I've been a long time lurker here with occasional posts. I find myself in a quandary and need some opinions before I decide. I was originally looking at the MTD Kingston series as I have been wanting a MTD bass for years. While looking my wife said your not gettin any younger, get the one you want. Huge surprise. I found a beautiful MTD USA model but here is my thing. It's so gorgeous to me I might not play it but the Kingston one I know I would. I know the USA model will have more zing because of the woods and you USA guys will probably say get it. The Kingston model is the AG5. I'm currently playing a lakland skyline 55-02 and don't find the 35" length annoying. I imagine most of you USA guys are great players while at my age I'm still intermediate and may not need the USA bass. Also, I can't help feeling quilty about spending that much on an instrument. Any helpful thoughts appreciated as there are none of these basses anywhere near me.
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MTD Kingston or USA?
- Thread starter Low2go
- Start date
There’s a big difference. Get the USA.
I have MTD Kingston Super 5. It is a very nice import bass that feel is comparable to nicer Lakland Skyline or a Dingwall a Combustion. Kingston’s are also available with USA Bartolini electronics. If you cannot afford a USA MTD, Kingstons are a great alternative, of course, if your pockets are deep, there is nothing like a true MTD made by Mike Tobias and his son.
I played a Kingston Super and it was really nice. I personally wouldn't pay that much for a USA.
I can understand that. For perspective, the Kingston’s with USA electronics are over $2K.
A couple of questions: Can you try the USA before buying? Will you be afraid to play it on gigs?
Low End Lobster has a comparison video of a USA with a Kingston. He’s quite impressed with the Kingston. Personally, I’d lean towards the import model. I’ve liked what I’ve heard.
Low End Lobster has a comparison video of a USA with a Kingston. He’s quite impressed with the Kingston. Personally, I’d lean towards the import model. I’ve liked what I’ve heard.
I did try a couple USA MTDs at Bass Central but for some reason they didn’t do it for me. An expensive instrument isn’t necessarily the be all and end all (I learned that when I bought a Fodera). I realized that I can be perfectly happy with a less pricey bass.
Get the USA. I have a Kingston Super 5 and it's great! I don't have a USA made MTD, but I have another custom bass in a similar price range, and I don't regret it.
If I were playing the Super 5 more often, I would think about getting a USA model, but more and more I find myself playing modern versions of Leo's early works, and they're just the right thing for me. The Super is fantastic for what it does, I just don't do that very often.
Along with allowing yourself to get the bass you want, please also let yourself enjoy playing the pretty bass. Take it to shows, let it get dented/scratched a bit. Enjoy the value of what you've worked so hard to purchase. We're all gunna be dead soon enough and that closet queen will do you no good at that point.
I'm not rich but we never had kids, so I have been able to spoil myself on a few nicer things here and there. My wife said the exact same thing to me as yours did before I pulled the trigger on my custom build. Blew me away! Through the build process and everything else she has been there with me, and she's been happy that I'm happy. We even named it "Bassby" (it's our Bass baby... Bassby) and it's even been a part of our Christmas cards the last few years. Though she doesn't play bass, she is also a musician (oboe) and an elementary music teacher. She has supported me in my hobbies as I have supported her, and we enjoy seeing each other do things that make us happy.
If your wife is genuinely supportive of you buying your dream bass, don't let her down by chickening out! (Assuming, of course, it is not something that will hurt your family financially.)
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If I were playing the Super 5 more often, I would think about getting a USA model, but more and more I find myself playing modern versions of Leo's early works, and they're just the right thing for me. The Super is fantastic for what it does, I just don't do that very often.
Along with allowing yourself to get the bass you want, please also let yourself enjoy playing the pretty bass. Take it to shows, let it get dented/scratched a bit. Enjoy the value of what you've worked so hard to purchase. We're all gunna be dead soon enough and that closet queen will do you no good at that point.
I'm not rich but we never had kids, so I have been able to spoil myself on a few nicer things here and there. My wife said the exact same thing to me as yours did before I pulled the trigger on my custom build. Blew me away! Through the build process and everything else she has been there with me, and she's been happy that I'm happy. We even named it "Bassby" (it's our Bass baby... Bassby) and it's even been a part of our Christmas cards the last few years. Though she doesn't play bass, she is also a musician (oboe) and an elementary music teacher. She has supported me in my hobbies as I have supported her, and we enjoy seeing each other do things that make us happy.
If your wife is genuinely supportive of you buying your dream bass, don't let her down by chickening out! (Assuming, of course, it is not something that will hurt your family financially.)
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A few thoughts. Take any of the advice or not!
It’s not your dream bass if it’s too precious to get out and beat around. That’s a hangup you’d have to get past. Can you do that, or will it always nag you?
$2000 for an instrument you’ve never played is madness to me but hey a lot of people on here feel differently. They must have more money and/or less anxiety than I do, or don’t need a “perfect fit” like I do in order to succeed on an instrument.
Get both and return one.
It’s not your dream bass if it’s too precious to get out and beat around. That’s a hangup you’d have to get past. Can you do that, or will it always nag you?
$2000 for an instrument you’ve never played is madness to me but hey a lot of people on here feel differently. They must have more money and/or less anxiety than I do, or don’t need a “perfect fit” like I do in order to succeed on an instrument.
Get both and return one.
depending on the price of the USA he's looking at getting both could cost him upwards of 6 thousand. much more if he's looking at a new one.
Some of my favourite basses have been USA MTDs, but I've also played USA MTDs that didn't do a whole lot for me. There's a lot of variation in both the sound and construction of the USA models. Choosing wood combinations based on the theory of how the wood is supposed to sound will possibly lead to disappointment so it would be ideal if you could try out the instrument beforehand. Having said that, Mike and Dan are great and if you want to roll the dice on a custom order there's no one more pleasant to deal with.
As for "being good enough" for a USA model, don't worry about it. If MTD relied on pro-level players buying their basses they'd probably go out of business.
As for "being good enough" for a USA model, don't worry about it. If MTD relied on pro-level players buying their basses they'd probably go out of business.
Basses - MTD - USA - Bass Central
This is a current USA MTD price list. The days of $3,000 USA MTD’s are long gone.
This is a current USA MTD price list. The days of $3,000 USA MTD’s are long gone.
+1. A lot of pro musicians are broke!
That is true! A lot of GREAT pro musicians are broke.
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I think try before you buy is the best advice here. If you are going for an off the rack 535-24 it might be worth a plane ticket to try first. Can't speak to the Kingston. The USA MTD's are very nice.
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I love this shade of blue!
I love this shade of blue!
As far as price difference, only you, your wife and your bank account can say if it's worth the difference. The US models are very nice, but only you know if you would play it or be afraid to take it out. If that is the case, then go Kingston with the US electronics as a happy medium.
Yikes! Those Kingstons are looking better and better.
