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The "Official" MTD (non-US made) Club Part 2

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#22
Count me in on the MTD (Non-US) club. I have a Kingston Heir 4 string in sunburst with rosewood fretboard. After a couple months with it, I found that I needed something different from the Jazz pickup...so I have had it replaced with a noiseless Bill Lawrence J45. The tech that did the install said he had to shave off some wood to fit it in because the original pickup is a little bit thinner than a standard jazz. I will pick it up from the shop this afternoon and can hardly wait. I'll post a picture and add a review of the difference.

Does any one have an idea of when the new 5 string saratoga will hit the streets?
deltaecho
 
#24
Count me in...

I picked up this modded Z5 here on TB a little bit ago. The electronics have been replaced with Nordstrand Big Splits and a Bart NTMB preamp. I have actually owned a USA MTD a few years ago. Personally, I prefer the sound of this one. Now, it is not up to the build quality or material of the USA. But, the fretwork is really good and the neck is great. When I got it, the wiring had a number of issues but I had it rewired and it sounds and plays great. And is super light.

This has probably been addressed if I search...has anyone found a source for replacement/upgrade hardware for these. The gun metal type finish on the tuners, bridge etc is nothing I have seen before. I have considered replacing the bridge with something like a Hipshot but it would not match. The only option may be to replace the tuners too...

OK, on to the porn!

mtdZ5_0090.jpg


mtdZ5_0098.jpg
 
#25
deltaecho said:
Count me in on the MTD (Non-US) club. I have a Kingston Heir 4 string in sunburst with rosewood fretboard. After a couple months with it, I found that I needed something different from the Jazz pickup...so I have had it replaced with a noiseless Bill Lawrence J45. The tech that did the install said he had to shave off some wood to fit it in because the original pickup is a little bit thinner than a standard jazz. I will pick it up from the shop this afternoon and can hardly wait. I'll post a picture and add a review of the difference.

Does any one have an idea of when the new 5 string saratoga will hit the streets?
deltaecho
Click to expand...
Welcome and Congrats! You are #89
 
#26
rodneyat said:
Count me in...

I picked up this modded Z5 here on TB a little bit ago. The electronics have been replaced with Nordstrand Big Splits and a Bart NTMB preamp. I have actually owned a USA MTD a few years ago. Personally, I prefer the sound of this one. Now, it is not up to the build quality or material of the USA. But, the fretwork is really good and the neck is great. When I got it, the wiring had a number of issues but I had it rewired and it sounds and plays great. And is super light.

This has probably been addressed if I search...has anyone found a source for replacement/upgrade hardware for these. The gun metal type finish on the tuners, bridge etc is nothing I have seen before. I have considered replacing the bridge with something like a Hipshot but it would not match. The only option may be to replace the tuners too...

OK, on to the porn!

mtdZ5_0090.jpg


mtdZ5_0098.jpg
Click to expand...
Welcome and Congrats you are #90!
 
#27
Hey I just got this MTD ZX5 from talkbass...I am still working on getting used to the tone settings any advice for slap? Kicking tones for jazz , funk, R&B and rock...I can't seem to dial in a good slap tone ...live at gigs only gigged twice with her so I guess I will figure it out. So give me a number my brother!!!
 

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#28
Bassman8416 said:
Hey I just got this MTD ZX5 from talkbass...I am still working on getting used to the tone settings any advice for slap? Kicking tones for jazz , funk, R&B and rock...I can't seem to dial in a good slap tone ...live at gigs only gigged twice with her so I guess I will figure it out. So give me a number my brother!!!
Click to expand...

Is that one of the LTDs? Which number if so?

I scoop a bit of the mid low, rail the treble and then back of a bit, and then boost a bit of low, centering the balance...that usually gives me a good setting for slap...scooping the mids is the main thing...
 
#31
Bassman8416 said:
Hey I just got this MTD ZX5 from talkbass...I am still working on getting used to the tone settings any advice for slap? Kicking tones for jazz , funk, R&B and rock...I can't seem to dial in a good slap tone ...live at gigs only gigged twice with her so I guess I will figure it out. So give me a number my brother!!!
Click to expand...
Welcome and Congrats - you are #91.
+1 with what RevGroove said. Cut the mids! Same goes for your amplification.
 
#35
There is one of these posted on EBay right now, but it looks more green than black. I don' t know if that's on purpose, or bad photos, or what, but definitely not any trans black that I have ever seen. Not a fan of this color so far.
 
#36
alexofc69 said:
Just saw this! Accidental trans black heirs!!!

Might be something collectable to buy other than a KZX LTD.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Saw that the other day and meant to post it here, posted it on the MTD Enthusiast's site over on Ning...if I had the extra cash/didn't need a fretless....:crying:
 
#37
Bassman8416 said:
Hey I just got this MTD ZX5 from talkbass...I am still working on getting used to the tone settings any advice for slap? Kicking tones for jazz , funk, R&B and rock...I can't seem to dial in a good slap tone ...live at gigs only gigged twice with her so I guess I will figure it out. So give me a number my brother!!!
Click to expand...

Hey guys, while I do love this bass...I am selling her because I need a narrower neck and string space.....my hands are big enough, but due to an old pinky injury I have to go back to narrower instrument. She does play fine and slaps really nice!!!!
Here is the link for in the TB classifieds.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644756
 
#38
Bassman8416 said:
Hey guys, while I do love this bass...I am selling her because I need a narrower neck and string space.....my hands are big enough, but due to an old pinky injury I have to go back to narrower instrument. She does play fine and slaps really nice!!!!
Here is the link for in the TB classifieds.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644756
Click to expand...

I am considering trades for modified Z4's if any of you guys are interested in a ZX5
 
#39
I got an older MTD Kingston Artist about a week ago. I bought it from a seller on Ebay. I had a hard time finding one in bone-stock condition. I can understand the urge to modify, but in this case, I wanted to start with MT's idea of what the instrument should sound like.

Can anyone help me figure out the date?

Mr. Anthony Nembhard can show you why I wanted one:

The instrument I bought went for $550 via "by it now." I did it, realizing I was paying about $100 more than what I might find one for on TB or Craigslist. However, I always seemed to be arriving late for the party on TB, and the ones I found on Craigslist were all modified and/or in poor condition.

Once the instrument arrived, I was pleased it was all original, but found it to be a little bit neglected. I discovered the strings were from three different makers, one G-string bridge saddle height adjustment set-screw had a stripped-out Allen end, the foam under the pickup had given-up the ghost, and most worrisome, the neck had an upper fret hump and other relief issues.

Sky Guitars (Thanks, Eric) did the heat treatment of the neck and setup/repairs. I think if the neck had not been in "sub-optimal" condition, I would have done it all, but for $129, everything was made right, though Eric grumbled that the Maple from which the neck is made seemed "too soft." He still needed to crank the truss rod a fair amount to get the relief right.

It came out just great. I am in love with this simple but great sounding instrument. The 19mm string spacing suits me well, and I have used it for a Punk trio rehearsal, a Salsa/Rhumba/flamenco gig, and a Reggae/Soca/Calypso Band rehearsal.

Now I can imagine this seems like it would be the worst possible instrument for Reggae, but my trusty ART pre/CA6/UL410 rig can do just about anything I ask of it. I might get an outboard pre to make it a foot switch operation to switch between gorgeous passive MTD growl and "big bottom." Then again, that's why they have the Heir, right?

I love this simple passive 5-string, and have played it excusively since it came back from the shop (unless you count practicing my upright arco).

No pics, no bass, so here are a few of the lovely photo's taken by Zack Khoury, the son of the Ebay Seller. These are used by permission.

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