They’re all over Reverb. Just type “MTD short scale” into the search bar.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
MTD Kingston LK 5
- Thread starter Wraithwrider
- Start date
They’re all over Reverb. Just type “MTD short scale” into the search bar.
Can you go into detail about the remanufacturing? Did you have a company make custom pickups to fit in the OEM shells, or was the OEM pickup modified in some manner?
Because the bass is sadly still a bit below par with the stock pickups, even with the Bartolini pre-amp, I’ve had Mike Walsh of Zoot basses in the UK re manufacture them using the existing shells that are an odd size. Mike does wind his own occasionally and has built both my other basses that are superb. A 32” scale J and P Funkmeisters.
The originals did have a low impedance and Mike tells me that the new ones have a similar impedance to vintage Fender pickups. I’m looking forward to getting this bass in action.
He makes nice looking basses, your P Funkmeister looks great. I'll be interested to hear your impressions of the new pickups.
I've just finished playing a few songs with the new pickups in.
I know that Mike is working with Bartolini to get some replacements made. I was just waiting too long with a bass that I wasn't using because it was a bit weak in terms of output (and that's with a Bart preamp fitted and using 18v). So I chose a different route bearing in mind that the Barts would eventually be available if it didn't work.
Thankfully work it does, indeed. The bass is now strong in terms of output such that I could turn the trim pot on the Bartolini pre down a little. There is even a little bark/growl to it now. Output between pickups and across the strings (I fitted a set of Newtone's while I was at it) is balanced perfectly.
It's brought the bass to life. It does play so very well and it it also very light.
If Mike reads this thread I'd just ask that he consider getting the OEM pickups wound to give a greater output.
I'm very pleased.
I know that Mike is working with Bartolini to get some replacements made. I was just waiting too long with a bass that I wasn't using because it was a bit weak in terms of output (and that's with a Bart preamp fitted and using 18v). So I chose a different route bearing in mind that the Barts would eventually be available if it didn't work.
Thankfully work it does, indeed. The bass is now strong in terms of output such that I could turn the trim pot on the Bartolini pre down a little. There is even a little bark/growl to it now. Output between pickups and across the strings (I fitted a set of Newtone's while I was at it) is balanced perfectly.
It's brought the bass to life. It does play so very well and it it also very light.
If Mike reads this thread I'd just ask that he consider getting the OEM pickups wound to give a greater output.
I'm very pleased.
It is considerably lighter. It’s very light in fact, under 8lb.
The specs I read a while ago stated this sort of weight.
The bass is a delight. The Newtone Platinum rounds are a light gauge and the bass likes a light touch as I have it set up.
Band practice this pm. I’ll report back. We’re lowing a couple of songs a whole tone.
Hi Y'all. I got a B-stock Candy Apple Red LK5 from ProAudioStar for a great deal. (I can't even find the flaw) Unfortunately I won't be able to try it out in a live context until Oct. 29th. 
First impressions. Awesome build quality. Super Comfortable. All strings sound great including the E and B strings. Output is on the low side especially compared to my G&L SB-2 but it doesn't really bother me. I quite like the passive mode and that switching to it doesn't drastically drop the output.
First impressions. Awesome build quality. Super Comfortable. All strings sound great including the E and B strings. Output is on the low side especially compared to my G&L SB-2 but it doesn't really bother me. I quite like the passive mode and that switching to it doesn't drastically drop the output.
It went very well. The output from the new pickups is much, much better. The originals were severely lacking. The band loved it too.
I couldn’t gel with it though. The B string was good but required a careful touch. It was the blue with the overspray darker edges that I don’t care for.
It’s sold. Replaced with a Cort Elrick NSJ 5 in black/black/maple. I had to do some work on the Cort too as it arrived with a defective preamp and a poor setup with an unfinished neck. Now it is sorted and is bliss.
I couldn’t gel with it though. The B string was good but required a careful touch. It was the blue with the overspray darker edges that I don’t care for.
It’s sold. Replaced with a Cort Elrick NSJ 5 in black/black/maple. I had to do some work on the Cort too as it arrived with a defective preamp and a poor setup with an unfinished neck. Now it is sorted and is bliss.
I ended up finding the small blemish, which is encouraging that it wasn't B-stock for a more serious issue. I got to play it some through my headphones at home. I quite like the sound. I don't think the low output will be a problem as I have an RMI Classic Boost on my board.
Got to play my new LK5 for the first time at church today and I really enjoyed it! I got a very nice usable tone with the the blend slightly favoring the P pickup, an ever so slight bump to the bass control, and a slight roll-off in treble. Output is low but I was able to compensate with my preamp. I adjusted the pickup heights a bit last night and was glad I did. The A, D and G strings were originally a bit anemic compared to the B and E. I accidentally initially raised the treble side a bit too much and started getting those "wolf" tones on the G string.
I'm not sure what to credit this to, perhaps the quarter sawn neck, but the B string is pretty awesome on this bass.
I'm not sure what to credit this to, perhaps the quarter sawn neck, but the B string is pretty awesome on this bass.
Just to confirm what Wraithwrider said earlier, I spoke with MTD today and yes, Bartolini has replacement pickups in the works and should be available January/February. The new preamps are already available.
I’ll be ordering my “ Metallic Red” LK5 this week.
I’ll be ordering my “ Metallic Red” LK5 this week.
First of all I purchased this bass doubting it would be a keeper mostly based on the two reviews I read. A review is merely a personal opinion. Nowhere in either review did it find fault with the build quality or it’s playability. The main negative from both reviews was a low output. Here what I found out today about the LK5.
The LK5 arrived today and immediately hooked it up when I got home. I found there was plenty of signal in both modes with the active setting producing a more full sound. I will still opt to purchase the replacement/upgrade Bartolini preamp and pickups because I like their products and there should be a major improvement in the tone adjustments.
Here are positives and negatives.
Positives:
1) finish is beautiful and rich looking.
2) neck finish was awesome and the neck felt great.
3) the actions extremely low with zero fret buzz.
4) very light weight and balance is near perfect.
5) the 32” scale is a great fit and the neck is fast.
6) the B string sounds pretty good for a short scale bass.
Negatives:
1) The tone adjustments on both active & passive aren’t great. I believe the upcoming Bartolini components will improve that greatly.
Bottom line: This bass is a keeper!
The LK5 arrived today and immediately hooked it up when I got home. I found there was plenty of signal in both modes with the active setting producing a more full sound. I will still opt to purchase the replacement/upgrade Bartolini preamp and pickups because I like their products and there should be a major improvement in the tone adjustments.
Here are positives and negatives.
Positives:
1) finish is beautiful and rich looking.
2) neck finish was awesome and the neck felt great.
3) the actions extremely low with zero fret buzz.
4) very light weight and balance is near perfect.
5) the 32” scale is a great fit and the neck is fast.
6) the B string sounds pretty good for a short scale bass.
Negatives:
1) The tone adjustments on both active & passive aren’t great. I believe the upcoming Bartolini components will improve that greatly.
Bottom line: This bass is a keeper!
Last edited:
