MTD Kingston LK 5

[who]

Good questions . I wonder if they replaced those low output pickups. They definitely needed to do some upgrades on these.

MTD updated their website with the new specs. Both versions now have alder bodies and roasted maple necks. The black one is available only as a 4 string and has the same pickups/preamp as the previous models. The natural one is available in 4 string and 5 string, and comes stock with USA Bartolini pickups and preamp.

Kingston LK — Michael Tobias Design

www.mtdbass.com

 

[Pep]

MTD updated their website with the new specs. Both versions now have alder bodies and roasted maple necks. The black one is available only as a 4 string and has the same pickups/preamp as the previous models. The natural one is available in 4 string and 5 string, and comes stock with USA Bartolini pickups and preamp.

Kingston LK — Michael Tobias Design

www.mtdbass.com

I noticed on their website that when I went to the price list they haven’t updated the LK models to reflect the changes.

 

[nonohmic]

Oh man, I reaaaally like the matte black. If this had come out before I got a custom 32" I would have nabbed it and been happy. I was almost going to go matte black and roasted maple with the custom.

But as it stands it does nothing my custom doesn't do (and prob does it slightly worse).

Sure is cool though.

 

[who]

I noticed on their website that when I went to the price list they haven’t updated the LK models to reflect the changes.

I noticed that too. I'm curious to see how they'll be pricing them. I have to assume that the maple burl models are going to be close to the price of the ZX and Norm Stockton models, so in the $2000 range.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I’m guessing a $500- $700 price jump.

$1500 seems like a good price give or take a few bills either way.

 

[Pep]

The suggested retail price of my LK5 was $1465 plus tax, but the reg store price was $1099 plus tax.
To upgrade my LK5 ro Bartolini pickups and preamp the total was $534 and well worth it. It’s the 5 string I play the most even though I have a Norm Stockton Signature bass.
That means my LK5 cost $1699 and that includes tax.

I have no idea what MTDs profit margin needs to be but I believe the Black 4 string will for about $1299 because of the painted body (lack of figured top) and without the Bartolini pickups and preamp, the Burl 4 string about $1799, and Burl 5 string about $1899.

 

[frosty4d]

I really hope there is a fretless option on these.

 

[DJmtd]

After a lot of feedback on this model the last couple years, we decided to offer the Barts stock on at a couple skus. I liked the previously available finishes, but I think the new ones reflect the price point a little better and also reflect what Lynn's USA basses actually look like.

MTD updated their website with the new specs. Both versions now have alder bodies and roasted maple necks. The black one is available only as a 4 string and has the same pickups/preamp as the previous models. The natural one is available in 4 string and 5 string, and comes stock with USA Bartolini pickups and preamp.

Matte Black is available in both 4 and 5, we just didn't have a 5 on hand to do photos for the site, but we'll get to it.

Pricing will be updated on the site shortly. But here it is in the meantime:

LK4 Matte Black - $1299
LK4 Natural Burl Matte - $1749
LK5 Matte Black - $1399
LK5 Natural Burl Matte - $1799

Nice detective work, @Pep !

Believe me when I say we go to great lengths to make sure pricing is as reasonable as it can be. We've done everything we can to avoid wild increases and fluctuations due to the constantly changing you-know-what.

We install all the Bart components in Kingston, NY, just like any other Kingston instrument with Barts or upgrades.

I really hope there is a fretless option on these.

Unfortunately, we have no plans for a fretless version. However, if there is a critical mass of players clamoring for it, please contact me directly and I'll keep a running list. If we can get the demand, we will consider any reasonable variations on any of our existing models.

 

[LowEndLobster]

After a lot of feedback on this model the last couple years, we decided to offer the Barts stock on at a couple skus. I liked the previously available finishes, but I think the new ones reflect the price point a little better and also reflect what Lynn's USA basses actually look like.


Matte Black is available in both 4 and 5, we just didn't have a 5 on hand to do photos for the site, but we'll get to it.

Pricing will be updated on the site shortly. But here it is in the meantime:

LK4 Matte Black - $1299
LK4 Natural Burl Matte - $1749
LK5 Matte Black - $1399
LK5 Natural Burl Matte - $1799

Nice detective work, @Pep !

Believe me when I say we go to great lengths to make sure pricing is as reasonable as it can be. We've done everything we can to avoid wild increases and fluctuations due to the constantly changing you-know-what.

We install all the Bart components in Kingston, NY, just like any other Kingston instrument with Barts or upgrades.


Unfortunately, we have no plans for a fretless version. However, if there is a critical mass of players clamoring for it, please contact me directly and I'll keep a running list. If we can get the demand, we will consider any reasonable variations on any of our existing models.

They looked sweet at NAMM and the upgrades across the whole Kingston lineup go hard! Can't wait to try em all out

 

[Pep]

After a lot of feedback on this model the last couple years, we decided to offer the Barts stock on at a couple skus. I liked the previously available finishes, but I think the new ones reflect the price point a little better and also reflect what Lynn's USA basses actually look like.


Matte Black is available in both 4 and 5, we just didn't have a 5 on hand to do photos for the site, but we'll get to it.

Pricing will be updated on the site shortly. But here it is in the meantime:

LK4 Matte Black - $1299
LK4 Natural Burl Matte - $1749
LK5 Matte Black - $1399
LK5 Natural Burl Matte - $1799

Nice detective work, @Pep !

Believe me when I say we go to great lengths to make sure pricing is as reasonable as it can be. We've done everything we can to avoid wild increases and fluctuations due to the constantly changing you-know-what.

We install all the Bart components in Kingston, NY, just like any other Kingston instrument with Barts or upgrades.


Unfortunately, we have no plans for a fretless version. However, if there is a critical mass of players clamoring for it, please contact me directly and I'll keep a running list. If we can get the demand, we will consider any reasonable variations on any of our existing models.

Hey DJ,
I assume the Black LK5 (non Burl) has the proprietary pickups and preamp. ?

 

[nonohmic]

After a lot of feedback on this model the last couple years, we decided to offer the Barts stock on at a couple skus. I liked the previously available finishes, but I think the new ones reflect the price point a little better and also reflect what Lynn's USA basses actually look like.


Matte Black is available in both 4 and 5, we just didn't have a 5 on hand to do photos for the site, but we'll get to it.

Pricing will be updated on the site shortly. But here it is in the meantime:

LK4 Matte Black - $1299
LK4 Natural Burl Matte - $1749
LK5 Matte Black - $1399
LK5 Natural Burl Matte - $1799

Nice detective work, @Pep !

Believe me when I say we go to great lengths to make sure pricing is as reasonable as it can be. We've done everything we can to avoid wild increases and fluctuations due to the constantly changing you-know-what.

We install all the Bart components in Kingston, NY, just like any other Kingston instrument with Barts or upgrades.


Unfortunately, we have no plans for a fretless version. However, if there is a critical mass of players clamoring for it, please contact me directly and I'll keep a running list. If we can get the demand, we will consider any reasonable variations on any of our existing models.

Oh mang the black 5 string with barts is a hell of an appealing option!

 

[DJmtd]

Hey DJ,
I assume the Black LK5 (non Burl) has the proprietary pickups and preamp. ?

Yes it comes with the same pickups and pre the LK always has. You can still buy an upgrade as normal!

 

[Pep]

I love the black. I chose red in the previous offerings because I thought it looked richer than the blue especially with the maple fretboard. The previous blue with the maple fretboard looked a bit bland.
I may consider selling mine to get the black one. I assume the Bart pre and pickups are the same as the one I bought for mine?

 

[Pep]

Oh mang the black 5 string with barts is a hell of an appealing option!

Yes it is and at a little over $1900 it’s worth it, especially if you’re looking for a shorter scale 5 string. They play beautifully sound phenomenal.

 

[DJmtd]

I assume the Bart pre and pickups are the same as the one I bought for mine?

Yessir!

 

[Pep]

Great! I could always remove the upgrades in this one and install them in the new one.
When will the new ones be available?

 

[DJmtd]

Great! I could always remove the upgrades in this one and install them in the new one.
When will the new ones be available?

We're taking orders now and the first batch of new stuff should arrive May-ish. (I know it feels like a long ways out!)

 

[nonohmic]

Yes it comes with the same pickups and pre the LK always has. You can still buy an upgrade as normal!

Oh so the Burl one comes with USA Barts, but the black comes with the older electronics? Is that right?

That would explain the upcharge, which I thought was steep just for top wood.

 

[DJmtd]

Oh so the Burl one comes with USA Barts, but the black comes with the older electronics? Is that right?

Exactly right

 

[frosty4d]

Unfortunately, we have no plans for a fretless version. However, if there is a critical mass of players clamoring for it, please contact me directly and I'll keep a running list. If we can get the demand, we will consider any reasonable variations on any of our existing models.

DJ,
That's what I figured. It's unfortunate, as there is very little available in short- or medium-scale fretless that isn't custom. The Sire/Marcus Miller is the only one that I'm aware of.

I'll keep asking and hopefully can get enough people on board to move the needle. The new finishes look fantastic!