MTD Kingston Andrew Gouche AG-5: The Signature 5-String Bass That Refuses to Blend In
Picture this: stage lights hitting the smoky purple satin finish of your bass, the burled maple top flickering almost holographically as you slide into a groove. Heads turn before you play a note. But when you finally dig in—whether in a gospel church, a fusion club, or a modern studio session—the MTD Kingston Andrew Gouche AG-5 doesn’t just support the song. It fills the room.
Designed in collaboration with the legendary Andrew Gouché, this 5-string isn’t content to be another generic signature model. It's a purpose-built tool for bassists who want their sound to be as distinctive and uncompromising as their playing.
What Makes the AG-5 Different?
Forget marketing fluff. The AG-5’s features have been hand-picked and tested on real-world stages:
Key Features:
- Alder Body & Burled Maple Top: Light enough for long sets, delivering punch and warmth. The burled maple adds focus to the low end.
- Maple Neck, Purpleheart Fretboard: Solid feel, bright attack, and sustain. Smooth, durable fretboard.
- MTD Bartolini Soapbar Pickups & 3-Band Active Preamp: Voiced for clarity and range, allowing versatile tone shaping.
- Buzz Feiten Tuning System: Enhanced intonation across the fretboard.
- Hipshot Tuners & Carbon Fiber Truss Rods: Stable tuning and neck reliability.
- Other Specs: 35” scale length, 24 frets, approx. 11.25 lbs (substantial yet balanced).
How Does It Sound and Feel?
“All I care about is what it sounds like… and it sounds great.” That’s Jamie’s verdict from the YouTube demo, and it’s not just talk. Plugged in, the AG-5’s voice is modern and unapologetically hi-fi: deep, articulate, and able to sit or stand out in the mix as you wish.
Genre Snapshots:
- Modern Pop & R&B: Delivers a polished, mellow tone right away, easily tweaked for more bite or thump with the onboard EQ.
- Prog Metal: Surprisingly effective; rolling to the bridge pickup and pushing mids yields a focused tone that cuts through heavy guitars without losing definition.
- Pop Rock: Provides a full, dynamic sound with neck pickup warmth and enough presence for sparser arrangements.
The pickups are relatively low output. As a long-term owner notes, “I kind of like it being low output… means I can keep it similar to my P-bass and things.” If you’re running straight into an interface or a quiet amp, you might need to boost your gain—but you gain extra headroom and flexibility.
Hear the AG-5 in action in this hands-on YouTube demo:
Neck Profile & Playability: The Secret Weapon
Let’s cut to what really matters on a long gig: comfort. The AG-5’s asymmetrical neck profile is a revelation. As one player puts it:
"The biggest thing about this bass is the neck profile—what an A profile. The asymmetrical thing… it’s just such a great feel. I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t do it."
It’s slim where your hand needs speed, beefy enough for support, and flattens out up high for easy access. The 24th fret is genuinely reachable—no contortion required. After dozens of shows, users report the finish and hardware holding up with only minor tweaks, like the occasional pickup adjustment (quickly resolved by MTD’s responsive support).
Bonus: The luminous side dots are a gig-saver on dark stages. If you’ve ever fumbled for position while sight-reading, you’ll appreciate this detail.
Honest Critique: Who Is—and Isn’t—This Bass For?
The AG-5 is not an all-purpose chameleon. If you want the raw, snarling midrange of a classic Fender Jazz or P-bass, this isn’t it. As one owner says:
"It’s not as raw as a Fender and it won’t really replace the Fender… [but] it’s become one of my sounds."
The AG-5’s voice is broad, colorful, and fills out the mix rather than tucking into a narrow sonic lane. For gospel, R&B, modern pop, and fusion, it’s inspiring. For vintage rock? You might miss that signature bark.
Real-world quirks:
- The low output may mean extra pedal or interface gain, especially for recording.
- The pickups and preamp are voiced for clarity, not aggression—if you’re after pure grit, look elsewhere.
- The price tag ($2,249) reflects the craftsmanship, but may be a stretch for casual players.
Andrew Gouche MTD Bass Demo featuring Antoine "Tut" Stewart
Pros & Cons: No Nonsense
Pros
- Neck profile makes marathon gigs surprisingly comfortable.
- Smoky purple finish and burled maple top draw attention.
- Tonal versatility for gospel, jazz, pop, and fusion.
- Hardware and finish hold up under real gigging conditions.
- Responsive, musician-focused support from MTD.
- Excellent intonation via Buzz Feiten system.
- Luminous side dots for dark stages.
Cons
- Pickups are low output; may require gain adjustments.
- Not the ideal choice for raw, vintage rock tones.
- Premium price point.
- Minor hardware adjustments (like pickup height) may be needed over time.
- Heavier weight (around 11.25 lbs) might not suit everyone.
The Verdict: For Players Who Want to Stand Out
The MTD Kingston Andrew Gouche AG-5 isn’t for everyone. It’s for bassists who want their sound—and their instrument—to make a statement. It’s for musicians who need comfort and reliability, but won’t compromise on tone. And it’s for those who appreciate the details: a neck that feels sculpted for your hand, a finish that holds up to travel, electronics that offer more than just “loud.”
If your sound lives in the world of modern gospel, R&B, jazz, or genre-blending pop, the AG-5 will feel like it was built for you. But if you’re chasing classic rock thunder, keep looking—this bass is too unapologetically itself to pretend otherwise.
The Bottom Line: The AG-5 is a musician's instrument, built for comfort, distinctive tone, and stage presence. It's an investment in a unique voice, perfect for modern styles but not a vintage clone. If you can handle that honesty, you’ll find a partner for the long haul.