what do you think of MTD basses?

[kjizzel]

Im in the market for a new bass but I want a bass that is going to be very smooth and gives me a lot of low end.. and im not sure what brand to get.. but it has to be 5 strings.. someone help me out..

[Tony G]

MTD USA basses are top notch, high quality instruments designed by a master of the craft. I really miss my old MTD 635-24. It was a masterpiece. You said you want a bass with a lot of low end, well, MTD's have that in spades.

[Dan Knowlton]

Other makes of basses may be different - but they aren't better!

I loved the 535 I had - fantastic sounding and playing bass.

Dan K.

[rockstarbassist]

Their USA models are about as good as it gets. Loved loved mine. Just not tonally where I'm at.

And I noticed your Jan join date- here at TB we have megathreads for pretty much any/all types of basses especially by maker/manufacturer so checking out the MTD USA Club thread will probably get you more MTD answers than a new thread.

[jnuts1]

in loven mine. it has been my main player for 8 years now. the besy neck i have ever played.

[bottomzone]

This is the only MTD that really grabs my ears and in the only one that I would consider getting:

http://www.bassplayer.com/Video.aspx...1&section=gear

The guy playing it has a little influence on my opinion!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

[dannoman]

Who is that playing? I'd like to hear more of him.

[capnsandwich]

I think they utterly suck.......unless you like great quality, great sounding, great feeling and great looking basses. If that's the case, they're awesome!

[bassie12]

Michael Tobias is gentleman and a design genius. All his instruments show an amazing insight into the needs of the player and what it is the instrument is supposed to do. I have endless respect for him. That said, after owning a fair number of Tobias instruments over the decades, I've figured out I'm a P-bass (and occasionally J-Bass) guy. So it goes.

However, as a professional recording engineer, any day a bassist shows up with a Tobias. MTD USA, or any instrument Mike had a hand in, is a day with a good start!

[BassBob1]

Originally Posted by dannoman

Who is that playing? I'd like to hear more of him.

I believe that is Andrew Gouche in the that video on what i think is a Kingston ZX. Sounds great in that video. I have played a Kingston series KZ in a samash and couldnt for the life of me get a sound i liked out of it.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by BassBob1

I believe that is Andrew Gouche in the that video on what i think is a Kingston ZX. Sounds great in that video. I have played a Kingston series KZ in a samash and couldnt for the life of me get a sound i liked out of it.

Yes, that's Andrew Gouché - longtime MTD player and the only guy to have a signature model MTD. I bought my first MTD 535 on a whim a little over a year ago from a fellow TBer. I'd never played one before and was taking a bit of a chance, but it turned out to be the best bass-buying decision I've ever made. The minute I picked up the bass I felt at home. For me it was ergonomically perfect. I'd played a few 5s before (I was pretty much exclusively a 4 string player) and the 535 was the first 5 string that was just as easy for me to play as a 4. The switch was virtually effortless. It's as if the bass was custom made for my hands. I remember thinking in the first two minutes with the bass, "if this bass sounds as good as it feels I'm going to be in heaven". To my great delight, I LOVED the tone of the bass - and still do. I'd previously been playing a Sadowsky Standard and Fender '62 reissue jazz (both fantastic basses in their own rights) and since buying the 535 it has become my main bass. I'd say I use it on around 92% of my gigs. I've had the pleasure of meeting with Mike Tobias on several occasions and he is one of the most down-to-earth and fair-minded people I've had the pleasure of dealing with. If you are considering a U.S. MTD (you haven't specified and there is a big difference between the U.S. and non-U.S. models) it's very important that you get the right wood combination to suit your tonal needs. At this point I've played several different combinations and, despite what some people will tell you, the wood really does make a difference. If you're interested in feedback regarding woods I'd suggest you post a question in the official U.S.A. MTD thread here on Talkbass. You can also give Mike a call at his shop - he'll be pleased to discuss your options with you.

[bottomzone]

Here is a few more videos featuring an MTD KZX:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzRIclxD-MA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLxG-...eature=related

Fabio's got mad skillz!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

[Joe.shaffer]

The few I've had the joy of playing (never owned one) have been fantastic. Even the Korean made ones are really nice.

[ao'connor17]

I'll tell you in a couple months when I get mine. =D

[fullrangebass]

Originally Posted by bassie12

Michael Tobias is gentleman and a design genius. All his instruments show an amazing insight into the needs of the player and what it is the instrument is supposed to do. I have endless respect for him....

However, as a professional recording engineer, any day a bassist shows up with a Tobias. MTD USA, or any instrument Mike had a hand in, is a day with a good start!

+1000

[Bongolation]

Whatever their real or imagined virtues, they're a tough resell.

[Margus Alviste]

MTDs (US made) are THE BEST BASSES!!! Period!

[bass12]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Whatever their real or imagined virtues, they're a tough resell.

How do you figure? I can't say I've gotten that impression at all from looking at the TB classifieds.

[roadkill2309]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Whatever their real or imagined virtues, they're a tough resell.

Man, I wish. A 535's been on my fetish list for a couple of years now (though if I'd never come to TB, I'd never have even thought about 'em), and they're not a hard-enough resell for me to have one yet.

Full disclosure: I actually have two fetish lists: one has stuff on it that I intend to actually buy one day because I've heard them a lot and played with them. The other is a theoretical wish-list based purely on pictures and what I read about them. Nothing moves from the theoretical list to the intend-to-buy list unless I get to play around on it or at least get to hear one live. the MTD is sort of in the middle-ground right now. I very briefly got to pluck one a few months ago, but I have yet to hear one life in a good live mix. So I'm keeping my eyes and ears out.

I'm in no hurry, though: Everything on my to-buy list takes me a half-decade to save up for, thanks to the harsh realities of bill-paying and eating.

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by Joe.shaffer

The few I've had the joy of playing (never owned one) have been fantastic. Even the Korean made ones are really nice.

Concur. I recently parted with a '01 Heir fiver. I got it on a trade, thinking my son would love it. He's only 14, and the wide spacing and neck were too difficult for him to get comfortable with. I played it during the few weeks he was trying, and I guess his hands are smaller than mine. I thought it was an exceptionally well-made instrument and it sounded great...particularly in the lows and low-mids. This particular bass was built passive and the previous owner dropped an Audere 4-band in. Very nice bass, indeed.

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Whatever their real or imagined virtues, they're a tough resell.

Not true...at least my experience with selling here on TB. I posted the ad in the classifieds on 01-10; tentative deal on 01-12; and PayPal'd on 01-14-2011.

If there wasn't football on all day, my son and I would be out feel-testing basses.

Go Bears!