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New bass day! MTD Z6 content (update: now with pics)

DanielleMuscato

DanielleMuscato

Jun 19, 2004
4,782
83
42
Columbia, Missouri, USA
www.daniellemuscato.com
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
#1
Pics in post #6.

My MTD Z6 in gloss translucent cherry finish with rosewood fretboard finally came this morning.

It was lost in the mail, shipped originally from just outside Toronto to Buffalo, NY, then somehow ended up a week later in Portland, OR (2,800 miles/4500 km away!), and finally made it's way to me. Thanks, Fed-Ex :rollno:

I was really worried that it would be messed up from the cold weather, considering that it was not shipped in a case (just a cardboard box w/bubble wrap), and when I received it, the box had been accidentally torn open on one side. However, the bass seems unharmed. The action is really high, and still uncomfortably so even after adjusting the saddles. I haven't messed with the truss rods yet, but the neck has nearly no relief already, so I might have to resort to something more intensive (like a business card shim, haha).

Anyway, this is my first 6er, which means as soon as I get some pics, I will have to stroll over to the Six String club thread, but in the meantime, here's my review:

List price: $1499.00 US
Street price: $1200 US
Price paid: $700 (scratch 'n dent from a dealer, otherwise new)

- Nut width: 2 & 1/8" (54mm), the same as my custom 5-string, and the standard for classical guitars
- Zero fret
- 35" scale
- 24 frets
- dual truss rods
- dual no-name soapbar pickups with wooden covers
- 3-band no-name 9V active EQ section + master vol & indented blend
- Smoky/gunmetal hardware - very nice
- Asymmetrical neck profile
- maple burl cap over mahogany body with 1-piece maple neck (satin poly finish) & rosewood fretboard
- Buzz Feiten tuning system
- 18mm string spacing (center-to-center) at the saddles

First thoughts:

- Neck heavy
- Fretboard is wide as a runway, just the way I like it.
- Neck is *very* comfortable as far as the radius, profile, string-spacing. I was concerned about 18mm spacing, since all my other basses (all 5ers) have 19mm, but it's not so bad after 20 minutes of getting used to it.
- I love the color - same as my MTD Artist 5, but with an added burl top!
- The pickup covers are ugly - they aren't quite matching, I mean to say, they are a lot more orangish/pinkish red than the finish. I'm probably going to swap them for Nordies anyway, though.
- I gotta do something about this action - it is way too high as-is

My rig isn't set up right now, and my practice amp is in our studio (I'm at home), but I will come back and edit this with a proper run-down of the plugged in sound.

Be back soon!
 
#2
Congratulations!!! :)
I think the new MTD Z-basses look great, but I haven't been able to test them yet. Maybe they will surface in a shop here in Norway sooner or later, but most likely not.

Hope you find it to be as good as it looks! :)
 
#6
Alex, I'm sure it's just because it was very cold for so long. I think that settling into 70-degree temperatures (it was 30 this morning inside the Fed-Ex truck, and it was *freezing* when I opened it up, even after waiting half an hour!) as well as a good setup will help. I just hope it's not permanently damaged from that.

I forgot to mention, there is one other issue - The G & C tuning machine keys touch each other when they are both turned flat. I think that moving the tuning machine screw & rotating the machine, then drilling a new hole and screwing it back in a few millimeters rotated, will fix that, but it's just annoying - bad quality control or tolerances, really. I got it in tune by turning the C key out of the way, then tuning the G key, then turning the C key back to where it belonged.... but on any decently-built instrument, you should be able to turn each key 360 degrees without hitting any of the other keys! Easy fix, but still, grr....


As promised, here are some pics!

2074360512_f5c17464e8.jpg

2074362390_9f6d7a7225.jpg

2073564467_8067797cee.jpg


Full set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davemuscato/sets/72157603332529741/

I'll take this opportunity to also say that I don't like MTD strings. This is my first experience with them, but I can tell (even unplugged) that they are going to be WAY too bright and zingy for me. It could just be that they are new, but I will stick with my DR coated strings, thanks.
 
#7
Dave Muscato said:
... considering that it was not shipped in a case (just a cardboard box w/bubble wrap), and when I received it, the box had been accidentally torn open on one side. However, the bass seems unharmed.
Click to expand...

I had the same problem with a new MTD Saratoga shipped to me a few years ago. I don't know if its the dealer of if MTD/ MTD's Distribution just uses really thin, flimsy boxes.

Good luck with your 6er.
 
#9
Yeah, it'll be awhile before I'm comfortable performing with it or taking it on sessions, and I haven't even heard it plugged in yet, but I'll post more soon. It sure looks sweet, though :) Gotta do something about that action & neck dive in the meantime, but the neck is very comfortable... I don't think the switch to 6 is going to be hard at all.
 
#10
Interesting. You've found MTD strings to be too bright for you? What do you usually use? I just switched from DR Hi-Beams to MTD strings on my 635 and couldn't be happier. By the way, are you sure that the strings on your bass are MTD strings? I was under the impression that they shipped with a different brand of strings from the factory, and only basses that were deemed in need of a fret leveling and setup were restrung with MTD strings.
 
#11
xgabriele said:
Interesting. You've found MTD strings to be too bright for you? What do you usually use? I just switched from DR Hi-Beams to MTD strings on my 635 and couldn't be happier. By the way, are you sure that the strings on your bass are MTD strings? I was under the impression that they shipped with a different brand of strings from the factory, and only basses that were deemed in need of a fret leveling and setup were restrung with MTD strings.
Click to expand...
It looks like his bass has MTD Strings. They have yellow silk wrap on them. When I got my MTD Saratoga 5 it had them, plus a free set. Both had yellow silk. I did not care for them. I changed to DR Hi-Beams which are VERY BRIGHT and zingy when new. I changed to Lo-Riders recently because I wanted a little more tension. I found these to be perfect - no massive brightness when new. I think Dave may like the Lo-Riders.

As for the set-up. If your set-up person cant get it right, I would talk to the place you got it from or maybe even Mike Tobias can help you out. He is always extremely helpful making anything with his name on it right.
 
#12
xgabriele said:
Interesting. You've found MTD strings to be too bright for you? What do you usually use? I just switched from DR Hi-Beams to MTD strings on my 635 and couldn't be happier. By the way, are you sure that the strings on your bass are MTD strings? I was under the impression that they shipped with a different brand of strings from the factory, and only basses that were deemed in need of a fret leveling and setup were restrung with MTD strings.
Click to expand...

I usually use DR Black Beauties (coated) strings. Do they make those in a 6-string set? I'll have to check. I like the feel of them, and they have less string noise and have a nicely thick & even tone, can definitely still snap & pop just fine, and still thump on the low end. I intensely dislike the sound of brand new strings, and, as a result, I rarely change my strings :smug: so I like coated strings because they last a little longer.
 
#13
I'm having a problem with my cab (see this thread), so I can't really give it a fair run-down plugged in. However, I can tell that this bass has a lot of clarity, and the tone is very good. The treble boost is pretty noisy, and you guys were definitely right about the output being weak - it's roughly half the volume of my Artist 5! I'm going to swap the pickups for Nordies as soon as possible... now I just have to decide which Nordies... any advice?

It will take some getting used to, as far as it being a 6-string, and that the volume knob is farther back by the bridge (on my Artist 5, the volume knob is where the treble boost on the Z6 is, so I keep reaching for that by mistake, haha), but I like it so far. It's pretty neck heavy, but I shortened my strap a bit and that helped some. I am still getting used to the 18mm spacing. I definitely prefer 19mm, but I think I can make this work with some practice.

The tone is very usable; it can go thick & full if you blend it toward the neck pickup and back off on the treble. For slap, I like both pickups full-on with the EQ flat! As far as the MTD strings, I didn't like them at first, but now that I've played on them for 10 hours or so, they've lost a bit of that new-string zing and I'm very happy with them. I'm debating whether I will go to my usual DR Black Beauties coated strings or stick with the MTDs.

Overall, this is a great bass for the money. The pickups and preamp aren't incredible, and it is fairly neck heavy, but other than that, it's exactly what I want. The feel is incredible; I love the look, and it's so comfortable to play. This is probably my new main bass (I don't know, it'll be hard to let go of "mi corazón," my Artist 5), but the Z6 is highly recommended.

Thanks,
 
#14
Dave Muscato said:
I usually use DR Black Beauties (coated) strings. Do they make those in a 6-string set? I'll have to check. I like the feel of them, and they have less string noise and have a nicely thick & even tone, can definitely still snap & pop just fine, and still thump on the low end. I intensely dislike the sound of brand new strings, and, as a result, I rarely change my strings :smug: so I like coated strings because they last a little longer.
Click to expand...

Ah, that makes sense. I like a nice fresh steel round wound tone. Yes, DR makes the Black Beauties in six string sets. I have used them on both my old Roscoe skb3006 and MTD 635. They weren't bad, but they lost their brightness to quickly for me, so that shows how to guys using very similar basses (your Z6 has the same wood combo as my 635) prefer two totally different tones.
 
#15
After having a close look at the pictures, I can confirm that your Z6 was shipped with the stock (OEM) strings which are not MTD strings. The ones on your bass are actually made by D'Addario. MTD strings are not...

The confusing part (and I told Mike about it) is that both use yellow silk winding. The OEM are bright yellow while the MTD's are light yellow, kind of green-ish.

The low-B on the OEM set has nothing to do with the MTD low-B which is one of the best I've played. Still, the MTD's are bright strings but they fit so well with the bass IMO. For me there's nothing like MTD strings on a MTD. For me it's the definition of "modern" sounding.

Congrats on the bass and if you're not able to get the action to your liking don't hesitate to contact Mike. Even a scratch and dent bass should be setup perfectly. That tuner thing is also not normal and Mike would like to know about it. My guess is that it was damaged during shipping.

I've been to the warehouse and shop where they QC every bass that comes in and the guys put a lot of effort in those basses. They really wish they could put real MTD strings on every bass, but it was the distributor's decision...(not a good one IMO).
 
#16
1kinal said:
After having a close look at the pictures, I can confirm that your Z6 was shipped with the stock (OEM) strings which are not MTD strings. The ones on your bass are actually made by D'Addario. MTD strings are not...

The confusing part (and I told Mike about it) is that both use yellow silk winding. The OEM are bright yellow while the MTD's are light yellow, kind of green-ish.

The low-B on the OEM set has nothing to do with the MTD low-B which is one of the best I've played. Still, the MTD's are bright strings but they fit so well with the bass IMO. For me there's nothing like MTD strings on a MTD. For me it's the definition of "modern" sounding.

Congrats on the bass and if you're not able to get the action to your liking don't hesitate to contact Mike. Even a scratch and dent bass should be setup perfectly. That tuner thing is also not normal and Mike would like to know about it. My guess is that it was damaged during shipping.

I've been to the warehouse and shop where they QC every bass that comes in and the guys put a lot of effort in those basses. They really wish they could put real MTD strings on every bass, but it was the distributor's decision...(not a good one IMO).
Click to expand...

+1, you are correct. I never even looked at the close up pics he linked. Those are most definitely not "MTD" strings.
 
#17
As we're talking about MTD strings, here's a scoop you might not be aware of...

MTD is putting a Nickel line on the market. I'm supposed to get one of the first set somewhere in December.

I'll make sure to let you know what I think of them.

Here's the press release with all the info:

Power Group Ltd., a Toronto based distributor of fine Musical Instrument and Professional Audio products, in conjunction with Michael Tobias Designs announce the introduction of 7 new sets of premium Nickel Wound electric bass guitar strings.

These new premium Nickel Roundwound strings are available in 4, 5 and 6 string sets in addition to single strings for the Low “B”, Hi “C” and Hi “F”. MTD 4 string sets come in the following gauges: Light (40-60-80-100), Medium Light (45-65-80-100) and Medium (45-65-85-105). MTD 5 string sets are available in: Medium (45-65-85-105-130X) and Custom Medium (45-65-85-105-135X) while 6 string sets are packaged in Medium (30-45-65-85-105-130X) and Custom Medium (30-45-65-85-105-135X).

“I’ve been stringing my handmade basses with premium MTD Steel strings since 1994 and I have to say that bassists the world over have asked for Nickel Strings for a long time and I have finally found a string that meets our standards!” states Michael Tobias. “These new Nickel strings offer the player the dynamic response of Steel strings with the inherent warmth and feel players seek from nickel wound strings. We also are offering an exposed core “B” in a Nickel string – that’s pretty rare, actually”.

Ron Larcombe, President of Power Group Ltd. states, “With these new Nickel Strings, we have a complete string solution for the electric bassist – the classic MTD Steels and now the MTD Nickels. We feel so strongly about the quality of these strings we’ve re-designed the packaging to better reflect the “premium” position these strings will hold in the Market”.

MTD Nickel Strings will be priced from $42.00 MSRP for a 4 string set to $68.00 MSRP for the 6 string sets.
 
#18
Ah, good to know. I will have to try those MTD strings, then. I'm pretty happy with the DRs I usually use, but I am all for trying stuff Mike likes, haha.

As far as the tuning machines, now that the instrument has had a few days to settle in out of the cold (after being lost by Fed-Ex for a week), the tuning machines have stabilized and rotate freely. I'm not too worried about it. They are still pretty close, but they don't touch anymore.

And luckily, as far as the action, similarly, after a few days, it has settled in and plays just fine. I will continue to fine-tune it over the next week or so, but I don't foresee any long-term problems. Whew!

The only thing I don't like is that it's neck heavy, the pickups & preamp aren't (in my opinion) up to the quality level of the rest of the instrument, and that it's 18mm spacing at the bridge instead of 19mm. I plan to replace the pickups (and possibly the pre also) in the next few months. The balance isn't terribly, just uncomfortable, but by adjusting my strap, and with some practice, I think I'll get used to it - and same with the string spacing. Overall, these are great basses and the price is amazing. I think Mike has done a great job with the Z series, and I'm glad to see that he's addressed the pickups/pre with the ZX models.

Edit:

Kinal, Power is the same place I got my MTD :D Small world, eh?
 
#19
1kinal said:
I've been to the warehouse and shop where they QC every bass that comes in and the guys put a lot of effort in those basses. They really wish they could put real MTD strings on every bass, but it was the distributor's decision...(not a good one IMO).
Click to expand...

So wait, these Korean made MTDs are setup and inspected here in the US? If so, is that for the whole kingston line or just the Z series?
 

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