ptidwell
Commercial User
IMHO, you made a great choice. I too have one of each and I hear the differences between the two in the woods. Also where you are playing is IMO the greatest venue in the world.
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I JUST COULDN'T DO IT (SELL MY MTD 635)
- Thread starter willrwilli
- Start date
This is were I would differ then. Every day I think I want to trade my MTD 635 away, but I'm really afriad I'll regret it very much. While I dig the tone, I'm just not sure I can commit the energy right now in my life to conquer the 6 string.
ptidwell
Commercial User
Tony,
that's the way I felt when I first played a five, after a couple of gigs with a fiver I totaly neglected my 4 bangers, last year without realizing it I sold the last 4 string I had. The 6 seems to be a bit more of a learning curve, but I am up for the challenge it has me excited about practicing again, I was at a point where I just played, because I knew how, I would learn new songs, but didn't practice. But I am sure your situation is different. At this point I could not see giving up my MTD 635 unless someone offers me 6K and mean it.
It isn't really, I think I'm just lazy.
I've been practicing on my own more in the last couple of weeks than I have in the last year. I really want to learn to control this bass and the sympathetic vibrations caused by the incredible resonance, but sometimes it gets very frustrating. I am trying to learn the "floating thumb" technique, and just when I make progress on it, I start noticing things like I can't get the same attack like I can when my thumb is anchored on a pickup, and now my arm is resting in different spot on the bass than I used it, and it is starting to irratate that spot on my arm.
I really want to play this bass and conquer it, but it gets frustrating sometimes.
Sorry to hear about your frustrations xgabriele. I too had/have some trouble with my 5 stringer and the little harmonics ringing. I figured my best bet to learn is not only by practicing but hitting up youtube and other video places and watching professions play, and just see what they are doing. I think it's helped me a little bit in my playing. I get a lot less unneeded ringing or sounds. It helps if you're trying to pick up a new technique, like the floating thumb. I haven't mastered it yet, but I'm getting there. As an extra way of muting strings I use what ever fingers on my left hand I'm not using. So the combination of using both hands works pretty well for me. It takes time to develop your own technique and style. Just keep at it, and DO NOT get rid of that beauty of a bass you have. I know some of us would give up our mothers for that bass, myself included. 
Work at it and I'm sure you'll get there.
Work at it and I'm sure you'll get there.
I was in the same boat. My problem was the extra string did not hinder me from playing what I wanted to play, my issue was I was not using the extra string at all. So I figured why have it. Over the last week here is what I have learned. Used 6 string MTD'S don't come around that often, (it is harder finding good used 5 strings these days too). If I ever got rid of my 635 I know it would be hard to find one as nice, and for the price I paid for the one I have. I also realize a new one is well out of my price range, that is why for better or worse I will just keep it even if it means playing it like a 5 string.
adrian garcia
In Memoriam
- Apr 9, 2001
- 5,110
- 17
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Nordy Basses, Schroeder Cabs, Gallien Krueger Amps
you know, man. I am not authority but I have been playing for over 30 years, so i was thinking.. could you video yourself playing and demonstrting where you have the problem? send it to me and i can look at it and see if i can help you at all with technique. Six strings bring along a whole new set of challenges. It's a lot of strings to maintain control of. I think it's a muting thing, something you may be able to control. Well, i KNOW you can control it. MTD's are very alive . And I would not put it past me to use a soft hair tie around the zero fret of the MTD635 coming my way to help with muting and dampening.But I am not sure that is the problem you are facing. If you can send video, send it to me at [email protected]. Could be from your phone, whatever. Good luck, bro!It isn't really, I think I'm just lazy.
I've been practicing on my own more in the last couple of weeks than I have in the last year. I really want to learn to control this bass and the sympathetic vibrations caused by the incredible resonance, but sometimes it gets very frustrating. I am trying to learn the "floating thumb" technique, and just when I make progress on it, I start noticing things like I can't get the same attack like I can when my thumb is anchored on a pickup, and now my arm is resting in different spot on the bass than I used it, and it is starting to irratate that spot on my arm.
I really want to play this bass and conquer it, but it gets frustrating sometimes.
Adrian
I've owned 3 Roscoe 6 string basses and in the end, the reason that I sold them was because I felt like I didn't use the high C string enough to justify having the 6. But each time that I sold or traded the 6 away I immediately missed the feel and overall tone of the 6 string bass. I'm convinced that the extra mass of the 6 string neck adds some phatness to the overall tone of the instrument. Plus, as others have stated, the 6 presents some new and refreshing challanges that the 5 doesn't. It kind of puts the edge back in playing.
I'm really a Roscoe kind of guy (just love that thick tone) but I got an opportunity to get a nice MTD 635 so I went for it. It'll be here Monday so I'll see what I think about it. I owned a 535 with tulipwood body/myrtle top w/wenge neck and FB and didn't really like the tone. The 635 coming has a tulipwood body/burl maple top w/maple neck/rosewood FB. Hopefully it'll be a litle warmer and smoother sounding than the wenge. I figure worst case is that I'll sell/trade and get a Roscoe 3006.
ptidwell
Commercial User
Joe,
Just from reading your post, and comments especially in the Roscoe forum, I believe that if you got cut you would bleed Roscoe. I am interested to hear your review of the MTD 635.
I tried a Roscoe SKB 3006 an although it was a finely crafted instrument with great tone, I sold it because I liked the tone, feel and craftmanship of the MTD 635-24 more, but that's just my opinion. I will be watching for your comments.
Gotta tell you what I did when I was in that situation. I wrote a letter to the Pastor telling him what you just said. I told him how many in the congregation would like to hear a different form of gospel music and how it would attract new members. Several of us got together and played what we had in mind. I told him that the church had to know he was supporting us. Well he tried it. At first we got push back from some of the older members, but the younger members and families loved it. Now, the services we play are packed, and we have the largest choir in the church.
