• 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.

MTD Andrew Gouche Model (anyone own one?)

lowendmafia

lowendmafia

Oct 11, 2007
3,595
2,390
Boise, Idaho
#1
I am gassing hard for an MTD and I am absolutely in love with the Andrew Gouche model. It doesn't hurt that he's one of my favorite players either. Just curious if anyone out there owns one and what their thoughts are on it. I know it's not the standard "MTD" sound because of the alder body and maple neck, but I am definitely intrigued by it. I've seen a really poorly recorded video of Andrew demoing the original one, but it's hard to really decipher the tone. I saw him play it at NAMM in Nashville and I was sitting right next to Mike Tobias. I leaned over to him and said, "well... I guess I'm buying and MTD next."

I guess what I'm looking for is a tonall description from an actuall owner who isn't a legendary gospel player...
 
  • Like
Reactions: JSBassman61
#4
I find my Kingston import version to be a surprisingly versatile bass. Mine has the same pickups/preamp setup as the US version. Sorry I can't offer any personal experience with the US model. Might want to do a search on this forum. I recall reading at least one review where 2 players had experience with both and said there was a small difference in feel and tone due to the custom build . Seems they had played Andrews personal bass at Namm a few years back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JSBassman61
#5
I didn't know an MTD had a "standard " tone....I don't think I've ever heard one with the same wood specs as another I've heard/played with the exception of Ash/Walnut Maple/Maple...that combo seems to be everywhere....I've heard a lot of different wood combos and I would say they all have a similar defining tone, what I guess can be considered the standard MTD tone, but with variations depending on the wood combo...I haven't played a US model AG (I don't recall), but I did briefly own a Kingston at one time....if you like the feel of an MTD (which I think is just as important...some people can't get into the neck shape for one reason or another) I don't think you can go wrong with one...it's pretty pricey though....have you considered and MTD with the same specs as the AG with perhaps a different top or fingerboard...?
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowendmafia
#6
I suppose I could have chosen my words more carefully... I guess what I meant by "standard" tone is what Mike told me was the tone most closely associated with his basses. Poplar Body with Myrtle top and Wenge neck (thats what Mike told me). I played a Makore/maple top with a maple/rosewood neck and it definitely had that tone. I guess I would consider alder a little more polite sounding that Ash or other woods, but the Gouche model has an Alder body and the tone he gets is bright and glassy, but I am not sure if that is just how he sets his amp and plays. Obviously I am no Andrew Gouche, but I really love his tone.

Thanks for the reply, and yeah a brand new AG will run about $6k... so thats a big chuck of money to drop on something I am unsure of.

Ace Of Bass said:
I didn't know an MTD had a "standard " tone.....I don't think I've ever heard one with the same wood specs as another I've heard/played with the exception of Ash/Walnut Maple/Maple...that combo seems to be everywhere....I've heard a lot of different wood combos and I would say they all have a similar defining tone, what I guess can be considered the standard MTD tone, but with variations depending on the wood combo...I haven't played a US model AG (I don't recall), but I did briefly own a Kingston at one time....if you like the feel of an MTD (which I think is just as important...some people can't get into the neck shape for one reason or another) I don't think you can go wrong with one...it's pretty pricey though....have you considered and MTD with the same specs as the AG with perhaps a different top or fingerboard...?
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ace Of Bass
#7
It's not a bad bass. I played one and thought it was OK, but compared to their more high end stuff, I prefer the latter. The neck shape is fast but the actual fingerboard feels slow. Tough to describe, but that stuck out to me. The tone is also really bass and treble focused so the low mids are not really persent. This limits the versatility to me. Especially since I own a modern bass with nice snap in the highs, low end AND mids (Bart XTCT pre) and can do any style with it.

The Gouche is a nice choice if you plan to slap a lot and play on stuff with clean guitars and not a lot of frequency battles (gospel, jazz, fusion). but I'd strongly suggest you try and demo one.
 
#8
An AG is going to be the same as any other MTD in that, if you play ten of them back-to-back, each one is likely to sound a bit different. Honestly, I can't imagine that the AGs sound consistently all that different from any number of other MTDs. Keep in mind, too, that AG has a bunch of non signature 635s. You really want the AG sound? Find an MTD you like (or try to stack the odds in your favour by selecting woods that are close to the woods on the AG and order one) and then turn the EQ pots up to full. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevk and Ace Of Bass
#9
AngelCrusher said:
It's not a bad bass. I played one and thought it was OK, but compared to their more high end stuff, I prefer the latter. The neck shape is fast but the actual fingerboard feels slow. Tough to describe, but that stuck out to me. The tone is also really bass and treble focused so the low mids are not really persent. This limits the versatility to me. Especially since I own a modern bass with nice snap in the highs, low end AND mids (Bart XTCT pre) and can do any style with it.

The Gouche is a nice choice if you plan to slap a lot and play on stuff with clean guitars and not a lot of frequency battles (gospel, jazz, fusion). but I'd strongly suggest you try and demo one.
Click to expand...
Compared to whose more high end stuff?
 
#11
lowendmafia said:
I suppose I could have chosen my words more carefully... I guess what I meant by "standard" tone is what Mike told me was the tone most closely associated with his basses. Poplar Body with Myrtle top and Wenge neck (thats what Mike told me). I played a Makore/maple top with a maple/rosewood neck and it definitely had that tone. I guess I would consider alder a little more polite sounding that Ash or other woods, but the Gouche model has an Alder body and the tone he gets is bright and glassy, but I am not sure if that is just how he sets his amp and plays. Obviously I am no Andrew Gouche, but I really love his tone.

Thanks for the reply, and yeah a brand new AG will run about $6k... so thats a big chuck of money to drop on something I am unsure of.
Click to expand...

Sorry didn't mean to come off sounding like that...and I totally have heard of the tulipwood wenge combo described as the classic MTD sound because of Stockton...total brain fart on my part....what 12 said is absolutely true..Gouche has quite a few MTDs...I saw him play one with a Bloodwood top years ago that he said was THE MTD sound for him...and along comes the new model...:rollno:...either way, I don't think you can really lose if you like MTDs and can find woods close to the ideal specs for you...
 
  • Like
Reactions: wmhill
#12
I know a couple of guys that use the AG Kingston's (6 string) and love em. The cover everything from country- to funk to metal. Here's a link to the MTD artist page, the players instruments are listed on the top of their profile, and most have links- I'm sure they would be happy to chat about their AGs.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
  • Like
Reactions: JSBassman61, lowdownthump and lowendmafia
#13
Yeah, I trhink I'm more interested in the Wenge neck and that might be the deal breaker. I have 3 basses with wenge necks and I just love the way they feel and resonante. I am sure no matter what the specs are I will love it... It's just so much money and such an investment that I want it to be as close to perfect as possible.

Ace Of Bass said:
Sorry didn't mean to come off sounding like that...and I totally have heard of the tulipwood wenge combo described as the classic MTD sound because of Stockton...total brain fart on my part....what 12 said is absolutely true..Gouche has quite a few MTDs...I saw him play one with a Bloodwood top years ago that he said was THE MTD sound for him...and along comes the new model...:rollno:...either way, I don't think you can really lose if you like MTDs and can find woods close to the ideal specs for you...
Click to expand...
 
#14
lowendmafia said:
Yeah, I trhink I'm more interested in the Wenge neck and that might be the deal breaker. I have 3 basses with wenge necks and I just love the way they feel and resonante. I am sure no matter what the specs are I will love it... It's just so much money and such an investment that I want it to be as close to perfect as possible.
Click to expand...

Wenge neck MTDs are awesome...mines a keeper as long as I can help it....you can find great deals here in the classifieds with patience...might not cost as much as you think...
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevk
#15
lowendmafia said:
I guess what I'm looking for is a tonal description from an actual owner who isn't a legendary gospel player...
Click to expand...
I have an AG5 (34" scale US model) and really like it! I've listened to every clip I could find that features this model, and the clip below is the closest tonal description I've found to what I hear in my own AG. To me, the alder really "speaks" in the clip...and the eq isn't "dime'd" like AG plays his...

IME, the purpleheart board can "offset/contrast" the alder and sound really bright/articulate if desired...but it's easily controlled by cutting some treble.

Mike T says you can get real close to an AG tone-wise, using alder/maple burl/maple with a bubinga board...

 
  • Like
Reactions: AngelCrusher and wmhill
#17
kevk said:
I have an AG5 (34" scale US model) and really like it! I've listened to every clip I could find that features this model, and the clip below is the closest tonal description I've found to what I hear in my own AG. To me, the alder really "speaks" in the clip...and the eq isn't "dime'd" like AG plays his...

IME, the purpleheart board can "offset/contrast" the alder and sound really bright/articulate if desired...but it's easily controlled by cutting some treble.

Mike T says you can get real close to an AG tone-wise, using alder/maple burl/maple with a bubinga board...

Click to expand...


Love these Vids. Here is the same guy playing the 6 string I went with after looking at MTD, Ken Smith etc. Probably illustrates my tone preference better than my posts.




The American MTD's are freaking awesome in the hand. I was very impressed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: odarellmc
#19
I have AG6 #4. I hear many of the same tones from that AG5 vid in my bass. My AG6 is very easy to play and super light weight. I wanted a purpleheart FB so the AG was my only option.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevk
#20
Well... Not an AG5... But it will do. It needs A bath, bad... It's actually greenburst, I thought it was blue, but I was wrong.

image.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Benko, nonohmic, NigelD and 3 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back