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The Official MTD USA Thread

#4,021
KJung said:
Not totally sure what this post means. With an internally adjustable preamp, there is no inherent 'hot or not'. The preamp puts out as much or as little as you want it to depending on the position of the trim pot.
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No worries. Sometimes I'm not sure exactly what my posts mean, either. However, I think there is a difference between basses and the gain output of the preamp when all things are set equal. That's just been my experience. Not sure what to attribute it to, but it's there.

The Alleva's have moderately hot output (i.e., while the preamp is set at unity gain with the passive pickups, the output of the passive pickups is pretty robust).
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I would agree that they're not wimps, but they're not my MTD either. No slam against the AC.

Looking at it the other way, would you rather control the input level going into your amp using a little battery operated on-board preamp, or from the gain control of your amp or preamp:smug:
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I see what you're saying here. I would rather control it at the amp also. However, I do here a mild difference in tone in the MTD when I turn up the gain output of the preamp. To put it another way, in some of the amp forums, lots of people advocate turning the gain up to noon on a powerful amp that might have too much power output for a given room, and then turn the volume down. This way the amp is sending out a nice clean signal without being overbearing or too wimpy.

I liken this advice to my experience with MTD's. I would rather turn up the gain output of the pre to about 50-60% and have the bass send a nice signal to the amp and then deal with it from there.

No big deal. I've heard you're playing and your tone and I have nothing to argue with there!:)

Different strokes, I guess.
 
#4,022
XavidmanX said:
No worries. Sometimes I'm not sure exactly what my posts mean, either. However, I think there is a difference between basses and the gain output of the preamp when all things are set equal. That's just been my experience. Not sure what to attribute it to, but it's there.



I would agree that they're not wimps, but they're not my MTD either. No slam against the AC.



I see what you're saying here. I would rather control it at the amp also. However, I do here a mild difference in tone in the MTD when I turn up the gain output of the preamp. To put it another way, in some of the amp forums, lots of people advocate turning the gain up to noon on a powerful amp that might have too much power output for a given room, and then turn the volume down. This way the amp is sending out a nice clean signal without being overbearing or too wimpy.

I liken this advice to my experience with MTD's. I would rather turn up the gain output of the pre to about 50-60% and have the bass send a nice signal to the amp and then deal with it from there.

No big deal. I've heard you're playing and your tone and I have nothing to argue with there!:)

Different strokes, I guess.
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+1 to all the above. I think my post came off a little 'snippy' and I didn't mean it that way:). Based on a similar discussion in the Skjold thread, there seems to be some confusion about the operation of various active circuits, etc., and I was just trying to clarify that an on-board preamp with an output level trim pot can be set to any gain the user would like, and IMO and IME the most useful thing about having a trim pot is to match the gain with other basses.

I also agree that you can crank the gain of the MTD preamps to be VERY hot, as you mentioned. I just don't see any advantage to doing that myself.
 
#4,023
Dr_Funkdamental said:
Im interested to ask why would you say hes clueless? Its what he likes, and judging from his gig/recording history, it seems to work with no issue. :confused:
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Clueless? I heard this guy on stage with Victor Wooten, Adam Nitti, David Dyson, Gerald Veasley, Brian Beller, and Anthony Wellington, and his tone fit perfectly in the mix. He was not boomy, nor too bright. Those were not just my observations, but shared by the majority of 70 or so bassist in the room. Sometimes what might not make sense on paper, works for some people; obviously it is working for Gouche. A couple of years ago he backed Chaka Chan at the BET Music Awards. During the program, Prince and Chaka performed together, and Gouche was the bassist. If you can find a clip of that program, listen to Gouche, and tell me what you think of his tone. As we all know, we get our tone from our fingers, and maybe his fingers have a way getting the best out of his axe, that we couldn't get with his settings, but to blast him like Kjung did, is not IMO/IME, warranted. All I know is that he has, and continues to earn a great living playing his MTD, (and by the way he uses an Epi 902C amp) using the settings I previously mentioned, and maybe we as bassist don't like his tone, but his many clients and fans sure do.
 
#4,024
Virgil said:
I too am confused. I heard this guy on stage with Victor Wooten, Adam Nitti, David Dyson, Gerald Veasley, Brian Beller, and Anthony Wellington, and his tone fit perfectly in the mix. He was not boomy, nor too bright. Those were not just my observations, but shared by the majority of 70 or so bassist in the room. Sometimes what might not make sense on paper, works for some people; obviously it is working for Gouche. A couple of years ago he backed Chaka Chan at the BET Music Awards. During the program, Prince and Chaka performed together, and Gouche was the bassist. If you can find a clip of that program, listen to Gouche, and tell me what you think of his tone. As we all know, we get out tone from our fingers, and maybe his fingers have a way getting the best out of his axe, that we couldn't get with his settings, but to blast him like Kjung did, is not IMO/IME, warranted. All I know is that he has and continues to earn a great living playing his MTD, (and by the way he uses an Epi 902C amp) using the settings I previously mentioned, and maybe we as bassist don't like his tone, but his many clients and fans sure do.
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Hey Virgil,

I didn't mean to dog him (he's one of my favorite players), but just wouldn't want to see a lot of players thinking that was a good idea. I'm sure with certain technique and a certain rig and for a certain tone goal, it's fine. I don't think Andrew's going to lose any sleep based on what I think:D

However, for the rest of us, it's MUCH better to use those on-board pre's as they are designed. As 'cut and boost' sweeteners to be used sparingly:smug:

And I do maintain from experience that it's amazing how some of these great players are literally clueless about this stuff. Of course, I can't play like Andrew, so he wins anyway!
 
#4,025
Well I didnt really get heated about it myself. I always like to hear all sides of things. On Gouche's end, its easy for me to understand. Boost all; trim what you want. Honestly, once I thought about it, this to me is kinda like the smiley face EQ that alot of players I see dial in on their amps, he just does it on his bass (while I assume dials his amp accordingly). On Kjungs end, heck, I dont even know what 'bass shelving' or any of that means lol. This was the basis of my confusion, so my question was more from ignorant inquiry. Also, I notice alot of ppl like to use the onboard and just run the amp flat, so am I to believe this is not the 'textbook' way? (sincerely asking)

On another note, MORE PICS PLEASE! :)
 
#4,026
Hey MTD fans. There is a new bloodwood/ash/ash 635 on the Austin Bass Traders site that is about the best looking MTD I'm ever seen. Just FYI.

I was cruising the site and clicked on it, and it was a 'whoa' experience. It's just beautiful IMO!
 
#4,027
KJung said:
Hey MTD fans. There is a new bloodwood/ash/ash 635 on the Austin Bass Traders site that is about the best looking MTD I'm ever seen. Just FYI.

I was cruising the site and clicked on it, and it was a 'whoa' experience. It's just beautiful IMO!
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Nice, that looks like Andrew Gouche's main bass...
 
#4,031
KJung said:
Hey MTD fans. There is a new bloodwood/ash/ash 635 on the Austin Bass Traders site that is about the best looking MTD I'm ever seen. Just FYI.

I was cruising the site and clicked on it, and it was a 'whoa' experience. It's just beautiful IMO!
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I'm really wondering about these basses (the walnut and the bloodwod 635)
I have my monarch imperial on order but, these two basses are too gorgeous, they make me wanna change my mind and go with mtd.
without saying that the price of my fodera is almost the price of 2 mtd.
 
#4,033
VroomVroom said:
I'm guessing that you're buying more on sound than on looks? Two totally different beasts, but I'm sure that's stating the obvious. :D
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I choose a bass for the sound and then for the look.

but with these basses, it's different, the fodera is done with my specs, so I hope that it will satisfy my needs.
and it doesn't, I can always sell the fodera and get a mtd 635.

Oh my god I tired of waiting for my bass!!!
 
#4,037
Cool! It's beautiful...

Here's a little photobucket help.

Norm1.gif
 
#4,040
lsu921 said:
Thanks for the assist! Firewall will let me get there, but won't let me login. I'll have it tomorrow, and will take some good pics and share them. Poor bass is headed for a MAJOR decline in the "owner's talent" catergory!
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Wait a minute, you're serious? You literally bought his actual sushi bass? How did that happen? TELL US THE STORY... or at least tell my you "got me" with the joke. :)
 

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