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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
Here are a few pictures of my MTD 634-24. When I asked for the dealer to get me pictures from Mike he did so and when he sent me the pictures via email he mentioned Mike saying that they had to make a special jig to route my neck pocket because this was the very first MTD-634-24 ever made. I wrote him back asking was he sure that was right and he said yes. That's pretty hard to believe knowing Mike has been building for decades. You mean to tell me that no one ever asked him to make a 34"-6 string bass with 24 frets? Anyone out there know anyone that's has one? This one has a zircote top and black limba body. Black hardware.
Attachments
Of all the basses I've owned, my 535 and 635 have had my favorite tones. I tend to favor the hifi, "piano like" tones. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of 35" scale basses.
Now I see a 634 being made (congrats sha975) and my wallet is starting to tremble.
My questions is what do you think the inch shorter scale length will do to the tone? Will it lose that hifi flavor that I love about MTD basses?
Also if I may ask, sha975, what dealer did you go thru to order the bass?
Now I see a 634 being made (congrats sha975) and my wallet is starting to tremble.
My questions is what do you think the inch shorter scale length will do to the tone? Will it lose that hifi flavor that I love about MTD basses?
Also if I may ask, sha975, what dealer did you go thru to order the bass?
"Does one inch shorter affect the MTD tone?" When asked of the question, Michael gave me the official answer, "a 34" scale will diminish the response of the B string."
I did hesitate for a moment, but one friend of mine who owned a 534-24 told me that the low B was as fantastic as, if not better than, any other 35" basses he had had.
So I finally put my bet on a 34" MTD.
Looking forward to sha975's input too...
I always ask myself this question when people ask me about 35 being "better" than 34 or vise-versa. And I want you to do the same. Have you ever been able to listen to a bass player play live or studio and make the conclusion that he/she was playing a 34 or 35" bass because the "B" string sounded weak or strong? I've never had! Now personally I can play 34 or 35 and I don't even feel a difference. The difference of a inch isn't 1 inch per fret but rather that inch is split up over the fretboard so that equals to very little difference. The honest true reason I get 34" scale is because the strings I prefer won't fit 35 and they are cheaper. I have 2 brubakers (already made) and a FBass being made that are all 34.5 scale. The truth is some 34" scale have bad "b" strings as well as some 35" scale have some bad ones. If there is a difference it's not one that I can tell and I have a studio to compare. I think it's more a preference and what you get use to playing than anything. You ask Ken Smith and he'll swear that 34" is the best. And I have a Ken Smith elite that sounds like a piano. It's all about perference! I prefer 34" to 34.5" because of the strings I play. I ordered through Bass SanDiego. To sum things up your MTD definitely won't lose it's high-fi-ness because of one measly inch.
Thanks for the replies.
I should have been more specific, I'm more interested in the quality of the high C and
G strings rather than the low B. I'm interested in a bass for solo chordal playing. That inch will make a difference when it comes to fingering complex grips.
My MTDs (and a 35" Spector I once had) had a certain sweetness to their high end. I just want to make sure I don't lose that sweetness by going with a 34" scale.
Thanks again.
I should have been more specific, I'm more interested in the quality of the high C and
G strings rather than the low B. I'm interested in a bass for solo chordal playing. That inch will make a difference when it comes to fingering complex grips.
My MTDs (and a 35" Spector I once had) had a certain sweetness to their high end. I just want to make sure I don't lose that sweetness by going with a 34" scale.
Thanks again.
Actually a 34" scale is what your looking for then. It is said that what you lose on the B you gain in warmth and clarity on your treble side. If you do a lot of soling like Adam Nitti or someone like that then that's what you want a 34" scale. It's what most solo artist use from what I can tell.
Hey blen dem,
A few months ago I had a few questions about the playabiliy and tone of an MTD with 34" vs 35" scale. I erroniously refered to the former as a "34" scale 535" and recieved an immediate reply (and scolding, sorry ya'll) stating that the 34" scale would be referred to as a "534"!
These are very difficult to find but there was a fine example floating around the 'bay for a while with a "BIN" of $5000.
They are out there used.
Later, Kirk
A few months ago I had a few questions about the playabiliy and tone of an MTD with 34" vs 35" scale. I erroniously refered to the former as a "34" scale 535" and recieved an immediate reply (and scolding, sorry ya'll) stating that the 34" scale would be referred to as a "534"!
These are very difficult to find but there was a fine example floating around the 'bay for a while with a "BIN" of $5000.
They are out there used.
Later, Kirk
sha975 said:
That is going to be another killer MTD. Congrats and please post pics of the bass when finished.
I know here personally. Those "small" basses are nothing small compare to the "big" ones. The B still sound great. In general, because of the short scale, they are a little fuller sounding all around (well depends on the wood combo, tho) , and the strings feel a little "loose" .
M
sha975 said:
I have a 2005 custom 634-24 with 17mm string spacing that i bought here from a TBer on july 2011 (when euro vs $ was still good for us europeans) and probably it's the best purchase that I've ever done in my life...
the specs should be wenge-wenge neck, ash body and myrtle burl (not sure) top, 34" scale and 17mm bridge string spacing. The neck is narrower and measures around 84-85 mm @ 24th fret... very comfortable to play for my left hand
carlis said:
For what I can say the B string on the 634 is excellent, much much better tha the B on my 35" scale Lull. And I have a trusty Ibanez Gwb-1 that is 34" but has one of the best B string I've ever tried.
IMHE and IMHO a longer scale will probably affect positively the B string performance, but I'm not sure you really can't obtain the same from a 34" scale.... Some time ago I had a custom made from a local luthier, 34" scale 5 string and 2+3 angled headstock with the B string tuning peg very very far away from the nut, and the B string was really amazing. You could play it soloing at the last frets and it was sounding clear with a great fundamental, exactly like the other strings. In that bass the longer length of the string (from tuner to bridge saddle) is something that affected positively the B string performance.
the specs should be wenge-wenge neck, ash body and myrtle burl (not sure) top, 34" scale and 17mm bridge string spacing. The neck is narrower and measures around 84-85 mm @ 24th fret... very comfortable to play for my left hand
Oh I wanted a narrow spacing MTD so badly...
But Mike said he didn't offer spacing other than 19 mm now...and I have to choose Hipshot adjustable bridge for that purpose.
I have a 534-24 purchased last year with narrow 18 mm spacing. Yeah, Mike does not offer other spacing besides 19 mm using Hipshot B-style bridge. He offers them with Hipshot A-style bridge. No trouble for me. The B string definitely felt "looser" than a normal 35". I can't tell much if the clarity suffers because it sounds GREAT!
BTW, saw this newly uploaded vid on MTD bass setup with the man himself
BTW, saw this newly uploaded vid on MTD bass setup with the man himself
metallutca said:I have a 534-24 purchased last year with narrow 18 mm spacing. Yeah, Mike does not offer other spacing besides 19 mm using Hipshot B-style bridge. He offers them with Hipshot A-style bridge. No trouble for me. The B string definitely felt "looser" than a normal 35". I can't tell much if the clarity suffers because it sounds GREAT!
BTW, saw this newly uploaded vid on MTD bass setup with the man himself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe42L7R4VkU
Thanks Lufti.....
I have a 534-24 purchased last year with narrow 18 mm spacing. Yeah, Mike does not offer other spacing besides 19 mm using Hipshot B-style bridge. He offers them with Hipshot A-style bridge. No trouble for me. The B string definitely felt "looser" than a normal 35". I can't tell much if the clarity suffers because it sounds GREAT!
BTW, saw this newly uploaded vid on MTD bass setup with the man himself
Is that a Dunlop 01 or 02? or oil of any other brand?
