The Official MTD USA Thread

[Vic]

Thanks guys. I know it's hard when there's an issue and you feel like you're being called out in public on it. I don't doubt you both have valid cases, which is why it went where it went.

Anyway, peace, love, MTD.

 

[RColie]

I just received this a few days ago - number 1883 - delivered ahead of schedule by Mr. Tobias. I've been too busy playing it to take my own pictures, so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules using the pics TPB took for me (the pictures are my bass). Mahogany body, zebrawood top, wenge neck and fingerboard. Action and crystal clear tone - incredible!

 

[bass12]

I just received this a few days ago - number 1883 - delivered ahead of schedule by Mr. Tobias. I've been too busy playing it to take my own pictures, so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules using the pics TPB took for me (the pictures are my bass). Mahogany body, zebrawood top, wenge neck and fingerboard. Action and crystal clear tone - incredible!

That's a very nice-looking bass you have there. Congratulations!

 

[Vic]

I just received this a few days ago - number 1883 - delivered ahead of schedule by Mr. Tobias. I've been too busy playing it to take my own pictures, so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules using the pics TPB took for me (the pictures are my bass). Mahogany body, zebrawood top, wenge neck and fingerboard. Action and crystal clear tone - incredible!

Wow! With all those stripes, it's hard to see the strings, do you find yourself missing them with your fingers often? LOL (just kidding of course).

BTW, on the pics rules, I'm pretty sure they don't mind if you use their pictures with their brand maintained... free advertising and all. Now if you were to use their picture and crop that off, that might be an issue... IF they ever found out, which would be highly debatable I'd think.

 

[bass12]

Hey Vic, I discussed what I would like out of my next 535 with Mike and we agreed that the ash/walnut, ash/maple would be a good combination for what I'm looking for (though I have to say, the poplar/wenge combo sounds like it might be nice too - maybe next time [it's always good to have something on the wish list]). Thanks again for all of your input on the matter!

 

[Vic]

Hey Vic, I discussed what I would like out of my next 535 with Mike and we agreed that the ash/walnut, ash/maple would be a good combination for what I'm looking for (though I have to say, the poplar/wenge combo sounds like it might be nice too - maybe next time [it's always good to have something on the wish list]). Thanks again for all of your input on the matter!

Awesome! Remember you gotta post pics if you get any shots of top candidates.

On the poplar/wenge thing, yeah, I went down that road hard, and as much as I LOVE the look of that combo, and the physical feel of the wenge neck, it just didn't quite fit me tonally so I had to do something else.

 

[bass12]

Awesome! Remember you gotta post pics if you get any shots of top candidates.

Will do!

On the poplar/wenge thing, yeah, I went down that road hard, and as much as I LOVE the look of that combo, and the physical feel of the wenge neck, it just didn't quite fit me tonally so I had to do something else.

Out of curiosity, what was it about that combo that you didn't like (I've never played a poplar/wenge MTD)?

 

[Vic]

Out of curiosity, what was it about that combo that you didn't like (I've never played a poplar/wenge MTD)?

There's a certain "choke" (as Mike describes it) in the mids with wenge that just conflicted with my playing style and tonal prefs. I think that same characteristic, however, is also adds a characteristic sweetness to slap that a lot of folks like, but I don't slap much, so that didn't really matter to me, and of course IMHO there's no such thing as a "bad" slap tone on an MTD anyway.

 

[bass12]

There's a certain "choke" (as Mike describes it) in the mids with wenge that just conflicted with my playing style and tonal prefs. I think that same characteristic, however, is also adds a characteristic sweetness to slap that a lot of folks like, but I don't slap much, so that didn't really matter to me, and of course IMHO there's no such thing as a "bad" slap tone on an MTD anyway.

I know what you mean. I mentioned to Mike that I really like the wenge/wenge combination, but would like something with a little less compression in the mids. He figured the ash/maple would do the trick.

 

[RColie]

Wow! With all those stripes, it's hard to see the strings, do you find yourself missing them with your fingers often? LOL (just kidding of course).

BTW, on the pics rules, I'm pretty sure they don't mind if you use their pictures with their brand maintained... free advertising and all. Now if you were to use their picture and crop that off, that might be an issue... IF they ever found out, which would be highly debatable I'd think.

I'd imagine TPB is OK with the free advertising, as you mentioned; as long as TalkBass is cool with it, that's great. I took a look at the pictures, and the stripes are rather vertigo-inducing! Fortunately they are not so prominent in real life. This is my fist MTD, and I had a lot of discussions with Mike about the various woods, as well as hours trolling TalkBass. It will take me some time to put the bass through its paces and develop a firm opinion on the tone - all my playing so far has been solo at home. It will be interesting to see how it fares with the band.

Bob

 

[Bassflute]

I just received this a few days ago - number 1883 - delivered ahead of schedule by Mr. Tobias. I've been too busy playing it to take my own pictures, so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules using the pics TPB took for me (the pictures are my bass). Mahogany body, zebrawood top, wenge neck and fingerboard. Action and crystal clear tone - incredible!

very unusual wood combo. And if you think it sounds good now, just wait 3 or 4 years as the top end mellows and sweetens and the bottom end blossoms.

I always loved that Zebrano wood on his basses.

Congrats!

And BTW, how do you like his new strings? I'm going to do a comparison thread with his new formulation.

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[RColie]

very unusual wood combo. And if you think it sounds good now, just wait 3 or 4 years as the top end mellows and sweetens and the bottom end blossoms.

I always loved that Zebrano wood on his basses.

Congrats!

And BTW, how do you like his new strings? I'm going to do a comparison thread with his new formulation.

Cheers,
Cameron

Thanks, Cameron. I spent a fair amount of time corresponding with Mike on the wood combination. I believe the sound of this bass is what people refer to when they say "piano-like" tone. Very clear, nice harmonics. I also think that the electronics are versatile enough to dial in a variety of sounds.

This is my first MTD USA bass, so I can't really comment on the string comparison. I'll look for your string comparison thread...

Bob

 

[bassman74]

Hello Fellow TBers,

i've found a used mtd and it's in my price range but don't know about this wood combination. I did some research and found that mike build a couple of basses with this wood combo but i can't find any reviews are comments about the wood.

Can you help me?

It has an alder (or mahogany, not 100% sure) figured redwood top, wenge/wenge neck...

any help would be appreciated...

I'm curious, i've always been a fan of WENGE necks, what is your favorite wood combo to go with wenge necks?

thanks

 

[evilgus]

I just received this a few days ago - number 1883 - delivered ahead of schedule by Mr. Tobias.

Man, that is incredible and probably my ideal MTD bass! Trying not to rush off to the local dealer and order the same bass while the exchange rate is so good!

EG

 

[evilgus]

It has an alder (or mahogany, not 100% sure) figured redwood top, wenge/wenge neck...

Does the body wood appear light brown or really dark brown? Alder is quite light coloured, mahogany is quite dark. Alder is generally known for producing a fairly big bottom-end and good mids/tops, mahogany for a tighter bottom-end and "singing" top-end. I haven't owned a wenge/wenge neck MTD yet, but I believe it's commonly known for having a low mid-push and a bit of mid-cut and glassy top-end.

I reckon it will be a great combination, nice and fat, but plenty of punch and great highs!

Cheers,

EG

 

[RColie]

Man, that is incredible and probably my ideal MTD bass! Trying not to rush off to the local dealer and order the same bass while the exchange rate is so good!

EG

Oh, go ahead and order one! You won't be disappointed!

Bob

 

[bassman74]

i finally got an answer by the seller, it's a mahogany body..

i always tought mahogany was dark sounding, but how can i tell i never had a mahogany bas before..

 

[Marlat]

or perhaps

 

[bass12]

i finally got an answer by the seller, it's a mahogany body..

i always tought mahogany was dark sounding, but how can i tell i never had a mahogany bas before..

Why don't you call Mike Tobias himself? I'm sure he'll be pleased to answer your questions. His phone number can be found on his site - www.mtdbass.com - and he is usually the one to pick up the phone.

 

[CliffD]

I think this pic really captures the vibe of my Marilyn: