Who was making them for Yamaha by now in the early 90's? Fujigen? Also I've got to stop reading this thread or I'll buy 5 more of these lol.
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Who was making them for Yamaha by now in the early 90's? Fujigen? Also I've got to stop reading this thread or I'll buy 5 more of these lol.
I tried one out, did not sound like Lynn's demo online... Thinner to my ears. I sent it back
I decided the keep my MIJ 32" squier p instead of going with the LK5.
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Is there a demo of the Kingston model? Would you mind linking it?I tried one out, did not sound like Lynn's demo online... Thinner to my ears. I sent it back
I decided the keep my MIJ 32" squier p instead of going with the LK5.
I've only seen/heard a demo of her US model before I received my LK5 today. The Kingston doesn't sound the same (BTW I am a fan of MTDs). There were aspects that I liked, but I think it suffered from not having the Bartolinis PUs onboard. The instrument required a lighter attack, digging in would choke the instrument up. The g-string was also strange - somewhat thin and rubbery. I've edited my previous post and included a demo of my 32" super MIJ pbass so you can hear where I'm coming from. To me, this bass can sound full and also go into interesting thin/honky tones. Also, you can dig in quite a bit.
I spent about a decade trying to pry this 1981 B.C. Rich Wave bass away from a buddy, finally succeeded, was shocked when I got it that it's a 32" , he had no idea either. Most BCR's are 34" with the exception of most Bich basses being 30.5" and a few other random 30.5"s out there
Likely 1 of 1, had never tried a 32" before, I find it very comfortable and doesn't suffer any sonic loss compared to my 34" BCR's
Likely 1 of 1, had never tried a 32" before, I find it very comfortable and doesn't suffer any sonic loss compared to my 34" BCR's
Turns out I'm a nylon flats person after all, previously I've only tried the la bella deep talkin flats and ghs brite flats. For whatever reason, I don't get any single coil hum which is nice. Neck feels fast and less chunky than my Aria JPJ. I'm a happy camper
After some adventures I won't mention here, I finally got my Retrovibe R32. And it's a beauty, isn't it?
DiPinto is offering a stylish case that may be a good fit for Medium Scale basses:
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I bought the Kingston LK5 as well. It just arrived and out of the box, plays and feels magnificent. I was really looking forward to this bass: super light (<8 lbs), MTD build quality and playability, 5 string PJ, etc etc. And, it delivers. It is a well made bass, with good (decent) quality hardware, fit and finish, and excellent action. In this price point, it is in line with industry standards and has much to offer those in the market for a mid-tier mass production made bass. To be clear: in no way, shape, or form am I saying where it's made is a deficiency.
Unfortunately, I also found the tone to be abysmal: weak, lifeless, anemic. However, this is in comparison to another bass I already play. Is this unfair? Possibly, but it does tend to contextualize some personal reviews/anecdotal observations.
I am quite sure the electronics are the weak link. Although, there is a active/passive bypass, the pickups are less than enjoyable without the pre engaged. Even in active mode, the bridge pickup lacks any depth or authority.
Of course, all of this is completely subjective. Everyone has different goals and expectations. I'm usually the first one to say 'mod!', but I don't see me having the desire to do it. I am just so disappointed with it (maybe unrealistically). I didn't even want to do a video/review to post. I wanted to just put it back in the box to return, before I damaged it in any way.
Again, just my opinion (and I was so hoping to have a different experience). Ennyhoo…just wanted to relate another experience for the search algorithm.
That's too bad that you found the sound of the bass so disappointing.
I believe those are too short. I sold my mezzo but if memory serves you need ball to taper between 33 1/2" and 36". Measure from the back of the bridge (where you insert the string) to the back side of the nut (tuner side). The taper measurement of the string needs be longer than that. The next measurement is from the back side of the bridge to your E tuning post. Ideally the string to taper will be in between those 2 measurements.
Hey Thud Stuff - Very well put. Yeah, that's how I felt 100%. I was SO looking forward to the bass. It did not deliver "tone wise" anything close to what the USA model does in demos. I hate to post anything negative about MTD, because I appreciate everything Michael Tobias has done for the bass industry. Mr. Tobias is a legend. I think the electronics are the weak leak as well. Perhaps wood choice, too. I take my other short scale instruments to sessions and both artists and producers prefer them to 34" scale instruments. Oh well.
Thanks for the reply, I will move forward with better information! I realize that a tape measure should have answered that question, but I was overthinking(or underthinking?) it and unsure of the starting point. The back of the bridge-doh!
So far, the only downside to medium scale that I can see is a dearth of string choices, which is understandable, given that it's a smaller market.
@DJWhitJr, did you upgrade to a different medium scale bass, or did the mezzo just not work for you?
as an aside, i've used 'regular' ghs pressurewounds on 32" scale basses for years and never had a string break or unwind, even though the string winding may wrap around the post a bit. do set witness points and assist the string in developing a 'memory'.
Correct there aren't a lot of choices for medium scale strings. So far it seems there are more options for flats then round wounds. I've been using GHS Boomers and just picked up some Earnie Ball Slinkys. I haven't tried the Slinkys yet but so can't comment on how they sound.
Ernie Ball 2856 Regular Slinky Nickel-wound Electric Bass Guitar Strings - .045-.105 Medium Scale | Sweetwater
I should point out the winding length on the Boomers are now an inch longer (35 1/2") than what they used to be (34 1/2"). That being said I spoke to a representative from GHS and they said there is no issue with the wrapping the string around the post as long as it fits in the peg. I also know a guy that only plays medium scale basses and he uses regular length strings, cuts to length and just wraps the string about the post. Has been doing it for 30 years without an issue. It sounds like @yodedude2 does too.
If memory serves the tuning pegs were smaller on the Mezzo so you have to check that out.
I liked my Mezzo but for some unjustified reason I decided I wanted a traditional precision and a traditional Jazz pickup configuration so I upgraded to a medium scale 80's Squire P bass and a medium scale non-export Aerodyne. The P is my favorite, the neck is in between the a P and a Jazz. I think it's referred to as an A neck? I also have a Yamaha Motion which is pretty cool but the pickups sound a little dark and muddy compared to the other two so I don't play it as much.
3 medium by Dan Whitney, on Flickr
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that makes two of us! but only about 23 years for me ~ to clarify, i've only ever had one failure that i can remember from using long-scale strings on a 32" scale bass: a set of black nylon tapewounds. i have used black tapes for quite a while on different 32" scale basses with no issues and continue to do so, but once i did have an 'e' string unravel on me.
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