I know it has been talked about here and there on this forum, but it really isn't all in one place for easy access. So I ask you, owners of MTD USA basses, what kind of maintenance can we do to our basses to keep them looking their best?
These topics can include the butcher wax treatment for bodies, what treaments are best for the neck and fretboard depending on the wood, how to keep the Bartolini Pickups from getting shiny spots on them from finger wear, etc.
Specifically for me, the body of my 635 is starting to show some shiny spots, and it has been said to use butchers wax to bring back the natural satin look of these basses. Any particular brand I should look for? Also, the maple neck on my bass is starting to get pretty slick as well. Anything I can do to bring back that satin feel? And finally, the rosewood fretboard is starting to get a little dry looking. In the past I have use Formby's Lemon Oil Treatment with good success, but I just wanted to see if there was any better ways as described by Mike Tobias and the owners of his MTD USA line of basses.
From various emails I have received the master himself concerning my bass:
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MTD initial set up
Optimal set up is individual but generally but I generally use the low B as a straight edge, holding it down at the 1st and 16th fret and adjusting the truss rod until there is about .010- .015 space between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the string.
Then I adjust the high string so that it is 1/16 (2/32, 1.5mm) from the top of the last fret. check for buzzing...if that is good then I adjust the rest of the strings following the curvature of the board and moving them up slightly until the low B which is a 3/32 or about 2.5 mm.
The rest depends on your technique and attack
Pick up heights are generally set by holding down the outside strings at the 24th fret and raising or lowering the bridge pick up to about 3/16 under the strings, top parallel to the strings when loose. Then I use the blend pot to raise or lower the neck pick up to match the output.
BFTS instructions
I use a Peterson VS-II or a regular strobe. The Korg DT7 has the* offsets burned into the chip for intonation. But if you have a tuner that will adjust 1 cent up or down you can do the following:
*
When I string a bass with new strings, I usually stretch them for a bit before doing BFTS intonation
..play for about ½ hour or put them on and leave them overnight. Make sure the neck is set like you want and that the action is also. Tune the bass to pitch using the tuner.
*
Match the
F string open at pitch against the F at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
C string open at pitch against the C at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
G string open at pitch against the G at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
D string open at pitch against the D at the 12th fret 1 cent flat
A string open at pitch against the A at the 12th fret 1 cent sharp
E string open at pitch against the B at the 7th fret 1 cent sharp
B string open at pitch against the F# at the 7th fret 1 cent sharp
*
If the note is sharp, that means the saddle is too close to the 12th fret, if it is flat then it is too far away.
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On fretless fingerboard sanding:
If it is making the notes buzz or interfering with playing it should be
sanded lightly. You can probably handle it if you take some 600 grit
sandpaper and if you have a small flat block that is at least 4" long.
You take off the strings and loosen the rod until the neck is flat sanding
very lightly in a circular motion down the board...clean it up with 0000
steel wool and restring. If good then oil and play!
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On gloss spots on the finish:
As for the gloss spots. That is a short coming in my finish but that finish cannot be buffed out completely. I don't put it on thickly enough to handle an electric buffer. That is part of what makes the bass breathe as it does. If you can live with it that is probably best. A light spot of 0000 steel wool may cover it again but you would have to be very careful not to get the fibers in under the pick ups.
Peace,
Mike Tobias
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So there you go. I keep mine exactly like that because it was so freaking perfect right from him shop. And his strings are as amazing as his basses.
My Marilyn 635 will be here this month...
Cheers,
Cameron
