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The Official MTD USA Thread

#3,121
evilgus said:
And any opinions on black limba bodies? Similar to mahogany and maybe a bit piano-like? Ari? Any general comparison to ash would be great. :)

Cheers,

EG
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It has a bit more of a nasal mid voicing to it. I've used it with some good success but you need to want that tone. We've had good luck with using it on fretless MTD's in the past.

I hope that helps.

JC
 
#3,122
I hear what you are saying Jazzy, but the Roscoe I used to have with the ash body/buckeye top struggled to produce. Now if it had the openess of the MTD electronics instead of the barts then maybe a different story, but then I wouldn't be hangin' out in the MTD thread. My MTD walunt top/ash body, maple/maple is definetly not harsh, but I do roll the treble back ever so slightly. I am completely happy with this MTD and may try some DR Lowrider Nickels to see what transpires.
 
#3,123
gruuv said:
Where is this bass you're talking about?
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This one. I can't remember where I got the pics, might be from a shop or the MTD BE site?!?!

EG
 

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#3,125
Saluki said:
I hear what you are saying Jazzy, but the Roscoe I used to have with the ash body/buckeye top struggled to produce. Now if it had the openess of the MTD electronics instead of the barts then maybe a different story, but then I wouldn't be hangin' out in the MTD thread. My MTD walunt top/ash body, maple/maple is definetly not harsh, but I do roll the treble back ever so slightly. I am completely happy with this MTD and may try some DR Lowrider Nickels to see what transpires.
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Yeah, it's pretty impossible to compare a Roscoe to an MTD... even with the same wood combos. IMHO anyway.
 
#3,127
CliffD said:
So here's a question I've had for a while: What does walnut sound like as a body and top wood??? Any takers????
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Hmmmmmmmmmm.......

This reply probably doesn't belong in an MTD USA thread, but...

having had a non-MTD neck-through bass with a walnut body and neck, I'd have to say that walnut to me sounded extremely bright, yet still warm. I later de-fretted the same bass and liked it even more. The only drawback to me was the weight. (it was h-e-a-v-y)

I'd be very curious to see/hear a 535 with a walnut body. :)

(Sounds like one to add to my wish-list....) ;)
 
#3,128
There's been plenty of recent discussion here about walnut being a good top-wood over ash, it sounds like it warms and tightens up the sound a bit. Read Vic's posts on his new bass, he certainly sounds impressed with it! :)

I can't say I've had an MTD with walnut in it yet, but I did have a USA Peavey Cirrus with walnut body and it was pretty warm and punchy, with a muted top-end. And Sheldon Dingwall currently uses walnut bodies for the Afterburner II basses, they also have a warm, punchy, more fretless-like sound. The older ABIIs (like mine) have mahogany bodies and just to add some more MTD content back in, I believe Mr Tobias also prefers mahogany bodies for his fretless basses. :)

Cheers,

EG
 
#3,129
evilgus said:
There's been plenty of recent discussion here about walnut being a good top-wood over ash, it sounds like it warms and tightens up the sound a bit. Read Vic's posts on his new bass, he certainly sounds impressed with it! :)

I can't say I've had an MTD with walnut in it yet, but I did have a USA Peavey Cirrus with walnut body and it was pretty warm and punchy, with a muted top-end. And Sheldon Dingwall currently uses walnut bodies for the Afterburner II basses, they also have a warm, punchy, more fretless-like sound. The older ABIIs (like mine) have mahogany bodies and just to add some more MTD content back in, I believe Mr Tobias also prefers mahogany bodies for his fretless basses. :)

Cheers,

EG
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This picture is used without permission sorry Mr.T. But I don't know what wood He prefers but I think I'm leaning this way.

MTD535-24

Walnut body, walnut neck, lined ebony fretless fingerboard
 
#3,131
I was woundering if anybody would like to buy a 635. I love this bass it sounds amazing and feels great the only problem I have with it is that my hands or so small and the neck takes away from my playing. I know a 535 will perfect.

635
ash /body/neck
birdseye maple fb
burl walnut body and head stock

I have had it about 3 months now it came striaght from Mike through Glenn if you have any questions send me an mesage.It is in perfect condition. Its pictures posted on page 21.
 
#3,132
jpeeze said:
I was woundering if anybody would like to buy a 635. I love this bass it sounds amazing and feels great the only problem I have with it is that my hands or so small and the neck takes away from my playing. I know a 535 will perfect.

635
ash /body/neck
birdseye maple fb
burl walnut body and head stock

I have had it about 3 months now it came striaght from Mike through Glenn if you have any questions send me an mesage.It is in perfect condition. Its pictures posted on page 21.
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I remember that bass... amazing... kinda' the sister to the one I just got.
 
#3,133
Well guys I play at church tonight and am going to keep it.
Man that bass just want let me let it go the sound just amazes me. I think this is the second time I was gone try to sell it. What is it about that ash/ash combo sound.
I am scared I might not get that same tone on the 535 with the same wood combo.


So sorry guys I got you gasing for it.
 
#3,134
jpeeze said:
Well guys I play at church tonight and am going to keep it.
Man that bass just want let me let it go the sound just amazes me. I think this is the second time I was gone try to sell it. What is it about that ash/ash combo sound.
I am scared I might not get that same tone on the 535 with the same wood combo.
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I know EXACTLY how you feel. :) I'll be playing mine in church tomorrow morning. :)
 
#3,136
Just gigged mine at church today and it was amazing. Still only a full Aviom in-ear system, no bass amps, so I won't officially report on it until next weekend's "real" gig, but I expect it to do extremely well. Man that thing feels alive... wow...
 
#3,137
Ash this and Ash that! There is more to MTD's than ASH. Just kidding. I personally have tried a few of Mike's ash basses in different combos of neck and fretboards. The tone to me was a little over the top. thats just mho. But I also must say that wasn't the sound I was looking for.They are a beautiful bass no matter what wood is used. I like the old school woods such as Tulipwood, Korina,Avadorie, and Mahogany oh yeah and Walnut. Maple neck with a rosewood board is nice but the famous wenge wenge combo is the favorite here. Any one with an Ash mtd willing to do some sound clips I would love to hear some. Convert me! Peace
 
#3,138
bassnote6 said:
Walnut body, walnut neck, lined ebony fretless fingerboard
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Walnut body/Walnut neck fretless MTD's are actually pretty interesting basses. We sort of refer them as "big smoothies" because that's exactly how they sound. They can get growly if you push them but they just have this big, warm swell to them that is really a blast to play. Good stuff.
 
#3,139
My 635-24 with the walnut body is very warm and can get as growly as I need - but I admit the sound is not for everybody (I just loved it from the very first play).

It is very different from the traditional woods like swamp ash and alder - it does not sound like a vintage instrument :)
 

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#3,140
bassnote6 said:
Ash this and Ash that! There is more to MTD's than ASH. Just kidding. I personally have tried a few of Mike's ash basses in different combos of neck and fretboards. The tone to me was a little over the top. thats just mho. But I also must say that wasn't the sound I was looking for.They are a beautiful bass no matter what wood is used. I like the old school woods such as Tulipwood, Korina,Avadorie, and Mahogany oh yeah and Walnut. Maple neck with a rosewood board is nice but the famous wenge wenge combo is the favorite here. Any one with an Ash mtd willing to do some sound clips I would love to hear some. Convert me! Peace
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This may be a bit of a sideways comment, but why would you want to be "converted"?

I ask this because I tried for a long time to "expand" my tonal arena by trying really hard to like different models and wood combos... especially ones other than my faves, but no matter how killer the instrument, when all was said and done, on gigs, I spent most of my time trying to coax "my sound" out of these other basses, which were simply not designed for it. It was frustrating and expensive.

If you know what you like, consider yourself lucky. Don't keep trying to like something that doesn't speak to you... stick with what you like, and save time and a pile of cash. That's my advice. :)
 

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