Considering buying MTD Kingston Lefty-- Buzz Feiten Tuning Concerns

[alaskaleftybass]

Greetings, TB'ers. I've been on the prowl for a new lefty bass. My preference is a fast 38mm maple fretboard neck, slim stained body, MusicMan pickup. I found an MTD Kingston lefty amber colored bass/maple fretboard/MusicMan style pickup. I absolutely love the look and love MusicMan style pickups. However, it has the Buzz Feiten Tuning system. I will have to flip the nut around and restring the lefty right handed. I know, screwy right? Hey, it's how I learned! Anyway, I'm not sure how it will all work out but I really love the fast necks and fast necks in maple are hard to find.

Anyone been using the Buzz Feiten System, and what do you think of it? I'd like to get the bass, the only thing throwing me off is the Zero nut and Buzz Feiten tuning system. I don't know how to compensate for intonation, etc. like everyone's talking about.

Will the nut be anything weird or hard to work with? I know Ibanez nuts are 38mm and so is this one. I think an Ibanez SR 38mm nut would fit on this bass. Here's the bass I'm looking at:

Thanks to anyone who chimes in-- greatly appreciated!

 

[lug]

No expert but from what I remember, the Buzz Feiten nut just overhangs the fretboard a tiny bit and doesn't effect the nut cut. I think just replacing it with a "normal" nut would work fine.

 

[Sid the Kid]

Since there is a zero fret the Buzz F tuning system may be off anyways. If there is any audible difference in intonation after the nut flip and proper setup it will be miniscule. On my Buzz F basses the nut was "compensated" a bit like a modern Musicman. I always thought it was a gimmick built in to high quality imports.

If it turns out that you can hear these microtonal differences in your intonation, then you should consider fretless.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Thanks everyone! What kind of basses are you playing with the BF?

 

[Sid the Kid]

Mine was a Washburn from Indonesia.

Made little/no difference if I recall correctly.