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New MTD Kingston Saratoga!

#142
Here ya go guys! :hyper:

First I like to thank Mike for making so many levels of basses for me to gesince I generally say, "play with!" I found that since I high the higher cost 635 from a well known mentor and friend, MALCOLM HALL, I could wait for 535. You should check this dude out for up to date high end bass sales also.

I am truly b'dazzled with the lower end Kingston models as well. I have learned most of my upgrade skills from these models electronics and do appreciate Mr. Tobias in leaving room for it.

Now to this particular model. I never was quite an passive desired player, maybe in the past when high end tone and variations was needed, however take a look at this.

2010 KINGSTON SARATOGA BLACK TRANSIENT/ MAPLE FINGERBOARD UPGRADES

2009 FENDER AMERICAN DELUXE PREAMP 18V ( The original setup was volume/MIDcut boost /blend/ stacked bass/treb)
I simply acquired 2 B100k pots from Fender and seperated the stacked. I hate high leveled pots, they really stand out to much.

BARTOLINI 59 J1 L1/LN1 PASSIVE SET ( These particular pu are a perfect match for the housings and easy wiring.)

DR FAT BEAMS STRINGS 40-120G ( I'm always testing strings but I do prefer light guage.)

CHROME STRING GUIDE ( Accents the Fender Deluxe?)

5 BLACK CHROME SET SCREW KNOBS (These are in favor of Mike's design. Thanks Mike!)

A/P DPDT switch ( Easy to wire in with Fender preamp diagram. However I have this one wired direct
out with no volume control. No biggy! You can apply a stacked pot for that. I hate
stacked!) :spit:

The ground shielding in the electronics cavity are within pickups housing as well. "Super quiet-Super Sweet!" :bassist:
ENJOY!
 
#145
Warm and sweet. I can't compare to it's look a like MTD Jazz 5 for I haven't heard it like. It looks almost the same except the headstock. Its your typical Kingston wood setup not like the higher end 535 applications. For the money, it will do. Heck man, I sold the ZX5 and IMO, better headroom. This Fender pre isn't bad at all.
 
#146
churchpark said:
Warm and sweet. I can't compare to it's look a like MTD Jazz 5 for I haven't heard it like. It looks almost the same except the headstock. Its your typical Kingston wood setup not like the higher end 535 applications. For the money, it will do. Heck man, I sold the ZX5 and IMO, better headroom. This Fender pre isn't bad at all.
Click to expand...


any audio or video samples? it would be great :)
 
#148
churchpark said:
Warm and sweet. I can't compare to it's look a like MTD Jazz 5 for I haven't heard it like. It looks almost the same except the headstock. Its your typical Kingston wood setup not like the higher end 535 applications. For the money, it will do. Heck man, I sold the ZX5 and IMO, better headroom. This Fender pre isn't bad at all.
Click to expand...

I sold my ZX5 too.
I thought it was WAYYY over priced.

I paid $1800 for a $1100 bass.

I'm gonna get one of these as soon I see one for 20% off...
 
#149
Supertanker said:
I sold my ZX5 too.
I thought it was WAYYY over priced.

I paid $1800 for a $1100 bass.

I'm gonna get one of these as soon I see one for 20% off...
Click to expand...

20%!, man its already under priced as in what you can do to it. Look towwards the best offers at fleabay if thats the case I found it more easier to further build than adding 3 way to the ZX. Stingray quality sound is what will come out of this upgrade given the Fender preamp installed. I thik that you can't get a better sound with any other higher end preamp, however I am just guessing. The wood thats on it is the key. Very light weight compared to Mike's hand made models.
 
#152
I picked up a used Saratoga 5-string (burst finish with a maple board) off of eBay. After replacing the dead strings and giving it a good setup, I'm floored! I can't believe that these basses aren't more popular. Not only do they fill a niche that IMO has existed for some time in the less costly basses (i.e. well put together 34" scale 5-string with 19mm string spacing that focuses on quality, not things like flashy colors and active electronics), it feels/sounds like it should cost a lot more than it does.

@Supertanker: Have you seen this?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
If I had the cash I would buy it and have it defretted. I know they have a fretless model available, but I've never played a bass with an ebanol fingerboard that I've liked.
 
#155
(Hope it's not a violation of etiquette for me to post this, here. Please tell me, if so!)

I'm an MTD lover, too (535, KZ5, Grendel). Put my old model Saratoga 4 string on the market. If you're interested, click the link in my sig.
 
#156
Ewo said:
(Hope it's not a violation of etiquette for me to post this, here. Please tell me, if so!)

I'm an MTD lover, too (535, KZ5, Grendel). Put my old model Saratoga 4 string on the market. If you're interested, click the link in my sig.
Click to expand...

There's a thread for that, if you're a supporting member of TB....
 
#159
fretless_guy said:
@Supertanker: Have you seen this?


If I had the cash I would buy it and have it defretted. I know they have a fretless model available, but I've never played a bass with an ebanol fingerboard that I've liked.
Click to expand...

Dude, I slept on it!

The auction has ended and no one bid.

Maybe they'll repost it...

:edit (I see it had a $41.00 shipping charge - not good)

Thanks!
 
#160
fretless_guy said:
I'm floored! I can't believe that these basses aren't more popular...
Click to expand...

I think people either don't know about them or are afraid.

If it had a recommendation from Norm Stockton or Andrew Gouche (like the ZX5 did) folks would be less hesitant.

I've been an early adopter of so much stuff on TB I'm a little gun shy.

But with every positive review I feel a bit more comfortable...
 

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