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The Official MTD USA Thread

#3,161
Vic said:
I do feel the wenge/wenge necks are oriented a little bit more for slapping than fingerstyle.
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This is most likely true for many folks. But, at least for my personal preferences, and my personal style, the best fingerstyle tone I have been able to get from an MTD (including those of Vic's which I have played - but sadly, his latest walnut beauty is not among this group) is from those two ash/maple/wenge/wenge basses.

But this is a very personal and subjective thing, and there are tones of variables (playing style and personal preferences being the greatest).

Tom.
 
#3,163
tombowlus said:
This is most likely true for many folks. But, at least for my personal preferences, and my personal style, the best fingerstyle tone I have been able to get from an MTD (including those of Vic's which I have played - but sadly, his latest walnut beauty is not among this group) is from those two ash/maple/wenge/wenge basses.

But this is a very personal and subjective thing, and there are tones of variables (playing style and personal preferences being the greatest).

Tom.
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+1

I should also mention my tonal prefs are much narrower than Tom's. I kinda' envy his ability to really dig as many different kinds of basses and tones. I, on the other hand, really struggle if the bass doesn't produce a fairly specific kind of aggression.
 
#3,164
maconbass said:
Vic, too bad you didn't get to play that one after the pu/pre switch. It was pure MTD after that.
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True, but I did play (actually gigged with) Tom's after that, and since his had my favorite body woods, it couldn't have worked any better for me personally than that one anyway. I still definitely like the ash/maple better tho. :)
 
#3,167
Vic said:
True, but I did play (actually gigged with) Tom's after that, and since his had my favorite body woods, it couldn't have worked any better for me personally than that one anyway. I still definitely like the ash/maple better tho. :)
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I certainly am not one to question Mike's favorite combos, but IME I've found maple a little too bright for me. Do you think the ash neck helps to tone down some of the high end of the maple?

FWIW, I have a feeling I'm between Vic and TomB on all this. I tend to favor the bridge pickup and aggressiveness like Vic's talking about, but I do prefer the wenge over any other neck/fb I've played, a la Tom. Agh, so many combos, so little money..............:atoz:
 
#3,168
DRay521 said:
I certainly am not one to question Mike's favorite combos, but IME I've found maple a little too bright for me. Do you think the ash neck helps to tone down some of the high end of the maple?
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I don't have a maple/maple to compare to, but it definitely has a smoother high end than my maple ebony MTDs do, and I THINK Mike does say the particular combo of the maple board on an ash neck is really something special.

FWIW, I have a feeling I'm between Vic and TomB on all this. I tend to favor the bridge pickup and aggressiveness like Vic's talking about, but I do prefer the wenge over any other neck/fb I've played, a la Tom. Agh, so many combos, so little money..............:atoz:
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Well, I don't wanna' sound like a dufus, but to ask the obvious question, if you already know you like the wenge/wenge neck, what's the problem? Or is there something you ARE missing?

All this said, depending on what (if anything?) falls short for you on the wenge/wenge, definitely at least eval an ash/maple neck'd model. I don't think they sound like what most folks would normally anticipate, and Mike has even said his don't sound like other folks' ash neck models for some reason.
 
#3,169
Vic said:
Well, I don't wanna' sound like a dufus, but to ask the obvious question, if you already know you like the wenge/wenge neck, what's the problem? Or is there something you ARE missing?

All this said, depending on what (if anything?) falls short for you on the wenge/wenge, definitely at least eval an ash/maple neck'd model. I don't think they sound like what most folks would normally anticipate, and Mike has even said his don't sound like other folks' ash neck models for some reason.
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Haha you're no dufus, Vic.:cool: You may have missed it on the previous page. I've got the korina body/wenge neck/fb, no top. I think it sounds great, but for that "sound in my head," I could use a little more aggressive tone, something a little punchier. And I've not been fortunate enough to play the ash/maple neck, so I was curious.

From what I've read on here and various other places, I think the wenge/wenge with ash body/maple top would nail that sound I'm looking for, but with a lack of MTD's to try out in Alabama, I have to ask a lot of questions about what's happening, and I keep hearing about the ash neck/maple board.
 
#3,174
tombowlus said:
I have not tried the Nordstrand gig bag as of yet.
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Ok, no problem. I'm looking for a gig bag that maintains its shape without the bass in it for the most part, is well padded, and of course reliable protection for my 635. Does the MTD gig bag fit that scenario?

Also, which is the better bag? From the MTD site, there is a heavy duty gig bag, and there is a professional strength gig bag. I'd imagine the professional strength gig bag is the better one? Also, can I order it directly through Mike Tobias, or if not, can you or anyone else recommend a dealer I can buy it through?
 
#3,175
Tony G said:
Ok, no problem. I'm looking for a gig bag that maintains its shape without the bass in it for the most part, is well padded, and of course reliable protection for my 635. Does the MTD gig bag fit that scenario?
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Yes, most definitely. It does not have as many pockets, straps, etc. as some other more 'fancy' gig bags, but it does maintain shape well, it is very nicely padded, and it just feels very secure. It is not at all bulky, either.

Also, which is the better bag? From the MTD site, there is a heavy duty gig bag, and there is a professional strength gig bag. I'd imagine the professional strength gig bag is the better one? Also, can I order it directly through Mike Tobias, or if not, can you or anyone else recommend a dealer I can buy it through?
Click to expand...

I have not tried the new 'professional strength' model.
 
#3,176
tombowlus said:
Yes, most definitely. It does not have as many pockets, straps, etc. as some other more 'fancy' gig bags, but it does maintain shape well, it is very nicely padded, and it just feels very secure. It is not at all bulky, either.



I have not tried the new 'professional strength' model.
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Ah, so you have the "heavy duty" bags? According to the MTD site, the Professional Strength gig bag is as follows:

Features zippered pockets on the front over body and headstock, backpack-style straps on the back with convenient Fas-tik connectors PLUS the convenience of a single shoulder strap attached to the side of the bag, extra heavy-duty padding, and a reinforced bottom. Also features exterior flap to protect zipper, interior pocket for picks, and reinforced interior protection for headstock and bridge. Available in single and double models. Color: Wine Red

Whereas the Heavy Duty gig bag seems to have less padding and features as mentioned:

Features dual gussetted pockets on the front, backpack-style straps on the back PLUS the convenience of a single shoulder strap attached to the side of the bag, heavy-duty padding, and a reinforced bottom. Color: Black

I think I'll just email Mike Tobias and see what he has to say about it.
 
#3,179
Alright a couple of posts headed your way. First, Tony I have a MTD gigbag that I will sell you it. Is is a bit expensive but comes with a free 535. For those of you whou don't hang out in the FS forums I have a 535 posted and may take partial trades listed. I know some of you gear heads probably have some of those trades too.
 
#3,180
DRay521 said:
I need a little more aggressiveness and punch. Would the ash/maple top give me what I'm missing or is the wenge the issue?
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I'll throw in another +1 for the ash/maple body, at least, plus 1/2 for an ash neck. :) You get a big, full tone with clarity that cuts through well and you can easily drive it into aggression with more finger power. Play it safe and it's kinda neutral (slightly "dry") or push harder and you get a kind of grunty, MM Stingray tone, without the mid-scoop and pop of the strings hitting the pole-pieces. :) And you can always cut some 2K to close it down, more like a tulipwood or alder-bodied MTD.

Currently going through a bunch of band rehearsal recordings, will cram together a few sections of different styles and tones that demonstrate what I'm talking about.

Cheers,

EG
 

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