Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 basses
- Thread starter funkybass
- Start date
There are three basses I regret selling -
MTD 535 - avodire body, flamed redwood top, wenge/wenge neck
Ken Lawrence Brase 5
Sadowsky 5-24
I really blew it on each of these...
BUY THE MTD!
Dan K.
MTD 535 - avodire body, flamed redwood top, wenge/wenge neck
Ken Lawrence Brase 5
Sadowsky 5-24
I really blew it on each of these...
BUY THE MTD!
Dan K.
I'd say that's a decent amount of gigging to warrant a new bass. 
If you can find a used one the prices aren't quite so bad.
If you can find a used one the prices aren't quite so bad.
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
it's wonderful owning an instrument with absolutely no limits... the only limit is yourself, and how hard you are willing to work.
Cheers,
Cameron
I don't regret buying mine. Great bass ... the tone is not as rich in the mids as some of my other basses, but it has a crisp sound in the highs. Bottom is good. Great for slapping, if you're into that sort of thing.
Let's see, I just might happen to have a picture lying around here, in case you wanted one to stoke your GAS.
Let's see, I just might happen to have a picture lying around here, in case you wanted one to stoke your GAS.
You only gig four to eight times a month? I'm willing to bet that's a lot more than most of the boutique bass owners who frequent this site! Besides, who cares how often you gig - that isn't the point. Do you enjoy playing bass and are you going to get your money's worth in satisfaction from an MTD 535? That's really all you have to ask yourself. MTDs are beautiful works of art, as far as I'm concerned, and just looking at one may bring you as much satisfaction as a similarly priced painting might bring someone else. As for the playability and tone of the instrument... I own one 535. The first time I picked it up I was "home". Ergonomically, I've never played another bass that fit me so perfectly as does the 535. Wow. I was previously a four string player more or less exclusively. I generally found 5 strings difficult to adjust to. Not the 535. I was able to gig on that bass right away and feel confident and comfortable. Sound-wise, the 535 gives me exactly what I want. I've never played a better-sounding bass (different, but not better). I bought mine second-hand, so the money wasn't such an issue. However, I've since placed an order for another 535 in a different wood combination with full confidence. Keep this in mind - resale value is pretty good on 535s. These are not mass produced instruments and Michael T. is regarded as one of the finest luthiers in the history of electric bass-making. I figure all 535s are destined to become collector's items! Here's another thing to consider (if buying new): the money you are spending on one of Michael Ts basses is not only going towards a great instrument - it is also paying for some of the best customer service and support on the planet. To me that counts for a lot (having been screwed in the past by a big German (ahem!) bass manufacturer who refused to stand behind its product and loyal customer). I'm also very happy to be supporting a small business which concentrates on doing one thing - crafting first-rate basses (with a couple of guitars thrown in here and there) with no bull**** attached. Your money won't be going towards an over-blown ad campaign or towards the development and marketing of a signature model - it will be going towards the manufacturing of YOUR bass. Amen.
Edit: Keep in mind that there are a wide variety of wood combinations available in the 535s and each combination has its own sonic characteristics.
Edit: Keep in mind that there are a wide variety of wood combinations available in the 535s and each combination has its own sonic characteristics.
Have to say, I've never played a USA MTD, but have long admired them from afar - I think they may be the best looking basses out there. I have played some pre-Gibson Tobias' and they were awesome. I think the USA MTDs are even nicer. I especially love the flamed redwood tops. Mmmm...
I don't play a MTD. I play a Ken Smith which is in the same price range. I bought my first Smith a year and a half ago and just recently upgraded to another Smith model. I never once regretted buying it... only not buying it sooner! If you can actually afford it I say buy it. 
I have a MTD Kingston KZ5 (I know it is not a "real" MTD USA) it is the "Low prized model" I gig 6-10 times a moth and it has never disappointed me! tone is perfect and it feels very balanced. It replaced an Original Tobias Killer-B (S/N 2444). other than a lower output, it sounds the same! the 535 must be superior in hardware and tone making it perfect for the road! go for it!
here is a picture of mine in action:
Link Removed
here is a picture of mine in action:
Link Removed
Go for a Kingston series. Skip the KZ5 and go for a KZX so you can avoid the weak electronics issue. This will get you as close as you can to a USA model for a lot less.
I do understand your question, but I agree with the comment that it does not matter how often you gig, the question is (assuming you can afford it) does it inspire you to take your playing to a higher level? Does it sound the way you want it to? Is it comfortable to play? Does it allow you to express yourself? If the answer is yes...join the club. I first heard an MTD at a Pieces of a Dream concert. The basssist played an MTD 535. I was sold. Months later I purchased my 535 from Austin Bass Traders. That was 5 years ago, and I have logged hundreds if not thousands of hours playing and rehearsing with it. It fits my hands perfectly, with no neck dive, plays like butter. There is a reason why people wait up to 18 month's and pay the money they do for these instruments; they are incredible.
No regrets, I've owned 3. My current 535 with Tulipwood body, Myrtle Burl Top and Wenge neck and board is my "Go to" for well...everything! They are the best basses one could by IMOP They are worth every penny spent. What you have to do is think about your "Sound". The way Mike build's these, with the finish, and the electronics lets the woods "Speak" in a way unheard of on any other bass I have tried (and I have owned alot over the years). The woods make HUGE differences in tone..yes, one could say they all have that sig MTD spice to the tone but I have owned 3 and they all sound different. Not bad, just different from each other. You need to find a wood combination to fit your wants and needs. You may wat to try and give Mike a call or e-mail and describe the tone you want. he is the master or wood combinations!
They are worth every penny spent. What you have to do is think about your "Sound". The way Mike build's these, with the finish, and the electronics lets the woods "Speak" in a way unheard of on any other bass I have tried (and I have owned alot over the years). The woods make HUGE differences in tone..yes, one could say they all have that sig MTD spice to the tone but I have owned 3 and they all sound different. Not bad, just different from each other. You need to find a wood combination to fit your wants and needs. You may wat to try and give Mike a call or e-mail and describe the tone you want. he is the master or wood combinations!
I just sold mine, and I am shipping it off today. Economics are the only reason I have to let it go. Seriously, there is no regret in purchasing it. Now just a simple hole in my heart where it was.
Not me, and I don't gig with mine.
As an option, may I present the Traben Array. It's made in Vietnam, has a 5-piece neck and impressed me with the amount of clean gain I could get from the internal preamp (YMMV). It sounded very good through and Ampeg SVT4-Pro into an 8X10, the unfinished neck felt good and smooth and it's 1/10th the cost of a 535. It WON'T have the feel of the 535 (or the sound, for that matter), still I was quite surprised by the overall quality.
Even if you change your mind about the 535 I still recommend auditioning the Traben Array; it can cover a lot of ground.
I have seen some threads suggest the Traben Array should be used for Metal styles. I think it would make a decent top-40s cover band bass, especially if you have a wide-ranging repertoire. But, that's just me.
You'd have to pry my 535, ... you know the rest.
B-U-Y U-S-E-D,IMHO!!!! Unless you want a TOTALLY custom bass,IMO. Also,I suggest that you buy from a TB'er,they seem to take better care of their basses,for some reason,IMHO.Maybe because they know how to take care of a bass???) People on here seem to be much,much more honest on here (as opposed to E-Bay,for example),IMO (lol). And yes,I AM BRAGGIN' on TB'ers!!).Oh well,the truth hurts (for non-TB'ers,anyway!!!).
There have been a number of used MTDs for sale on this forum over the past few months - most 535s seem to go for around $2500. One of the benefits of buying second hand is that in the unlikely event you don't like the bass
)) you can resell without incurring any substantial loss.
More like 3K
There have been a number of used MTDs for sale on this forum over the past few months - most 535s seem to go for around $2500. One of the benefits of buying second hand is that in the unlikely event you don't like the bass
I seem to remember having seen quite a few for closer to $2500 (that's what I payed for mine) but there have been others at around $3000.
