MTD Zephyr - Does anyone actually OWN one?

[IotaNet]

I have heard a lot of commentary from folks who have demoed an MTD Zephyr. Some of them have not been overy impressed.

I am interested in hearing from someone who actually owns, plays, lives with, and perhaps even gigs with one -- especially a Fiver.

* How do you like it?
* How close does it come to getting a tone similar to an MTD USA bass?
* How does the finish look "in real life?" (Pics don't seem to do it justice.)

Any other thoughts? I'd love to hear them!

 

[Lonnybass]

Yep, I own one of the first batch of Z5's to come out of Mike's shop. I have gigged with it all summer at shows that I don't want to risk anything happening to my Pedullas or Lonnybass (ie. places with lots of angry Cubs fans). It's also nice to have a boutique-esque backup with a nice preamp and flexible EQ.

All in all, it definitely feels exactly like a US 535 - from the neck to the body sculpts to the overall shape. The biggest different is in the body weight - lighter mahogany makes for less heft on the Z. Tonewise it's very similar to the 535s, just watch the boost on the mids cause it can get honky. Generally an interesting and complex sound.

I've noticed a few minor niggles here and there (tuning machine in need of adjusting, slight possible dead spot on the A string) and all in all I'm not sure if I am going to get the hang of a wide-neck 35" (my favorite neck is a Pedulla 17.5mm 34"). The strings that came shipped on the bass sounded terrible and were replaced almost immediately with DRs, which brought out a much fuller sound.

The finish looks good in real life - I've gotten a lot of compliments. Up close a trained eye will be able to spot that it's a relatively thin laminate top, but the quality of the burl on my particular bass is very good and does add a nice classy touch. Generally a solid instrument that I would recommend.

Lonnybass

 

[IotaNet]

I am amazed.

After one week of posting this thread, there is only one TB'er willing to say something positive about this bass (Thanks Lonny!) -- but there are presently TWO of them for sale/trade in the classifieds.

Is that an indication of the bass being "not so good" or is simply not as good as people were expecting it to be?

 

[Lonnybass]

Well, it's only been out on the market for a short while now and there really aren't that many in circulation yet. If I understand correctly, they are shipped in batches and only the first group is on the market now. Judging by the popularity of the other MTDs (Grendel, Heir, Kingston, Saratoga) Mike has introduced over the past few years, I'd say it's only a matter of time before more people are playing them. I don't think it's a quality or value issue at all. Great bang for the buck here.

Lonnybass

 

[pickles]

I don't think it is wise to consider instruments being for sale as a condemnation of any kind. Just look at all the instruments I've sold this year since they weren't "quite right" for me. 2 Zons, an MTD 535, 2 Sadowskys, an SR5, a Spector, a Smith, a Roscoe, a Warwick NT ... most of them I'd have kept if money were no object, usually we're all selling something because we want a different type of bass, not because of poor quality.

MTD's lower end basses have always been really solid "for the money" or really even better than they should be at the price point. Grendels in particular were killer bartolini loaded gig- and session- worthy basses at a really low price point, and I doubt the Zephyr is any different.

If you really want to read reviews before buying one, you'll just have to be patient! If possible, go find one to try out.

 

[74impala]

I purchased a Z5 from the Perfect Bass about a month ago. All I can say is I love it. From the way it sounds to the way it looks, I've been pleasantly surprised.

It feels and sounds much closer to a 535 than I thought it would. And when you figure I still have $2000 in my pocket I feel pretty good. I would say the big different is the looks. The burl top on the Z5 is thin. Not so much so that I'm worried about scratches, but it is much thinner than a 535's top. The beauty of the burl is very nice though.

The only 'complaint' I've got is getting used to the neck. I'm going from a 4 string American Fender P-Bass to this. Since I got the Z5 I haven't even touched the Fender. Thought I better go cold turkey so I would get more comfortable with the MTD.

 

[Icecaprock]

I bought a Korean made Z4 a couple of years ago. Great looking instrument; but I was mildly NOT happy with the pickups it came with. When played unplugged it sounded great, the wood has a good tone; but as soon as I plugged in it sounded like I don´t know.... It missed body in the tone, thou it had lots of low end and top. No matter what I did I couldn´t get what I wanted. I had the bass just stuffed away for some time, then I learned about Nordstrand pickups. I ordered a pair of Big Splits and replaced the Bart style poopie pickups and man.... I was happy, it was just like getting a new bass. I didn´t even change the pre. All of a sudden the Zephyr could do litterally what it was told to do, a big improvent.... and thanks to Nordstrand. Now I´m thinking of ordering a Nordstrand preamp and expect even more improvement. The Zephyr is fitted with RotoSound 66 Drop Zone strings. It´s going to become a killerbass in the end.

 

[1kinal]

I was the product specialist for the MTD (and Ashdown) Canadian distributor at the time these basses came out (2006? Wow, time fly).

I would say the Z serie is well-made but lacking in the electronic department. That is the case with all import-MTD basses (except the Grendel which had real Bartolini's). Even the wood covered Z pickups (while looking good), sound thin stock. I imagine modding one with Nordstrand or Bart pickups and preamp would be a nice improvement. I'd first replace the pickups, THEN the preamp. Will it become a "real" MTD? No, but you'll be in the same territory sound-wise.

I owned a Heir model for many years and loved it for its modern tone. I did replaced the pickups with Nordstrand and preamp with Aguilar obp-3. I've since prefered vintage sounding basses (read Fender type) so I sold the bass.

Stock, the Artist model was my favorite model. Simple one pickup, great B-string. agressive sounding and the cheapest of the group.

 

[ChefKen]

Threw me by calling it a Zephyr! I have Z5 and really like the bass....I just dont really dig the 5 strings. Its a beautiful bass....Does not "glow"like my Alembic but is finished very well. The stock tone is solid but I could see dropping new electronics and PUs into it. I do see some in the classifieds....