At 5:00pm on August 18th the Sam Ash store at 156 West 48th Street welcomed bass players to a very special MTD Kingston event. The man himself, Michael Tobias, held court and discussed his design concepts and theories behind the creation of his MTD Kingston basses. Players were encouraged to ask questions, as many did, which Mike enthusiastically answered.

The event was so big that some of the Bass World's biggest names were there, including Bakithi Kumalo, Larry Hartke, John Montalbano, Suzanne Sterne, Pete Bremy and many, more. The smiles and laughter were evidence that a good time was had by all!

This particular Sam Ash store was recently remodeled and looks amazing. Not only is it an extremely cool hang for bassists, it boasts one of the nation's biggest inventory of MTD Kingston basses. On an average, they have eighteen to twenty basses on the wall, all are set up and ready to be played.

We want to thank Sam Ash for hosting this great event! This particular store is located at 156 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. You can call them by dialing
(212) 719-2625.

5/21/09 - Fresh from the first day at Summer NAMM!

Mike Tobias and Dana Teague shoot a brief introductory video for Bass Gear Magazine! Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNYWa898APw

MTD Kingston has extended the Summer Sales promotion that will truly get you amped! Literally!

Extended through December 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! Here are the details:

- All qualifying purchases must be made from an authorized MTD Kingston dealer

- All Artist 4-string basses and Heir 5-string basses must be purchased as new instruments.

- All qualifying purchases must be made between June 1st, 2009 and December 30th, 2009

- To receive your free bass amp you need to fill out this form and mail it back to us with an original or clear copy of your receipt, postmarked no later than January 31st, 2010.

And it is as easy as that! This is the perfect time for you to get the bass you want and a FREE amp that you will love!

We are so very honored and excited to be able to inform you that the iconic bass player Max Bennett is now playing a MTD Kingston Z 6-string bass with a maple fingerboard and a burled maple finish!

Fans and followers of contemporary jazz need no introduction to Max Bennett. An internationally known bassist and composer, Max has an impressive background and an extensive list of credits. The scope of his experience spans from concert touring, recording and producing to composing music for feature films and television as well as being one of the most famous studio musicians of the jazz genre.

Max has toured and performed in concert with Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, just to name a few. His many years of working in the studios have given him the opportunity to exercise his affinity for jazz, blues, rock and latin music and to combine those elements into his music. The list of outstanding artists with whom Max has recorded includes Quincy Jones, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Frank Zappa, Celine Dion, Nelson Riddle, Henry Mancini, Ray Charles, Michael Franks, Frank Sinatra, Michel LeGrand, Phil Spector and countless others.

Also he has performed with such jazz greats as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, The Crusaders and many more. He then created a new concept of jazz in the world renowned L.A. Express which included Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and John Guerin, under the leadership of Tom Scott. Max then formed his own group “Freeway” and currently heads his most recent band “Private Reserve.”

Bill Kohlhasse of the Los Angeles Times says, “Max Bennett is the genuine article himself, having come up through the “bebop” era to become a central figure in the contemporary jazz scene.”

“Private Reserve” represents the best of contemporary concepts and Max’s original compositions blend the richness of jazz, blues, rock and latin music. Max says, “We feel that people identify with our strong melodies, rich harmonic structures and diverse rhythmic concepts. It is our goal to create original music of substance and intrinsic value.”

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RECORDINGS :

Marvin Gaye
Barbra Streisand
Paul Anka
Elvis Presley
Four Tops
Frank Sinatra
Frank Zappa (Hot Rats & 4 others)
Ray Charles & Cleo Lane
Seals & Croft
Ella Fitzgerald
Quincy Jones
Kenny Rogers
The Beach Boys
Carole King
Paul Williams
Joan Baez
The Temptations
Joni Mitchell
The Crusaders
Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
L.A. Express
Judy Collins
John Williams
Henry Mancini
Lalo Schifrin
Percy Faith
Peggy Lee
Stan Kenton
Celine Dion
David Foster
Michael McDonald
Jose Feliciano
Joe Sample

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TV FILM & MOTION PICTURE SOUND TRACKS WRITTEN BY:

Nelson Riddle
Michele Columbie
Quincy Jones
Tom Scott
John Williams
Henry Mancini
Johnny Mandel
Charlie Fox
Artie Butler
Billy Byers
Elmer Bernstein

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TV SHOWS:

The Oscars
Quincy Jones
Bill Cosby Show
Jack Benny Show
Judy Garland Show
Danny Kaye Show
Count Basie Special
Frank Sinatra Special
Tony Orlando
Smothers Brothers
Grammy Awards
Aretha Franklin - Johnny Carson Show
Red Skelton
Peggy Lee Special
Carol Burnett
The Partridge Family
Paul Williams
Johnny Mathis

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TOURS & LIVE CONCERTS:

Stan Kenton Orchestra
Barbra Streisand
Frank Zappa
Ella Fitzgerald
Peggy Lee
Pearl Bailey
Victor Borge
Bill Evans
Andre Previn
Michele Legrand (Carnegie Hall)
Billy Eckstine
Joni Mitchell
The Crusaders
Stan Getz
The Fifth Dimension
Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
Aretha Franklin
Miles Davis
Sammy Davis
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Billy Holiday
Jack Jones
Frank Zappa
Billy Eckstine
Max Bennett & Freeway
Max Bennett & The Maxx Band
Max Bennett & Private Reserve

Whew! You will not believe this but I actually had to delete a number of names and credits from this list!

On November 1st and 2nd Bass Player Magazine held its annual Bass Player Live event in Hollywood at the legendary SIR Rehearsal Studios. MTD Kingston was there with one of the largest booths and a ton of basses! Bassists were encouraged to pick up any Kingston, plug in and let loose. We were also visited by many great artists such as Andrew Gouche, Jerry Watts, Dino Monoxelos and Emerson Cardenas (pictured with Dale Titus).

From the Artist to the ZX, every Kingston model was played and praised, and we had a great time at BPL!

Bassist Emerson Cardenas is one hard working musician! Seen in this picture playing in Germany with Carlos Santana, Emerson has also performed with the Salvador Santana Band, Haiku de'tat, Aceyalone, Micah 9, Abstract Tribe Unique, and Kbrandow. Emerson could play any bass in the world and he chooses to play MTD Kingston basses!

If you are not familiar with Emerson, read on:

Hawaiian born Emerson Cardenas is a San Francisco State University Music Alumni and Bass Institute of Technology (BIT) Graduate. Emerson plays electric and acoustic basses and his influences include Duke Ellington’s Jimmie Blanton, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Aston “ Family Man” Barrett, Al McKibbon, Billy Cox, Sid Vicious, Bootsy Collins, Willie Weeks, Cliff Burton, James Jamerson, Benny Rietveld, and too many more to name. When not involved in music, Emerson enjoys spending time with family and friends. His hobbies include bicycling, swimming, skateboarding, and laughing.