/ Register

MTD Kingston vs. Heir

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by craigb, Nov 24, 2001.

  1. Nov 24, 2001 #1
    craigb

    craigb G&L churnmeister Supporting Member

    Jan 27, 2000
    Spring, TX (Houston metro)
    MTD playability may suck me in again. Does anyone know if the MM-style bridge pickups are in the same place on both instruments? I thought maybe Gard or Adrian would know for sure. Since pickup placement plays such a big part of the sound I'm curious.

    I wish the Heir was offered in something other than burst over flame top - better value and I don't like flame all that much anyway. I know I could get a K4 and have a neck pickup added (or a Beast and have the bridge pickup changed) but I've never had that kind of work done and would rather get a bass with things how I want it to start.
     
  2. Nov 24, 2001 #2
    narud

    narud

    Mar 15, 2001
    santa maria,california
    im almost positive that the mm pickup is closer to the bridge on the heir. however it still sounds very good. i actually liked the sound of the heir more than the lakland i had.
     
  3. Nov 25, 2001 #3
    alembicbones

    alembicbones

    Nov 10, 2000
    Seattle, WA
    Craig,

    I just demoed these two basses and was very impressed with both as I'm looking for a low cost 5 string fretless. I believe the bridge pickup on the Heir is slightly closer to the bridge than it is for the Kingston. However when soloing this pickup, I thought the tone was very similar.

    My preference is the Heir. Unlike you, I like the Tobacco Burst and my hope is they offer this bass in a lined fretless.

    Happy Hunting,
    Bones
     
  4. Nov 25, 2001 #4
    odie

    odie

    Mar 12, 2000
    Minnesota, Earth, Milky Way
    I just picked up a Kingston and I have never been so impressed with a bass in my life!! Easily the best bang for your buck out there. Granted it doesnt have a pickup selection but the neck and the pickup are responsive enough to the way you attack the strings that it actually gives you a wide range of tones. Also the passive tone control gave me alot of variety....in the past when I played passive basses I would have the tone almost wide open, with the MTD I turned it down to slightly more than half. So tone to spare.

    So I like it, I would definetly get the Kingston if it was me. But Ive find myself just loving the fact that I finally have a bass and an Amp(Eden setup) that I just plug-in and play without alot of tinkering around.

    I know Im rambleing but, the neck on this...WOW!! Ive never played a off-set neck for more than a few minutes in the past. And I have to say Im never going back. I have damaged a tendon in the past(sports injury) sometimes my hand and wrist would get tired and fatigued.
    But with this neck Ive never had any problems. I used to think I prefered the feel of a MM or a P bass neck, and that other necks were to small and uncomfortable but not with these MTD's

    Good luck, if I were you I would hold off on the G&L project and get an Heir or Kingston, and if money lets you(and the Mrs.) in the future get a custom job to your specs.
    Also thanx to Gard and Bass Central for all his help in getting me this bass, it was setup very nice, and there service is top-notch.
    Good Luck!!
     
  5. Nov 25, 2001 #5
    craigb

    craigb G&L churnmeister Supporting Member

    Jan 27, 2000
    Spring, TX (Houston metro)
    Thanks guys. I'm learning more and more towards an MTD since I love how my Beast feels and have a fear of how a L2000+Moses neck would end up feeling.

    Comfort first, comfort first - and don't buy a bass you've never held in-hand (or held an identical one by the same manufacturer). Just repeating my mantras.

    It's a difficult decision between the Kingston and the Heir - the Kingston is cheaper and comes in finishes I like better but the Heir has the neck pickup. I've had single MM pickup basses I've liked the sound of (including a Samick Stingray copy), but I like the depth of a neck pickup. I like the colors on the Kingston better, but the Heir has the neck pickup. But I've got the Beast with a neck pickup . . . at least it's a win-win decision in the long run.