The Official MTD USA Thread

[rockstarbassist]

Hey guys, just a quick question.

I've got a 435, korina body/wenge neck/fb, running through an Eden WT550 and 210XST. As we've all discussed, wenge slap tone cuts like a knife. However, I find that the slap tone on my bass just fades into the mix. Just wondering what you think. Is it the amp, the wood combo, or something else?? Thanks.

DRay

How are you running your EQ?
Best for slap on a wenge setup (IME) is Mid switch at 1k (in the "Up" position, towards you), Treble at 75%, Mids at 25%, Bass at 75%. Killer and stays true even in the mix.
How are you EQ'ing your Eden, also?

 

[DRay521]

How are you running your EQ?
Best for slap on a wenge setup (IME) is Mid switch at 1k (in the "Up" position, towards you), Treble at 75%, Mids at 25%, Bass at 75%. Killer and stays true even in the mix.
How are you EQ'ing your Eden, also?

Eden's flat, except bass and treble at +1, Enhance at 9 o'clock. For my slap tone, I set the blend to just a little past center click towards the neck pickup. Mids flat, treble and bass about 50%, maybe a little more. If I push much more than 50%, there's a little distortion. I can turn my trim pot down, but my bass is older (#081) and the electronics aren't quite as loud as the newer ones, and Mike actually set the trim pot where it is for me.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Try cutting your Mids back some to what I recommended. Leaving the Mids flat w/ the switch at 1k doesn't seem "on" to me. I sometimes turn them all the way, off actually! I see Norm's settings on his 535 like this a lot in still pictures.

I would say cut down the Enhance knob (I used to have a 550) but at 9:00 it shouldn't be doing much and your EQ seems fine.

 

[Bassflute]

Hey guys, just a quick question.

I've got a 435, korina body/wenge neck/fb, running through an Eden WT550 and 210XST. As we've all discussed, wenge slap tone cuts like a knife. However, I find that the slap tone on my bass just fades into the mix. Just wondering what you think. Is it the amp, the wood combo, or something else?? Thanks.

DRay

pretty scooped already; lots of crispy top end and very low bass. You might want to try adding some mids. Try experimenting with the top position on the switch on your bass. You can either EQ on the fly on your bass, or then find those frequencies on the amp and eq from there.

It could also be your choice of strings - most slap players use stainless, and nice crispy new ones at that.

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[KJung]

Eden's flat, except bass and treble at +1, Enhance at 9 o'clock. For my slap tone, I set the blend to just a little past center click towards the neck pickup. Mids flat, treble and bass about 50%, maybe a little more. If I push much more than 50%, there's a little distortion. I can turn my trim pot down, but my bass is older (#081) and the electronics aren't quite as loud as the newer ones, and Mike actually set the trim pot where it is for me.

While I loved the slap tone of my similarly configured MTD, I did find that it took a lot of cabinet and quite a bit of power to push that deep low end, polite mid and very upper treble sizzle through a mix. It worked OK, and one thing that helped was actually to not cut the upper mids like you typically would with a J Bass or other bass that has a more mid present voicing.

That deep low end on the MTD's is a really mixed blessing, since it eats up power, and really pummels your speakers. However, if you have the cone area and the wattage, the slap tone of that bass with the EQ pretty much flat on the bass... maybe a slight boost on the low end (NOT 50%.. my god!) is pretty darn nice if you dig that modern uber clean sizzle sort of thing. Eden...about where you have your EQ set.. although I'd get rid of the enhance.

Also, favoring the neck pickup is IMO the wrong direction for getting a good slap tone to sit in a mix. That will suck the little bit of mids inherent in that bass right out of the sound. Center those pickups!

Finally, that upper sizzly treble sometimes has trouble sitting right on the ride cymbal. Usually, not boosting the treble control on the MTD pre, and boosting a little treble on the amp, which is usually set a touch lower, helps move the sparkle of that instrument down a little bit into the lower treble region, where it sits in a mix better.

IMO and a LOT of IME

 

[DRay521]

Thanks guys, alot of really good advice here and some stuff I can definitely try out.

I should clarify a couple of things being mentioned. I use MTD Nickel strings, .045-.100. I find these are VERY crisp, clean, and punchy, and really accent the bass well. But they do die out fairly quick, which could be part of the problem (I need new strings).

Also, the mid switch is set to the lower position (250 I think?) for lower mids. This shouldn't really effect the tone because according to Mr. T the switch has minimal effect when the pot is at center click.

The thing I don't get is that the TONE is brilliant, sounds almost exactly like what I hear in my head. But the volume when I go from fingerstyle to slap in the same song is night and day. I tend to agree with the above posts and think a 410 cabinet would help push the air better. But like I said, I'm getting some great advice and I'll be trying some things over the next few days. Thanks guys, and of course if anyone else has thoughts I'd really appreciate them.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Ok guys, quick question here-

I know the lead times on current from-scratch MTD's are really getting up there, so I'm thinking about getting ready to put in another order the next few months to Mr. T.

Basically, I want this next bass to be my more "rock" bass, if you will. I like my wenge+myrtl burl & tulipwood, but it doesn't work as well as I want for more aggressive and against heavy guitars and drums stuff as I'd like. I know a "lesser" instrument would probably work as well, but there's nothing in my 8-9 years that comes close to the MTD neck, and I just gotta have it!

So, I've posted before my wood choices, with custom J/J's. However, would just the USA Saratoga be a better (and arguably cheaper!) alternative? I just am not sure I'll be happy with the 34" scale, and I've heard the neck really isn't the same at all. But I've also heard under the hood it's a different setup and animal altogether.

Would possibly a 535 with a good wood combo with the Saratoga electronics package be a good fit? I was also toying with the notion of a fixed mid freq, but came back and figured there's no reason to limit the bass, when I can just flip the switch and leave it, ya know?

Anyways, as always I listen to the MTD crew! I may just go ahead and email Mike on this anyhow.

 

[Vic]

I want this next bass to be my more "rock" bass, if you will. I like my wenge+myrtl burl & tulipwood, but it doesn't work as well as I want for more aggressive and against heavy guitars and drums stuff as I'd like. I know a "lesser" instrument would probably work as well, but there's nothing in my 8-9 years that comes close to the MTD neck, and I just gotta have it!

Ok, so yer into the 535 big time, but your current wood combo doesn't really fit the rock genre as well. No surprises there... especially your opinion of that wood combo for that music genre (IMHO).

So, I've posted before my wood choices, with custom J/J's. However, would just the USA Saratoga be a better (and arguably cheaper!) alternative? I just am not sure I'll be happy with the 34" scale, and I've heard the neck really isn't the same at all. But I've also heard under the hood it's a different setup and animal altogether.

Would possibly a 535 with a good wood combo with the Saratoga electronics package be a good fit? I was also toying with the notion of a fixed mid freq, but came back and figured there's no reason to limit the bass, when I can just flip the switch and leave it, ya know?

IMHO, and I think I've posted about this before, moving to the USA Saratoga would not be what I recommend. Seems like you've made it clear the 535 is your thing, and all you need is a tonal adjustment... not a whole new deal. I strongly vote you stick with your 535 and just get the wood combo that'll do what you want.

Personally, I think the ash body ash neck bass would totally do this for you, but I don't wanna' sound like a broken record, either.

I may just go ahead and email Mike on this anyhow.

DEFINITELY do that, and of course, post here what he says. In general, ALWAYS do that if you're getting serious about placing an order.

 

[Big String]

and I was just thinking how nice Tom Bowlus' carpet would go with that wallpaper...



Cheers,
Cameron

Hey Tom
When it comes time to replace that carpet I suggest that you have a bunch of shoulder straps made out it. It's quite famous as you know.... I'll take one free for thinking of it.

 

[rockstarbassist]

^^^

Yeah I think it'd be silly to move from the 535 as I know I love it, but again the Saratoga's seem nice and are a tad easier on the wallet!

I'm curious if anyone actually knows the difference on the electronics packages between the two? The MTD website isn't exactly the epitome of "Updated!" so it's hard to get info from there. I know Bill custom makes everything he forwards on to Mike, so someone has gotta know...

So Vic you think all ash neck, and all ash body? I was considering possibly an all ash neck+FB, but with an ash body and maple top.

 

[Big String]

Personally, I think the ash body ash neck bass would totally do this for you, but I don't wanna' sound like a broken record, either. QUOTE]

I don't know diddly about MTD's but have been interested for some time. I called Mike T. once and he pretty much told me this exact combination would work well for my Bluesy/Rock taste, that is Ash Ash don't remember what board combination or if he suggested a particular top that would add or subtract from that.

 

[VroomVroom]

FWIW, my 635 - ash/walnut & ash/maple - cuts beautifully. I can't say I've been doing a lot of rock stuff, but I've used it on every R&B/disco gig I've had since purchasing it. The upper mids on this thing are really pronounced, and I love the tone. Here's an endorsement that may sum things up...I wouldn't hesitate to take this bass on any gig that would ordinarily be the sole domain of my Sadowsky. It's got plenty of bark and a bite to match.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Just emailed Mike w/ some pretty specific questions and inquiries. We'll see how he pops back!

 

[tombowlus]

Hey Tom
When it comes time to replace that carpet I suggest that you have a bunch of shoulder straps made out it. It's quite famous as you know.... I'll take one free for thinking of it.

LOL! That's not a bad idea! I was thinking of having some of my cabs recovered in that carpet, too.

 

[Vic]

Yeah I think it'd be silly to move from the 535 as I know I love it, but again the Saratoga's seem nice and are a tad easier on the wallet!

In the grand scheme of things, I'm not sure they're that much cheaper... especially if you were to forego the figured woods on a 535. Just depends on what you want I 'spose.

I'm curious if anyone actually knows the difference on the electronics packages between the two? The MTD website isn't exactly the epitome of "Updated!" so it's hard to get info from there. I know Bill custom makes everything he forwards on to Mike, so someone has gotta know...

When I originally spoke to Mike about these, admittedly a year ago, the prototype I got was based on the same preamp as the 535... NTMB, but he told me the "standard" preamp for the (then USA J5) was going to be "based on the NTBT". I'm not sure what the tonal diffs are, but I think that's an older preamp model of Bill's, if that helps. I would assume not as big and wide sounding... probably more focused and fundamental.

So Vic you think all ash neck, and all ash body? I was considering possibly an all ash neck+FB, but with an ash body and maple top.

The particular "magic bullet" with Mike right now is the ash body/walnut top with the ash neck/maple board. If you like that look (I certainly do) then that's definitely an option, but Mike can give you more options with woods that'll preserve as much (if not all) that combo's attributes as possible and still give you "something different" if you so desire. He's a wood alchemist.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I heard back from Mr. T. today.

Basically he echoed the sentiment of the walnut+ash body and maple+ash fb/neck.

He did say that he has some choice ash pieces that are going to be dried and ready as tops (or one-piece bodies) later this coming Spring, and explained why they are difficult to get that look really nice and useful as tops. He said my choice on a trans-black or trans-gray stain on a highly figured ash top would be pretty darned striking against a maple board!! ...which of course, is the desired effect! I'm even considering birdseye maple on the fb, but it could be a tad busy contrasting to the body, which is going to standout BIG time, if I go through with that option!

He said a maple cap would work, but he would better suggest either all-ash or a walnut top of some kind.

He mentioned too that he wouldn't put the Saratoga USA electronics in it either, which I was kinda bummed about but guess it's ok. Maybe when I get around to actually putting in my order I'll give him a call and see what he can do for me... Even if it was just the J/J pickups and same preamp set from the 535, that'd be fine.

 

[Vic]

I heard back from Mr. T. today.

Cool!

He said my choice on a trans-black or trans-gray stain on a highly figured ash top would be pretty darned striking against a maple board!!

Man, that would look amazing!

He mentioned too that he wouldn't put the Saratoga USA electronics in it either, which I was kinda bummed...

I'm confused... why? What is it you dig so much about that preamp?

 

[rockstarbassist]

Cool!

Man, that would look amazing!

I'm confused... why? What is it you dig so much about that preamp?

Yeah I'm going to probably tell him I want to get in line or wait as that really was my ideal visual configuration ever since I first started thinking on this.

Well I just know that the specific preamp and pickups on the USA Saratogas give you that more focused and "J"-ish/style sound, which is why he developed them for guys like Norm who needed that sound in addition to the standard 535 tone. I was hoping I could accomplish this on my next MTD, so I could just have that variation, ya know? Without having to sacrifice for a neck I'm not sure I'll be comfortable on, spacing that probably will feel different, and 34" scale which I definitely do not like. So I haven't asked if I could JUST get the J/J setup and leave the preamp, but from his email it looks as if it's leaning towards a no-go which I'm a little bummed about, but hopefully that wood combo will really make up for it.

 

[Vic]

Well I just know that the specific preamp and pickups on the USA Saratogas give you that more focused and "J"-ish/style sound, which is why he developed them for guys like Norm who needed that sound in addition to the standard 535 tone. I was hoping I could accomplish this on my next MTD, so I could just have that variation, ya know? Without having to sacrifice for a neck I'm not sure I'll be comfortable on, spacing that probably will feel different, and 34" scale which I definitely do not like. So I haven't asked if I could JUST get the J/J setup and leave the preamp, but from his email it looks as if it's leaning towards a no-go which I'm a little bummed about, but hopefully that wood combo will really make up for it.

I guess I can understand that. I would be surprised if he wouldn't at least do the J pickups tho.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I guess I can understand that. I would be surprised if he wouldn't at least do the J pickups tho.

Right. That's what I'm hoping he'll at least concede and do for me, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I think I've posted it here already, but this finish, and probably a little lighter, over a figured ash top is what I'm going for:

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You can imagine the contrasting maple board against that too!