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Calling MTD players - Need help with a MTD decision

#21
excane said:
I can only speak for the American MTD's (435 and 535) they have a very unique sound AND feel to them. They can do everything from funk, to mid-heavy bridge Jaco, to a full motown thumping groove.
I would be cautious and say to try one out if you can before you buy. I absolutely LOVE mine, but they're not for everybody.
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I wouldn't compare a KZ with a USA MTD. Based on my limited MTD USA experience, this would be like comparing something like an active Korean Squier Jazz to a NYC Sadowsky, AC, Nordy, etc. Mine is a bad example, but you get the picture!:smug:

The KXZ with Bart PU and Bart electronics might be a fairly close representation to the sound of a MIA MTD, but the stock KZ electronics/PU? No way. I wouldn't be suprised if I ended up ripping out all of the guts of my KZ6 and replacing them in the future.

Again, for what it is, a KZ is a great bass. But when compared to the much more expensive MIA MTD, Roscoe, Smith, F-Bass, etc... it isn't even close in sound. Just IMO.
 
#23
Baird6869 said:
I wouldn't compare a KZ with a USA MTD. Based on my limited MTD USA experience, this would be like comparing something like an active Korean Squier Jazz to a NYC Sadowsky, AC, Nordy, etc. Mine is a bad example, but you get the picture!:smug:

The KXZ with Bart PU and Bart electronics might be a fairly close representation to the sound of a MIA MTD, but the stock KZ electronics/PU? No way. I wouldn't be suprised if I ended up ripping out all of the guts of my KZ6 and replacing them in the future.

Again, for what it is, a KZ is a great bass. But when compared to the much more expensive MIA MTD, Roscoe, Smith, F-Bass, etc... it isn't even close in sound. Just IMO.
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IM not comparing a KZX to an MIA MTD. Im just saying its about as close as your gonna get in that price range. The MIA MTDs are unique. Especially with the different choices and combinations of woods. My MTD Saratoga 5 and my KZX sound completely different from each other. They both have different wood combos, fretboards and electronics. My Saratoga 5 is bright, crisp and slap happy. Its like a Jazz on steroids. My KZX is big booming, yet bright, but also had a dark strong low end. I can really get close to a Pbass sound if I set everything right.
 
#24
alexofc69 said:
IM not comparing a KZX to an MIA MTD.
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I didn't say you were.:confused: I was talking about excane's post above, not any of yours.:)

In any case, the only way IMO a KZ is going to sound anywhere near a P bass is with effects, a Sansamp, etc. (as you eluded to in one of your above posts).

I got a fairly close P bass tone tonight out of my KZ6 with the bass on 10, mids at about 3 and the treble rolled completely off.... and a Boss Compresson Sustainer with the sustain rolled back to 2-3.

Sounded pretty good for the Pink Floyd and Tragically Hip (both bassists use P basses) I jammed out on for a while, but it is still not a P.

Who cases though? After a quick glance at the setlist of my upcoming gig on Friday, I will be playing songs by bassists that use Modulus, Fender Jazz, Fender P, Lakland, Framus, Spector, Warwick, Gibson, Stingray, etc. I will be bringing a main bass and a backup. In most settings, nobody will notice IMO.
 
#25
Baird6869 said:
I didn't say you were.:confused: I was talking about excane's post above, not any of yours.:)

In any case, the only way IMO a KZ is going to sound anywhere near a P bass is with effects, a Sansamp, etc. (as you eluded to in one of your above posts).

I got a fairly close P bass tone tonight out of my KZ6 with the bass on 10, mids at about 3 and the treble rolled completely off.... and a Boss Compresson Sustainer with the sustain rolled back to 2-3.

Sounded pretty good for the Pink Floyd and Tragically Hip (both bassists use P basses) I jammed out on for a while, but it is still not a P.

Who cases though? After a quick glance at the setlist of my upcoming gig on Friday, I will be playing songs by bassists that use Modulus, Fender Jazz, Fender P, Lakland, Framus, Spector, Warwick, Gibson, Stingray, etc. I will be bringing a main bass and a backup. In most settings, nobody will notice IMO.
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nope you didnt. but you are right. most people wont be able to tell.
 
#26
So, I think I found one of the limited runs of the KZX5's. It appears to have a # on the truss rod cover. Earlier, it was mentioned that these were limited due to some assembly by Mike Tobias and team, but are the electronics any different from the KZX's that are shown on the site? It appears to have Bartollini pick-ups.
 
#27
BigLoopDuke said:
So, I think I found one of the limited runs of the KZX5's. It appears to have a # on the truss rod cover. Earlier, it was mentioned that these were limited due to some assembly by Mike Tobias and team, but are the electronics any different from the KZX's that are shown on the site? It appears to have Bartollini pick-ups.
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From what I understand all of the KZX's have the Bart PU and preamp. Much better than a KZ IMO.
 
#28
BigLoopDuke said:
I dig a really thick sounding bass. I've played/loved a Spector NS2, EBMM Sterling, Jazz basses, etc, but all but the Spector felt a little thin.

1. Will the MTD KZ5 produce comparable thick bass tones? (to my P-bass) I would think it would, but most of the samples I've found appear to be eq'ed more towards the slap sound of the Sterling.

2. Can I replace the stock MTD electronics with either Barts or Nordy's and still use the wood covers?

3. I've got chubby kid fingers. Is the spacing more like the EBMM spacing? (The Sterling was the first bass I felt I could pop the strings with little/no problem)

Anyway, thanks for any feedback you can provide.
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In answer to your questions, from a former KZ owner...

1. Quite simply, no. The KZ on its own is ANYTHING but thick sounding. If you feel like other basses are thin, the KZ will sound thin and honky. No amount of knob twiddling will get you around this.

2. I don't think you'll be able to still use the stock pickup covers if you replace the pickups. And don't forget, you're looking at about $400 worth of upgrades on top of what you are already paying for the bass.

3. Spacing is 19mm, slightly wider than a 5-string EBMM.

My recommendation...the KZ is a great novelty bass and can make a great backup - which is pretty much what mine had been relegated to after becoming increasingly frustrated with my inability to get a workable (for my needs) bottom end out of the thing.

It was replaced by a Warmoth homebuilt with equipped with the Sadowsky preamp and HCs, and I haven't looked back since. Hello full thick tones!

Lonnybass
 
#29
Lonnybass said:
In answer to your questions, from a former KZ owner...

1. Quite simply, no. The KZ on its own is ANYTHING but thick sounding. If you feel like other basses are thin, the KZ will sound thin and honky. No amount of knob twiddling will get you around this.

2. I don't think you'll be able to still use the stock pickup covers if you replace the pickups. And don't forget, you're looking at about $400 worth of upgrades on top of what you are already paying for the bass.

3. Spacing is 19mm, slightly wider than a 5-string EBMM.

My recommendation...the KZ is a great novelty bass and can make a great backup - which is pretty much what mine had been relegated to after becoming increasingly frustrated with my inability to get a workable (for my needs) bottom end out of the thing ...
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LOL!

I might have known that Lonny would get in on this. His opinions on the KZ are very well known. I would agree with everything he's said but I would ALSO add that an electronics upgrade would help this bass a great deal. I've had two KZ's that were upgraded and they sounded fantastic.

On another note, I also have a Lakland 55-01 that has Z-Bass pickups in it but it has a Lakland LH3 preamp as well and it rocks! (And yes, it sounds plenty thick!)

FYI - YMMV
 
#30
BigLoopDuke said:
So, I think I found one of the limited runs of the KZX5's. It appears to have a # on the truss rod cover. Earlier, it was mentioned that these were limited due to some assembly by Mike Tobias and team, but are the electronics any different from the KZX's that are shown on the site? It appears to have Bartollini pick-ups.
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What number is it?

The info on the MTD Kingston website is slightly wrong, the ZXs all have Bartolini pickups and preamps, whether LTD. Edition or regular run. I have both a KZX and a KZ5. Happy with the various sounds I can get from either axe. While the ZX is my go to/main bass, the Z5 is a killer bass in it's own right, and if I hadn't gotten the ZX would still be my main axe with no issues.

I realise I'm one of the few guys that's happy with it stock (though I did add a second 9v in series to get more headroom from the tone circuit, not because I had to or was unhappy, a buddy did it, and I followed suit...why not have more headroom?), chacun son gout!



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Now playing: Timberland ft Keri Hilson & D.O.E - The way I are
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#31
I got to check out a KZX5 at Bass Central yesterday, and it is the real deal. For $1,700+ you get very, very close to an American MTD. I would go so far as to consider the KZX5 the Metro of the MTD line. I am working on a classic rock gig, if it pans out, and I actually make some money, I may just get a KZX5 because it does a decent P-bass imitation in addition to all of the killer modern finger and slap tones.
 
#32
Dr. Cheese said:
I got to check out a KZX5 at Bass Central yesterday, and it is the real deal. For $1,700+ you get very, very close to an American MTD. I would go so far as to consider the KZX5 the Metro of the MTD line.
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+1

As a player that has owned Sadowsky Metros and NYC, I agree.

The Kingston basses with Barts are MUCH better than the standard KZ IMO and are killer.

I have a KZ6 and it is a nice bass. Not a great bass, but giggable. It will be a GREAT bass when I gut it and put Bart PU and a Bart pre
 
#34
Number 15 is on its way to me, as I pulled the trigger on it from a Michigan GC. I'm going out of my mind right now. It is slated to arrive on Monday or Tuesday. This is going to be a long weekend.

MTD.jpg
 
#35
BigLoopDuke said:
Number 15 is on its way to me, as I pulled the trigger on it from a Michigan GC. I'm going out of my mind right now. It is slated to arrive on Monday or Tuesday. This is going to be a long weekend.

MTD.jpg
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NICE!

Mike sent me the wiring diagram to wire the electronics with a second battery in series for more headroom, if you're interested e-mail or PM me and I'll send you a copy (that goes for anybody!)



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Now playing: Sandin Wilson - Feildtrip
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#37
BigLoopDuke said:
Wired in series, what advantage does that give your tone? I used to have a Spector ReBop that had a really high output. And, as I'm used to running passive p-basses through my current rig, what would that do to the tone?
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It doesn't give you more power or volume, it increases your headroom which translates to better, crisper transients.

I first found out about this type of mod when I was using EMG pickups, an explanation is here:

http://home.comcast.net/~mgollihur/emgmod.html

The same thing applies here with Bartolinis the wiring is just different.

Not that it needed it, but MAN! Talk about inching closer to MTD USA...



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