• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

J/MM suggestions, please

Johnius

Johnius

Dec 5, 2007
267
10
#1
Sorry for the length on this. I'm hoping you can recommend a pickup/preamp swap. I've read several threads on this issue and haven't quite found what I'm looking for - though it seems Nordstrand and Delano are favorites. I have an MTD Heir with the J/MM setup. I have decided to upgrade the pickups and preamp. Because I love the MTD USA sound I was strongly leaning toward putting a Bart set up in. According to Bartolini's side the quad coil can be used in full humbucker mode, P-Bass mode or reverse P-Bass mode. J mode is not mentioned. Is this correct - no J option? The secondary issue is that my bass is left handed and it would take Bart up to 2 years to make the pup/preamp for a lefty, otherwise I deal with backwards pickups and knobs. So even if it had the J option, the outside coil would become the inside coil, and that's just too far from the bridge for me.

I'd like to get a quad coil MM with selectable P, J1, J2 and MM options. Can anyone suggest a manufactuer for a lefty replacement set up that will also help me achieve that deep but glassy MTD sound?
 
#2
Dude that MTD sound is not just in the electronics. Mike's mojo in the build is a big part of that. The neck joint, the bridge, the wood....you may be on a quest that can never be finished. As I'm sure your aware, the Heir is made offshore, out of different woods. with far less build quality. Sorry to be a naysayer, but the sound you seem to be looking for is very unique to US MTD's, and I'd say impossibe to recreate on an asia pac, production factory bass. I've been down the same road your on. And you can end up spending hundreds trying to get a sound that may never really be there. Best of luck.
 
#3
^^Well, the build quality on this "asia pac" is actually very high. A snug, gapless neck joint, the same quick release bridge and the same assymetrical neck as on US models. My woods are Ash body with flame maple top and a maple neck. I will agree that I probably cannot achieve a perfect MTD USA sound. But I can get extremely close. If you looked at this bass you would know that Mike has gone to great lengths to preserve MTD's reputation in these offshore models. Can you give your opinion on a replacement on board set up?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back