The first thing I like to do with any electric
guitar or bass is take a dry run without an
amp. This bass is remarkably smooth and
easy to play, so right out of the gate fingerstyle runs, heavy slapping, and chords
sounded big and harmonically rich with
a sustain that rivals some neck-through
designs I’ve played.
Those accustomed to narrower 5-string
necks might find the neck width and the
19mm string spacing a bit wide. That said,
the MTD’s neck doesn’t have the garage
door feel of some 5-strings out there, and
the asymmetrical neck carve is generally
quite comfortable and smooth. The neck’s
low profile makes playing this bass a breeze,
but if you are used to a thicker neck, you
may have to make some adjustments.
The Saratoga’s electronics are built
around two passive J-bass-style pickups, two
volume controls, and a passive tone control.
To test its amplified tones, I ran the Saratoga
through a Warwick CCL 210 Combo
with the EQ flat. For the first go-round, I
So Fine.
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