The Official MTD USA Thread

[rockstarbassist]

I'm a sucker for spalted maple.

PLUS the matching headstock... *faints*

If you can get down on a 6'er, by all means go for it IMHO!

I'm sticking to 5's only nowadays so I wouldn't do it, but that's only b/c I just can't get around on a 6 like I should to justify the trade.

 

[bassnote6]

I think you should keep that 5. It's an older one and the pickups are different than the newer ones. I think the sounds of the older ones are much better IMHO. Keep the 5 and buy another 6 if you can.

 

[Chris V.]

Thanks for the input guys!

The matching top and headstock on the 6'er is really beautiful, I really love that.

Yeah, bassnote6 - I was concerned about the electronics when he contacted me. However, that's why I'm going to meet him so we can try-before-we-trade. It'll actually be in a music shop, so we'll have loads of amps to try, etc. Even if we don't end up trading, it'll still be fun.

 

[smakbass]

The big thing will be the neck, I recently tried a Wenge necked MTD 535 in a local shop and it wasnt for me personally (which isnt saying its not for you) The only way you will be able to tell is to play it and make up your own mind both are gorgeous instruments that would serve anyone well.

 

[Chris V.]

The big thing will be the neck, I recently tried a Wenge necked MTD 535 in a local shop and it wasnt for me personally (which isnt saying its not for you) The only way you will be able to tell is to play it and make up your own mind both are gorgeous instruments that would serve anyone well.

What didn't you like about the wengé neck?

 

[smakbass]

I wouldnt say I didnt "like" it just not for me its just a different sound from than a maple neck I think Vic and a few others have posted some comparisons on here, I would generally agree with their thoughts.

 

[bassnote6]

I wouldnt say I didnt "like" it just not for me its just a different sound from than a maple neck I think Vic and a few others have posted some comparisons on here, I would generally agree with their thoughts.

Make up your own mind. Both of my MTD's have wenge necks and they do sound different and I'm glad they do!

 

[smakbass]

I am just saying that I think that will be the biggest difference.

it may be that the wenge neck is the exact thing you have been looking for.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I was on the fence about wenge at first, but ever since I threw on a set of MTD Nickels, problem solved.

It can be a tad zingy w/ stainless steels, but the nix round it out nicely and you don't even have to cut back on the treble.

Plus, you still get all of the flavor and snap that wenge has to offer. I'm in love with it now.

 

[smakbass]

What are the stock strings Mike puts on these? Stainless?

 

[Tony G]

What are the stock strings Mike puts on these? Stainless?

Yes, every USA MTD ships out with MTD Stainless Steel Strings, IIRC.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Yes, every USA MTD ships out with MTD Stainless Steel Strings, IIRC.

Yup.
The nickels are just divine, IMHO. But I prefer nix on pretty much all my axes.

 

[bassnote6]

Yup.
The nickels are just divine, IMHO. But I prefer nix on pretty much all my axes.

Plus 1

 

[Vic]

I think you should keep that 5. It's an older one and the pickups are different than the newer ones. I think the sounds of the older ones are much better IMHO. Keep the 5 and buy another 6 if you can.

Are you talking about the pickups with the integral preamp vs the external preamp? Mike has always said they sound the same.

Are you sure you're not attributing tone diffs between to basses due to the usual woods vs handbuilt thing to the pickups? I'd assume it's the basses sounding different... not the pickups... unless you literally took the two pickup types and swapped them out on the same bass, anyway.

 

[Vic]

Here goes -
His 635:

VS.

My 535:

What do you guys think?

So, if I'm correct, it's ash/maple wenge/wenge 635/24, and a mahogany/myrtle maple/rosewood 535/21, is that correct?

A couple other questions... how much do you slap, and do you prefer a more traditional slant to the modern MTD sound or a more modern slant to the modern sound?

 

[bassnote6]

Are you talking about the pickups with the integral preamp vs the external preamp? Mike has always said they sound the same.

Are you sure you're not attributing tone diffs between to basses due to the usual woods vs handbuilt thing to the pickups? I'd assume it's the basses sounding different... not the pickups... unless you literally took the two pickup types and swapped them out on the same bass, anyway.

yes I am. Mike says they should sound the same but there is a slight difference.And it's noticeable. check out his vid with Norm. He eludes to that fact. Plus I asked him. Peace

 

[Vic]

The nickels are just divine, IMHO.

I REALLY need to try a set of these. I do like the SS's myself, and don't mind bumping the treble down... in fact, I kinda' like the effect that has doing it that way. But, the nickels do sound intriguing, and the slickery feel is way cool.

 

[Vic]

yes I am. Mike says they should sound the same but there is a slight difference.And it's noticeable. check out his vid with Norm. He eludes to that fact. Plus I asked him. Peace

Fair enough. Thanks.

Can you characterize the diff?

 

[rockstarbassist]

I REALLY need to try a set of these. I do like the SS's myself, and don't mind bumping the treble down... in fact, I kinda' like the effect that has doing it that way. But, the nickels do sound intriguing, and the slickery feel is way cool.

At least try them on a wenge/wenge bass if you have one! They're an excellent pairing!

 

[Vic]

At least try them on a wenge/wenge bass if you have one! They're an excellent pairing!

Well, I don't have one of those, and most likely won't, but have you (or anyone else here) tried them on a maple or ash neck'd model?