Thinking about Trading My MTD 535

[bass12]

I've owned two Sadowsky NYC Jazzes (currently own one and have another on the way) as well as a Lull M5V with Sadowsky preamp. For the past three years my main basses have been MTD 535s (I've owned six). First of all, both MTD and Sadowsky make superb instruments, so it really comes down to what you're looking for playability-wise and tone-wise (and looks-wise, of course ). My two favourite basses are 535s. Playability-wise they feel as if they were made for me. Everything about the design just suits me to a T. 35" scale? I wouldn't even know it if it wasn't in the model name! Now, if you compare the reach to a Fender style instrument, the low F is going to be further away, but that has more to do with the body design than anything else. Warwicks are 34" scale but they feel even longer than MTDs. Regarding dead spots, any bass can have them - even Sadowskys, so that shouldn't be a deciding factor. Someone else mentioned sound guys being driven crazy by MTDs. I'd say that would depend on the bass. Each MTD I've owned has sounded different. The wood combos I liked least (in terms of sitting in a mix) were ash body/maple fingerboard (either with an ash or maple neck). However, I regularly work with some of the best soundmen in Montreal and they love the sound of my main MTDs (ash/wenge/wenge and alder/maple/rosewood). Those basses never get lost in the mix and I'm often playing in a fourteen piece band!

The truth with MTDs (in my experience at least) is that you're going to get a lot more tonal variation from bass to bass than you will with a Sadowsky Jazz. Mike Tobias chooses his electronics with transparency being a prime factor. He wants to "let the wood speak" (to paraphrase). The Sadowsky electronics, on the other hand, possess a lot of character. Put a Sadowsky preamp in another bass and you're a good part of the way there tone-wise. To me, Sadowskys are not as comfortable to play from a strictly physical standpoint, but that's just me. If you want a bass that's been constructed with flawless attention to detail you won't get any better than a Sadowsky NYC (I can't comment on the Metros as I've never checked one out carefully). And yeah, you'll probably never hear a sound guy complain about the sound of a Sadowsky - they are known for sitting perfectly "in the mix".

As for "trading down" - if you've played the bass in question and you've fallen in love with it I wouldn't give it a second thought. The value you place on the instrument is infinitely more important than the price tag. But if you're just going by reputation and don't have a specific bass in mind then the wise thing to do would be to trade for an NYC (or sell the MTD and use the money for a Metro). But if it was me (and I hadn't found THE Metro I wanted to trade for) I'd trade for an NYC. If it turns out you don't like it as much as you'd hoped you'll always be able to trade it back for a 535 here on TB.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by Chef

Also: unless you want "fancy wood," or uber light weight, there is really no reason go go Sadowsky NYC.
The Metros are the same quality, and roughly speaking, in the 9lb range; which suits me fine.

Good point. My Metros sounded just as good as my NYC.

I guess adding the VTC and Sadowsky pre to just about any Jazz style bass will get you close into Sadowsky territory.

[Chef]

except for build quality, and customer service..........

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by Chef

except for build quality, and customer service..........

Good point. Sadowsky was amazing to deal with IME. Roger personally shipped me a replacement pickup once. Not a lot of egos there.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by nostatic

MTD for Metro UV70 + cash would be the deal to make.

This makes all the sense in the world to me. You would probably have enough cash to buy a nice back up bass if you don't already have one.

[Chef]

0f course MTD are kinda like that too, IME

[bass12]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Good point. Sadowsky was amazing to deal with IME. Roger personally shipped me a replacement pickup once. Not a lot of egos there.

No, just pride in a job VERY well done. And Mike T is great to deal with as well.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by bass12

No, just pride in a job VERY well done. And Mike T is great to deal with as well.

You know what? Most of these small builders (basses AND amps) are great guys to deal with. Roscoe, Jule Amps, Dingwall, Genz Benz, Benavente, Fodera, etc.

Maybe the only universally cool group of musicians is the bass brotherhood.... definately NOT guitarists.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

You know what? Most of these small builders (basses AND amps) are great guys to deal with. Roscoe, Jule Amps, Dingwall, Genz Benz, Benavente, Fodera, etc.

Maybe the only universally cool group of musicians is the bass brotherhood.... definately NOT guitarists.

You're probably right. I've had similarly good experiences with Rob Green from Status and Rob Allen. But I think Sadowsky has to win first prize where customer service is concerned.

[Daaniac]

I've sold and traded many amps and (high end) basses. The 535 is the only one one I am still sorry about ever getting rid of.

[phillybass101]

On a very simple level it sounds like you want to add a JB to your collection. Man the sky is the limit even if you have a very small budget. You have options galore in terms of brand new vs used. For now, you may not have Sadowski money, you could still buy a decent used....you name it, or a new inexpensive .......you name it JB and upgrade the PUPs and pre, or not. For now why not just cop an inexpensive but decent JB until you can save the money for a Sadowski if that's what you want.

[BassistForJesus]

Originally Posted by phillybass101

On a very simple level it sounds like you want to add a JB to your collection. Man the sky is the limit even if you have a very small budget. You have options galore in terms of brand new vs used. For now, you may not have Sadowski money, you could still buy a decent used....you name it, or a new inexpensive .......you name it JB and upgrade the PUPs and pre, or not. For now why not just cop an inexpensive but decent JB until you can save the money for a Sadowski if that's what you want.

I guess I have not done enough research on lower budget JBs. I agree that there are stellar instruments the sound great at a low cost. My first bass turned heads quite often (Ibanez SR505]. Can anyone recommend a JB that is budget friendly other than the wide selection of Fenders?

[bass12]

Originally Posted by BassistForJesus

I guess I have not done enough research on lower budget JBs. I agree that there are stellar instruments the sound great at a low cost. My first bass turned heads quite often (Ibanez SR505]. Can anyone recommend a JB that is budget friendly other than the wide selection of Fenders?

I think second hand is probably the way to go. For example, you could pick up a used Mike Lull for a pretty reasonable price here in the TB classifieds. You'll be getting a great bass with one of the most comfortable necks out there. If you really want you could then do what I've recently done: install a Sadowsky preamp.

[michricker]

After three sadowskys and three 535s I settled in on a. Mtd with more tradtional woods of alder body maple neck and maple board. The tone with the more exotic wood combos can get pretty funcky. I can eq this new mtd to record like an old p or j or an ultra modern slap machine. Build quality is just so awesome. The bass weighs 8lbs or so and balanced. The only thing getting used to with the mtd is the ultra sensitive dynamics. Play soft and even.

[pickles]

Originally Posted by BassistForJesus

I guess I have not done enough research on lower budget JBs. I agree that there are stellar instruments the sound great at a low cost. My first bass turned heads quite often (Ibanez SR505]. Can anyone recommend a JB that is budget friendly other than the wide selection of Fenders?

What price range?

Used USA hamers and schecters are amazing and about 500.

[pbass6811]

Originally Posted by Chef

I had a really nice MTD for a minute.
It was totally not my sound, though it was a fine bass.

A Sadowsky Metro would be a trade down
A Sadowsky NYC would be more like an even trade.

If the UV70 is more your sound, no reason not to make the move.

+1. I actually had 2 MTDs at once! I had always wanted an Tobias/MTD and I actually came across 2 of them that I liked, So I bought them both, and kept them for about 4 months, til I came to the conclusion that they just didn't fit with what I was doing(loud rock band with 2 guitar players). I sold them both and I'd highly recommend going that route instead of trading. MTDs are super high quality basses, but you'll come out way further ahead if you sell it rather than trade it. I'd LOVE to have a Sadowsky, but I need a new amp before that happens. Good luck with whatever you decide to do...

Just so no one thinks I was making that up, these were the MTDs I had...LOL!

The Zebrawood/Wenge had more booty than the other one, but it still didn't quite sit were it needed to in the mix with 2 guitars. These are still 2 of the nicest basses I've ever owned, but I don't regret selling them. My current lineup works better for what I do.