Fingerstyle runs, heavy
slapping, and chords sound
big and have a harmonically
rich sustain that rivals some
neck-through designs.
cranked both volume controls and had the
tone rolled halfway off, which summoned
a tight, focused sound that would be at
home on modern rock records. It’s a tone
that works exceptionally with the tight and
responsive low-B string. On 5-string basses
the low B can sometimes feel a bit loose and
buzzy, but even with the most aggressive
runs, the Saratoga’s low B sounds pure and
big. For you players that love to ride the low
D, you will be right at home.
The Saratoga’s neck pickup is punchy,
yet subdued, smooth, and natural. The
bridge pickup sometimes sounded a little
thin when I turned the tone knob up to
any significant extent. But this lack of girth
translated to a high-mid definition that
would have a place in any funk outfit. With
the tone rolled almost all the way back,
however, the bridge pickup was more at
home, with just the right combination of
bite and smoother sounds that would make
it at home in a rock or pop situation.
Overall, the Saratoga is surprisingly
capable of spanning tonal spectrums.
Fundamentally it’s not quite as round in
tone as I would prefer, but it’s rarely out of
place, regardless of style. With a little experimenting, you can dial in a solid sound
that suits your style. My favorite tones were
derived by using the neck pickup—usually
dialed up to 10—with the bridge volume
and tone knob at the halfway point. It
proved to be the Saratoga’s sweet spot in
terms of warmth and attack for my fingers.
It’s worth noting that when I ran the
Saratoga direct through my recording rig,
the bass was exceptionally quiet—probably
thanks in part to a shielded pickup compartment—and I couldn’t help but think
that this bass would be right at home with
a bassist or guitar player in need of a good
recording bass that won’t break the bank.
The Verdict The MTD Saratoga proves that lower sticker prices don’t necessarily mean a less-playable bass. It has a distinct character and
personality even if it falls short of delivering
vintage J-bass tones. And its mix of familiar
J-bass-style features and newer conveniences
like the Buzz Feiten tuning system add up
to an exceptionally practical instrument
and, at around $500, a great value. But
whether this is your first bass or an instrument you intend to use regularly on stage
and in the studio, it’s a bass that can be useful and inspiring for years to come.
Rating:
Buy If...
you’re on the lookout for a wide-rang-
ing, versatile, and value-priced bass
Skip If...
you’re on the prowl for the most
vintage-flavored tones possible.
Michael Tobias
Design
Street $499
mtdkingston.com
or use a mobile device to download
audio examples of the bass at
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