Markbass distributors Proel International have announced the UK launch of MTD Kingston bass guitars — a range of affordable bass guitars designed in the USA by bass legend, Mike Tobias.
According to Proel, Tobias, who has been one of the world's leading bass-guitar designers since the 1970s, created the MTD Kingston series of basses, "to share many of the same design elements and qualities of his handmade American basses, but at a much lower price, achieved by careful manufacture, to Tobias' specifications, in the Far East."
3 Models available
Three MTD Kingston ranges are immediately available — the Artist series, the Heir and the KZ.
In common, the three designs share unique MTD quick-release bridges, 24 medium-jumbo frets, one-piece asymmetrical necks, twin truss rods, zero frets (for precise intonation), shielded electronic components, ergonomically carved bodies and the renowned Buzz Feiten tuning system.
The entry level models in the MTD range are the Artist series basses, powered by two MTD Alnico exposed-pole pickups, wired to volume and three-band EQ controls, and featuring basswood bodies and Eastern hard rock-maple necks. They come in four- and five-string versions, with high-gloss Amber, Translucent Blue or Translucent Cherry finishes. Prices range from £530 for a four-string Artist in Translucent Cherry or Black, to £642 for a five-string version in Amber.
The Heir series basses come with single humbuckers in the bridge position and a J-style pickup at the neck, with Ash bodies, Eastern hard rock-maple necks and flamed-maple tops in Translucent Cherry, Translucent Black or Tobacco Sunburst, with prices ranging from £794 for a four-string version (a fretless model is offered at the same price) to £924 for a luxurious five-string Heir in Tobacco Sunburst.
At the top of the range is the MTD KZ series, constructed using high-quality, mahogany cores and impressively adorned with burled maple tops. Proel say the KZ basses marry beauty with unparalleled performance from twin wood-covered 'soap bar' pickups wired to five controls, including a three-band EQ. Again available in four- and five-string models, with a single fretless option, the colour choices for this boutique-style bass run from Burled Maple, through Natural Gloss and Translucent Cherry to Tobacco Sunburst. Prices range from £1093 for a four-string KZ, through to £1117 for a five-string model.
Proel International +44 (0)20 8761 9911
www.proelint.com
