I actually prefer the more aggressive tone from the stock pickups, which surprised me. Favourite configurations were solo Bridge pickup in parallel and both pickups in single coil. Great video!
The stock pickups sound surprisingly good! But the upgraded Barts seem to have a nice, warm low mid bump and reduces the harshness/brittleness of the original pickups. Ends up sounding more even - maybe even a bit compressed with the Barts. Both options sound great though.
I got a Black one with the maple board about 2 weeks ago and it's AWESOME!!!! The tonal versatility and playability are incredible and it's becoming my favorite bass to play and I like the MTD strings as well!!!! I'm debating if I should get the upgraded pickups and electronics but I'm not sure if it's needed and worth the extra money! This is my first MTD bass and I am very, very impressed!
I modded mine with a Bart preamp which was a definite improvement for me. In terms of the pickups - I think the demo demonstrates perfectly what difference you will get. For me the stock pickups have a bit more of a scooped Musicman sound, and the Barts (I have DL5CBCs) are more hifi and focused. I also modified the switches to remove series, but I now have 2 single coil options per pickup, as well as parallel. Interestingly for any nerds like me - the Bart pickups magnets are not where they are on stock pickups, but closer to the pickup edges (confirmed with magpaper). EDIT: I swap between stock and Bart pickups every few months, takes about 20 minutes (but you have to be semi-skilled with a soldering iron !).
I've always loved the warmth and depth of Bartolinis, still do here. The original also sounds great and certainly would be great ax. Given the choice, I'll take the Bartolini version. Thanks Lobster Man for another great comparison.
Thanks Ox! I'm with you. Both sound great but the barts extra smidge of clarity and depth makes it better to my ears, but not decisively so. Slapped, I liked the stock electronics more
Upgrades provided more clarity note-wise I felt like shifting on the stock was louder, the upgraded bass also had a more deep creamy timbre having them side by side really elucidates the differences great review!
I think when you first reviewed these basses I liked the stock bass tones more but with this review I like the Bart’s just a little more. That being said it is not nice enough that I would pay for this upgrade. So the stock wins for me. Great video.
I actually prefer the airy overall tone of the stock bass. The pickups are just more focused on the upgrade but they sound identical. Not worth the upgrade!
OMG. Tone Monsters. I gonna get a modified Super 5. I think it a lil more versatile and refined ,However would be quiet happy and satisfied with the Stock. Both are excellent🤗😊😎Lobster could you also review One of the. Kingston MTD AG Models and the MTD Kingston ZX5 which MTD calls. Bridge Basses( Between the USA& Import( Kingston)Lines. Your reviews are For Real For Real👍👍👍👍👍👍
That was another great video. After listening to you, the thing I am most inclined to change on my stock MTD Super 5 is the strings. I especially do not like the tone of the stock G string in slapping situations. As for the electronics, I am inclined to keep the $752 in my pocket and enjoy the slightly more aggressive stock electronics.
That was quite the video. Lots of jamming bro. The stock unit has lots of clarity and clank. It does not lose the bottom tone too much. The modified model has a wider range of tone and there is no clank. It does get a little muddy on the bottom end. But it may be a deeper, cleaner bottom end. I'm not sure which one I like better. I'm sure each of the aesthetics could be accounted for with the tweak of a knob, or flip of a switch. Good job Mr. Lobster. My mind is blown again. 🤯
Tough call for me, I like both sounds honestly. If I REALLY has to choose though, I guess I'd go with the modded one. I am a big fan of Bartolini pickups, love that slightly warmer tone and the "blacked out" look is just killer on that Super 5. Great comparison video!
Been waiting for this one!! Gunna try to be in discord more often I kinda forgot about it lol 🤦♂️ I really want one of these!! It’s either one of these or a dingwall next difficult decision lol
I think they both sound great! But one thing worth considering - at least for me - is that the pole pieces are covered with the pickup upgrade. I like to use humbucker pickups like a ramp and let my fingers drag across them sometimes. When you have exposed pole pieces, that will sometimes cause noise from your fingers to come through. You may be able to get covers that will fit the pickups from a 3rd party, or have them custom made, but just something to consider.
The more I watch this video the more I prefer the stock pickups and preamp which seem to have more growl and bite!!!! I'm pretty sure that I'm going to get one of these very soon!!!
I've had my Super 5 for a couple months now and I've had the US pickups and preamp just waiting for me to install. This comparison has me considering just getting a second Super 5. They're both amazing and the stock preamp has tons of umph to it. My favorite pickup blend is neck single with bridge parallel. Stands out in the mix really well and has a great full tone.
@@jeffreychatman4376 I don't know how to answer that.... I play about 4-5hrs a day and rotate between this and a 4string bass but the super sees bulk of the playing. Battery is still good. I've never had battery issues in any bass as far as burning them out.
@@daltonbell2907 I've listened to the demo a few times. On my home theater, studio monitors, head phone monitors, truck stereo system, and closed back headphone monitors. The Bartolini upgrades seem to hit harder and the notes are noticeably clearer. They have the darker Bartolini sound that I associate them with. I would say swapping the preamp would be the best move and worth the extra money. The pickups however I would say is all a matter of taste.
@@rl-ub9hx I agree Rob, I did say the upgrade made the bass more focused sounding and clearer but I prefer the airy sound of the stock setup, much like some Aguilar pickups that has that open airy tone.
Never was a Bartolini fan. But 4 some reason; they sound great here. If I had my way I would I install Nordstrand MM pickups with a John East U retro preamp. But that’s ME.😌🎶👍🏾
Ah, now I am stuck. Was looking to upgrade the pickups on my Kingston super 5, now I'm not to sure. The Bart's sound more focused but I do love the sound of mine as it is.....I actually might leave it alone after all
Single coil neck pickup sounds best, to me (as it always does). Would be lovely to have a simplified setup with just a single coil pickup in the neck position, but have the same active circuitry. I should add the stock sounds better than the custom mod. To me, of course.
Stock pickups remind me a bit of the MEC humbuckers in my Warwick Corvette $$ 5. Lots of bite and some added distortion that results in a more aggressive sound. Cuts through a mix really well, and is really helpful for rock music (but sounds great for other styles too). The bartolinis sound more refined and tame, with a nice depth and richness.
I wouldn't be surprised if this bass was made in the same facility in China that produces the Warwick Rockbass line, which is of similar price range. Based on the interview Lobster had with Mike it sounded like the manufacturer in China has been producing basses for pretty well know brands for awhile.
Those two sounds are also the ones I prefer. In most settings, I prefer the cleaner sounding modified, but with both pickups in single-coil mode, I preferred the stock pickups. Their bite was just right there, but too peaky for my taste in other settings.
It is a bit difficult to judge but I am not really a fan of Bartolinis. I have a bass with them and they are a bit too bright. But they do sound great here. I would take either one, but preferably the stock pickups with the lighter hardware.(if possible). The stock one is closer to a Stingray IMHO and I love that sound.
nice, a white upgraded super 5 would be ideal for me :D, although I like the other super 5 headstock, which I think is the non Kingston version but anyways XD, great video bro :)
Awesome comparison! I’m wondering if stock-vs-upgrade is the case of “you can subtract, but you can add”? I’ll elaborate: Upgrade does sound milder and more gentle. I do like to have an option for less subdued sound - when I want it. So - with upgrades: do they add something that just cannot be emulated with the stock by, say, playing with eq etc.?
The difference in tone was pretty subtle. Great bass but on the fence about how I feel about the fingerstyle tone; I love the bridge slap tone but the fingerstyle was a little muddy to my ear but still a wonderful bass.
Hi Lobster, Great video 👍🏼 How about the stock one with a John east preamp ? I like the bite of the stock one and the more tonal options of the mod one. Wish the stock one had a better preamp.😊
What in your opinion are the best strings to use on the Super5? I'm kind of a novice on string type I have a set of the original strings, but would like to explore different types
Excellent comparison video..strangely the sound of the stock'was surprisingly 'almost equal to the stock...but my choice would be the modified 'because with tweaking that modified would blow the stock away...the modified is my choice
Not gonna lie, I generally think Barts are too tame in most cases and this is no exception. They have clarity and richness but no presence compared to the stock pups. Barts always sound rather subdued and "reigned in" which is why I steer clear of them. Those generic stock pups sound awesome though! Nice bite to them.
The entire video I was thinking that I want at least one of those basses to be fretless with a maple fingerboard. I can hear the increased sweetness already....
Duuuude get out of my head! I have been pondering that quite a bit. I have a burst super 5 on order and will be doing the US upgrade.... kind of tempted to see if they'll make it fretless for me.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I actually prefer the more aggressive tone from the stock pickups, which surprised me.
Favourite configurations were solo Bridge pickup in parallel and both pickups in single coil. Great video!
I also prefer the more aggressive stock pickups!
Same
Same on the stock. Tobias knows what he was doing. Sounds great
@@joequint But the upgrade were also an option by MTD
So maybe they dont know what they r upgrading?
The stock pickups sound surprisingly good! But the upgraded Barts seem to have a nice, warm low mid bump and reduces the harshness/brittleness of the original pickups. Ends up sounding more even - maybe even a bit compressed with the Barts. Both options sound great though.
I got a Black one with the maple board about 2 weeks ago and it's AWESOME!!!! The tonal versatility and playability are incredible and it's becoming my favorite bass to play and I like the MTD strings as well!!!! I'm debating if I should get the upgraded pickups and electronics but I'm not sure if it's needed and worth the extra money! This is my first MTD bass and I am very, very impressed!
I modded mine with a Bart preamp which was a definite improvement for me. In terms of the pickups - I think the demo demonstrates perfectly what difference you will get. For me the stock pickups have a bit more of a scooped Musicman sound, and the Barts (I have DL5CBCs) are more hifi and focused. I also modified the switches to remove series, but I now have 2 single coil options per pickup, as well as parallel. Interestingly for any nerds like me - the Bart pickups magnets are not where they are on stock pickups, but closer to the pickup edges (confirmed with magpaper).
EDIT: I swap between stock and Bart pickups every few months, takes about 20 minutes (but you have to be semi-skilled with a soldering iron !).
I've always loved the warmth and depth of Bartolinis, still do here. The original also sounds great and certainly would be great ax. Given the choice, I'll take the Bartolini version. Thanks Lobster Man for another great comparison.
Thanks Ox! I'm with you. Both sound great but the barts extra smidge of clarity and depth makes it better to my ears, but not decisively so. Slapped, I liked the stock electronics more
Upgrades provided more clarity note-wise I felt like shifting on the stock was louder, the upgraded bass also had a more deep creamy timbre having them side by side really elucidates the differences great review!
I think when you first reviewed these basses I liked the stock bass tones more but with this review I like the Bart’s just a little more. That being said it is not nice enough that I would pay for this upgrade. So the stock wins for me. Great video.
MTD makes some nice Basses, I have had three Artist, a Heir and a Andrew Gouche, all Kingston series
I actually prefer the airy overall tone of the stock bass. The pickups are just more focused on the upgrade but they sound identical. Not worth the upgrade!
I'm so glad you did this comparison. I'm considering purchasing the mod. Your presentation is greatly appreciated!
After careful consideration, the MOD would be my choice.I love those Bartolini Pickups.
OMG. Tone Monsters. I gonna get a modified Super 5. I think it a lil more versatile and refined ,However would be quiet happy and satisfied with the Stock. Both are excellent🤗😊😎Lobster could you also review One of the. Kingston MTD AG Models and the MTD Kingston ZX5 which MTD calls. Bridge Basses( Between the USA& Import( Kingston)Lines. Your reviews are For Real For Real👍👍👍👍👍👍
That was another great video. After listening to you, the thing I am most inclined to change on my stock MTD Super 5 is the strings. I especially do not like the tone of the stock G string in slapping situations. As for the electronics, I am inclined to keep the $752 in my pocket and enjoy the slightly more aggressive stock electronics.
That satin black finish with the maple fretboard, has to be the coolest looking basses I've seen in years.
That was quite the video. Lots of jamming bro. The stock unit has lots of clarity and clank. It does not lose the bottom tone too much. The modified model has a wider range of tone and there is no clank. It does get a little muddy on the bottom end. But it may be a deeper, cleaner bottom end. I'm not sure which one I like better. I'm sure each of the aesthetics could be accounted for with the tweak of a knob, or flip of a switch. Good job Mr. Lobster. My mind is blown again. 🤯
Tough call for me, I like both sounds honestly. If I REALLY has to choose though, I guess I'd go with the modded one. I am a big fan of Bartolini pickups, love that slightly warmer tone and the "blacked out" look is just killer on that Super 5. Great comparison video!
The Mod version sounds incredible. 👌🏿
Nice editing. In time for days!
Thank you!
Been waiting for this one!! Gunna try to be in discord more often I kinda forgot about it lol 🤦♂️ I really want one of these!! It’s either one of these or a dingwall next difficult decision lol
I think they both sound great! But one thing worth considering - at least for me - is that the pole pieces are covered with the pickup upgrade. I like to use humbucker pickups like a ramp and let my fingers drag across them sometimes. When you have exposed pole pieces, that will sometimes cause noise from your fingers to come through. You may be able to get covers that will fit the pickups from a 3rd party, or have them custom made, but just something to consider.
Thanks Lobster. Thats the 5 string bass Ive been looking for.
The Barts win to my ear :)
Hi Lobster, both sound really good. To be honest, I don't feel you need to upgrade. ✌️
I'd love to get one of these with the upgraded pre and a set of nordstrand bigsplitman pickups
Both are amazing! The stock is definitely more articulate but that’s the pickups! The Barts are more round with the articulation
Both sound GREAT!!!! I'd give the edge to the upgraded bass but would be more than happy with the stock bass!!!
Nice review, thanks for sharing 😃
I think the right preamp might be an Audere Pro Z but there are so many to choose from.
The more I watch this video the more I prefer the stock pickups and preamp which seem to have more growl and bite!!!! I'm pretty sure that I'm going to get one of these very soon!!!
If you had to choose between the MTD stock and the Dingwall stock, wich one would you choose? Since both are chinese manufactured bass I'm curious.
I've had my Super 5 for a couple months now and I've had the US pickups and preamp just waiting for me to install. This comparison has me considering just getting a second Super 5. They're both amazing and the stock preamp has tons of umph to it.
My favorite pickup blend is neck single with bridge parallel. Stands out in the mix really well and has a great full tone.
I honestly don't think the upgrade is worth it.
I'm considering buying one of these and keeping it stock. What's the battery life in the preamp with normal play?
@@jeffreychatman4376 I don't know how to answer that.... I play about 4-5hrs a day and rotate between this and a 4string bass but the super sees bulk of the playing. Battery is still good. I've never had battery issues in any bass as far as burning them out.
@@daltonbell2907 I've listened to the demo a few times. On my home theater, studio monitors, head phone monitors, truck stereo system, and closed back headphone monitors. The Bartolini upgrades seem to hit harder and the notes are noticeably clearer. They have the darker Bartolini sound that I associate them with.
I would say swapping the preamp would be the best move and worth the extra money. The pickups however I would say is all a matter of taste.
@@rl-ub9hx I agree Rob, I did say the upgrade made the bass more focused sounding and clearer but I prefer the airy sound of the stock setup, much like some Aguilar pickups that has that open airy tone.
Never was a Bartolini fan. But 4 some reason; they sound great here. If I had my way I would I install Nordstrand MM pickups with a John East U retro preamp. But that’s ME.😌🎶👍🏾
Ah, now I am stuck. Was looking to upgrade the pickups on my Kingston super 5, now I'm not to sure. The Bart's sound more focused but I do love the sound of mine as it is.....I actually might leave it alone after all
Single coil neck pickup sounds best, to me (as it always does). Would be lovely to have a simplified setup with just a single coil pickup in the neck position, but have the same active circuitry. I should add the stock sounds better than the custom mod. To me, of course.
Stock pickups remind me a bit of the MEC humbuckers in my Warwick Corvette $$ 5. Lots of bite and some added distortion that results in a more aggressive sound. Cuts through a mix really well, and is really helpful for rock music (but sounds great for other styles too). The bartolinis sound more refined and tame, with a nice depth and richness.
I wouldn't be surprised if this bass was made in the same facility in China that produces the Warwick Rockbass line, which is of similar price range. Based on the interview Lobster had with Mike it sounded like the manufacturer in China has been producing basses for pretty well know brands for awhile.
Those two sounds are also the ones I prefer. In most settings, I prefer the cleaner sounding modified, but with both pickups in single-coil mode, I preferred the stock pickups. Their bite was just right there, but too peaky for my taste in other settings.
It is a bit difficult to judge but I am not really a fan of Bartolinis. I have a bass with them and they are a bit too bright. But they do sound great here. I would take either one, but preferably the stock pickups with the lighter hardware.(if possible). The stock one is closer to a Stingray IMHO and I love that sound.
nice, a white upgraded super 5 would be ideal for me :D, although I like the other super 5 headstock, which I think is the non Kingston version but anyways XD, great video bro :)
They are both fire 🔥
Wow lovely basses. Think I prefer the snarky tones of the unmodified.. Close call though.
I preferred the modded version, but wouldn't be disappointed with stock.
Lobster how so these MTDs measure up to your FGNs?
Awesome comparison!
I’m wondering if stock-vs-upgrade is the case of “you can subtract, but you can add”?
I’ll elaborate:
Upgrade does sound milder and more gentle.
I do like to have an option for less subdued sound - when I want it.
So - with upgrades: do they add something that just cannot be emulated with the stock by, say, playing with eq etc.?
The difference in tone was pretty subtle. Great bass but on the fence about how I feel about the fingerstyle tone; I love the bridge slap tone but the fingerstyle was a little muddy to my ear but still a wonderful bass.
Hi Lobster,
Great video 👍🏼
How about the stock one with a John east preamp ?
I like the bite of the stock one and the more tonal options of the mod one.
Wish the stock one had a better preamp.😊
..... Damn that's a really good idea.
Great video
Idk if its meee , some sort of placebo effect or something else but the bartollini sounds way more "growly", loved it , really dig both to be honest
This vs Warwick corvette rockbass? Hmmm.. 19mm spacing is something else though!
Bravo! 👍🏻💪🏻
I like the polepiece ones. the black ones idk. but otherwise great sounding bass. i missed out on getting a similar ones used. 😢
Dude, nice shirt!
I’m not changing mine, my stock Kingston super 5 sounds more beefy, both sounds good, but the stock has the edge.
Definitely a good example of how regardless what bass they’re in, barts sound like barts.
Hi, just wanted to know how do you have your amp configured?
Great video! I'd go for the original for fingerstyle, but I'll take the modified for slap. Can I get both? :-D
What in your opinion are the best strings to use on the Super5? I'm kind of a novice on string type I have a set of the original strings, but would like to explore different types
Excellent comparison video..strangely the sound of the stock'was surprisingly 'almost equal to the stock...but my choice would be the modified 'because with tweaking that modified would blow the stock away...the modified is my choice
Both sound great but like others I think I prefer the stock setup. 🤔
I like the stock pickups but not the preamp.
yup! And costs like an cast iron bridge
Not gonna lie, I generally think Barts are too tame in most cases and this is no exception. They have clarity and richness but no presence compared to the stock pups. Barts always sound rather subdued and "reigned in" which is why I steer clear of them. Those generic stock pups sound awesome though! Nice bite to them.
Killer comparison! I prefer the stock tone!
I removed that stock preamp from my MTD Kingston Artist
Stock are nice but Bartolini is the winner for me
Today I realized that Andrew and Napoleon might be the same guy
The entire video I was thinking that I want at least one of those basses to be fretless with a maple fingerboard.
I can hear the increased sweetness already....
Duuuude get out of my head! I have been pondering that quite a bit. I have a burst super 5 on order and will be doing the US upgrade.... kind of tempted to see if they'll make it fretless for me.
@@LowEndLobster Oh ho ho ho, fretless…(Homer Simpson voice over)
Very nice sound the same but the mods r a nice touch.
The Barts took it for me..
funk jam in key of A concert
Nice shirt
I prefer the modified, but it’s very close.
The Bartolinis are richer in tone, they have more pronounced mids. I prefer them than the stock ones.
Not much difference in my hear test. Very subtle
Kingston Super 5 Stock mas Brillo..... Kingston Super 5 Modified mas Ponch
Stock sounds better