• 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.

NBD: MTD Kingston Z5, Ibanez RD900

bassstrangler

bassstrangler

Mar 2, 2015
3,224
5,191
AZ
#1
A very unexpected NBD times two this week. Today I traded my T-40 for a 2006 MTD Z5 made in Korea. One small ding at the tip of the headstock and otherwise perfect bass. Never owned one and kind of felt that it was an even trade. Very nice sounding bass and very well built. Beautiful!

Next up is an Ibanez RDGR RD900. I wasn't in the market for a new bass at all and saw this on CL for an unheard of high price and completely dirty with rusty and green strings and green frets. Two days ago I went to GC to kill some time before meeting a kid to sell my synthesizer to. Now I had sworn off GC, but the manager got relocated so I can go in their again and I was curious about these new Mitchell basses. Ixnay on the Itchellmay. I saw this hanging on the wall and sure enough after talking to the one cool guy there it turns out it was the same bass. GC cleaned it up and restrung it. I bought it for an unbelievably low price. This is a fairly rare model and made for one year only in this layout. Brought it home and spent even more time cleaning and it's 9/10 cosmetically. A pure ten sound wise with Basslines in it. Bound neck and tiny abalone fret markers make it look almost naked fretboard wise.
IMG_20160908_150816231.jpg
IMG_20160908_150826505.jpg IMG_20160908_150826505.jpg IMG_20160908_150837850.jpg IMG_20160908_150856160.jpg
IMG_20160906_162543572.jpg
IMG_20160908_150929656.jpg IMG_20160908_150945770.jpg IMG_20160908_150954971.jpg IMG_20160908_150920695.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: eff-clef
#4
Just did a complete cleaning and restringing of the MTD Kingston Z5. Wow what a fantastic and beautiful bass if I must say. I'd highly recommend this bass to anyone considering purchasing one.

The RD900 is absolutely a great find if one can locate one also. @Papazita I would like to see a picture of yours. I'm blown away at the quality compared to the RD500 I used to have. The Basslines pickups are so nice! Sorry I'm actually gushing with pride at these two finds.
 
#5
Mine. I haven't found a single thing to complain about with this bass. Preamp could be a little more authentic stingray-ish, but it's ok. I had this sympathetic ringing from the D & G strings behind the string retainer. Nothing that would get amplified, but it still bugged me once i knew it was there. Slipped one of my daughter's hair ties around the headstock over those 2 strings, and problem solved.
20141116_060116.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassstrangler
#6
Nice bass!, looks very familiar. It's a shame Ibanez stopped making these. They only made these in 2005 in this configuration, 2006 was the last year and the added the coil tap as a toggle rather than a push/pull on the volume knob. Mines #408 I feel really lucky to have it and to save it from the hands of someone who may have not understood how great they really are.

I wonder how hard it would be to find a five in this? They did make them.
 
#7
I have yet to see a 905, and since getting this one, you bet I've been looking! I would prefer the coil tap as a seperate switch, the scheme they have on this first run is needlessly complicated.

I'm trying to find out if the bodies on these are chambered at all. You'll notice the rout under the bridge for the string ends goes all the way through the maple top. Tapping on the body, i can never quite tell if i hit a hollow spot or not
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassstrangler
#8
It does seem to be a lighter bass than it looks. I don't mind the controls as I don't really use the tap on any bass. I seriously wish all basses were 2 or 3 knobs!

Well, here's to another no replied NBD on my part. I guess I need to buy a Boutique or vintage bass to get some response!

Thanks for looking and replying @Papazita !
 
#9
My old MTD five-stringer had the best neck of all the basses I have owned. And, I've had some good basses over the years - G&L, Fender, another G&L, Alembic, etc. That big neck was just ... well... relaxing to my hand. I could play four hours and still play longer. Very little fatigue, no over-reaching, etc. Just very comfortable. If I ever purchase another bass, I will very likely go back to MTD.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassstrangler
#10
It's a very comfortable bass to play. I had the intent of 100% flipping it as I traded my T-40 for it which I was selling.

I figured the MTD would be an easy sell, but it's way too nice of a bass to give up. I was selling my T-40 for $425 which I thought was too low. Then the straight trade for this near minty MTD came along and I couldn't pass it up.

Glad I did trade and now something else in the herd will have to go. This MTD is one excellent bass.
 
#11
Hey guys! I was hoping to sell my RD900. Any good ideas on a price point and where I should sell it? I just don't play it any more. I loved it when I did though, and have put off getting rid of it forever! I've never sold on though, so any ideas?
 
#12
bassstrangler said:
A very unexpected NBD times two this week. Today I traded my T-40 for a 2006 MTD Z5 made in Korea. One small ding at the tip of the headstock and otherwise perfect bass. Never owned one and kind of felt that it was an even trade. Very nice sounding bass and very well built. Beautiful!

Next up is an Ibanez RDGR RD900. I wasn't in the market for a new bass at all and saw this on CL for an unheard of high price and completely dirty with rusty and green strings and green frets. Two days ago I went to GC to kill some time before meeting a kid to sell my synthesizer to. Now I had sworn off GC, but the manager got relocated so I can go in their again and I was curious about these new Mitchell basses. Ixnay on the Itchellmay. I saw this hanging on the wall and sure enough after talking to the one cool guy there it turns out it was the same bass. GC cleaned it up and restrung it. I bought it for an unbelievably low price. This is a fairly rare model and made for one year only in this layout. Brought it home and spent even more time cleaning and it's 9/10 cosmetically. A pure ten sound wise with Basslines in it. Bound neck and tiny abalone fret markers make it look almost naked fretboard wise.
View attachment 945596
Click to expand...
What's the bass on the far right with the black pickguard? Is it the MTD?

Is it possible to put a cool pickguard on the MTD Z5?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back