• 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

#4,921
rockstarbassist said:
Hey guys doin rock- what strings are you using for your 535 etc.? Been using Mikes .135 set but they're too polite I'm finding...
Click to expand...

I rock out with my MTDs on a regular basis, and I really like the MTD stainless, though I prefer the non-tapered .130 B string.
 
#4,923
tombowlus said:
I rock out with my MTDs on a regular basis, and I really like the MTD stainless, though I prefer the non-tapered .130 B string.
Click to expand...

Out of curiousity, why do you prefer the non-tapered B? When I spoke to Mike about my last order I asked if he could do the final set up with a non-tapered 130 B and he really didn't sound like he wanted to do it! I know he usually only stocks the 135 tapered Bs at his workshop, but he said he'd try to get a 130 for me. Then when I mentioned that I would prefer the non-tapered I could basically hear him shaking his head through the phone. It's funny, some luthiers swear by the tapered B while others really don't like them.
 
#4,924
bass12 said:
Out of curiousity, why do you prefer the non-tapered B? When I spoke to Mike about my last order I asked if he could do the final set up with a non-tapered 130 B and he really didn't sound like he wanted to do it! I know he usually only stocks the 135 tapered Bs at his workshop, but he said he'd try to get a 130 for me. Then when I mentioned that I would prefer the non-tapered I could basically hear him shaking his head through the phone. It's funny, some luthiers swear by the tapered B while others really don't like them.
Click to expand...

I dig in pretty hard, and sometimes I can feel tapered/exposed core strings kinda roll a little as I am plucking them, so I generally stuck with non-tapered strings. That being said, I have played the tapered core MTD B-string, and it's not as bad as some of the others I've tried.
 
#4,926
t0t0m said:
This MTD has wood pickup cover probably nordstrand pickup..I wonder if this came straight from Mike's.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

That's defenetely not the Bartolinis, as they are Reverse Ps.

Aside from the wood covers, this means there are customized MTDs out there, with different pickups than the 'normal' MTDs? That's weird for me, coz I got my MTD mainly because of the sound. Putting any other Pickup will totally change that. Something that's totally not worth it, for me there's no point of having an MTD without the MTD sound.
 
#4,927
tombowlus said:
I dig in pretty hard, and sometimes I can feel tapered/exposed core strings kinda roll a little as I am plucking them, so I generally stuck with non-tapered strings. That being said, I have played the tapered core MTD B-string, and it's not as bad as some of the others I've tried.
Click to expand...

Yeah I have tapered B also and it was never an issue as I always was playing lighter style stuff up til now.
I'm gonna order a set of Lo Riders or maybe Hi Beams at .130 and see what happens!O:bassist:
 
#4,929
Virgil said:
I like both, wooden pickup covers and the plastic, depends upon the top and the fingerboard. As long as the tone is not compromised, I am pretty flexible. My Skjold has wooden pickup covers and knobs, and my MTD which is in the planning stages will have wooden knobs to match the top, but plastic pickups. My 535 has the plastic knobs and pickups and it looks fantastic. I try to keep an open mind about most things, it fosters creativity.
Click to expand...

Virgil, did I read that right? A new MTD in the works? OK, fill me in....specs please!!
 
#4,930
Yep, you read it right. You may not know, but my back is in bad shape, and my 535 is around 9.5 pounds, and it takes a toll on me if I have multiple gigs in a weekend. As you know I love my other axe to death, but the MTD has a sound that fits into my Gospel gig like none other. In fact my choir director practically demands it. The specs are in the works, so I have nothing to report right now, but as soon as I have them, I will call ya. All I can tell you at this point is that it will weigh around 8 pounds, and will most likely have a swamp ash body. I also would like an LP, but I have not had the opportunity to play or hear one. When are you expecting your new axe?
 
#4,931
Virgil said:
Yep, you read it right. You may not know, but my back is in bad shape, and my 535 is around 9.5 pounds, and it takes a toll on me if I have multiple gigs in a weekend. As you know I love my other axe to death, but the MTD has a sound that fits into my Gospel gig like none other. The specs are in the works, so I have nothing to report right now, but as soon as I have them, I will call ya.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm also trying to lighten up some and that other might work out well. But I really love the MTD tone! So, if this is going to be a lighter weight MTD, I'm very interested!!!! Keep me posted.
 
#4,933
Saluki said:
How do you dig in over the neck pickup?:hiding: JK;)
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you are serious or not, but IME, you can dig in a lot harder over the neck pickup than you can over the bridge pickup. At any rate, you certainly can move the strings more playing further from the bridge, and that is when I notice the "rolling." In fact, if I were a thin-sounding, burpy bridge pickup player, I'd probably do just fine with tapered-core strings. :smug: :D
 
#4,934
tombowlus said:
I'm not sure if you are serious or not, but IME, you can dig in a lot harder over the neck pickup than you can over the bridge pickup. At any rate, you certainly can move the strings more playing further from the bridge, and that is when I notice the "rolling." In fact, if I were a thin-sounding, burpy bridge pickup player, I'd probably do just fine with tapered-core strings. :smug: :D
Click to expand...

I was just giving you a hard time Tom. I really dig in and I find I need to play over the bridge where the strings are more taut otherwise it sounds like clack, click, clack. I suppose I could practice:rollno:.
 
#4,935
Virgil said:
All I can tell you at this point is that it will weigh around 8 pounds, and will most likely have a swamp ash body.
Click to expand...
Virgil, not sure about 8 pounds "flat" with an ash body that Mike could be comfortable with tonally, but if you're just trying to get significantly under 9 pounds, it is a challenge for him and his tonal goals with ash, but it CAN be done.

Only 8.6 pounds, and ALL the MTD tone...

535_walnut_ash_01.jpg
 
#4,938
antontanzil said:
How much will it cost to have a Neckthrough US MTD? And is the tonal difference very obvious?

Also the same question for the 34" Scale...

Thanks guys
Click to expand...
On pricing, you'll just have to ask a dealer. On tonal diffs, I'd think yes, but as to in which way, ask Mike.

Actually, Glenn at Austin Bass Traders is also a great resource for tonal descriptions, and I'm pretty sure he's had neck thru models in stock before.
 
#4,940
bass12 said:
Have you read Mike's "Quest for Tone" article? You can find it on his site.
Click to expand...

Yep, I read it a few years ago on Bass Player Magazine.

I'm just asking for a specific user's experience/comment on this particular Bass (MTD USA) as a comparison with the more 'standard' MTDs.

For me, my MTD is quite close to a neckthrough, as the neck and body woods are the same (ash).
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back