I stopped by GC today to try out some new basses and I came across a MTD 5'er. Not sure of the model, but it played wonderfully. The neck and overall body felt good. When I plugged it in the sound was great to. However, I'm not to familiar with the brand and was wondering the durability and the craftsmanship of their basses. what's your opinion or experience?
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MTD basses what do you think?
- Thread starter tch90
- Start date
Yea I'm guessing it was the kingston line, otherwise you would've notice a price tag in the multiple thousands. I have a KZ 5'er and I love it. Has the looks and feel of a boutique and after putting in bartolini pups and an aguilar obp3 it has boutique tone. They're great basses, all of the kingstons.
I have a modded Kingston Z5 Natural Gloss finish and a BEAUTIFUL selection of burled maple. I added hipshot hardware, nordy dual coils, and an OBP-3 preamp.
I can tell you, I'm never going to buy another bass again...
I can tell you, I'm never going to buy another bass again...
They're very well made, I wouldn't worry about quality. Plus, I wouldn't put it past Mike Tobias to offer his help to fix your problem. They're not made by him but they have his name on them, so he'll take most likely care of you.
I assume you mean the models not custom made by Mike Tobias and the ones that are made in factories.. With that being said I think that they are amazing. I played one at GC and it could have not been any smoother. Smooth action, a very fast neck, and the perfect spacing. Not hand built by Mike? Coulda fooled me, just the finish or the beautiful pickup covers make you think its a boutique.
I've never played an MTD that wasn't awesome. They're the most comfortable bass I've ever played. I've had two, and I currently have a KZ4. Very well made basses. Best basses in their price range and above as far as I'm concerned.
I have an older MTD Kingston Heir (passive/funky pickguard) model. It sounds awesome and is very comfortable to play. I had a question about it shortly after I bought it, so I sent an email to Mike not really expecting an answer, and he replied the next day!
Totally cool of him to back up his Korean made line.
Totally cool of him to back up his Korean made line.
MTD's are some of the finest basses on the planet. From the Korean made import Kingston models to Mikes USA hand made custom basses. The Kingston series basses are might fine instruments. Superb quality and the best customer service via Mike himself! He stands behind all of his products. The downfall of the KZ series are the standard electronics. I think to keep cost down he went with a supplier that is not up to his standards. You can spend a little more and go for a KZX (GC can probably order you one if they dont stock - al though I wouldnt buy an MTD from GC)
The KZX comes with the same Bartolini pickups and electronics featured in his USA basses. I hope you pull the trigger. You will be happy!
http://www.mtdkingston.com/
http://www.mtdbass.com/
The KZX comes with the same Bartolini pickups and electronics featured in his USA basses. I hope you pull the trigger. You will be happy!
http://www.mtdkingston.com/
http://www.mtdbass.com/
I am really GASSING for the KZ 6 string. They seem really well made, and a nice little company. I look into getting a KZ soon.
www.basscentral.com or www.theperfectbass.com and I'm sure there are plenty more great bass dealers who sell MTD.
I can't say anything about the Kingston series as I've enever played one but I have played 2 or 3 USAs. They look amazing, feel incredible, and play like god himself made them but I just can't dig the sound. This isn't a "well everyone sounds better on one than me" type thing either (even though that is true, lol), with the exception of five instances (out of dozens) I just don't like the way they sound and with 4 of those 5 I can always imagine a bass that would sound better in that specific context. For lack of a better word they lack balls.
Just my .02 cents. I know a lot of you will disagree but I guess that's part of being human, lol.
Just my .02 cents. I know a lot of you will disagree but I guess that's part of being human, lol.
+1 on The Perfect Bass.
Ive played a couple at GC and it seem like they get Bstock items or they get beaten up by staff
Check Ebay. The Perfect Bass was clearing out some of their New Old Stock models and they've had some killer prices on there.
Yes, some MTD USA's can be an aquired taste depending on wood combination. My KZX LTD is very versatile so far.
I actually picked up a MTD kingston KZ Fretless 6 yesterday and I love it so far. It plays very well and sounds good to. I got the one with the burled maple top. Very smooth sound and good fretless tone as well.
I so agree. I played a $5500. AM MTD , very dark wood, that in someone else's hands must be the item. For me it was just a dead non-resonating, heavy, beautiful expensive bass with a real wide difficult to play neck.
I'm sure every manufacturer has this happen sometimes. At least once.
I know that Michael makes some righteous axes.
I just got a KZ 6 and I am blown away by it. I used to believe that the LAkland Skylines were the best off shore bass, but now I am not sure (no bashing there, they are awesome too). The only other Tobias products I have ever played were 1 American MTD and one Tobias killer B, which woulda been mine if I hadn't jsut sent out a check for an Elrick. Now sort of full circle I traded the Elrick for the Z6 and have no regrets. The stock pre and pups could be have a little more range, but I can certainly dial up some great sounds. It seems to excel at a very mid rangey growling sound. It has all the features that I dug about my Elrick (zero fret, 35" scale, 24 frets) looks prettier, and is a bit more versatile for what I need. Bottom line, I am now an MTD convert, and this Kingston is very rapidly working its way into the never gonna get rid of it pile. Only thing I am planning to do is upgrade to hipshot tuners and try to find a wood TRC like the American ones have.
