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The Official MTD USA Thread

#4,581
evilgus said:
That's a good enough reason for a new question - how much different, in practice, is a 535-21 to a 24? There's obviously a bit more room for slapping, but is it that noticable? Is there any other differences due to the slightly shorter fingerboard?
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I'll toss out the notion of balance. I remember hearing third-hand that MT said his bodies were designed for a 21-fret neck, and that he was surprised so many folks had to have 24. Heck...I'm guilty as charged with my 635. :D My 535, with 21 frets, wears like a finely tailored suit and couldn't be easier to play. Now, it's not as if my 635-24 is at all uncomfortable, but my local shop has a 635 w/ 21 frets, and I was just blown away at the balance and comfort.

Obviously I've bought mine based on sound. While I admittedly had a "gotta have 24 frets, darnit!" bias, the sound of my 535 easily convinced me...and heck, there's no money up high on the neck anyway, right? :) In terms of slapping, soloing, chording (arpeggios or slam-those-sevenths-and-add-a-flat-nine-for-good-measure), or just laying into a groove, I've had no comfort or playability issues with either the 21-fret five-string neck or the 24-fret six-string one. I hope that helps a little.
 
#4,582
bass12 said:
For me it's not so much about any harmonic ring, but about string tension. I find the string a little more taut when popping on a 24 fret versus a 21. This increased tautness sometimes results in a slightly thinner sound being produced.
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String tension should be uniform on two basses with teh same scale length. Do you mean the feel of the string because it requires less force to move a string towards the centre of the string than it does towards an anchor point?
 
#4,588
bass12 said:
Only visually, and the MTD wins hands-down. ;)
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agreed :) the BNF is probably the nicest fretless I've played so far, but it was unlined. I know I'll have GAS until I get myself a MTD fretless rather than anything else.

I've seen some very nice MTDs around on TB, but the vast majority are fretted. Are the fretless MTDs as good as the fretted? Where are the fretless MTD players? :)

There are a few fretless MTD basses on the web for sale that I'm aware of, both new and used, but none of which I can try before hand.

I'd like to canvass some opinions here first - so what say you all?

thanks!
 
#4,589
I've just been settling into my first MTD 535 and I'm finding it way more comfortable to play than my Sadowsky Standard 5. And I gotta say, the punch on this thing just blows the Sadowsky out of the water. I'm curious, for those of you who own both Sadowsky Standard 5s and 535s, do you you find one more "ergonomically pleasing" than the other. The first time I picked up the 535 it felt right - as if the bass had been made for me. I'm very comfortable on my Standard 4, but the 5 has never felt as "natural" to my hands. Vic, any comments (I know you've played - and probably own - both) on your own experiences? Anyone else?
 
#4,590
bass12 said:
I've just been settling into my first MTD 535 and I'm finding it way more comfortable to play than my Sadowsky Standard 5. And I gotta say, the punch on this thing just blows the Sadowsky out of the water. I'm curious, for those of you who own both Sadowsky Standard 5s and 535s, do you you find one more "ergonomically pleasing" than the other. The first time I picked up the 535 it felt right - as if the bass had been made for me. I'm very comfortable on my Standard 4, but the 5 has never felt as "natural" to my hands. Vic, any comments (I know you've played - and probably own - both) on your own experiences? Any one else?
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Well, since you asked me specifically, while I love the feel of the Sadowsky basses in my hands and how they hang on the strap, the 535 does feel better. The asym neck, the extended access, and the shape of the body all feel better to me. To keep it in perspective tho, it's not dislike/like or night/day, it's just great/better.

That said, at least for me, the two basses live in such different tonal zones it's really pretty strictly a tone choice than anything else. Some days I'm just really in the mood for the Sadowsky JJ/PJ sound. Other days I'm just really feelin' the MTD breadth and depth. However, my latest MTD does hold a lot of intrinsic value to me having worked with Mike especially closely on it, so that also plays into the decision sometimes. :)
 
#4,591
Vic said:
Well, since you asked me specifically, while I love the feel of the Sadowsky basses in my hands and how they hang on the strap, the 535 does feel better. The asym neck, the extended access, and the shape of the body all feel better to me. To keep it in perspective tho, it's not dislike/like or night/day, it's just great/better.

That said, at least for me, the two basses live in such different tonal zones it's really pretty strictly a tone choice than anything else. Some days I'm just really in the mood for the Sadowsky JJ/PJ sound. Other days I'm just really feelin' the MTD breadth and depth. However, my latest MTD does hold a lot of intrinsic value to me having worked with Mike especially closely on it, so that also plays into the decision sometimes. :)
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Thanks for the feedback, Vic. I'm a huge fan of the Sadowsky J sound (at least the sound I'm most familiar with, which is an ash/maple/maple combination), but right now I'm really tripping on the punch and clarity I'm getting from the 535. I'm sure that once I've settled down a bit and am slightly less starry-eyed regarding the MTD I'll start balancing the use of the Sadowskys and the 535. By that time, however, my ash/walnut/ash/maple combo will probably be ready and the MTD infatuation will reinstate itself!

I have to say that, although I love the ash/wenge combination, I can hear exactly what Mike Tobias refers to as the "choke" in some of the mid frequencies. I'm looking forward to experiencing the difference between the ash/wenge and the ash/ash/maple.
 
#4,592
bass12 said:
I have to say that, although I love the ash/wenge combination, I can hear exactly what Mike Tobias refers to as the "choke" in some of the mid frequencies. I'm looking forward to experiencing the difference between the ash/wenge and the ash/ash/maple.
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Yeah, and I REALLY want to emphasize that that "choke" should NOT be taken generally as a negative. It's strictly dependent on style and preferences... for some folks, that (let's say) attenuation (just to have it a bit less negative sounding) is a very good thing! It worked against me personally, but there's lots of highly qualified folks it works very well for.

bass12, not directed towards you, just a general comment to make sure perspective is appropriate on this.
 
#4,593
Vic said:
Yeah, and I REALLY want to emphasize that that "choke" should NOT be taken generally as a negative. It's strictly dependent on style and preferences... for some folks, that (let's say) attenuation (just to have it a bit less negative sounding) is a very good thing! It worked against me personally, but there's lots of highly qualified folks it works very well for.

bass12, not directed towards you, just a general comment to make sure perspective is appropriate on this.
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I totally agree. I like to think of it as compression without the outboard gear. I love the sound of all of my basses, but this 535 has something that none of the others have. That doesn't mean it will take the place of my other babies, but man - what a great sound (and feel) to have in the family!
 
#4,594
A band I used to be in - check the video:

Link Removed

Also:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=116211561469



Not sure if the facebook links work unless you're 'befriended...

My MTD 635-24 fretless is very very woody, organic, and aggressive sounding...absolutely gorgeous bass, the best I've played, and I've played fretless since 1978.

Cheers,
Cameron

dirtbird said:
agreed :) the BNF is probably the nicest fretless I've played so far, but it was unlined. I know I'll have GAS until I get myself a MTD fretless rather than anything else.

I've seen some very nice MTDs around on TB, but the vast majority are fretted. Are the fretless MTDs as good as the fretted? Where are the fretless MTD players? :)

There are a few fretless MTD basses on the web for sale that I'm aware of, both new and used, but none of which I can try before hand.

I'd like to canvass some opinions here first - so what say you all?

thanks!
Click to expand...
 
#4,595
dirtbird said:
Has anyone got any thoughts on the ultimate wood combination for a fretless MTD? 535 vs chambered Marilyn etc?

Also, if anyone has done any direct comparisons between a fretless MTD and a F-Bass BNF5 ?
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Mahogany body, flamed redwood top, maple neck, ebony fretboard. Mr. T. says that this is his ultimate fretless combo, and that it is his most 'versatile' bass he has ever built - can mimick slap sound without actually slapping. A lot of players come up to me after a gig and say - 'wow, THAT'S a fretless?' They couldn't actually tell because it has so much attack and presence.

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#4,598
I want in.
I'm a member of MTD Non-USA, and now this came in the mail today!
DSC_5739b.jpg

More photos of it here.
I asked Mike to play it for five days before mailing it, he re-strung it afterward; our bass player here is going to break it in some more at choir rehearsal Saturday, hope to get a sound file or two up to share.
 

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