Just another perspective from one who has about a thousand gigs (literally) under his belt with a couple different MTD's (ash/wenge and ash/ash/maple) and lots of rigs.
While these very widely voiced rigs like the Epi UL's with the 502/902, the iAmp500/800, some of the Berg HT models, and the Glock HeartRock/Soul heads sound amazing in the basement or shop with most MTD basses, I found them VERY problematic on the gig (at least in the mixes I perform in). For better or worse, the MTD preamp/active pickup voicing has a VERY wide frequency footprint, which gives the impression of scooped mids to many who play and listen to these basses (especially low mids, where the meat of a bass sound resides)....super deep low end, super sizzly 10K+ upper treble sizzle. When you combine that tonal footprint with heads and cabs that have that same 'super wide hi pass/lo pass filtering' type voice (Epi heads and UL cabs, TecAmp heads, some of the wider voiced Berg HT's like the old HT210, and the HeartRock/Soul class of Glock heads), it can easily be way too much of a good thing, especially if you are playing pop music in a busy mix at high volumes.
That MTD voicing also can cause some headaches for soundpersons with large front of house systems in large venues, if they don't take the time to apply a LOT of EQ tightening/hi pass filtering to those basses.
I find that the MTD's, many of which (especially the wenge necked instruments and also those chambered versions) sounding overly low end extended, overly clicky up top and lacking mid punch with wider voiced rigs, can really work much better with more mid voiced rigs with a bit of built in 'warmth' to take that uber modern edge off the top end.
IMO, and just another point of view from a former MTD user with a LOT if gigs under his belt with these very nice basses. The point is, be careful about becoming overly enamored with the simply amazing, wide, hi fi 'solo' tone of these instruments in a shop or at home. That tone profile can cause a LOT of issues live, especially if you engage the super deeply voiced bass control of that modified Bart on-board pre.
IMO and lots of IME
Kjung, I am so happy that you concluded by stating in Your Opinion and in Your Experience. As you know, and those who contribute to these dscussions, know, I have the very rig that you feel can be problematic i.e., Epi UL along with an MTD. And I too have 100's of gigs under my belt with that rig, and have received zero complaints from my soundman and nor do I have any. I too know Andrew Gouche who is the MD for Chaka Khan who plays MTD's and uses Epi gear. He and I have had discussions on this very topic and he has not had your experience. I am not saying that you haven't, but it is important to note that though the formula did not work for you, there are countless others across the world who get the job done with the rig you caution people about. I would say to those reading this thread who are deciding on a rig, read what people are saying, mix that in with what you are looking for, but don't make a decision until you sit down with the gear and listen to it for yourself. As knowledgeable as Kjung is, I write him on occasion to get his input, he only has a set of ears, and they work perfectly for him, but they are no substitution for your own. The above of course is my humble opinion and based upon my experience.
. JK KJ
