Video: MTD Wipes the Slate Clean: Inside the All-New Kingston Bass Line

At NAMM 2026 I caught up with DJ from MTD Kingston, and the big takeaway was simple. The Kingston line has been completely rebuilt. Not tweaked. Not expanded. Rebuilt.

DJ told me they wiped the slate clean with the exception of a couple of established signature models, and everything else in the lineup is brand new. The goal was to bring the Kingston instruments closer in feel and intent to the USA MTD basses while keeping them accessible to working players.

One of the biggest changes is in materials. Alder bodies are now standard on many models, paired with roasted maple necks. That roasted maple shows up everywhere and for good reason. It adds stability, resonance, and that broken in feel right out of the case. Hardware has been updated as well, with finishes and appointments clearly inspired by the USA instruments.

Electronics also got serious attention. New pickup options, revised switching, and proprietary Bartolini preamps are used throughout the line. DJ spent time explaining how their preamps are voiced with narrower frequency bands so turning everything up does more than just get louder. It actually shapes the tone in a musical way.

There are upgraded options available too, including USA pickups, preamps, and Hipshot hardware. In DJ’s words, close your eyes and you might think you are playing a USA bass.

The new Kingston models are available to order now, with shipments expected later this spring. If you are waiting on a long USA build time but still want that MTD feel, this new Kingston lineup makes a very strong case.