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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
It's #1567. I'd have to take off the cavity cover to find out what year she was made (which I can't do at the moment). I am not the original owner of this bass and I don't have the paperwork that usually comes with MTDs.
Man, I can't wait to see first finish shots!Twins getting ready to be finished.
(humming the Beatles' tune "It won't Be Long" in my head)
Thanks for the enhanced imagery, Vic.
These basses are plain janes, as plain as you could call an MTD 535....
Both bodies are alder with maple tops. The necks are maple with rosewood finger/fretboards. I'm a Jazz bass player, but looking for a little better bass response. Basically want to be able to get a good Jazz tone, as well as a more modern sound for slapping. I can get pretty much what I want out of any bass these days through technique and eq, but it helps a lot if the bass has the raw goods. I'm sure I'll get what I'm looking for from the Bartollinis. Mike said the basses would sound like Jazz basses on steroids. I said I'll cut the check
The fretless neck has the standard grade of rosewood that Mike offers. It has an epoxy finish on its fingerboard, and the standard rosewood is just fine in this application. It is also has 24 frets, because I anticipate going way high into the no money region during some fretless tunes. I also won't be slapping on the fretless, so 24 frets it is.
The fretted is a 21 fret neck with the higher grade of rosewood Mike offers. I anticipate slapping on this bass, so the 21 frets were spec'ed.
Both basses have the globe logo. To my eye, the blue of the logo adds a nice splash of color on the basses. They'll also both have matching headstock, trussrod cover, and electronic compartment veneers. I have also ordered matching ramps, but I'm getting the basses delivered with the ramps not installed. I think the top surfaces of the pickups might serve perfectly as ramps, and the pickups seem to be located right where I like to pluck the strings for either more articulate soloing or more mellow comping. I think that ramps are useful, but they don't look the greatest.
I am enamored with the 535 design. The 535 seems to be a very functional bass, and the aesthetics of the body and neck speak to me. Mike's reputation is impeccable, and I've grown tired of all the massaging necessary with production line basses.
Hope to be done with buying basses after these two...although I've been thinking about a pair of sixer's....
These basses are plain janes, as plain as you could call an MTD 535....
Both bodies are alder with maple tops. The necks are maple with rosewood finger/fretboards. I'm a Jazz bass player, but looking for a little better bass response. Basically want to be able to get a good Jazz tone, as well as a more modern sound for slapping. I can get pretty much what I want out of any bass these days through technique and eq, but it helps a lot if the bass has the raw goods. I'm sure I'll get what I'm looking for from the Bartollinis. Mike said the basses would sound like Jazz basses on steroids. I said I'll cut the check
The fretless neck has the standard grade of rosewood that Mike offers. It has an epoxy finish on its fingerboard, and the standard rosewood is just fine in this application. It is also has 24 frets, because I anticipate going way high into the no money region during some fretless tunes. I also won't be slapping on the fretless, so 24 frets it is.
The fretted is a 21 fret neck with the higher grade of rosewood Mike offers. I anticipate slapping on this bass, so the 21 frets were spec'ed.
Both basses have the globe logo. To my eye, the blue of the logo adds a nice splash of color on the basses. They'll also both have matching headstock, trussrod cover, and electronic compartment veneers. I have also ordered matching ramps, but I'm getting the basses delivered with the ramps not installed. I think the top surfaces of the pickups might serve perfectly as ramps, and the pickups seem to be located right where I like to pluck the strings for either more articulate soloing or more mellow comping. I think that ramps are useful, but they don't look the greatest.
I am enamored with the 535 design. The 535 seems to be a very functional bass, and the aesthetics of the body and neck speak to me. Mike's reputation is impeccable, and I've grown tired of all the massaging necessary with production line basses.
Hope to be done with buying basses after these two...although I've been thinking about a pair of sixer's....
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
Nothing plain about them...those are from the hands of the master. They will be BETTER than you think. Just KEEP them, and let them (and you) break in - they will sound MARKEDLY different in 2-5 years...mellow out, bass gets deeper, midrange punchier...
And here's my twins....
Hoping for them to have a baby brother this year...
Cheers,
Cameron
Have you ever played a 535? Each person is different in their physical makeup and preferences (well, almost) but, for me, this is where it all starts with the 535s. They are, without a doubt, the most comfortable basses I've ever played (and they don't sound too bad either
).
@CDWeller
Yep. To Bassflute you must listen. Like with any instrument, you will have to dial in your sound, adjust the neck / action to your liking. I raised the action slightly on mine from where Mike had it set to match up to my attack.
I think you really hit something important knowing that your style and technique will, "get you what you want" on any bass. And, I totally agree that when you start with the best, it only accentuates and articulates your style, tone, sound even better and let's those aspects of your playing cut through -at least, this has been my experience with my MTDs.
I have also experienced this with my 635-24's. Don't get me wrong, they sounded incredible the day I picked them up. After a summer and a winter in NY, they really settled in and shined.
Very cool that you're getting matching pair!
Yep. To Bassflute you must listen. Like with any instrument, you will have to dial in your sound, adjust the neck / action to your liking. I raised the action slightly on mine from where Mike had it set to match up to my attack.
I think you really hit something important knowing that your style and technique will, "get you what you want" on any bass. And, I totally agree that when you start with the best, it only accentuates and articulates your style, tone, sound even better and let's those aspects of your playing cut through -at least, this has been my experience with my MTDs.
I have also experienced this with my 635-24's. Don't get me wrong, they sounded incredible the day I picked them up. After a summer and a winter in NY, they really settled in and shined.
Very cool that you're getting matching pair!
@Cameron- your basses are gorgeous. I've heard clips of you playing them, and two things- you're a great player, and those basses sound wonderful in your hands. I hear you regarding the basses' tonality changing given a little seasoning. Something neat happens to the wood after it's vibrated a certain amount, especially in the hands of a good player. Do you care to disclose what bass is in the pipeline?
@Bass12: I have indeed had the opportunity to play a couple. I love how the necks feel. What really sold me was playing Mick Donner's Chinese 535. Mick lives locally to me, and does all of the work on my basses these days. He is the guy that helped Mike set up production in China for the Kingston basses. Mick cherry-picked a 535 off the production line over there, and massaged the stuff out of it, setting it up using Nordy pickups. Not having the opportunity to cherry pick off the production line, and not interested in needing to massage a bass other then adjusting the neck and string height, I decided to go to the master himself. I have no doubt I'll be happy with the two. I think Mike is kind of jazzed about the builds, and knew intuitively what I was looking for after just a few questions. He's been at this a while....
@Michael- do you have any MTD porn of your basses? The first thing I do when I get on TB is hit the search function for "MTD" to see if there are any new pictures. Absolutely right about Bassflute. Killer player! It's exciting to hear of your positive experience with your 635's. If I do decide to get some 6'er's it will come down to either Mike's offerings or Dave Siegel's NYBW stuff. At a certain level, it seems you can't really say a bass is the best, but rather that you prefer one over the other. Decisions like this make for quality problems. I have no problem believing the basses open up after a bit of playing and seasoning. I love playing basses that have been owned by good players for a little while- they tend to feel great when you play them.
The only constant between any bass is the player. One sort of develops a voice after a while. So I practice good stuff, and try to touch the instrument properly and in a manner that makes a good sound. I'm currently enrolled at Jeff Berlin's school down in Clearwater, and between twice a week lessons with him and the whippings from the other instructors, I'm a bit further down the road in my musical awareness and abilities than when I started. Still a ways to go, of course, but music is fun partly because you never really arrive, though the music gets sweeter and sweeter.
@Bass12: I have indeed had the opportunity to play a couple. I love how the necks feel. What really sold me was playing Mick Donner's Chinese 535. Mick lives locally to me, and does all of the work on my basses these days. He is the guy that helped Mike set up production in China for the Kingston basses. Mick cherry-picked a 535 off the production line over there, and massaged the stuff out of it, setting it up using Nordy pickups. Not having the opportunity to cherry pick off the production line, and not interested in needing to massage a bass other then adjusting the neck and string height, I decided to go to the master himself. I have no doubt I'll be happy with the two. I think Mike is kind of jazzed about the builds, and knew intuitively what I was looking for after just a few questions. He's been at this a while....
@Michael- do you have any MTD porn of your basses? The first thing I do when I get on TB is hit the search function for "MTD" to see if there are any new pictures. Absolutely right about Bassflute. Killer player! It's exciting to hear of your positive experience with your 635's. If I do decide to get some 6'er's it will come down to either Mike's offerings or Dave Siegel's NYBW stuff. At a certain level, it seems you can't really say a bass is the best, but rather that you prefer one over the other. Decisions like this make for quality problems. I have no problem believing the basses open up after a bit of playing and seasoning. I love playing basses that have been owned by good players for a little while- they tend to feel great when you play them.
The only constant between any bass is the player. One sort of develops a voice after a while. So I practice good stuff, and try to touch the instrument properly and in a manner that makes a good sound. I'm currently enrolled at Jeff Berlin's school down in Clearwater, and between twice a week lessons with him and the whippings from the other instructors, I'm a bit further down the road in my musical awareness and abilities than when I started. Still a ways to go, of course, but music is fun partly because you never really arrive, though the music gets sweeter and sweeter.
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
after playing my 9 (now 10) year old student's 635-24 ash/ash thing, I really really want one of those...the sound is extraordinary!
Here's us playing at his tenth birthday party for his aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends (not his best playing, he was really really nervous):
YouTube - ‪Ben is 10 - Alfie's Theme - Bass duet‬‏
Sorry about all the yakking - I didn't post this or I would have edited it out!
Cheers,
Cameron
That kid sounds great- he's on top of phrasing, which is wonderful to be aware of at his age. This kid will shortly be scary on bass.
I can see liking the ash/ash. Very defined, clear tone.
I can see liking the ash/ash. Very defined, clear tone.
Thanks. Yeah, I picked that up used for a decent price a few years ago. It's my practice amp, though, I do haul it out to smaller shows every now and then.
I really dig the SWR and MTD sound / tone.
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
and you're close to the source, too...upstate New York. What the light coloured one?
Cheers,
Cameron
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
he learned Spain, up to speed, perfect groove,unison lines, memorized, in under a week. I think that took me about five years IIRC. And did you check him out playing and singing Rush's 'Free Will'?
More to come...soon. He has quite a large repertoire.
Cheers,
Cameron
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