MTD Kingston Saratoga Deluxe 5 – Modern Magnificence with Classic Tone – LowEndLobster Review
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EDIT: To my surprise, this is a 34″ scale! Holy crap! My bad. The Super is 35″ still.
Hey everyone! Today we’re finally reviewing the Saratoga Deluxe 5 from the MTD Kingston line. Just like the Super 5 with the Stingray, this Saratoga Deluxe 5 string is MTD’s take on bass staple – the Jazz. Featuring a 3 band preamp with passive tone control and preamp bypass, two split coil jazz style pickups, and the classic MTD build with the Buzz Feiten tuning system, a zero fret, 35″ scale 5 string neck with an asymmetrical profile, and 19mm spacing. The Kingston Saratoga Deluxe 5 is here to party! Let’s check it out!
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with SIT Foundation Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at https://sitstrings.com/
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: https://youtu.be/QtZdeV7Ngv0
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#MTD #Kingston #Saratoga #Deluxe #Modern #Magnificence #Classic #Tone #LowEndLobster #Review
Originally posted by UClpTFnWcfIg4pcgFZ8dRTyg at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjZIZXt-n-c
Is this bass just as good as the sire m5?
I can compare this, and the Kingston Super 5, to the Sandberg California JM4 i used to have.
Quality wise, Both MTD's blow the Sandbergs out of the water. Tonal range, Build, Durability, setting up the instrument, and Electronics are way more reliable.
Sandbergs are supposed to be high end, but MTD Kingston's seems far superior if you ask me.
I had nothing but trouble with the Sandbergs of different kind, and i had it replaced 3 times before i had enough and went all in on MTD's. Never looked back.
Brilliant instruments at very affordable prices.
???? From Denmark
When you play with the backing track my feet start moving, can’t stop!!
I've been eyeballing this bass for a few months. Your review sold me. Excellent review! I totally get the laughing when playing something that just works.
I really like that small amount of tone control in passive mode, listen to it in comparison so a p bass, it’s extremely similar with this bass having a slightly better tonal attack and overtone. This bass allows complete versatility for a gig
I could not find any info on the upgrade kit for this bass.I went on the MTD site and emailed them. no response yet. The out put level on my bass is very low.Fresh battery.
I bought one of these (with upgraded Bartolini pickups and preamp) on the back of this review, and it has usurped a Lakland DJ5 as my no1 gigging bass – it’s soooo good, you can’t get a bad tone from it, and it’s insanely comfortable to play. I bought it “blind” online having never played one, but I was extremely surprised in a good way with how great it is. Amazing bass
I played a used one today.Very comfortable to play sounded good.The low B seemed a bit floppy though..I have a schector Omen 5.Would this be a significant upgrade from that?
Hey Lobster, I have a 4 string Saratoga Deluxe. And while changing the battery I discovered that it will play without one. Not all active/passive basses will.
Very nice bass!
Hey Lobster! mtd Super or Lakland 55-02??
Lobster, the passive tone is only on when switched passive setting. Doesn't work in conjunction with active preamp.
Beauty!!
If only it wasn’t made in China it’d be perfect…
5:31
Which do you prefer between the MTD Kingston & SIRE line instruments? Also, which line do you feel has the best build quality? Thanks!????????
Get MTD to send you a Kingston Lynn Keller 5 once they're available.
Lobster, you are awesome.
Hey, what's that 5 string w/flame top cherry burst "modern jazz" style bass on the wall behind you? I think it's got Aguilar pickups? Looks super familiar.
Is 34 or 35-inch scale? Thanks.
You should do a review for the Schecter CV-4!
Hey would be cool if u try a squier contemporary active P bass….. What do u think
Hey Lobster, I’m looking to buy a second bass, I currently have a Sire V3 5 string jazz bass and was looking for something a bit more modern that could handle metal, without sacrificing things like slap or anything like that. I was looking into Ibanez, Schecter and Dingwall. Any suggestions?
Killer sounding just like the super!! I absolutely love their bud range! Not sure what you did but I assume you pumped the mids and that was so good sounding!! Great review!! Will you be picking one up to mod eventually you think?
Thanks Lobster, I have never played one of these but, they look and sound nice when you do.
I don't know why tapers like that are ever used. There is such little difference in price. Garbage corner to cut, imho.
I'm surprised they didn't make a lefthanded version of this like they did with the KZ and the Kingston super 5. Shame as would have loved one for the collection
MTD needs to work at getting their instruments more widely distributed because their import line is super competitive at the upper end of the budget class.
I always wanted one of these but there were never any in the local shops. Seems like a great player
Aye! lovely
Sounds fantastic man
6:16 you can see a fluffy object pass by
Lobster, have you tried a Kingston zx? I am leaning towards that or an EHB1505. What are your recommendations. I need a well rounded bass as I will probably only have one. Is there any other recommendations that you have for the $2,000ish price range?
Cool bass of versatility. That mid range adjustment does a lot.
Sounds great. Good price too.
That bass looks amazing.
Nice construction and intriguing sounds in headphones. If it were yours and you were going to mod it, where would you start? The passive tone control?
Definitely hear the p bass tones out of the neck pickup great sounding bass man not the jazzborgini though
The only distinguishing feature on this is its string spacing. Seemed to slap like a dream and the tones were nice but pedestrian.
Buy this and you can say you own an MTD; there are a LOT of basses in this tier to choose from. One piece necks are styling but they cheated the headstock lol
Most companies add slices to the sides of the headstock even if the neck is a one piecer; they went the other route and said hey this thing's not long enough, add a piece!
I am unsurprised by the lack of color on this instrument's timbre, noticing that it's not a maple cap or even laminate top but a maple veneer, allowing the true beauty of the basswood to shine forth. Great instrument for actives but I think it would be some work to match electronics to it if we were limited to passive only.
I wouldn't mod this bass. I'd get my money back and buy something else – I feel like there's a 99.9% chance that this is as good as this instrument is going to sound.
Unless you put a filter based pre-amp in it. Then it's gonna sound great! But then it could be ANY bass, including this one.
This one is a hard pass for me even though I am sure it will appeal to a LOT of people. My tastes will evolve, I'm not good at slapping yet; I'll probably come around regarding overtly wide string spacings just like I did flatwound strings.
Wow! Very Nice bass. Put 24 frets; it’s mine.????????????????
Sounds great
Do you ever go to grab the claw before a shoot and realize that it's been a minute since you last ran some hot water in there, or something? ????
Back when these came out, the store I worked at picked 'em up. The regular Kingston Saratoga 5 and the CRB p-bass were fantastic. They both were so loud and open sounding.
Have you tried the Kingston Z models with the soap bars?
I would love to see you review the Schecter J-4 Exotic.