• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Official MTD USA Thread

#8,202
Mike made an all Koa fretless Bass once, the wood is supplied by the guy that ordered the Bass, Mike's friend. A funny story, coz that guy bought a dining table made from koa, really beautiful, the guy's wife liked it very much, and was really angry when she saw him chopping of that table to send the pieces to Mike :D He literally mutilated that table, and send the pieces to Mike, Mike wasn't happy knowing the guy's wife is mad, and said since then, he lost interest on making a Bass from Koa wood.

Really quite a strange fact, but I guess if Mike doesn't want to do something, he won't do it. But I asked him once about the Koa top, he said that it's possible, but he will buy just only one piece for that certain order, the customer cannot choose between many options of the same top, like on other woods.
 
#8,203
antontanzil said:
Mike made an all Koa fretless Bass once, the wood is supplied by the guy that ordered the Bass, Mike's friend. A funny story, coz that guy bought a dining table made from koa, really beautiful, the guy's wife liked it very much, and was really angry when she saw him chopping of that table to send the pieces to Mike :D He literally mutilated that table, and send the pieces to Mike, Mike wasn't happy knowing the guy's wife is mad, and said since then, he lost interest on making a Bass from Koa wood.

Really quite a strange fact, but I guess if Mike doesn't want to do something, he won't do it. But I asked him once about the Koa top, he said that it's possible, but he will buy just only one piece for that certain order, the customer cannot choose between many options of the same top, like on other woods.
Click to expand...
interesting story。thx，guy
 
#8,204
ono69 said:
I have a question, why mr.Tobias not use koa as top now?
Click to expand...

Technically, Mike can build a bass to order with whatever wood top the client wants, as long as he has the materials ready at hand. Mike may advise against a certain combination just for tonal considerations. IIRC, he once made a white ash topped MTD for another luthier.

The fact is there are only few (if any) luthiers using koa as the top or whatever component on a bass simply because it is too expensive to do so nowadays. The unit price for these woods is skyrocketing due to excessive usage, just like the case of gaboon ebony. Today, we are seeing more striped ebony fingerboards/tops than ever, not because of their aesthetic superiority (which Taylor and Fodera talk you into believing), but because their pure black variation is so scarce (and thus exorbitant) that no one think it's "worth" using anymore.
 
#8,206
I bought a very nice compression curl Koa top for $300. If you look at what some charge for wood vs. what you can find it for...

who is it too expensive for? I've seen up charges elsewhere for $3000+ for a top and I'm pretty sure that's a more than healthy markup vs. what the wood actually cost.

BTW an alternative to Koa is Myrtlewood with a Koa colored finish. The wood can be very affordable.
 
#8,207
I think not every piece of koa is suitable for a top, I know some wood they only use the lower part of a tree some times the upper or the middle.. The structure of a tree is very different from tightness of grain on which part you get it from... Don't forget It's still a "tone" wood not only for looks... I heard Michael say once he had incredible looking woods but they would sound like you would hold your nose on an instrument...

I can see why mr tobias would not like to use woods supplied by customers, it doesnt work...
 
#8,208
antontanzil said:
Mike made an all Koa fretless Bass once, the wood is supplied by the guy that ordered the Bass, Mike's friend. A funny story, coz that guy bought a dining table made from koa, really beautiful, the guy's wife liked it very much, and was really angry when she saw him chopping of that table to send the pieces to Mike :D He literally mutilated that table, and send the pieces to Mike, Mike wasn't happy knowing the guy's wife is mad, and said since then, he lost interest on making a Bass from Koa wood.

Really quite a strange fact, but I guess if Mike doesn't want to do something, he won't do it. But I asked him once about the Koa top, he said that it's possible, but he will buy just only one piece for that certain order, the customer cannot choose between many options of the same top, like on other woods.
Click to expand...


i'm pretty sure that would've been jonathan starr...someone correct me if i'm wrong :D
 
#8,209
:cool:

To all you 535 owners.
I have major gas for a 535, or a 534.
I'm offering a 1985 Wal MK1 fretless. 100% original with Wal case.
I paid just over $5000.00. for this bass.
Never gig, bought as an investment bass.

Email me at [email protected] for pictures.

I will trade straight up for the right 535, or 534.

Must be 100% original. No mods.
 
#8,211
carlis said:
At first I :eek: and then :D

Is there any picture of his rare MTD?

I wonder if the remnant of his table is enough to make a koa fingerboard or something like that... :hmm:
Click to expand...
Invalid Link Removed
 

Attachments

  • CIMG4609.jpg
    CIMG4609.jpg
    166.4 KB · Views: 106
  • CIMG4608.jpg
    CIMG4608.jpg
    51.9 KB · Views: 99
#8,213
Actually I approve of that, Mike not wanting to do certain tropical hardwoods... Arnt there enough other woods around that are gorgeous?... walnut or burled woods are more then amazing too... And in the end we need oxigen a bit more then some stupid looking bass...
 
#8,215
Brams77 said:
Actually I approve of that, Mike not wanting to do certain tropical hardwoods... Arnt there enough other woods around that are gorgeous?... walnut or burled woods are more then amazing too... And in the end we need oxigen a bit more then some stupid looking bass...
Click to expand...

Very true...but the SAD part is that the probability of that tree being torn down ANYWAY is still high

No one can convince me that the planet's deforestation is due to instruments... I'd guess that land development is the biggest culprit
 
#8,218
CTC564 said:
Very true...but the SAD part is that the probability of that tree being torn down ANYWAY is still high

No one can convince me that the planet's deforestation is due to instruments... I'd guess that land development is the biggest culprit
Click to expand...

Well ofcourse thats true... but then again, the woods that are used for instruments are pretty specific and limited...
If you want a really nice figured piece of wood from a certain type it wont be on every tree thats cut but only a few, and then only a small part of a tree...
I think It's good to atleast think about what woods someone uses no matter if It's big or small, it always has it effect on the demand..
So in that sence I have great admiration that someone thinks about these things and makes choices that are Concious.
We consumers don't think or care enough to know.. We just want a beautiful bass guitar...
 
#8,220
Been shopping for a 635. Found a marilyn with alder body and rw board I like but afraid of how it will sit in the mix with a band. Almost sounds like a deep acoustic guitar from all the clips. Would really like a mahogany or makore body with maple neck.

Anyone have some leads on newer 24 fret 635's? Or interested to sell or trade?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back