NBD! MTD Kingston Artist 5

[BassApprentice]

So I originally was on the lookout for 5 string at a slightly higher price point but a couple of bills later I had slightly less GAS money and saw this in the classifieds and couldn't resist. Not too much info about these, seems they were discontinued and come up from time to time. I've tried the Super5 at BassDirect and loved it and this has all the basic build features with just less pickups and less fancy EQ. I'm pretty happy with it so far, 19mm spacing and 35" scale won't be for everyone but the wide, asymmetric neck feels great to me and it comes in just under 4kg so good weight too.

This one has had a 2 band John East preamp from a Zoot put in which is very bright and maybe not quite versatile enough for me, although I have been playing with Tapewounds so maybe when I can get a set of tapes on this it will mellow it out. Reckon either the preamp or pickup will be changed too if this stays around long enough. I'll definitely be putting in a series/parallel/coil tap switch though. Enjoying having a 5 string again!

[CookPassBabtridge]

Very nice! I’ve heard good things about these, I like that black on black colour scheme. Looks to be in decent condition too, nice find.

[BassApprentice]

I believe the pickguard is actually pearl white with some sticky back black on it, but agree it looks great! if it comes off with wear I'll probably get a proper one made.

Just been noodling on it this afternoon and it just works for me, dead chuffed!

[cheesemaster]

aye love it, I've got an old artist 5 i've modded with a Nordstrand MM5.2 and a darkglass tone capsule and a K5 I'm just deciding on whether to mod or sell for another bass. both 5ers.

[Crawford13]

I have recently fallen in love with the MTD body shape. I am genuinely contemplating a 6er if I can find one. 

[BassApprentice]

The pukka ones they post on Instagram are proper works of art, but the Kingstons take all the design and shape to the budget side which is fantastic. The KZ5/6 come up on ebay at decent prices, I'm just not mad on the veneer on most of them. 

Edited February 2, 2021 by BassApprentice

[BassApprentice]

Also, I've just noticed how weird this shape looks on 4 strings versions. Really weedy and unbalanced, almost like Mike designed them to have 5 strings as standard 😅

[AndyTravis]

20 minutes ago, BassApprentice said:

Also, I've just noticed how weird this shape looks on 4 strings versions. Really weedy and unbalanced, almost like Mike designed them to have 5 strings as standard 😅

I want a 4 😂👌🏼