All Blog Posts (35)

What Should I Look For?

Hello All! Well I'm going to tryout a Kingston Z5 tomorrow! I have my eyes on the Trans Cherry w/Maple fingerboard. The Guitar Center in my area has the Burled Maple at the store. So I'm gonna check it out, before ordering. So, what should I really look for when testing this bass? I'm primarily a finger player, although I get off a good slap and pop every now and then. Tone and clarity are very important. Just to name a few things I look for. Am I on the "right" track with this instrument? As… Continue

Added by James Orr on October 3, 2009 at 12:00am — 3 Comments

Anyone own one?

Hi Fellow MTD lovers! I was wondering, if anyone owns or has had the occasion to play the Kinston Z5? Since I'm seriously considering buying one, I'd like to get some feedback on its tone, playability, looks, etc. Any feedback would be greatly received. Thanks Loads!!!! Continue

Added by James Orr on September 10, 2009 at 8:25am — 2 Comments

MTD Bass Amp Giveaway Extended!

Hi all! Just a quick update to let you know that the MTD Summer promotion has been extended! Through September 30th, 2009, when you buy any MTD Kingston Artist 4-string or MTD Kingston Heir 5-string, you will qualify for a FREE Warwick Blue Cab 15 bass combo amplifier! Check out the details at: http://www.mtdkingston.com/news/ Cheers! Continue

Added by Joe Roberts on August 12, 2009 at 7:14am — No Comments

Debut Gig on Weds. Aug 5

Well my MTD gets its debut performance on Weds Aug 5 10pm. I am the Bass player (really?) of the Steely Dan tribute band "Steely Jam" of Los Angeles. Our first gig ever is here: In their debut showcase, Steely Jam performs the music of Steely Dan featuring the dynamic Michael Lamper on lead vocals and Big Al on Bass in an 8 piece group. Weds, Aug 5, Two shows starting at 10pm. Air Conditioned Supper Club 625 Lincoln Blvd. (3 blocks south of Rose Ave) Venice, CA, 90291 See… Continue

Added by Big Al on August 3, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

MTD 535 Reviewed in PremierGuitar.com

Hi all! Hope things are going well! Just saw this linked on the MTDBass.com website - Looks like PremierGuitar.com reviewed an MTD 535-24 bass recently, and (surprise!) scored it a 5 out of 5 . The review has sound clips to highlight the versatility of the test instrument, which was ash with a maple burl top. You can read the entire review here: http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazin… Continue

Added by Joe Roberts on June 8, 2009 at 8:32pm — 2 Comments

Mike's Setup Instructions

Hi all! Mike has posted his bass setup instructions / process over at the MTD Kingston website - you can check out the details here: http://www.mtdkingston.com/thezone/setup.htm Cheers! Continue

Added by Joe Roberts on March 16, 2009 at 11:55am — No Comments

MTD 635 Review in Bass Gear Magazine

Hi all Bass Gear Magazine has a nice write-up and review of a 2008 MTD 635 in their most recent issue. If you're not already a subscriber, check them out and sign up, stat! Excerpts from the write-up are below. Cheers!

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Added by Joe Roberts on February 22, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

Sound Clips posted from my new MTD 535

Inspired by my new Bass, I fired up the computer and recorded two Finger-style clips using the D.I. signal out the back of my Eden Traveler amp. These are raw audio, no EQ, no editing or processing was done. Just the sound the amp works with. See the "My Music" section on the left of my page here. First, the melody of "All The Things You Are" using mostly the bridge pickup. I like to doodle on Bass while the NBA is on TV. I was watching the All Star Game and came up with this funky little gro… Continue

Added by Big Al on February 17, 2009 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Bass Juice

In setting up my MTD 535, with the catalyed urethane topcoat and Wenge neck, I brought out the cleaner / polish I have been using on my Double Bass. That being "Clef Restorative Cleanser & Polish Old No. 1 Instrument Polish" or what I call "Bass Juice". Its good for both a polished and natural wood surface. http://www.uptonbass.com/Clef-Restorative-Cleanser-Polish-Old-No-1-Instrum… Continue

Added by Big Al on February 14, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Finally Busted A Move on an MTD 535

Today, Feb 12, 2009, I went to see Justin at the Bass Exchange in Sherman Oaks, CA, not far from where I live. Justin is very knowledgeable on the MTD line, owns a few himself. I had ordered an MTD Kingston Heir which I still think is the best Bass you can get for $1029. I cancelled that back order and bought the MTD 535-24 Justin had on display. I really wanted this in the first place, but had balked at paying four times more price. You will never be sorry you got the best of anything, I did to… Continue

Added by Big Al on February 13, 2009 at 5:34pm — No Comments

New MTD NAMM 09 Vid (and New MTD Models!)

Great new video from NAMM '09 on-line now from PremierGuitar.com, in which Mike introduces two new entry-level MTD models, and discusses why he favors build quality over pricey electronics on the Kingston line, and goes into detail on why he uses the zero-fret on his fretted basses. Very cool!

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Added by Joe Roberts on February 13, 2009 at 7:19am — No Comments

Recording and the New Year

Hey everyone, I've been a little busy the past few weeks and haven't had a chance to get online and see whats going on. My recording went well, the tracks are mixed down, and now the boys are working on guitar and vocal tracks. The album is half done, and we are looking for an official release date of around April 1, 2009. When the tracks are complete, I will post one or two up here so I can get some feedback from you all. As for the new year, it has begun with sessions dedicated to getting ba… Continue

Added by Ed Brandt on January 31, 2009 at 8:33am — No Comments

GO STEELERS!

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Added by Joe Roberts on January 31, 2009 at 7:31am — No Comments

Users Manual for Z series

Does anyone know where to get documentation or a user's manual for the Z5? I just bought mine, but nothing came along with it. Continue

Added by Jason on January 8, 2009 at 5:45pm — 3 Comments

Happy Holidays to everyone at MTD BE!

Wishing you Happy Holidays, and a most BASS-filled 2009!

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Added by Joe Roberts on December 25, 2008 at 11:18am — No Comments

Long time, no post!

Feels like forever since I posted here on MTD BE! But I've been checking things from a distance in between diaper changes for my daughter :-). Let me send out a big WELCOME and THANKS to our new members! We're now closing in on 150 MTD lovin' members! I also wanted to hip any potential MTD owners to several auctions for MTD USA, Z, and Kingston basses going on over at eBay.com right now. N… Continue

Added by Joe Roberts on September 9, 2008 at 2:13pm — No Comments

So.........who wants a deal on a MTD KIngston Z5 ????

I have 3 in stock, a natural 5, a tabacco sunburst 5, and.........a ZX 5 with the Bartolini treatments!! I can offer them at demo pricing, with choice of a hardshell case, or High Quality gigbag. I can ship to the US 48 states. Want a different model? I can do that too, no problem. Allen sales@musicgearwarehouse.com 1-866-448-3098 Continue

Added by Allen Cummins on August 6, 2008 at 12:25pm — 3 Comments

MTD 7-String

If you've never seen an MTD custom 7-string, check out this thread at the TalkBass forums. One of the TB users has a 7-string MTD for sale, with some nice pics of the bass (see example below). Enjoy!

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Added by Joe Roberts on July 31, 2008 at 7:17am — 2 Comments

Killer MTD on eBay...

Just saw this MTD for sale on eBay.com. I don't know anything about it but it looks killer and it's an Avadore body which is getting harder & harder to come by these days.

Cheers! Continue

Added by Joe Roberts on July 14, 2008 at 9:54am — 1 Comment

Happy 100th!

100 MTD BE members, that is! We now have 100+ members, hailing from 10+ countries, representing bass paying across dozens of musical styles! That's just... well, it's just awesome. I'm looking forward to virtually meeting the next 100 members! In other news, MTD BE member and bassist extraordinaire Norm… Continue

Added by Joe Roberts on June 21, 2008 at 11:50am — 1 Comment