The Official MTD USA Thread

[Vic]

They have pulled the bass down from their site, it's actually on hold for me, just need to discuss the payment, I still can back off, but I probably won't.

If you guys saw it last week, it's the pre-owned, figured maple top, ash body and neck, Honduran rosewood board, 24 frets. I was told that it was a 2006 NAMM Bass, the top itself worth $1000

They took it down? Wouldn't they just move it to the Gallery as a sold instrument? Can you look and see, or do you know for sure they did take it down? If so, maybe the do this to put it in "limbo" instead of just marking it "hold" which is what I'd typically expect (like some other vendors do).

I have tried the Ash neck-Maple board, which in all odds, fits my taste. And after a long discussion with the guys at Bassexchange, it seems that this one will suit my taste the best.

Maple-maple/rosewood neck on an MTD is just not an 'MTD signature' for me

Kinda' confused what you're trying to say here. You like it, but it's not MTD signature for you?

 

[LikeButtah]

Hmm normally when I buy a bass it takes days before anyone will even update the website and will usually leave it up so they can generate more calls about it... Something smells fishy here either with the poster or BassExchange.

Ps- I check BE and other sites daily; the same basses are up that were yesterday

 

[antontanzil]

They took it down? Wouldn't they just move it to the Gallery as a sold instrument? Can you look and see, or do you know for sure they did take it down? If so, maybe the do this to put it in "limbo" instead of just marking it "hold" which is what I'd typically expect (like some other vendors do).

Well, it's not there anymore, and it's not on the 'Sold gallery', I uderstand that they have a one week satisfaction guarantee, and unless I recieved the bass, tell them it's all OK, it will not be on their 'For Sale' page, but also not consider 'Sold'

Kinda' confused what you're trying to say here. You like it, but it's not MTD signature for you?

Sorry, this is what I meant: Maple-Maple or Maple-Rosewood Combo is not 'MTD's signature wood combo' for me, I bet they sound great, but for me, an MTD is a bass with either a Wenge or Ash neck. I tried the Wenge, and it doesn't work for me, so Ash should be just fine. I had totom's Ash neck-Maple board MTD for a few days, and I loved it.

I never tried any Maple necked MTD BTW.

 

[Vic]

Sorry, this is what I meant: Maple-Maple or Maple-Rosewood Combo is not 'MTD's signature wood combo' for me, I bet they sound great, but for me, an MTD is a bass with either a Wenge or Ash neck. I tried the Wenge, and it doesn't work for me, so Ash should be just fine. I had totom's Ash neck-Maple board MTD for a few days, and I loved it.

I never tried any Maple necked MTD BTW.

Well, if you're gonna' talk about what most people would badge as a signature MTD sound, it's even more specific than that. It's the wenge/wenge necked bass with a tulip body, maybe even more specifically, a 21 fret model, and most folks pick that sound out during slapping.

An ash neck is really a much more recent thing, at least regarding selling any quantities of models with that option, so I don't think most people would make that association.

Interestingly, if there's one bass made out there today that varies tonally more from bass to bass based on which woods are involved, it's MTD, and this is by design. So IMHO, the whole notion of a singular "MTD sound" is about as ironic as it gets, unless you're talking very generally about the kind of depth and clarity you get with all his basses.

 

[bass12]

I had a weird dream last night (courtesy of some photos I was looking at from Mike's workshop before going to bed, no doubt). In the dream, I went to pick up my bass at Mike's shop only to find that the bass wasn't even close to being finished. Instead of sending me away, Mike just let me hang around and help by handing him tools or holding something in place. Unfortunately, I woke up before the bass was finished.


Ah, MTDs - the basses of my dreams...

 

[antontanzil]

Well, if you're gonna' talk about what most people would badge as a signature MTD sound, it's even more specific than that. It's the wenge/wenge necked bass with a tulip body, maybe even more specifically, a 21 fret model, and most folks pick that sound out during slapping.

An ash neck is really a much more recent thing, at least regarding selling any quantities of models with that option, so I don't think most people would make that association.

Interestingly, if there's one bass made out there today that varies tonally more from bass to bass based on which woods are involved, it's MTD, and this is by design. So IMHO, the whole notion of a singular "MTD sound" is about as ironic as it gets, unless you're talking very generally about the kind of depth and clarity you get with all his basses.

Actually, Vic... I was talking about the wood combo, as in the specs NOT the sound, to be more spesific, the NECK wood combo, I know that the tulip, wenge-wenge is their most recognized wood combo, that other manufacturers don't offer, so you're totally correct, that will be their most 'Signatured' wood combo and/or sound.

I canceled my order at Bassexchange and took this one:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8781347#post8781347

My favorite colour (on any bass)

 

[antontanzil]

I had a weird dream last night (courtesy of some photos I was looking at from Mike's workshop before going to bed, no doubt). In the dream, I went to pick up my bass at Mike's shop only to find that the bass wasn't even close to being finished. Instead of sending me away, Mike just let me hang around and help by handing him tools or holding something in place. Unfortunately, I woke up before the bass was finished.


Ah, MTDs - the basses of my dreams...

That sounds like a heck of a dream.

But it's better than dreams I had about having a gig in an hour, and I'm stuck in traffic, finally got there, but then my Bass' not in tune, etc... Believe it or not, this is a common musician's dream, even Jeff (Berlin) told me he had these dreams too, a LOT...

I guess it's the effect of worrying so much about one thing, or in your case, having a desire for such a beautiful thing

 

[LikeButtah]

I was thinking it'd be nice to do something for mike to let him know how much we appreciate his dedication...

 

[Vic]

Actually, Vic... I was talking about the wood combo, as in the specs NOT the sound

My point is, with an MTD, you can't separate those, because the wood combo has such a profound effect on the tone in the case of a USA MTD.

to be more spesific, the NECK wood combo, I know that the tulip, wenge-wenge is their most recognized wood combo, that other manufacturers don't offer, so you're totally correct, that will be their most 'Signatured' wood combo and/or sound.

Also, just as a side point, Other vendors do offer wenge/wenge necks, in particular Warwick is absolutely famous for them, but it's not limited to them, either. And even with tulip(poplar)/wenge combos, this is also not limited to MTD, but I do think at least here at TB, MTDs are most readily associated with them.

But I think I understand what you're generally saying, so it doesn't matter.

I canceled my order at Bassexchange and took this one:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8781347#post8781347

My favorite colour (on any bass)

Oh man... I'll be very excited to hear your first reports on this bass. This is basically the same thing I have as my #1 MTD right now, and I totally love it!!

 

[Vic]

I was thinking it'd be nice to do something for mike to let him know how much we appreciate his dedication...

I've done it a few times. He certainly doesn't expect it at all, but I've gotten to know him as a personal friend at this point, so I pretty much insist on doing it.

 

[antontanzil]

My point is, with an MTD, you can't separate those, because the wood combo has such a profound effect on the tone in the case of a USA MTD.


Also, just as a side point, Other vendors do offer wenge/wenge necks, in particular Warwick is absolutely famous for them, but it's not limited to them, either. And even with tulip(poplar)/wenge combos, this is also not limited to MTD, but I do think at least here at TB, MTDs are most readily associated with them.

But I think I understand what you're generally saying, so it doesn't matter.

Oh man... I'll be very excited to hear your first reports on this bass. This is basically the same thing I have as my #1 MTD right now, and I totally love it!!

Yeah, you got my point, I'm gonna let you win this time
Just kidding, I wouldn't argue with a Bass Magazine reviewer

Actually I'm very interested in this particular wood combo/colour because I looked at your Bass, so thanks for the inspiration I saw almost the same Bass, but with birds eye board a month ago on the bay, I'm glad I didn't have the money then, that one's like $700 more

 

[antontanzil]

I was thinking it'd be nice to do something for mike to let him know how much we appreciate his dedication...

I called him a while ago, to ask him some questions (which he answers very very well) and I told him he made an excellent instrument, his response were quite 'flat' that time, I guess he got that a lot.

But as soon as I got this new one, I will call him again, I'm also planning to visit him, his shop is about 2 hours from where I live.

I guess I need to make an appointment first. And does anybody here know how much he charged (if he has time to do it) to make an Ebony Ramp between the PUs? I've become addicted to ramps because of my Stambaugh.

 

[Vic]

Actually I'm very interested in this particular wood combo/colour because I looked at your Bass, so thanks for the inspiration I saw almost the same Bass, but with birds eye board a month ago on the bay, I'm glad I didn't have the money then, that one's like $700 more

That's cool. Birdseye of course does nothing beneficial tonally anyway. In fact, I almost didn't get it on mine, but Mike had some stuff he was really comfortable with, so that was good enough for me. Just as an FYI, Mike only uses the absolute highest grade of maple for his boards... sometimes called "piano grade", so the "plain maple" only really looks plain. It's actually fairly special.

 

[bass12]

I've done it a few times. He certainly doesn't expect it at all, but I've gotten to know him as a personal friend at this point, so I pretty much insist on doing it.

What is the "it" in question? Is it Mike's birthday, or are you just talking about doing something to show your appreciation in general?

By the way, I doubt that any luthier gets tired of receiving genuine praise for their work, especially by players (although I can imagine that Mike might be a little shy about accepting gushing praise...). I still don't know if most luthiers understand just how grateful a musician can be when it comes to an instrument that "fits like a glove".

 

[Vic]

What is the "it" in question? Is it Mike's birthday, or are you just talking about doing something to show your appreciation in general?

I get him something nice, plus I do also tell him.

By the way, I doubt that any luthier gets tired of receiving genuine praise for their work, especially by players (although I can imagine that Mike might be a little shy about accepting gushing praise...). I still don't know if most luthiers understand just how grateful a musician can be when it comes to an instrument that "fits like a glove".

+1

Now, I'd never suggest pelting a luthier like him with tons of calls and/or emails, but I'm sure he appreciates the gratitude if given sensibly. And yeah, Mike's just a mellow humble (yet amazingly talented) guy, so don't assume a quiet response is any indication he doesn't appreciate the kind words.

 

[LikeButtah]

Yeah he's so mellow he'd likely fall asleep as I was telling him how much I appreciated him I need to come up with something real cool to do for the guy...

 

[antontanzil]

O' yeah Vic... How much is the custom matching wood knob (5 knobs) from Pete Skjold?

 

[Vic]

O' yeah Vic... How much is the custom matching wood knob (5 knobs) from Pete Skjold?

Call Pete.

Seriously, the price varies based on woods and construction, and I haven't priced them recently.

One thing tho, check with David King of kingbass.com. He's the one that did my last set for my walnut bass, and he's pretty quick and reasonable as well. It only gets tricky if you need to do stack knobs, but on a 535, you don't.

 

[antontanzil]

Sorry for the trouble, but can you PM me Pete's phone No.? I tried to look it up on his website, but it's not there.

 

[Vic]

Sorry for the trouble, but can you PM me Pete's phone No.? I tried to look it up on his website, but it's not there.

I don't wanna' sound like a jerk, but it's right on his main page at the bottom. Regardless, here it is, as cut and pasted from his web site.



PH: 740-824-3598