+1
His design looks very balanced and elegant. Not too over-the-top, and not too boring. Just beautiful.
His design looks very balanced and elegant. Not too over-the-top, and not too boring. Just beautiful.
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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
I've owned plenty of fine basses (both cheap and expensive) that felt like they were tools used to make music. They sounded great and played well. And there's nothing wrong with that.
On the other hand, my MTD feels like a fine instrument. There's some intangible quality to the bass that's hard to describe but easy to feel.
On the other hand, my MTD feels like a fine instrument. There's some intangible quality to the bass that's hard to describe but easy to feel.
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
My first ever MTD was a 535-21 I got from ebay for $2700, Ash-Maple Top, Wenge Neck & Board. Still in very good shape. I sold it to a friend to buy an Ash-Walnut, Ash-Maple from TBer Bascoonbeatz which is in super mint condition. I rarely saw a 535 less then $3000 on TB if it's still in very good condition and that's already like $2000 less than the new ones.
All MTDs are nice in their own way, I don't see the reason to sell it too cheap, unless *knock on wood* something very2 important needs to be settle
All MTDs are nice in their own way, I don't see the reason to sell it too cheap, unless *knock on wood* something very2 important needs to be settle
This is my Eclipse 535w (#30). I'm the 3rd owner. Bass was originally purchased in December of 1994. Swapped a couple of my basses with a great TB'er for this baby! Swamp ash body with a maple burl top. Neck is wenge with wenge fretboard. Matching wenge control plates in the back. Still in mint condition! I'm not sure how much this bass is worth, but to me, it's like a museum piece!
Wow, beautiful bass! Love those specs too.
And just a word on 435's, I've always been more of a four string player. I've played fives, and even have a fretless Modulus Q5 at the moment, but four has always suited my tastes better. I have 435 #081, and it's killer. And at some point soon, I'll have a 435 custom built. I think it comes down to preference and the style of music you're gigging and/or recording, more than what a builder is known for. IMO, of course!
And just a word on 435's, I've always been more of a four string player. I've played fives, and even have a fretless Modulus Q5 at the moment, but four has always suited my tastes better. I have 435 #081, and it's killer. And at some point soon, I'll have a 435 custom built. I think it comes down to preference and the style of music you're gigging and/or recording, more than what a builder is known for. IMO, of course!
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
On her way to me...
The Flame roasted neck
Mike speaks highly about this bass, here's his email describing the sound:
I hope you're well. Your baby. It has a very round plump sound on the neck pick up. The bridge pick up is quite aggressive but still around. There's a bit of an edge to it on top which I think will go away as plays in the strings mellow. I'd like to be able to hear this bass in a month but I'm sure you won't be sending it back anytime soon.
The Flame roasted neck
Mike speaks highly about this bass, here's his email describing the sound:
I hope you're well. Your baby. It has a very round plump sound on the neck pick up. The bridge pick up is quite aggressive but still around. There's a bit of an edge to it on top which I think will go away as plays in the strings mellow. I'd like to be able to hear this bass in a month but I'm sure you won't be sending it back anytime soon.
Very nice Anton. I am still waiting for mine. Like many..ordered last October. My last conversation with Mike he said he was hoping to have it done by mid to late June. He said by Summer NAMM at the absolute latest. I hope so.
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
Hi guys...
Thanks a lot... I hope that it really does sound like what Mike said. This is the first time ever he wants to have my Bass back.
Thanks a lot... I hope that it really does sound like what Mike said. This is the first time ever he wants to have my Bass back.
Very nice Anton! Is anyone going to the MTD4Lyfe benefit concert in Woodstock this weekend? I really wanted to go but I'll be away playing some shows.
Now THIS is what the wooden Slap Ramp should look like. Lines hugging curbs, I prefer this over the "Stockton" shape of ramp.
On her way to me...
The Flame roasted neck
Mike speaks highly about this bass, here's his email describing the sound:
I hope you're well. Your baby. It has a very round plump sound on the neck pick up. The bridge pick up is quite aggressive but still around. There's a bit of an edge to it on top which I think will go away as plays in the strings mellow. I'd like to be able to hear this bass in a month but I'm sure you won't be sending it back anytime soon.
Thing is, the Stockton "ramp" is removable independently of the truss rod cover while Anton's doesn't look to be. I personally find that there's so little space between my strings and the body on my MTDs that I wouldn't want any less room. Then again, Mike told me that Andrew Gouché likes his neck pockets cut deeper than usual so that there's less room between the strings and the body.
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
Mine can be removed, and under there is the truss rod cover, like all MTDs. I know this for sure because I initially order this without the slap ramp, I ordered it after the Bass is done.
I honestly don't know what Norm Stockton's slap ramp look like exactly, and I don't know if this slap ramp will benefit my playing or not. I'm just curious. But it does look great matching the body's curves
I honestly don't know what Norm Stockton's slap ramp look like exactly, and I don't know if this slap ramp will benefit my playing or not. I'm just curious. But it does look great matching the body's curves
I find the ramps on Stockton's basses a bit weird looking - especially on his current bass. I mean, you have these matching knobs and then a big, out-of-place slab of brown? 
I'd planned on putting my swamp ash/wenge/wenge 535 up for sale a couple of months back to possibly fund a Saratoga. The right Saratoga hasn't presented itself yet and in the meantime I've been playing this bass more. Makes me think twice about selling it even if the right Saratoga does come along (not sure how I'll come up with the money if that does happen!). It's got a great, warm punch and is dark yet clear sounding. Very even note-to-note. I've never changed the strings on it and have kept it that way because it works great with dead strings for reggae and old-style R&B. This will be my bass tonight backing Jamaican singer Jah Bouks.I've decided to sell my 535 (swamp ash, quilt maple, wenge, wenge). I won't have a chance to post an ad until tomorrow or the day after so this is just a heads up.
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
I need some feedback on what sound each wood combination provides. I send several Emails to Mike but no response so I decided to post it and hear you guy’s comments.
535-24 Walnut top, Ash Body, Maple Neck-Birdseye Maple Board
535-24 Buckeye top, alder body, maple neck, ebony board
535-24 spalted quilted maple top, walnut body, maple neck, ebony board
535-24 flamed redwood top, alder body, maple neck, Birdseye board
535-24 Burl top, ash body, maple neck, Wenge board
535-24 Walnut top, Ash Body, Maple Neck-Birdseye Maple Board
535-24 Buckeye top, alder body, maple neck, ebony board
535-24 spalted quilted maple top, walnut body, maple neck, ebony board
535-24 flamed redwood top, alder body, maple neck, Birdseye board
535-24 Burl top, ash body, maple neck, Wenge board
