Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The "Official" MTD (non-US made) Club Part 2
- Thread starter Bryan R. Tyler
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club
- Status
I've seen a few Kingstons (early ones) with replacement pickguards. Where did you guys get these from? I just picked up a fretless, and don't care for the white pearl against the black gloss and dark ebony board.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Does anyone know what size tunners are in the KZ5 for replacement purposes? ex.. 3/8" or 1/2" or 5/8'...etc?
Hi Guys.
I've tryed to get this answer on the pups and elect. forum, but got no answers, so i decided to place it here. I read almost all of the posts here but I can't find what I need.
I've bought a Z5 some weeks ago and I'm wondering what preamp is installed in this bass. I've opened the back cover and it only has writen "G & B co."
Does anyone know what is this preamp?
I like the sound, but I have a spare bart XTMB-918f that was the preamp from my Tobias Growler which was replaced by a OBP3 and I'm thinking about install the bart into the Z5...
Did some of you made this kind of change? Does it makes sense to you?
I've tryed to get this answer on the pups and elect. forum, but got no answers, so i decided to place it here. I read almost all of the posts here but I can't find what I need.
I've bought a Z5 some weeks ago and I'm wondering what preamp is installed in this bass. I've opened the back cover and it only has writen "G & B co."
Does anyone know what is this preamp?
I like the sound, but I have a spare bart XTMB-918f that was the preamp from my Tobias Growler which was replaced by a OBP3 and I'm thinking about install the bart into the Z5...
Did some of you made this kind of change? Does it makes sense to you?
RevGroove
Commercial User
- Jul 21, 2002
- 2,411
- 173
- Disclosures
- Regional Account Services Supervisor @ Long & McQuade or ON & Atlantic Canada
It's a system designed by Mike, I think it's based on the offshore Bartolini mk series, but don't quote me on that...you can always drop Mike a line at [email protected] and get the info straight fromt he source!
I had an opportunity to upgrade and I didn't because 1.) I was fine with how it sounded stock and 2.) got a ZX in the quiver (had two, one's stolen
)I'd go for the upgrade myself! Let us know how it turns out if you do!
It's a system designed by Mike, I think it's based on the offshore Bartolini mk series, but don't quote me on that...you can always drop Mike a line at [email protected] and get the info straight fromt he source!
I had an opportunity to upgrade and I didn't because 1.) I was fine with how it sounded stock and 2.) got a ZX in the quiver (had two, one's stolen
I'd go for the upgrade myself! Let us know how it turns out if you do!
Hi Thanks
yes it may be something not standard. I tryed to find information about this preamp...but nothing.
Well, actually I like the stock solution tone, the problem is the output level is too low. Perhaps I can get more level and a different tone, I'm not sure. I'll try to connect the bartolini preamp outside of the bass, this way I can test it and keep the original one if i don't like the result.
I'll keep you posted.
Hi
I've installed yesterday the NTMB918f into the Z5. Unfortunately I couldn't find a connector for the second battery, so only tested with 9V.
The output level is much higher (as expected) and the tone is now much more punchy and more strong in the middle range, but to be honest it's just a little difference to the stock preamp.
I heard someone saying that the Z5 with bart preamp is more closer to the MTD535, but IMO it's still far away. Perhaps I need to replace also the pickups.
This evening I'll install the second battery to try the solution with 18V.
I've installed yesterday the NTMB918f into the Z5. Unfortunately I couldn't find a connector for the second battery, so only tested with 9V.
The output level is much higher (as expected) and the tone is now much more punchy and more strong in the middle range, but to be honest it's just a little difference to the stock preamp.
I heard someone saying that the Z5 with bart preamp is more closer to the MTD535, but IMO it's still far away. Perhaps I need to replace also the pickups.
This evening I'll install the second battery to try the solution with 18V.
Yea the MTD 535/24 has The custom 18v Bart Pre AND Pickups so I think one without the other wont get you to the same sound alone, like you alluded too. I am having the same mods done as we speak with NTMB918F-18v pre and the P2 pickups. I will let you know how the combo works out in a couple of days when I get it back.
I recently replaced the neck pickup on my Heir 4 with a Nordy NJ4SV . I got the local guitar world shop to put it in. I noticed the blend knob doesn't work like it used to.
Turning from the one pickup to the other their doesn't seem to be any noticeable difference until I get to the middle position at which point the volume drops and the tone changes dramatically. Continuing to turn, the volume suddenly goes back up and the tone changes again.
It seems more like a 3 position - neck, both , bridge switch than a blend.
Would I be right in assuming the wiring has been done wrong, or should I have had some other component like a resistor, capacitor or pot changed at the same time?
Turning from the one pickup to the other their doesn't seem to be any noticeable difference until I get to the middle position at which point the volume drops and the tone changes dramatically. Continuing to turn, the volume suddenly goes back up and the tone changes again.
It seems more like a 3 position - neck, both , bridge switch than a blend.
Would I be right in assuming the wiring has been done wrong, or should I have had some other component like a resistor, capacitor or pot changed at the same time?
It's definitly wired out of phase. I did the same thing replacing the J pickup to reduce the 60 cycle hum, with the same Nordy. The hot wire and ground wire on the Nordy pickup just need to be switched. Once you do that they will blend well. I bought an MTD Kingston Heir a couple of months ago and after an initial setup she plays lovely. 
Here she is. Sorry it took so long. Took my tech alot longer to do the work. Got the NTMB Bartolini 18Volt pre and the P2 pickups. Goes from Active to Passive (Love that) And Controls are Serries/Parrallel Switch + Mid Freq Switch.She sounds so sweet and growly. Very versatile. I can get jaco-ish or Funk Slap tones (Passive mode is real nice for that) and that Classic R&B/Gospel MTD Warmth Just came with it. This is my main bass for now. IMO if you are a fan of the American Made MTD but don't have the 4,000 + to get it then this is the Closest you will come to the Feel and Sound of the American. The build quality of the non american MTD is Great. The wood combo (Mahogany/Maple) does have that classical highend sound in it but the upgrades of bartolini and bridge that I have done make it sound more "american" alll around in Bass and resonance. This bass is very versatile now. I mostly liked the old sound mind you but now the B string rings out clearer and deeper. I do think the bridge (Hip shot Brass) Really does help with the low Freqs and of course the sustain but that wasnt a big problem with the stock one IMO. So I "feel" like I play and MTD American with this axe but saved about $3,000 bucks in the process. Best 5 string I ever played.
Attachments
- Status
