The Official MTD USA Thread

[iwearpumas]

I'm so excited about my pending MTD. I already feel like it may be my main bass.

 

[Brams77]

I'm so excited about my pending MTD. I already feel like it may be my main bass.

You can count on that if your into these they don't sound like another bass out there so... Chances are you'll use it as a main bass.
Even if your bass has a "fender" wood combo.. It's still an mtd.

 

[jwr]

Just won a absolutely stunning MTD 435 on eBay!! Hate eBay but man it looks good! This will be my first MTD. I am very excited!!

 

[Neil]

Wow Mike and crew work really fast! Didn't you put your order in two months ago Neil?

Actually it's only been about 5 weeks. However I believe Mike already had a body that was completed. They still work unbelievably fast though.

 

[jebmd]

Just won a absolutely stunning MTD 435 on eBay!! Hate eBay but man it looks good! This will be my first MTD. I am very excited!!

Congrats!

My 435 is a similar wood combination and its a monster.

I was watching that auction and was baffled why the seller had two different basses pictured.

 

[jwr]

HAH! I just noticed that!! Good eye!!! I think that first pic came from Bass Central. Either way it's a beaut.

 

[jebmd]

HAH! I just noticed that!! Good eye!!! I think that first pic came from Bass Central. Either way it's a beaut.

Agreed! I really dig that color.

 

[Brams77]

Anybody got mtd 535 pickups they swapped or whatever laying around in good condition? Or know someone who swapped them, i even heard something about some players swapping for a set of humbucker types of these, Altho I never heard mr tobias mention they were around, but who knows... Just curious i need a set...

I changed all the hardware on my bass cos the hardware was pretty worn... Now cos you cant change the casing/covers of these i need to have both pickups to complete the visual
Upgrade i was busy with.. And this bass i got is well worth getting TLC I can tell you that...
I wanted an mtd with that thunderous low b... Well goal reached... Was not expecting that with ash maple maple to be honest...

 

[iwearpumas]

Does anyone have matching pickup covers to the top wood?

 

[carlis]

Does anyone have matching pickup covers to the top wood?

I remember I have seen a custom 635 with matching pickup covers, but it was made by the owner after he swapped the original Bartolini pickups to aero pickups.

Last year I wrote to ask Mike if he could offer this option and the answer was no. All Bartolini pickups that come with his MTD basses will not have pickup covers.

 

[LeonD]

Does anyone have matching pickup covers to the top wood?

I don't think Mike offers that option.

That said, I always like it when the pickups match the fretboard wood and contrast the top (as on some Foderas).

 

[KJung]

I don't think Mike offers that option.

That said, I always like it when the pickups match the fretboard wood and contrast the top (as on some Foderas).

I believe the reason they are not offered is due to the unique active Bartolini's used in the MTD's. If I remember correctly, the preamp for each pickup is actually sealed inside the pickup, so the plastic 'covers' cannot be removed.

Those active pickups are also the reason that the MTD's do not have a preamp bypass switch, since the pickups need power to operate.... no such thing as a preamp bypass in the rare basses that use active pickups.

 

[rodneyat]

I believe the reason they are not offered is due to the unique active Bartolini's used in the MTD's. If I remember correctly, the preamp for each pickup is actually sealed inside the pickup, so the plastic 'covers' cannot be removed.

Those active pickups are also the reason that the MTD's do not have a preamp bypass switch, since the pickups need power to operate.... no such thing as a preamp bypass in the rare basses that use active pickups.

This used to be the case, actually. The pickups he is using now do not have the preamp in them like they used to. Mike and I talked about it a while back. I am not sure when he switched over. But, I get the impression that it has been a while now.

 

[KJung]

This used to be the case, actually. The pickups he is using now do not have the preamp in them like they used to. Mike and I talked about it a while back. I am not sure when he switched over. But, I get the impression that it has been a while now.

Thanks for the update. I wasn't sure if they were still done that way.

 

[Aram]

I thought they were still fully active (meaning they require a battery to operate), but he removed that module from inside the pickup shell to outside.

 

[rodneyat]

I thought they were still fully active (meaning they require a battery to operate), but he removed that module from inside the pickup shell to outside.

That is correct.

 

[LeonD]

I asked Mike about a passive option earlier this year. His response was that the pickup's output on their own was so low, it wouldn't be worth it. Even in an emergency situation.

 

[KJung]

I asked Mike about a passive option earlier this year. His response was that the pickup's output on their own was so low, it wouldn't be worth it. Even in an emergency situation.

+1 Active pickups are 'active'!

 

[tombowlus]

I asked Mike about a passive option earlier this year. His response was that the pickup's output on their own was so low, it wouldn't be worth it. Even in an emergency situation.

If you want an MTD with a valid - and killer, in fact! - passive option, might I suggest a Saratoga? Of course, it's a different beast from the standard 435/535/635, but it is a compelling line in its own right, and an MTD, through and through.

 

[rodneyat]

If you want an MTD with a valid - and killer, in fact! - passive option, might I suggest a Saratoga? Of course, it's a different beast from the standard 435/535/635, but it is a compelling line in its own right, and an MTD, through and through.

+1.