• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Official MTD USA Thread

#4,441
whoapower said:
Something unthinkable and horrible happened the other night. After hanging out with secretdonkey for his birthday and meeting him for the first time (finally, after talking for years!), I asked him to break out the MTD 535.

Wow... lighter than I thought and not as glossy as I thought, which is a great thing. First 535 I've played. Great neck, solid feel all around, just felt like once piece, which most neck throughs do, but they also weigh over 10lbs!

Sadly... I had to put it back in the case. I had to let it go. I couldn't disassemble it fast enough and steal it from underneath my clothes, sneaking it out and calling it my own. I will return and try again someday. Maybe next time I'll be able to play it plugged in.
Click to expand...

Were you saying that all 535's weigh over 10lbs, or were you saying that the one Secret Donkey has weighs that much? Mine weighs in at about 9.5. However, because it is so balanced, the weight doesn't bother me. I also use a 4 inch Moody strap which distributes the weight evenly over my shoulder.
 
#4,442
Virgil said:
Were you saying that all 535's weigh over 10lbs, or were you saying that the one Secret Donkey has weighs that much? Mine weighs in at about 9.5. However, because it is so balanced, the weight doesn't bother me. I also use a 4 inch Moody strap which distributes the weight evenly over my shoulder.
Click to expand...

Agreed, very well balanced. The most solid feel of a bass I've felt. Not sure how to describe it. Maybe like a Tonka truck as a kid - indestructible - but I don't want ot test that theory.

If it does weight that much, it doesn't feel like it. Maybe 9lbs? I didn't try it on with a strap. But on my old Tobias, a 4" Italia strap is a necessity due to weight and my back.
 
#4,443
Virgil said:
Were you saying that all 535's weigh over 10lbs, or were you saying that the one Secret Donkey has weighs that much? Mine weighs in at about 9.5.
Click to expand...
Just as a datapoint, not necessarily as a response to either of you, weights on a 535 can vary WILDLY depending on the woods. I've personally seen and played 535's from around 8 pounds all the way out to around 12 pounds. I currently have three at 8.6-9.5 pounds.
 
#4,449
OH OH OH ME FIRST! :)

535_walnut_ash_01.jpg


535_walnut_ash_06.jpg


535_walnut_ash_02.jpg
 
#4,451
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed][Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#4,453
hello all, I've been lurking here for quite sometime and thought that since we're onto a new thread I'd post some pics of my 535's :)

First got turned on to these lovely basses when I played a friends 535 3 or 4 years ago. Not long after I picked up this one used from the Groove Shoppe. Poplar body, maple burl top, wenge neck & f/b.

I had not so long ago been considering selling/trading it as I felt it was a bit too bright in the top end and too scooped in the mids for my tastes. I tried some nickel strings on it, which warms the tone somewhat. However, it was a change of cab that really made a difference. ACME Low-B2. I'm getting a much more balanced tone now, and it sounds great with everything set flat. I'm using a Mark Bass F500 - and that is just fantastic too.

So enough waffle here's some of the Groove Shoppes pics of the bass:

th_535f.jpg
th_535.jpg


My second and most recent aquisition was a ash/maple/maple 535. Due to my circumstances at the moment, I've only been able play it through a sound card into some decent monitoring headphones, and it plays and sounds very nicely.
Here are some pictures courtesy of the previous owner:

th_i4photobucketcom-albums-y149-drg-7.gif
th_i4photobucketcom-albums-y149-drg-6.gif



My other reason for posting was to ask for people's opinions/experience of fretless MTDs. What wood combinations have you found to work well on a fretless?

thanks!

p.s. and slightly off topic, but Mike Tobias was involved in some capacity in it's creation/design, I've also been keeping company my Groove Shoppe GS5 #2 ;)
 
#4,454
dirtbird said:
My second and most recent aquisition was a ash/maple/maple 535. Due to my circumstances at the moment, I've only been able play it through a sound card into some decent monitoring headphones, and it plays and sounds very nicely.
Here are some pictures courtesy of the previous owner:

th_i4photobucketcom-albums-y149-drg-7.gif
Click to expand...

That used to live at my house before Gwilym got it - it's a great bass. Here's a pic of what replaced it:

MTD_01816_Sw.jpg


Alder/maple burl top/maple neck/RW board. Love it.
 
#4,455
drgregn said:
That used to live at my house before Gwilym got it - it's a great bass. Here's a pic of what replaced it:

MTD_01816_Sw.jpg


Alder/maple burl top/maple neck/RW board. Love it.
Click to expand...

Hey Greg! Loving my 535 - and that's a very nice looking one you've gotten to replace it :) I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the Alder/Maple/Rosewood in comparison. If I get another fretted 535 it would likely be alder/maple/rosewood, or maybe an ebony board.

cheers!
 
#4,456
dirtbird said:
Hey Greg! Loving my 535 - and that's a very nice looking one you've gotten to replace it :) I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the Alder/Maple/Rosewood in comparison. If I get another fretted 535 it would likely be alder/maple/rosewood, or maybe an ebony board.

cheers!
Click to expand...

It's a little darker with less native high end and upper mids, which works well for my application, playing direct into the board at our church. The maple/ash model could get a little harsh and zingy there if the sound guy didn't EQ it right, although for playing through an amp it was killer, IMO.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back