MTD "Marilyn Club"

[4to5to6]

Photos uploaded. Not the best quality. Sorry.

From Michael Tobias' letter:
"The body is alder (chambered and thicker than normal) with a blackened redwood burl top. The neck is maple with a Madagascar rosewood fingerboard."

A few details:
- The mid pot is a push/pull selecting 400/800 Hz. The regular 3 position mid frequency selector is replaced with a pot that blends between the magnetics and piezo.

- This bass has a brass hipshot A style bridge with Graphtech Ghost saddles rather than the regular aluminum Hipshot B style.

- The ebony and purple heart contrasting tone plate laminations add a real nice touch.

- The MTD World logo is a very light blue abolone (lighter than photo) with the script and continents in a white abalone. Very nice.

- Body thickness comparison:
MTD 535 #1709 measures 1.74" thick,
MTD 535 #1039 Norm Stockton's old black burst fretless measures 1.76" thick
MTD 535 #1468 Marilyn #20 measures 1.88" thick"

Awesome bass... well exceeded my expectations. Makes me want a fretless Marilyn now!

 

[4to5to6]

Anymore new Marilyn basses out there?

 

[emjazz]

Anyone have a pic of the chambering on the inside of these basses? I had seen one pic at some point and can't find it now. Thanks.

 

[4to5to6]

I saw the photo as well. I may have saved it. I'll look around for it and post it if I find it.

 

[4to5to6]

Here's a YouTube video of Michael Tobias showing a pin router pattern and explaining his chambering:

TMNtv- MICHAEL TOBIAS BASS Part 3 of 3


Chambering section starts about 3 minutes in. I'm not sure on the route depth but it sounds as if he routes to within 1/2" from the back under the belly route section, then adds a section to the pattern and routes the rest much thinner. I've attached a screen shot of the pattern. As mentioned in a post above, I measured Marilyn (#20) and it's about an 1/8" thicker than a standard MTD body.

No absolute guarantee this is the same route for a Marilyn but very likely. I've always been really curious about these chambers. One day I'm going to get a friend that works in non-destructive testing to take a photo of my Marilyn with his infrared camera.

The chambering adds a bit of resonance but does affect the mids slightly. I greatly appreciate the lite weight. In my opinion it's the Graphtech Ghost piezo bridge option that really makes the chambering come alive on these basses.

 

[emjazz]

Thanks so much!

 

[icecycle66]

My word, how have I missed these? They are wonderful.

 

[tombowlus]

Here are some more recent pics of Marilyn #3, along with some friends:

 

[iwearpumas]

What makes ones bass a Marilyn? Who is Marilyn?

 

[tombowlus]

What makes ones bass a Marilyn? Who is Marilyn?

It's the chambers. If you google that last word, plus Marilyn, you'll likely figure it out. But don't do it with the kids or boss around...