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MTD Kingston Z5 Pickup Upgrade

X

XtromatriX

Dec 18, 2004
102
0
62
MD
#1
I have a MTD Kingston Z5 five string bass, I love the bass as far as it's general sound and feel go. But I'm thinking about upgrading the pickups, I don't think the current pickups do this bass full justice. I'm thinking about maybe some model of Bartolini but don't have a clue as to what would be best and have a perfect fit. Any suggestions or insight? The type of music I play mostly is funk with a lot of slap, jazz, light rock, and gospel. Thanks in advance. I also need to mention that I'm also willing to change the preamp if needed.
 
#3
I just went through what you are contemplating. I chose Nordy Big Splits for my Z5 along with a new Bart preamp. I couldn't be happier with my decision. The Big Splits give you most of the warm growl associated with single coils, but have a thicker, less nasally sound. I guess you could characterize them as a hybrid between true single coils and dual coils. This upgrade has turned my KZ5 into a tone machine!

All of the Nordy Signature pickups (Dual Coils, Big Singles, Big Splits, and Fat Stacks) have the same dimensions as the stock KZ5 pickups and the same mounting screw hole locations, so the upgrade is pretty simple to install.

My Big Splits were $250, but they were well worth the money.
 
#4
Thanks Lowfreqman!
That sounds like a real option for me, what type of Bart preamp did you get and was it very expensive? I sure don't mind spending the money if it's going to give me the sound that I want. Actually I really like the bass and it will most likely be my main bass for a good while so I just want to upgrade it to my needs. Did you install everything yourself or did you have it done in a shop.
 
#5
I got the prewired NTMB Bart preamp for 5 knobs. It has a push/pull mid freq shift (250/800 Hz) and a push/pull volume for active or passive operation. It can be installed to operate at 9 V or 18 V. I had mine installed to operate at 9 V to eliminate the need for extra routing.

I got this preamp for ~$150 from The Perfect Bass.
 
#7
Try USA Barts PUs and electronics...I have a ZX with the specially designed USA pickup and pre (specially designed for the ZX, not available for sale unfortunately...) and while I'm happy with the KZ5, the KZ5X is something special, you can indeed tell the difference.
 
#8
If you get Bartolini pickups, the P2 shape is the one that fits the routing of the KZ5 bass. With these pickups, you will have to do some drilling, as the mounting screw holes don't align with the those in the KZ5.

I did not have an opportunity to hear these pickups in action. So, the combination of the extra drilling and the unknown sound quality pushed me toward chosing the Nordy's.
 
#9
I did the same thing. I actually enjoyed the Nordstrand dual coils and the Audere 3 band with mid frequency switch. It was just a little too natural though and I got to hear details of the wood that I would rather not hear.

I had the parallel/single/series wiring done and that really opened up the bass to do some great things. You will get the humbucking tone but you can get a vivid jazz tone with the pickups in single mode. I was convinced the Marcus Miller spirit took over my bass.

I did have the Aguilar preamp and that is when I had the most compliments on the tone. Really strong lows and the right amount of clarity (I can't believe I just said that) and gave the bass some definition.

Seeing that you've already done the Aguilar mod, I'd suggest the Nordy dual coils for the best tonal options and I believe that's all the mod you will need.

Have fun.
 
#11
Hey guys,

I just bought the KZ5 a week ago with a mtd case!! I was very satisfied with overall look and feel of the bass but knew instantly it was not at it's full potential. So i did what you all are doing, I asked questions to professional bass players endorsed by MTD and looked at different forums and one search led me here!! I finally said let ask the maker of some of the best basses in the WORLD!! I e-mailed "Mike" and he IMMEDIATELY emailed me back (:hyper: to my surprise) I told him I loved the bass and highs and lows were excellent but mids didn't have that growl I so desperately wanted he told me to get the xxP2c Bartolini pickups!! I am ordering them as we speak!! I WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED on how they sound!!
 
#12
jayvpric said:
Hey guys,

I just bought the KZ5 a week ago with a mtd case!! I was very satisfied with overall look and feel of the bass but knew instantly it was not at it's full potential. So i did what you all are doing, I asked questions to professional bass players endorsed by MTD and looked at different forums and one search led me here!! I finally said let ask the maker of some of the best basses in the WORLD!! I e-mailed "Mike" and he IMMEDIATELY emailed me back (:hyper: to my surprise) I told him I loved the bass and highs and lows were excellent but mids didn't have that growl I so desperately wanted he told me to get the xxP2c Bartolini pickups!! I am ordering them as we speak!! I WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED on how they sound!!
Click to expand...

Great. I'm a little surprised that you were getting the highs and lows you wanted while you found the mids to be a little lacking - in my experience (and that of most on here) I found the exact opposite to be true!

Lonnybass
 
#13
Lonnybass said:
Great. I'm a little surprised that you were getting the highs and lows you wanted while you found the mids to be a little lacking - in my experience (and that of most on here) I found the exact opposite to be true!

Lonnybass
Click to expand...

Well let me ll more specific! It's not that they where lacking they just didn't have that growl I wanted!! I have david eden full cab, amp and all. To be quite honest the highs were PERFECT true MTD quality!! The lows were about a 7/7.5 out 10. Maybe it's just my ear what sound I like to here. U have any suggestions on how to to my amp or bass I'm all ears!!
:confused::eyebrow:

I tried ever possible combination in the book but maybe it somthing I have overlooked!!
Thanks
 
#14
What styles, amps, and strings are everyone using? Just wondering what factors are coming into play here.

I'm playing through Traynor and GK amps, using exclusively Dean Markley Alchemy strings. My ZX is in the shop (tried the DR Black Beauties there, no comparison, so switching back!), so I used the Z5 Sunday am and pm at church. Sunday AM was more laid back and the evening was agressive...I got a nice jazz bass tone going on that sat really nice in the mix using the new DB300T on top of a custom 2x12 cabinet. No mods done, just the extra 9v added in series. I was suitably impressed, I've been reaching for it more and more lately...
 
#15
FELLAS LET ME TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THOSE BART xxPC2c are FIRER!!!!! It was the best thing I ever did I promise its worth ANY AMOUNT I Promise!!!!! I played for the first time today with the new pickups and It is everything I hoped for and more!!! my cuzin was blown away and I was too!!!! Listen Michael Tobias new exactly what he was talking about (of course :) ) He is the king of craftsmanship!! I'm so excited and happy at the same time!!
 
#16
jayvpric said:
FELLAS LET ME TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THOSE BART xxPC2c are FIRER!!!!! It was the best thing I ever did I promise its worth ANY AMOUNT I Promise!!!!! I played for the first time today with the new pickups and It is everything I hoped for and more!!! my cuzin was blown away and I was too!!!! Listen Michael Tobias new exactly what he was talking about (of course :) ) He is the king of craftsmanship!! I'm so excited and happy at the same time!!
Click to expand...

very cool!
did you have to route the bass for the xxPC2c or the screw holes?
new preamp also or just the pups?
 
#17
jayvpric said:
I e-mailed "Mike" and he IMMEDIATELY emailed me back (:hyper: to my surprise) I told him I loved the bass and highs and lows were excellent but mids didn't have that growl I so desperately wanted he told me to get the xxP2c Bartolini pickups!! I am ordering them as we speak!! I WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED on how they sound!!
Click to expand...

I know this thread is old, but I am confused about the XXP2C pups mentioned. Bartolini offers a XXP25c quad coil pup on there website but not the XXP2C pup mentioned above. I am assuming they are different pups, but need some clarification on this.

Naming of 5 and 6 string non-Fender type bass pickups
For both the Original and Classic Bass Series 5 and 6 string pickups, if the first 2 or 3 characters are numerals they specify the string width in millimeters
If the first 2 characters are the prefix "xx" (extended width), then the pickup will work well with a wide range of string widths if the fingerboard radius is 16" or more (low curvature fingerboards)
Some Classic Bass Series pickups have string widths specifications. Those which don't will work well with a range of string widths specified in the Price List.
The next 2 characters specify the shape (BB, BC, P2, M4, M5, etc.)
The next numeral is the number of strings
next 1 or 2 characters specify magnets and coil windings
example 1: 72BC5C is a 5 string BC shape deep tone soapbar pickup for 72 mm string width
example 2: P25CBC is a Classic Bass 5 string P2 soapbar shape dual coil pickup
example 3: 74P25CBC is a Classic Bass 5 string dual coil pickup
example 4: 90P46CBC is a Classic Bass 6 string dual coil pickup for 90 mm string width

Matched Pairs: adding "T" or a "B" to the pickup name specifies Treble (bridge position) or Bass (neck position).
Example: P25CBC-T and P25CBC-B are a matched pair of: P2 soapbar shape, 5 string, dual coil pickups.
Click to expand...

This would mean that XXP2c would be custom spacing, P2 shape and Classic Bass. Is the XXP25C a 5 string pup and the XXP2C a 4 string? If so there is still no mention of XXP2C in their 4 string offering on their site.
 

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