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The Official MTD USA Thread

#3,481
kfletcher said:
Anybody familiar with a zebra body and bubinga neck? I have not seen this combo and have a opportunity to buy it. It is about an hour away so I have not tested it out or heard the tone combination. Any experience or opinions let me know. thanks
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Do you mean a Zebrawood top or a solid Zebrawood body? If just the top, what does the back of the bass look like? Zebrawood is quite a hard wood, so would typically tighten up the sound, when used on a softer body like alder or tulipwood. I think any neck with bubinga in it will tend to be quite focussed and punchy, especially in the low mids.

Cheers,

EG
 
#3,484
Josh Pelican said:
I don't know a whole lot about these basses so excuse my asking, but why are the USA models much more expensive than the others?

According to Bass Central, most USA models are a good $5,000-$6,000+, while the Kingston and Z models are only $1,000-$2,000!

-Josh
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Handmade in the USA by the lutheir (Michael Tobias) vs machine made in Korea is what causes the price difference. To get one of the US models you can wait up to 1 year for it to be made. They truely are "custom" in many respects (although bodyshape and electronics are standard in the US models).
 
#3,485
Josh Pelican said:
I don't know a whole lot about these basses so excuse my asking, but why are the USA models much more expensive than the others?

According to Bass Central, most USA models are a good $5,000-$6,000+, while the Kingston and Z models are only $1,000-$2,000!

-Josh
Click to expand...

I have both.

The prices fit accordingly. Trust me. ;)
 
#3,487
Josh Pelican said:
How much of a difference (aside from how they're made) is there in these basses? I know the real USE models sound amazing, but how do the others sound?
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It depends.
I also have a Kingston Heir 5 (which is FS, actually) and it sounds great, but it's a totally different animal.
I got it hoping it'd work out for my hard rock outfit, but I just prefer Spectors for "that sound".
My 535 covers the rest. It's real full and aggressive, especially with the J/MM pickup config. Very versatile and hard to beat for it's price range.
 
#3,490
Josh Pelican said:
How much of a difference (aside from how they're made) is there in these basses? I know the real USE models sound amazing, but how do the others sound?
Click to expand...
I knew this was coming... :)

canoworms.jpg
 
#3,493
Too funny!

I've played both, and there is truly no comparison - IMO, YMMV, yada yada. :D Spend a few minutes with both side-by-each, and you'll know. No argument against the non-USA models - they're terrific. They're just not the USA models.

That said, the first MTD I've ever seriously considered is sitting in my gig bag as I type. I've loved the look, admired the construction, and respected the man his ownself for forever and a day (my first 'premium' instrument was a Tobias Classic), but I never played an MTD that sounded like "me" until this one.

2786463393_7b5722a68d.jpg


Ash + walnut + maple = MUCH HAPPINESS

However, what really sold me - my local shop took one in just like it on consignment. One year older, but same exact woods. It sounded nothing like the one I've got. Which told me, even as I stood at the counter and wrote a check for more than I've ever spent on any instrument, that I had something pretty special.
 
#3,494
VroomVroom said:
Too funny!

I've played both, and there is truly no comparison - IMO, YMMV, yada yada. :D Spend a few minutes with both side-by-each, and you'll know. No argument against the non-USA models - they're terrific. They're just not the USA models.

That said, the first MTD I've ever seriously considered is sitting in my gig bag as I type. I've loved the look, admired the construction, and respected the man his ownself for forever and a day (my first 'premium' instrument was a Tobias Classic), but I never played an MTD that sounded like "me" until this one.

2786463393_7b5722a68d.jpg


Ash + walnut + maple = MUCH HAPPINESS

However, what really sold me - my local shop took one in just like it on consignment. One year older, but same exact woods. It sounded nothing like the one I've got. Which told me, even as I stood at the counter and wrote a check for more than I've ever spent on any instrument, that I had something pretty special.
Click to expand...
Yes you do!!

BTW, I had a shot at that topwood initially about a year ago, and let me tell you, the finished product looks way better than I thought it would from the raw wood pic (which is typical, but especially the case here!).

For example, here's your topwood before it was made into a bass... great lookin' chunk, but NOwhere near as beautiful as your bass is.

mtd_walnut_1.jpg
 
#3,495
Just....just, WOW!

Thanks so much for posting that image. Amazing.

You know, as much as I love the look of the bass - and I confess to the sin of vanity...aesthetics are important to me - it's the sound that did it. I've loved the look (and playability) of just about every MTD instrument I've seen over the years. This one just flat out speaks, if that makes sense. It's got all the clarity you'd expect from an MTD, but the lower mids are just pronounced - they hit quickly and last throughout the curve from attack to full decay. I love this thing! I jokingly refer to it as being like my Sadowsky, but with warmth and sweetness to go along with the bark.
 
#3,498
Vic said:
We are. :) We're friends, just blowin' each other some crap all in good fun. :)
Click to expand...

Haha, I know, I know.

I wish I could afford a US model right now, but I'm in school and not making very much. When I'm done school in less than one year, I'll be working in a hospital making too much money that I won't know what to do with!

I think you all know what I'll be spending it on.
 

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