The "Official" MTD USA Thread (Part 8)

[BiigM]

No one has opinions about the strings i mentioned? :-)

[carlis]

Originally Posted by BiigM

No one has opinions about the strings i mentioned? :-)

What's the gauge of the lo-rider nickels you're using?

I've heard that these are too harsh to fingers, though I've never had a chance to try them out.

As a nickel string lover, I've tried, among others, DR Sunbeam, Lo-Rider (nickel), Sadowsky Blue Label Nickel, La Bella nickel, and of course, MTD Nickel strings.

Since Sunbeams (round-core version of Lo-riders) sound a bit on the darker side, I guess it's not surprising that Lo-riders sound relatively dark, too. That "darkness" in tone may sometimes be related to a "muddy" feeling, but it still sits very well in mix to my ears – you're playing a MTD after all!

MTD's nickels sound as perfectly as the SS version (on an aggressive side IIRC), though it won't last very long before the brightness disappears (mine becomes dull after one week's heavy playing).

Both Blue Label and La Bella are smooth and bright. You may want to check them out and give them a try if you love the tone of Lo-riders – they tend to more mid-focused, though.

For best clarity of a low B string, try .135, and you'll be surprised. Just my 2 cents...

[BiigM]

Thanks for answering :-)

The loriders i use are 45-130.

It's not that the b is unusable, it's just not as clear as on the nordy I sold. That one had sunbeams on. I would like the b to be clear enough to slap, and its not quite there.
Sunbeams are much brighter than loriders, so for my taste I think they will be to bright on the MTD.

And all the times I tried a 135 I felt I didn't balance with the rest very well.

Do the MTD nickel really die that fast compared to lorider nickels?

Any one else try both?

[Vic]

Originally Posted by BiigM

Thanks for answering :-)
...
Any one else try both?

Nope.

Just so you know you're not being ignored.

I just think a lot of people haven't tried the MTD nickels, and even fewer probably had the occasion to compare to the LoRiders. Mainly because at least IMHO, the stock strings that ship on these (MTD Stainless) sound so good to most folks.

FWIW anyway.

[carlis]

Originally Posted by Vic

Nope.

Just so you know you're not being ignored.

I just think a lot of people haven't tried the MTD nickels, and even fewer probably had the occasion to compare to the LoRiders. Mainly because at least IMHO, the stock strings that ship on these (MTD Stainless) sound so good to most folks.

FWIW anyway.

MTD stainless strings are the best, if not only, stainless strings I've ever used, period.

[LeonD]

I've been using DR Lo-riders on my other basses the last couple of years. My 434 came with MTD stainless lites which sound pretty good. This week, I should have a set of Lo-rider stainless and Lo-rider nickels coming.

I want to compare the two stainless sets to see how they match up. I also want to see what the nickel strings do to the natural bright nature of the bass. I'm not sure if it'll darken it up too much or not.

Has anyone compared MTD strings to DR Lo-riders?

[Vic]

Originally Posted by LeonD

I've been using DR Lo-riders on my other basses the last couple of years. My 434 came with MTD stainless lites which sound pretty good. This week, I should have a set of Lo-rider stainless and Lo-rider nickels coming.

I want to compare the two stainless sets to see how they match up. I also want to see what the nickel strings do to the natural bright nature of the bass. I'm not sure if it'll darken it up too much or not.

Has anyone compared MTD strings to DR Lo-riders?

For stainless, I have. LoRiders and HiBeams are pretty much my "go-to" strings as a general rule, BUT, on an MTD, I like the MTD stainless best. I'm not sure what it is exactly... something in the mid profile... just seems to sound a little "better" to me specifically on an MTD (which should make sense).

I've tried MTD steels on other basses and also liked them a lot, but still prefer other brands on other basses... again, mostly DR, but also the Sadowsky Blues these days too.

Other strings I like a LOT, but just maybe not quite as much... Dunlop, Dean Markley SR 2000's.

Just in general I haven't done a lot with nickels, but I love the slickery way they feel when I have played them.

[Avalon5]

BiigM hope this helps.

I have very limited experience with stainless strings, so my comments here are limited to Nickel strings only.

3 years ago I tried DR Lo-Rider 45--105-125 on a Warwick FNA 5, MM , ash body with ovangkol / wenge neck. The B died quickly so I put a single D'Addario 130 (XLB130) to replace the DR125. The 130 is very clear, more piano like.

I then tried Infeld 45-105 (IN345) to replace the rest of the 4 DR's. The Infeld's are now my favorite strings on any bass with MM and P pickups. Very rich in the mids and firm bass and I like the firm tension.

When I got my MTD 535 I asked for Nickel's from the start. They are MTD(STR5CM-N) 45--105-135X(exposed core B). They are 8 months old and I still love them. The tapered B has the same tonality or balance as the rest of the strings. Note, I normally turn the treble down at leased 1/2 or more and I do not slap very much.

I do not have any strong desire to try the Infeld's on the MTD but I would try them before the Lo-Riders. So I recommend the MTD nickel's on a MTD 535 and I would not try the DR Lo-riders on the MTD.

[tbone0813]

After much sucking up to the boss I have been given the green light on commissioning my first truly custom build. Mike and I have been emailing back and forth over the last couple of days and I think we are almost at a decision for the final build. After hearing THIS I realized this is the tone I have been hearing in my head for years.

Specs so far:

MTD 535
21 fret
Ash body with Walnut top
Ash neck with Birdseye Maple board
Walnut truss rod cover and peg head veneer
MTD World logo

I am also thinking about going with Walnut knobs.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

After much sucking up to the boss I have been given the green light on commissioning my first truly custom build. Mike and I have been emailing back and forth over the last couple of days and I think we are almost at a decision for the final build. After hearing THIS I realized this is the tone I have been hearing in my head for years.

Specs so far:

MTD 535
21 fret
Ash body with Walnut top
Ash neck with Birdseye Maple board
Walnut truss rod cover and peg head veneer
MTD World logo

I am also thinking about going with Walnut pup covers and knobs but I am undecided on that just yet.

Pretty much the 21 fret version of mine, with the possible exception of regular vs light weight ash (mine's light weight, which is not the usual thing for Mike). Quick question... how did you find out that's the kind of bass used in that kebeko video? I couldn't find on their site where one was mentioned or pictured (tho I didn't totally scour it)?

[tbone0813]

Originally Posted by Vic

Quick question... how did you find out that's the kind of bass used in that kebeko video? I couldn't find on their site where one was mentioned or pictured (tho I didn't totally scour it)?

Bass12 posted that link in post #19 of this thread in which he states it is a MTD ash/walnut ash/maple 535.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

Bass12 posted that link in post #19 of this thread in which he states it is a MTD ash/walnut ash/maple 535.

Cool, found it. Thanks.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

Bass12 posted that link in post #19 of this thread in which he states it is a MTD ash/walnut ash/maple 535.

Hey, I'm glad that track was of use to you! Indeed, those are the exact specs of the bass I used for that session. Straight into the board with maybe a tiny bit of compression added (the strings were MTD steels, .045 - .130). EQ set flat save for perhaps just a slight bump in the midrange.

[Mojo-Man]

Just received my bass.
Let me put is simply.
I get it. Pete is the man. His work is off the charts.
Wood, quality, tone, playability, workmanship.
Pete's work is playable art. As good as it gets.
I have seen the light.
Thanks Pete.

[metallutca]

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

Just received my bass.
Let me put is simply.
I get it. Pete is the man. His work is off the charts.
Wood, quality, tone, playability, workmanship.
Pete's work is playable art. As good as it gets.
I have seen the light.
Thanks Pete.

I think you intended to post this in the Skjold thread?

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

Just received my bass.
Let me put is simply.
I get it. Pete is the man. His work is off the charts.
Wood, quality, tone, playability, workmanship.
Pete's work is playable art. As good as it gets.
I have seen the light.
Thanks Pete.

Reminds me of what I said about Mike when I got my MTD 535.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Reminds me of what I said about Mike when I got my MTD 535.

Reminds me of what Pete says about Mike.

Man, my brain is starting to hurt... need an IPA soon...

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by Vic

Reminds me of what Pete says about Mike.

Man, my brain is starting to hurt... need an IPA soon...

Beers and a group hug!

[antontanzil]

Two weeks to go...

[taylor16]

Anyone have any experience with using flatwounds on an MTD?