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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
See, now you're just going to drive yourself insane. There are a ton of combinations possible and you can't have them all!
In all seriousness though - I've only seen one MTD with a bubinga board and I don't think Mike has made more than a small handful (though I could be wrong). I'd say you'd be taking more of a chance with a wood that few people (and players in particular) could give you solid feedback on. But it does look pretty. 
It seems that an alder/maple/ebony MTD will fit it perfectly, but that's just my own opinion.
Admittedly I am a heavy ebony enthusiast, as I own three MTDs with different body woods (swamp ash, makore and primavera) but all with a maple/ebony neck. I think rosewood fingerboards tend to provide a rounded, solid and warm low end, while maple fingerboards a beautiful bright high-mid and treble which is very suitable for slapping. That said, the former may not be able to sound that "snappy" on the high end as the latter, and the latter may not sound as full in the bottom—of course, what Mike offers are top of the line wood materials and both kinds will work very, very well on a MTD bass no matter what. I'm just talking about their relative inclination and YMMV.
Ebony fingerboards have the fastest response of the three, and very powerful mids, making a bass cut through the mix easily. Sometimes I need to roll off the 500 Hz mid a bit to get "mixed in." You may want to check the new bass release page at MTD's official site: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Mike is posting his own comments on every bass, such as "strong midrange and quick snappy treble" for one with a walnut body with a maple neck and ebony board. Visiting this page from time to time really is an enjoyment and it broadens my understanding as to how powerful and versatile those combinations can be, even with the same pickups and preamp.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
See, now you're just going to drive yourself insane. There are a ton of combinations possible and you can't have them all!
Pete Skjold has used bubinga as a fingerboard wood in a number of basses (including my first Skjold). When I first visited his shop and played a bunch of his basses, the ones which spoke to me the most all had bubinga fingerboards. And I'm talking about basses with entirely different pickups and electronics, which all had that something special which I think came from the bubinga boards. My impression is that it is a fairly balanced tonewood, with a bit of compression in the upper mids which translates to great clarity, but with warmth, as well.
YMMV, of course.
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
See, now you're just going to drive yourself insane. There are a ton of combinations possible and you can't have them all!
I'm the one who talked Mike into making the first ever MTD bass with Bubinga board, since that he has made two for me.
The look is very nice, and the sound is very quick and snappy, not as warm as I imagined it would be, so a Bubinga board should be matched with a 'warm' body wood such as Alder, Mahogany or Makore, that way the sound will be still warm but has a quick response and very focused notes.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Trust me go with someting more traditional, there is a reason why it called traditional, co's it has worked in the past and will in the future... And if you ever want to sell it there are more people wanting a traditional combo then something outragious. Sure It's fun, getting all these crazy options..but in the end your making music with other musicians...
Im a huge fan of Ash body exotic top maple neck mac rosewood fingerboard.. It's a winner! Ask Tim rawbiz williams justin raines or jea deal... These work!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WYv_WnSYWAQ&feature=plpp
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http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plpp&v=ixWpYDDU-wc
Hehe well It's just advise.. I ran thru all of the high end basses and came back to playing fender p basses.. Sure old ones but still... So I know whatever high end bass I'm using next to my p bass, has to be something that has something in common with that fender recepe, if I don't I'll get bored with it and after a year or sooner It's on the market again... And I can proove alot of other bassists have this similar pattern. Sounds a bit boring but It's true for me...
I think the necktru's are more or less in between a tobias and an mtd..
Youll have less punch more sustain so a little more modern sounding instrument.. I understood you have a pre gibson tobias (lucky b@$tard) if i were you i would go for the bolt on mtd... That way you would more likely end up with two different splendid basses rather then two that sound pretty close.. Leaving one eating dust, but if its your intention to sell the tobias then it could be a good thing...
Still seeing you have alot of questions still... I strongly advise you to talk to mike send him a mail call his shop, if you want him to build you a bass that is... Explain to him what your after and youll end up with something especially made for you.. Ive heard hes real good in converting someones sound goals into a bass...
Mike is one of the most nicest guys in the business and hell answer just about anything you fire at him, the guy is unbelievable, im sure many can back me up on that.
+1 to that-on Thursday I had a 20 minute conversation with Mike T on wood combos and tone qualities related to five different 635s. He went into precise detail on each instrument and answered all my questions, all while he was driving down the highway (hands free, of course!)
I don't have a Tobias. A good friend of mine (the other bass player at my church) has one (#1560).
Ah ok... I see... In any case talk to Mike, and let US know what you came up with.. I'm curious at the outcome.
