MTD 535 Ash/Walnut/Maple/Maple

[bass12]

Specs:

- Ash body
- Burl walnut top
- Maple neck
- Bird's eye maple fingerboard
- 21 frets
- 9.8 lbs
- Luminlay position markers

So, here's the story. I bought this bass just under a year ago from Mike Tobias. Originally it had an ash neck/maple fingerboard. I decided I wasn't as happy with the ash neck as I'd hoped and recently had Mike build and install a new neck (maple/maple). I definitely prefer the sound of the bass now but I've come to the conclusion that I'm more of a wenge guy than I am a maple guy fingerboard-wise, so up for sale this baby goes. The bass is in excellent condition - no significant dings or blemishes of any kind, and the neck/fingerboard is pristine. This bass hasn't seen any "shipping" time, as I personally picked up and dropped off the bass directly from/to Mike in Kingston New York. I'm very "anal retentive" regarding the treatment of my instruments. Because Mike didn't have access to the same piece of walnut he'd originally used, the headstock veneer doesn't exactly match the body top. This doesn't bother me but I thought I'd mention it.

$3000 plus shipping (Canada or U.S. - no overseas). Ships in an MTD HSC (though not the Hygrometer version, in case you're wondering ). No trade offers please - I have another 535 in the works with Mike and the sale of this bass will help ease the pain! Feel free to PM me with any questions.







No, the neck isn't stained - that's a rainbow coming through the window

[Lucky Strike]

Oh man.

[thomasjbass]

Wow, that is a beautiful MTD.

[metallutca]

That is one gorgeous MTD!
What is it that you don't like about the ash neck? Why is a maple neck more to your preference?

[TETO BASS]

THE PERFECT BASS......

[Alphaman]

OMG, had this exact build and sold it. Gives me nightmares every night.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by metallutca

That is one gorgeous MTD!
What is it that you don't like about the ash neck? Why is a maple neck more to your preference?

My impression of the ash neck was that it had a slightly "grindy" or "growly" edge to the sound. That sound can work fantastically but I prefer a bass tone that is a little less aggressive. The maple mellowed the tone a bit and, to my ears, sounds a bit "rounder". Both are great necks, it's just a question of what tickles your ear more.

[metallutca]

Originally Posted by bass12

My impression of the ash neck was that it had a slightly "grindy" or "growly" edge to the sound. That sound can work fantastically but I prefer a bass tone that is a little less aggressive. The maple mellowed the tone a bit and, to my ears, sounds a bit "rounder". Both are great necks, it's just a question of what tickles your ear more.

Thanks for the explanation
Now if only your bass is a 24 fretter...

[TETO BASS]

i want to have 3000 and the shipping to buy this bass ..... may be next month..
was to late...

[TETO BASS]

the video of the promo its very nice , and you are a very good bass player man congrats..

[bass12]

Originally Posted by TETO BASS

the video of the promo its very nice , and you are a very good bass player man congrats..

Ha-ha, thanks! I'm laughing because that's not actually me playing on the audio track! The guy responsible for the video/management of the band also recorded the music for the clip (he does all the sequencing as well). He's also the ex-bassist for that band and so he laid down the bass at his home studio (simply because it was easier that way). And the sound you're hearing on that clip is a Fender and/or synth bass, not the MTD that I'm "playing" on stage. The clips at Kebekomusic.com - Kebeko were, however, played by me (with the MTD when it had an ash neck). The recordings are demos, so they're not perfect! The sound there is straight to the board with just a tiny bit of compression added.

[metallutca]

Originally Posted by bass12

Ha-ha, thanks! I'm laughing because that's not actually me playing on the audio track! The guy responsible for the video/management of the band also recorded the music for the clip (he does all the sequencing as well). He's also the ex-bassist for that band and so he laid down the bass at his home studio (simply because it was easier that way). And the sound you're hearing on that clip is a Fender and/or synth bass, not the MTD that I'm "playing" on stage. The clips at Kebekomusic.com - Kebeko were, however, played by me (with the MTD when it had an ash neck). The recordings are demos, so they're not perfect! The sound there is straight to the board with just a tiny bit of compression added.

Well, that bass sound great! The songs were very nice too. Good luck with the sale

[bass12]

Originally Posted by metallutca

Well, that bass sound great! The songs were very nice too. Good luck with the sale

Thank you!

[roadkill2309]

For what it's worth, I got to play this bass for a while recently and immediately tried to sell my sister for the funds. It's a very nice bass and well worth the price.

[bass12]

Thanks or the plug, roadkill!

[bass12]

"I'll pay half the shipping costs" bump.

[bassgruvn]

This is the MTD I would build for sure. Lovely bass.
GLWS

[bass12]

Sold.