundreds and hundreds of dollars in electronics and upgrades to make it right, and that's not even considering what your luthier (not Mike himself, which is who did this one) is going to charge you. You then realize it's gonna touch well above $2k real quick.

So there you sit, and low and behold, this post comes up. Score!

Seriously, let me tell you about this monster of a bass. This is a 17' Kingston MTD Super 5, that has been completely upgraded. I'm talking major, major upgrades -


Upgrades include:

- Neck has had a Plek job completed recently $145
- bridge upgraded to MTD standard USA Hipshot $214
- tuners upgrades to MTD standard USA Hipshot $47ea x 5 = $235
- Knobs upgrades to MTD standard Soft-Touch knobs $8.50ea x 5 = $42
- preamp upgraded to Bartolini HR5.3, 3 band eq (same as USA Super 5) $300
- pickups upgraded to custom spec Bartolini DL5 $375 (same spec as USA Super 5 Bubby Lewis signature)

All of this work, as mentioned above, was performed by the man himself, Mike Tobias in NYC. So, this is an Asian made bass, completely upgraded and setup as an American Super 5 would be.

I own a US Bubby Lewis Super 5, and it's my main player. The impetus for this bass was from a gig where some drunkard knocked my Bubby Super 5 over, breaking the headstock and 2 tuning pegs. At that moment, I decided that wouldn't happen again - right after I calmed down enough to not rip the guys head off clean off.

So, I purchased this and had it upgraded to match mine. And it absolutely does. Honestly, if I don't look at the bass itself, I really can't tell a difference. Tonally and from a feel standpoint, it's virtually identical.

The body is slightly different, and of course the headstock. The neck profile is the same and the hardware is all the same. And, it sounds and plays like a $6k bass.

Specs are:

- 35" scale
- Maple neck with patented asymmetrical MTD shape
- 9.1lbs
- Carved Ash body
- 19mm spacing
- Buzz Feiten tuning system
- Serviceable gig bag will be included

I am open to trades, but, would prefer to sell this one. I could be swayed though. Lol! I've got almost $2400 into it, and if you're looking for a Super 5, but, don't have 6 large to drop on one, this is the absolute closest you're going to get. For all intents and purposes, this IS a true Super 5.

It's in pristine condition. Very, very good shape. Arrow straight neck, not a scratch on it. And probably not another one like it, anywhere. There's very minor play wear, but, that's more the finish than the use, honestly.

I always ship insured and timely. If you've got any questions, let me know. Thanks for looking!