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The Official MTD USA Thread

#4,322
Sterling_Bass said:
That's really impressive. What are your tonal requirements going to be? I can not wait to see what Mike comes up with.
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Thanks. I usually go for a beefy low end with nearly nonexistent mids and sharp flutey highs. However, I am wiiiiide open on this one. Something with a nice midrange voice would probably inspire me to do something different musically. Mike T. is the greatest luthier on the planet and I trust his judgement.
 
#4,325
Bassflute said:
And you know, I know Michael is against 'shiny stuff' on his basses, but my Marilyn has developed a shiny spot where my finger touches the top when I slap, and this has led me to think two things:

1) His finish could be buffed out

2) Maybe he could put a slightly thicker coat on the top only, and buff it out, that way you'd have 'shiny stuff' where it shows when you're playing, and it wouldn't affect the sound too much.

Just a thought. And what is BEM?

Cheers,
Cameron
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Hi Cameron,
You're right, the finish is sometimes not as it should be.
I love Mr T. works as I own 4 MTDs and I'd like to have one more (the famous Ash body/Ash neck with birdseye fingerboard combo).
But I must confess, I have the same kind of issue on one of my 535, but in different places on the body. It is really minor but can be seen it you look at the body carefully:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Anyway this bass is a true monster and I'm loving it!
 
#4,326
Georges Abitbol said:
Hi Cameron,
You're right, the finish is sometimes not as it should be.
I love Mr T. works as I own 4 MTDs and I'd like to have one more (the famous Ash body/Ash neck with birdseye fingerboard combo).
But I must confess, I have the same kind of issue on one of my 535, but in different places on the body. It is really minor but can be seen it you look at the body carefully:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Anyway this bass is a true monster and I'm loving it!
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+1 They will shine up in heavily used spots (like between/below the neck pickup and neck if you slap). It's no big deal, but once it is there, I never found a way to get rid of it.
 
#4,327
Well, by yourself, you can't. But my local repair guy told me it can be easily fixed with a slight refinish of the surface.

I tell it again: there's almost nothing to see, as the bass is just played in a normal use. Otherwise I should have kept it in the closet.

I remember VW 1983 1st Fodera: it is heavily used where his thumb is plucking. So this thing appears even on Fodera basses.
 
#4,328
Georges Abitbol said:
Well, by yourself, you can't. But my local repair guy told me it can be easily fixed with a slight refinish of the surface.
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Let me know how this works out. I picked up a 535 with a shiny spot that is kinda buggin' me. I was thinking of taking some 00 steel wool to the spot (though it is very close to the pickups, so I'd have to tape them off well).
 
#4,329
Hi Tom,
My local repair guy told me this as I showed up my bass to him. I will never try something on the finish by myself as it could damage it.
He told me mine deserved a slight refinish, but I think only Mr T. is the most qualified to do this.

Don't try to do this thing at home kids!
Mr_T.jpg


Oups, I mean this Mr T. of course:
MikeTobias2_by-Jennifer-May.jpg


WOW the 1000 post limit!
 
#4,330
tombowlus said:
Let me know how this works out. I picked up a 535 with a shiny spot that is kinda buggin' me. I was thinking of taking some 00 steel wool to the spot (though it is very close to the pickups, so I'd have to tape them off well).
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I personally would recommend against having anyone but Mike T do any kind of refin. He has a proprietary finish specifically designed for tonal considerations.

That said, I'd further simply advise tolerance for the shiny spots. I'd only be concerned if wood was exposed. Otherwise, depending on playing style, the shiny spots will continue to reappear, and really, at least to me, they're a very very minor cosmetic thing. Only visible under close scrutiny, and don't really detract from the beauty of the instrument in any tangibly significant way.

IMHO and FWIW of course. Highly subjective topic.
 
#4,331
Vic said:
I personally would recommend against having anyone but Mike T do any kind of refin. He has a proprietary finish specifically designed for tonal considerations.

That said, I'd further simply advise tolerance for the shiny spots. I'd only be concerned if wood was exposed. Otherwise, depending on playing style, the shiny spots will continue to reappear, and really, at least to me, they're a very very minor cosmetic thing. Only visible under close scrutiny, and don't really detract from the beauty of the instrument in any tangibly significant way.

IMHO and FWIW of course. Highly subjective topic.
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+1 If you actually do a lot of gigs on these basses:smug::D, it's what will happen.

Regarding tonal considerations on refin, I surely wouldn't worry about that. However, +1 for resale and to keep an MTD looking completely like an MTD.
 
#4,333
Vic said:
I personally would recommend against having anyone but Mike T do any kind of refin. He has a proprietary finish specifically designed for tonal considerations.

That said, I'd further simply advise tolerance for the shiny spots. I'd only be concerned if wood was exposed. Otherwise, depending on playing style, the shiny spots will continue to reappear, and really, at least to me, they're a very very minor cosmetic thing. Only visible under close scrutiny, and don't really detract from the beauty of the instrument in any tangibly significant way.

IMHO and FWIW of course. Highly subjective topic.
Click to expand...

I'm kinda weird in that I don't mind cosmetic flaws that I put there myself, but when I see a "cosmetic issue" on an otherwise pristine instrument, AND I did not put it there, AND it's not even the kind of a spot I would create through much use, AND it jumps out at me every time I look at it, I do get a little nit-picky.

FWIW, some of my other MTDs do exhibit some minor shiny spots, but they aren't anywhere near as obvious. The bass in question has a dark walnut top, which shows the shiny finish spot a bit more than my other tops, and it is such an exceptional top, that "distraction" bothers me more than it should.

Tom.
 
#4,334
tombowlus said:
I'm kinda weird in that I don't mind cosmetic flaws that I put there myself, but when I see a "cosmetic issue" on an otherwise pristine instrument, AND I did not put it there, AND it's not even the kind of a spot I would create through much use, AND it jumps out at me every time I look at it, I do get a little nit-picky.

FWIW, some of my other MTDs do exhibit some minor shiny spots, but they aren't anywhere near as obvious. The bass in question has a dark walnut top, which shows the shiny finish spot a bit more than my other tops, and it is such an exceptional top, that "distraction" bothers me more than it should.

Tom.
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Well, like I said... highly subjective, and MTDs tend to be REALLY special to people, so I guess I can understand it buggin' ya.
 
#4,336
tombowlus said:
Let me know how this works out. I picked up a 535 with a shiny spot that is kinda buggin' me. I was thinking of taking some 00 steel wool to the spot (though it is very close to the pickups, so I'd have to tape them off well).
Click to expand...

My OCD totally respects your OCD. :D IF you decide to try this, I would recommend adding two more 0's to the grade of steel wool you select. You can always add more abrasion if needed, but you can't take it away...or the sadness it generates...if you start with too much.

FWIW, both of my MTD's have walnut tops, and I've been keeping a close eye on them. In the past I believe the recommendation for care/protection has been Howard's Beeswax. I've yet to try it, although I do have a number of carnaubas on the shelf.
 
#4,338
VroomVroom said:
My OCD totally respects your OCD. :D IF you decide to try this, I would recommend adding two more 0's to the grade of steel wool you select. You can always add more abrasion if needed, but you can't take it away...or the sadness it generates...if you start with too much.
Click to expand...

Good advice!
 

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