I think it is really unfair to compare a Fender P of any taste and an MTD Heir. What feels better and sounds better to you? As for comparison of quality...are you kidding me? The MIK MTD Heir 5 Active that I have is perfection. I just don't think you can get a better bass for the price quality-wise. If you have second thoughts about buying it, don't and continue to search. A Lakland Skyline 44-02 could be an option.
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Pulling the trigger on an MTD
- Thread starter herndonbassist
- Start date
crhoton said:
Personally I like Ash and I really dislike Alder. It is just my personal preference. Leo Fender, the innovator that he was, looked for inexpensive woods - he got lucky? that Ash sounded good -as it has become a staple for luthiers. I had both an MTD Heir and a Saratoga, both made of Basswood and both (especially the Saratoga) sounded great.
I would agree to disagree with you. Tone is such a personal preference and the wood/wood combo makes a great deal of difference. I guess there is nothing like trying it out for sure
Mike
I guess the bottom line is whatever feels good in your hands is the one to get. I have a '79 Ibanez Roadster (ash) that just has the "it" factor and is actually requested on recording sessions over my high-end instruments. If you have one in your hands and the neck is right, get it!
Mike Dimin said:
OK Mike, you got me there
what I really meant to say, is that the Heir 4-String has the features that I want, and MTD doesn't make a bass with THOSE features that's better than the Heir.... That's one FINE looking axe! 
crhoton said:
Plenty of instruments are made with basswood. "Cheap" does not equal "sounds bad." All your statement about Rogue shows is that you can't see past hype, or preconceived notions.
After making test instruments out of alder, and Ash, EB decided to make the Bongos out of basswood. Why? It sounded better according to Dave LaRue, Phil Chin, and the other pros who were involved in the development of the instrument.
Personally, I would go with the MTD Kingston over the other options. Why? I have yet to hear a Fender preamp that I thought was worth a damn. But, that's just my opinion.
I had no idea that I'd stir up this much controversy. The one thing that is really frustrating me is that I can't go and feel one of these basses. There is no dealer anywhere close to me, and with a family and other commitments, taking a weekend trek to go bass hunting (while I can imagine the fun) just isn't possible. 
RobertUI said:I had no idea that I'd stir up this much controversy. The one thing that is really frustrating me is that I can't go and feel one of these basses. There is no dealer anywhere close to me, and with a family and other commitments, taking a weekend trek to go bass hunting (while I can imagine the fun) just isn't possible.
I understand. It is always better to play one, but at least you are getting some "passionate" responses here. As far as Fender, I think the most consistently "good" ones I have played are the Aerodyne and the Geddy Lee. The Aerodyne is just ugly, and the Geddy is something that it sounds like you AREN'T looking for tone-wise.
Basswood is an excellent tone wood IMO and obviously some of the big name guys like M.Tobias agree.
The main drawback with Basswood is that it isn't a "pretty" wood. It tends to have knots and green streaks that don't make for a nice clear finish. Thats it IMO. Well, that and its affordable.
Back OT: I have been thinking about one of the Kingston basses as well. The only thing holding me back aesthetically is I want a fretted ebony fretboard version. I would definately take any MTD over a Fender but that is my personal taste.
The main drawback with Basswood is that it isn't a "pretty" wood. It tends to have knots and green streaks that don't make for a nice clear finish. Thats it IMO. Well, that and its affordable.
Back OT: I have been thinking about one of the Kingston basses as well. The only thing holding me back aesthetically is I want a fretted ebony fretboard version. I would definately take any MTD over a Fender but that is my personal taste.
Dunno if it matters, but if anyone else has an opinion, I'll be playing this through my HA4000 and VX-Series 410 cab. Thanks !!! 
