The new MTD Kingston CRB and Saratoga basses have just arrived at Dana B. Goods! After individual inspection is completed we will be shipping them out to dealers across the USA.

We have not experienced the kind of buzz that is surrounding Michael Tobias' new babies before. Players are extremely interested in playing this classic, passive basses. Pre-orders are incredibly strongs - so much so that we have already placed several replenishment orders.

Be sure to ask your MTD Kingston dealer when they are getting their CRB and Saratogas in stock!

7/9/10 - Max Bennett LIVE!

Sometimes there are things called "Happy Accidents." Due to a misunderstanding in manufacturing, we recently received 24 Heir basses in a transparent black finish, which is not a color that we have ever had before. The transparent black finish really brings out the flame in the body wood, making the grain look more intense. Simply put, the basses look amazing! In fact, they look so amazing that when Sam Ash saw them they fell in love, immediately buying 21 of the 24 that we got in.

Many of the most valuable collectors' guitars are ones with similar stories like the transparent black Heir. Initially seen as a mistake, the instrument later becomes highly sought after due to its uniqueness. The same thing could definitely happen with this rare Heir!

If you want to get one of these "Happy Accidents", contact Sam Ash as soon as possible!

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.

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

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

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.”


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


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


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


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!

We have been getting several emails asking for the preferred set-up instructions for MTD Kingston basses, so we went to the source to get the answer, Michael Tobias himself! Keep in mind that every player has his or her own playing technique, so you will probably need to tweak the set-up suggestions to best fit your style.

Setting up your MTD Kingston bass by Michael Tobias

Optimal set up is individual but I generally use the low B or E as a straight edge, holding it down at the 1st and 16th fret and adjusting the truss rod until there is about .010 - .015 space between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the string.

Then I adjust the high string so that it is 1/16 (2/32, 1.5mm) from the top of the last fret. I check for buzzing...if that is good then I adjust the rest of the strings following the curvature of the fingerboard and moving them up slightly until the low B is at 3/32 or about 2.5 mm.

The rest depends on your technique and attack. If you have a lighter touch you can get away with a lower action if you want. If you have a harder attack you will need to raise the action to keep the strings from buzzing.

Pick up heights are generally set by holding down the outside strings at the 24th fret and raising or lowering the bridge pick up to about 3/16 under the strings, top parallel to the strings when loose. Then I use the blend pot to raise or lower the neck pick up to match the output.

Buzz Feiten Tuning System Instructions

These tuning instructions are only applicable to MTD basses that include the Buzz FeitenTuning System. Luckily, all MTD Kingston basses come with the zero fret installed. These tuning instructions are only applicable to electronic tuners that include the Buzz Feiten Tuning System. Currently, this includes Peterson Tuners, starting with the VSI up to all current models; Planet Waves Tru-Strobe Tuners with Buzz Feiten
Tuning System; and Korg DT-7. With one of these tuners you can do the following:

When I string a bass or guitar with new strings, I usually stretch them for a bit before doing BFTS intonation…..play for about ½ hour or put them on and leave them overnight. Make sure the neck is set like you want and that the action is also set the way you like it. Tune the bass to pitch using the tuner.

Match the:

F string open at pitch against the F at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
C string open at pitch against the C at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
G string open at pitch against the G at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
D string open at pitch against the D at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
A string open at pitch against the A at the 12th fret 1 cent sharp
E string open at pitch against the B at the 7th fret 1 cent sharp
B string open at pitch against the F# at the 7th fret 1 cent sharp

If the note is sharp, that means the saddle is too close to the 12th fret, if it is flat then it is too far away.