NBD My first 5 string.....Finally took the plunge MTD Z

[ChefKen]

I traded my Modded Fretless Jazz MIM for and Ibanez SR545 and changed my mind. String spacing was too tight and the bass had horrible slap tone. The bass played fast and did have some good tone. I went back to Sam ASh and made a lowball offer on a mint MTD Kingston Z5.

Now I am snowed in with my new to me bass. I paid 549.99 for it......Could not find another for under 650.00. The spacing is much closer to Essence. I will be exploring tonal possibilites shortly. Although almost anything sounds a little flat next to my Alembic. Despite appearances the MTD is much lighter. Tips the scale at 8.4lbs. They make a handsome pair.

Excited to have a 5'er!!!

 

[AciDBatH666]

Nice score!
On a side note, you should totally degrease that 4 stringer's fretboard y0!

 

[ChefKen]

Nice score!
On a side note, you should totally degrease that 4 stringer's fretboard y0!

Thanks....Its the flash on the worn fretboard....23 year old bass

 

[ChefKen]

I must say the neck on the MTD is amazing. It looks so wide but is so easy to play. Tone is very good......hissy at full treble. Easy controls to operate and figure out. It appears to have DR MMillers on it. I prefer I lighter gauge but it is good for now. This is a lot of Bass for under 600 bucks!! My cats approves!!

 

[Baird6869]

I had the 6 string version. Amazing basses for the $$$.

The only negative for me was the bridge and knobs. They seemed cheap to me for a $1000+ (new) bass. Gigged it heavily for a year or so. Loved the neck.

 

[ChefKen]

Knobs seem OK......Nothing special. The bridge looks just like ones on the Tobias USA.....I am sure it is not identical....Many seem to change ot the pre-amp in these and I might someday...

 

[Bassplayer14712]

Congrats!! As you can see I have a twin of your bass. I have had it for over five years and still love it. Only problem I thought was that it was a little deficient in the mid range. I recently decided to drop new Bartolini pickups and preamp into it and now it is a beast!!

 

[ChefKen]

Congrats!! As you can see I have a twin of your bass. I have had it for over five years and still love it. Only problem I thought was that it was a little deficient in the mid range. I recently decided to drop new Bartolini pickups and preamp into it and now it is a beast!!

Thanks....I will consider the mod if I stick with the 5er. The four stringer is still my main bass...Tough to compare with my Alembic as far as tone! Spacing is similar but the necks are soooooo different! Especially up high.....the Alembic stays narrow....The MTD not so much. Which Preamp did you go with??

 

[Need2KnowBasses]

Knobs seem OK......Nothing special. The bridge looks just like ones on the Tobias USA.....I am sure it is not identical....Many seem to change ot the pre-amp in these and I might someday...

The bridge is different from US MTD's. US models have custom Hipshot bridges.

 

[Bassplayer14712]

Thanks....I will consider the mod if I stick with the 5er. The four stringer is still my main bass...Tough to compare with my Alembic as far as tone! Spacing is similar but the necks are soooooo different! Especially up high.....the Alembic stays narrow....The MTD not so much. Which Preamp did you go with??

I put the Bartolini preamp into it. I also have a USA MTD 534 which is now my primary bass, but I still love to play my Z5 from time to time to change up my tone. There is a MTD Kingston page on Facebook you might want to check out also.
https://www.facebook.com/MTDKingstonBass

 

[Rich Thomas]

I put the Bartolini preamp into it. I also have a USA MTD 534 which is now my primary bass, but I still love to play my Z5 from time to time to change up my tone. There is a MTD Kingston page on Facebook you might want to check out also.
https://www.facebook.com/MTDKingstonBass

I recently bought a KZ 5 fretless. I also found it mid deficient. I bought Nordstrand Big Singles and an Aguilar OBP3 preamp and I still don't love the sound. I own a MTD USA 4 string and as much as I don't like the Bartolini's by themselves, it cuts in the mix, and THAT is what I want. What Barts did you put in your Kingston ? Does it cut through like your MTD 534 ?

 

[Sav'nBass]

I had a KZ5 and a KZ6 ... Very nice basses. The playability is great. The stock electronics are good.. not great but good.