• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

"Official" MTD KZX Ltd. Edition bass owners group

#7
I own #12, rosewood fingerboard. It's a fine instrument but I'm not sure yet if the pickups /preamp and the whole physical design of the instrument is for me. I've been playing jazz basses for 30 years and this is really different... not the "oohmp" of the jazz and also not as slap friendly. Maybe that's something that I'll get over with time. Good craftsmanship however and I've only owned it since beginning of june so time will tell.
 
#8
basmicke said:
I own #12, rosewood fingerboard. It's a fine instrument but I'm not sure yet if the pickups /preamp and the whole physical design of the instrument is for me. I've been playing jazz basses for 30 years and this is really different... not the "oohmp" of the jazz and also not as slap friendly. Maybe that's something that I'll get over with time. Good craftsmanship however and I've only owned it since beginning of june so time will tell.
Click to expand...
Hey congrats!
Well, they are more modern than Jazz sounding. My MTD Saratoga is like a Jazz on roids. I havent got my ZX yet. It ships tomorrow. TPB has been behind because of Gustav.
As for slap it should be very slap happy like all MTDs. Try playing with the EQ settings more on the bass and you amp. WHat kind of amp??? Remember it has the passive too, so that should give you oomph. Also, inside the cavity there is a gain adjustment (should be a little blue or tan box - turn clockwise to boost) That should give you more oomph and headroom.

So you are member #3 here.
Also, visit my other thread and post your thoughts on the bass. You may get some more input and I will add youto the club one you post.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368297&highlight=official+MTD
 
#9
Thanx!
I'll look inside for the gain adjustment. My problem with the slapmotion is mostly physical though. To much space between strings and body than I'm used to. I think it's mostly a matter of playing time. The slapsound is good from the bass though.
My amps are Genz Benz 6,0 and some old Ampegs.
 
#10
Found it and turned it up a bit. I also changed screws so that I could raise the pickups closer to the strings. I'll se at a real gig if it makes any difference. Now I have a much hotter signal anyway.
 
#14
How do you guys feel a regular MTD Z5 compares to an MTD ZX5? I recently played an MTD ZX5 and was blown away by it because I remember playing an MTD Z5 and I wasn't completely impressed by it. It wasn't even just the tone of it that was better, it was the whole package. The only problem is that I would want a 6 string and right now their isn't such thing as an MTD ZX6. I am thinking about buying an MTD Z6 and replacing the pickups and preamp with regular Bartolinis. Do the regular pickups and preamp differ a lot from Mike's Barts? Is the quality control among these instruments an issue, or are they all great basses?
 
#15
Steve K said:
How do you guys feel a regular MTD Z5 compares to an MTD ZX5? I recently played an MTD ZX5 and was blown away by it because I remember playing an MTD Z5 and I wasn't completely impressed by it. It wasn't even just the tone of it that was better, it was the whole package. The only problem is that I would want a 6 string and right now their isn't such thing as an MTD ZX6. I am thinking about buying an MTD Z6 and replacing the pickups and preamp with regular Bartolinis. Do the regular pickups and preamp differ a lot from Mike's Barts? Is the quality control among these instruments an issue, or are they all great basses?
Click to expand...
Steve,
I have a KZX and a Saratoga. They are both different sounding as well. THe KZX is has a big round tone and not as zingy as my Saratoga.
Now compared to a regular Z its night and day. The KZX is a stick of Dynamite and the Z bass is a firecracker!?!!
Mr. Tobias did a good job of putting together the electronics on the KZX. So far I am happy with it and its as versatile as I need it to be. I have played a few Z's and they are excellent instruments. Well made and of course that awesome MTD neck. Now the bad part are the electronics. Very weak and thin sounding as you have heard a lot of people complain.
I suggest you find a good deal on a Z6 and upgrade the electronics. I also hear that just upgrading the power from 9v to 18v on the Z basses will make a huge difference. My recommendation is start of with an Aguilar OBP-3 with stock pups. Then go for a set of Nordrands or Barts. I think the Fat Stacks would be nice.
Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: RevGroove
#16
Next week my KZX is going to the shop for some adjustments.
I'll make it possible to use single coil mode on the pu's for that jazz bass sound but I'll keep the original humbucking sound as well. Also I'll try to put a treble cut capacitor for the bypassed sound and make the balance and volume pots into regular volumepots a la fender. I think that will make me get more punch out if the mikes. I'm mostly using a volume pedal when playing anyway so... I'll be back with a report of the results in a couple of weeks.
 
#17
mickebas said:
Next week my KZX is going to the shop for some adjustments.
I'll make it possible to use single coil mode on the pu's for that jazz bass sound but I'll keep the original humbucking sound as well. Also I'll try to put a treble cut capacitor for the bypassed sound and make the balance and volume pots into regular volumepots a la fender. I think that will make me get more punch out if the mikes. I'm mostly using a volume pedal when playing anyway so... I'll be back with a report of the results in a couple of weeks.
Click to expand...
Good idea! Yeah, before I bought the KZX I was going to get a Z5 and install Nordstrand Fatstacks with an Aguilar OBP3 preamp and have a switch so I can run sing coil or humbucking. Let us know!
 
#18
I bought a Z 4 with rosewood fingerboard about 10 months ago. Modded it with Nordstrand Fatstacks and a Aguilar Obp - 3 preamp. The difference in tone from stock is unbelievable. I'd say it's a must for one of these. I'm going through a Yamaha B115 combo amp right now which is good, but I just bought an eden D212XLT. Now all I need is a decent head and I'm set. Can't wait. Damn they're expensive though, might take awhile. Don't know if I'll be able to stand it......
 
#19
Lazy1 said:
I bought a Z 4 with rosewood fingerboard about 10 months ago. Modded it with Nordstrand Fatstacks and a Aguilar Obp - 3 preamp. The difference in tone from stock is unbelievable. I'd say it's a must for one of these. I'm going through a Yamaha B115 combo amp right now which is good, but I just bought an eden D212XLT. Now all I need is a decent head and I'm set. Can't wait. Damn they're expensive though, might take awhile. Don't know if I'll be able to stand it......
Click to expand...
You should move over to the Official MTD (non-US made) forum so I can give you a member #
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368297&highlight=official+MTD
 
#20
mickebas said:
Next week my KZX is going to the shop for some adjustments.
I'll make it possible to use single coil mode on the pu's for that jazz bass sound but I'll keep the original humbucking sound as well. Also I'll try to put a treble cut capacitor for the bypassed sound and make the balance and volume pots into regular volumepots a la fender. I think that will make me get more punch out if the mikes. I'm mostly using a volume pedal when playing anyway so... I'll be back with a report of the results in a couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

Now I've tried my modifed KZX out for a couple of weeks in different playing situations and I must say the changes made a big improvement. I mostly play in the singlecoil mode now even though the signal naturally is a little thinner that way since I'm only using 50% of the coils. The character of the sound though is much more clear and speaks out better to my taste. When/if I switch to the original humbucker mode, it gets louder but muddier, not so clear. So I've turned up the level of the preamp a bit more and play single coil most of the time. The sound in the single coil mode is by no means thin and after adjusting amp settings and master volume it actually sounds meatier than when using the humbucking mode. I've always preferred the more jazzier sound of 100% of the single coil bridge pickup and about 90% of the singlecoil neck pu for warmth and bottom. The difference in level is only noticeable when switching direct between humbuck-singlecoil. Nice to have all the choices left in the bass though. Some situations really calls for the humbucking mode because of single coil hum.
I also cut some treble in the passive mode and it worked out good even though for the moment I'm very happy with the bartolini preamp in this bass and mostly play through it. This is the first bass I've owned where I actually feel the preamp makes an improvement. All quiet and not making the bass sound to "electric". It still has a wooden sound which I like.
Also the switch to the more fender style, one volume-pot per mike, was an improvement for me. Easier to dial in the pick up balance and I think it gives more output from the mikes... not proven but I've always had that feeling.
I've added a black, discrete pick-guard as well in order for me to get the perfect space between the body and the strings, especially important for my slap-motion, and it feels great now. The only disadvantage is you can't see the Mike Tobias signed trussrodplate but I've kept it protected underneath the pick-guard.
So all in all this was a great improvement for me and now I clearly feel more at home with my already great bass. :hyper:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back