MTD Norm Stockton or Ibanez Mode: would you know the difference without looking?

[Dr. Cheese]

Both of these basses sound good to me and think their sound is very similar. I don’t know if I would know which is which without looking. Does anyone else feel the same? After a second listen, I think the Mode is just a little closer to the traditional Jazz tone than the MTD, but that MTD sounds good.

 

[Ric Vice]

As you say, they’re pretty close. My guess is that the MTD is the lighter weight of the two if that’s a concern. I think if you dialed the midrange controls up or down on either bass their timbre would move even closer to each other. Just my take however.

 

[21DaHoagie12]

They both sound good, but I was able to tell when the basses changed while listening eyes closed. Mode does have more of that jazz bass tone and I actually think it sounds better of the two (though they both sound great, just preference). Very impressed with the Ibanez Mode basses, I’m definitely putting their 6 string premium version my gas list.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

They both sound good, but I was able to tell when the basses changed while listening eyes closed. Mode does have more of that jazz bass tone and I actually think it sounds better of the two (though they both sound great, just preference). Very impressed with the Ibanez Mode basses, I’m definitely putting their 6 string premium version my gas list.

I agree the Mode is closer the classic Jazz Bass tone. The Norm Stockton sounds more MTD (535,) and that is a classic tone itself.

 

[lowfreqman]

I have owned both MTD and Ibanez basses. I prefer the asymmetric neck carve and the preamps in MTD basses to what Ibanez offers. The mids of the MTD preamp sound more natural. Ibanez's preamp's mids always have this rubbery/congested sound to me.

 

[Jugghaid]

Thee are a lot of basses that can be made to sound similar. The real questions are how does it play? How well is it built? Does it fit me?

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Mode for me. The Mode MDM1305 is top of obtain list just need to try it out in person. Love me some roasted maple necks. I've been wanting a 5 string Jazz for years.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I liked the looks of the MTD better. I clearly heard a difference. Both souls nice . My ears would prefer the Ibanez. Less scoop , more presence in all the registers.
I heard more low mids which I like a lot.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

A local GC has got a couple of Modes in and I should go check them out.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

A local GC has got a couple of Modes in and I should go check them out.

That’s always best . Get a good feel.

 

[RGerhart]

The Ibanez seems to have more classic J clank to me

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Like them both but to me the Ibby has more color? That would be my choice, at least it is without playing them both.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I definitely noticed the Ibanez sounding a little more present

 

[ezstep]

I prefer the asymmetric neck carve....

This. I loved the asymmetrical neck.

 

[Pep]

Yes I can tell the Ibanez from the MTD by just listening to the video but that’s only because I’ve owned so many MTDs.

My choice would be the MTD for several reasons the first being the asymmetrical neck. It’s so comfortable and easy to play. Second would be the looks of the MTD.
Lastly I’d be willing to bet that the can sound a lot more like a Jazz with some tweaking.

 

[Wyvern]

Immediately.

The MTD has a gutteral low end grunt while the Ibby is more present and more attack.

That said, you can easily tame or boost either instrument for presence in the EQ, but they both have their own coloration.

 

[J Wilson]

Without hearing/playing them both in person, no.

For me, it's just about useless to evaluate bass tone over a phone or laptop. WAY too many things between that and me. Even on my desktop setup with a 2.1 speaker setup, no.

 

[Dincrest]

Both sounded great and very similar, though the Ibanez Mode seemed to be a little louder/hotter and the MTD just a smidge smoother.

I tried an Ibanez Mode MDM1605 recently and it was a fantastic bass. Weight, balance, neck, playability, tone... all there. I loved the neck on it. A little chunkier/girthier than a pencil-thin Soundgear neck. Super comfy neck. That bass looked like it would be a boat anchor, but it was not. I hear the lower-end Modes are heavier than the higher-end ones. Anyway... I felt like I'd need 2 days alone in a room to figure out what all the knobs do. However, as wonderful as that bass was... it was not for me in my recent quest for a 5-string (which ended with me procuring a preowned, 1995, Japanese-made Aria Avante). The squared-off, flattened back of the Mode's wide upper horn pressed uncomfortably into my sternum when I had my strap where the body hangs most comfortably. I much prefer the skinnier upper horn with rounded contours of Soundgear basses.

Still, I think the Mode/MDM series is one of the BEST lines of basses Ibanez has put out in recent years. I encourage any and all GASers to try one.

 

[Pep]

I am loving my Ibanez MDM1606. I never liked the MTD import stuff much. The Ibanez is very well designed and the tone is great. Not heavy for a 6 string either. Very comfortable.

That’s why there is more than one bass manufacturer. My feelings are the exact opposite of yours.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That’s why there is more than one bass manufacturer. My feelings are the exact opposite of yours.

I think the healthiest thing we can do on the Basses section is to listen to a polite explanation of why someone does not like a bass we love and just accept that person’s opinion without taking offense.