The Official MTD USA Thread

[Neil]

I had the good fortune of playing Virgil's AG MTD yesterday and couldn't put it down. Probably one of the best instruments I've ever laid my hands on. The neck plays like butta! It feels exactly the same all the way up the neck. The notes speak so clearly and the electronics are ridiculous. And it looks so badass!

An absolute work of art by Mr. Tobias!

So after hanging with Virgil and playing his Gouche MTD for 3 hours I knew I was in trouble. I knew this was going to be an expensive visit.

Well I did it. I put a deposit on a AG MTD. I am so psyched! I just can't wait to get this incredible instrument in my hands.

 

[bass12]

So after hanging with Virgil and playing his Gouche MTD for 3 hours I knew I was in trouble. I knew this was going to be an expensive visit.

Well I did it. I put a deposit on a AG MTD. I am so psyched! I just can't wait to get this incredible instrument in my hands.

I never even got a chance to play an MTD before buying my first one but that purchase was one of the best moves I've ever made.

 

[Brams77]

I used to have an older MTD535 with Wenge/Wenge neck and Korina body. During the economic crises I had to sell her and she is the only bass I really miss. I was looking for the same older 535 for three years and finally found one with the same specs from 1995. She is on her way to her new home now. Hope I'll enjoy her as much as I did the previous one! Unfortunately the old one had much sexier finish on her.

good choice! this came from rumble seat for a good price ive seen it, hope you enjoy it man!

I am currently in the market for one of these too.
Can anybody here hook me up on a ash walnut ash maple 535 21
Or a ash myrtle burl maple rosewood 535 21 or 24?
Or makore/mahogany with ex top maple rosewood
These particulary combo's work for me they fit what I need.
I am willing to spend around 2800 to max 3000 dollar?

Send me a pm if someone has something that fits that description.

Regards,

Bram

 

[bass12]

good choice! this came from rumble seat for a good price ive seen it, hope you enjoy it man!

I am currently in the market for one of these too.
Can anybody here hook me up on a ash walnut ash maple 535 21
Or a ash myrtle burl maple rosewood 535 21 or 24?
Or makore/mahogany with ex top maple rosewood
These particulary combo's work for me they fit what I need.
I am willing to spend around 2800 to max 3000 dollar?

Send me a pm if someone has something that fits that description.

Regards,

Bram

Are you choosing those wood combos based on looks or tone? If it's for tone you might as well leave the door wide open to other combos because the ones you've listed are quite different from one another.

 

[iwearpumas]

Does anyone think the AG model sounds superior to other MTDs?

 

[bass12]

Does anyone think the AG model sounds superior to other MTDs?

You can be pretty sure that every MTD sounds a bit different from the next (even within the same wood combination). Why would the AG sound "superior" to others? Unless I'm mistaken, the electronics are the same as other MTDs and the wood combination isn't that out of the ordinary for an MTD. I think the biggest difference where the AG is concerned is the colour.

 

[iwearpumas]

You can be pretty sure that every MTD sounds a bit different from the next (even within the same wood combination). Why would the AG sound "superior" to others? Unless I'm mistaken, the electronics are the same as other MTDs and the wood combination isn't that out of the ordinary for an MTD. I think the biggest difference where the AG is concerned is the colour.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[rodneyat]

You can be pretty sure that every MTD sounds a bit different from the next (even within the same wood combination). Why would the AG sound "superior" to others? Unless I'm mistaken, the electronics are the same as other MTDs and the wood combination isn't that out of the ordinary for an MTD. I think the biggest difference where the AG is concerned is the colour.

It has a purpleheart board which is different than what Mike would generally use. On the next part, I may be wrong. But, in chatting once with Andrew Gouche I am pretty sure he mentioned that the electronics were tweaked for him. But, I am not 100% sure on that one.

 

[antontanzil]

Does anyone think the AG model sounds superior to other MTDs?

No... But you cannot get the purpleheart board on any MTD, no matter how much you are willing to pay. And the PH board made the biggest tonal uniqueness factor the AG has to offer.

 

[metallutca]

No... But you cannot get the purpleheart board on any MTD, no matter how much you are willing to pay. And the PH board made the biggest tonal uniqueness factor the AG has to offer.

Why would not Mike make purpleheart available for other MTDs?

 

[Brams77]

Are you choosing those wood combos based on looks or tone? If it's for tone you might as well leave the door wide open to other combos because the ones you've listed are quite different from one another.

I know that bass12 but these are combo's I like sonically having listened to justin raines Tim rawbiz williams jae deal... Mabe I shouldn't mention makore (cos I dont have any experience on that body wood) but I did play a mahogany bass with maple neck and rosewood board I did love that sound aswell it had a slightly darker sound and less punch.

 

[LeonD]

Does anyone think the AG model sounds superior to other MTDs?

From what I've heard about AG basses, they supposedly have a unique sound. But I wouldn't say they are superior.

My tone goals are different than those of the AG bass. For me, the AG's wouldn't work at all.

I think you first need to define what you're looking for tone wise. And then see (ultimately, by talking to Mike) which woods would work. Maybe the AG would work for you, maybe it wouldn't.

 

[Margus Alviste]

I have listened to the AG sound samples and clips and based on that I must say that AG is not for me either. Too much treble and lack of mids I'd say. And the hi frequencies sound too high for me. I like so much more the older MTDs with the old pickups and wenge/wenge necks. Korina body gives the nice low mid bark. That is the sound I am ready to die for!!!

 

[tombowlus]

So, how many other MTD Saratoga owners do we have, here? Man, this Sara 4 continues to blow me away!

 

[Virgil]

Hey guys. I have an AG. And there are additional differences than what has been mentioned here. First of all, the body of the AG is not the same size as a MTD 435/535/635. Second, the pickups are placed differently, Third, the Purple Heart fingerboard is only available on the AG. However, the biggest difference is the preamp. Which as I read the comments above, I realized that some of you have said that the bass lacks mids...nothing further from the truth. The preamp has an adjustment , just for the mids. You can adjust to what ever you want. You can make it more narrow or open. When I bought mine, Mike adjusted it while I played until I said what I liked. So you can't hear an AG and say it doesn't have mids. It may not be to your liking, but it is to the liking of its owner. I don't know whether Mike is going to make this available for other models, but mine sure has it. Finally, clips do not come close to the actual tone that comes from this bass. I wish we had a GTG so I could let you hear and play it for yourself. I know a bunch of bassist who said that they did not like MTD's. After they heard mine, they were blown away. Keep an open mind guys.

 

[Vic]

So, how many other MTD Saratoga owners do we have, here? Man, this Sara 4 continues to blow me away!

Shut up... now!

 

[Virgil]

I have listened to the AG sound samples and clips and based on that I must say that AG is not for me either. Too much treble and lack of mids I'd say. And the hi frequencies sound too high for me. I like so much more the older MTDs with the old pickups and wenge/wenge necks. Korina body gives the nice low mid bark. That is the sound I am ready to die for!!!

I played my MTD at a GTG at Guitar Center. I cut the highs and mids, boost the bass, had the mids set at 1000 hz and it had all of the low mids bark anyone could ask for. Again, everyone there said that MTD's were too clanky, too smiley face Eq wise, not enough mids etc. They could not believe the tone. I am just saying, play with the Eq, you'd be surprised

 

[LeonD]

The preamp has an adjustment , just for the mids. You can adjust to what ever you want. You can make it more narrow or open.

I haven't heard of this before. My MTD has a three way toggle switch but yours sounds different.

Is it internal or external? And does it control more than just the frequency of the mids?

Thanks.

 

[Highs&Lows]

why can you get the purple heart board only on the AG model?

 

[Brams77]

I think you better mail Mike about this, I can imagine it Being a combo specially for this artist bass, on the other hand I don't see any reason why he wouldn't use the fb if it was a custom order... But then again we are just speculating, It's better to get in touch with the maker of these basses if It's something you would like.