Beautiful MTDs, guys! Here's my 434-22 with Saratoga electronics. Classic MTD wood combo, myrtle burl/poplar/wenge.
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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
Can someone who's owned an Ash necked MTD compare it to either a maple or wenge neck? I'd seriously appreciate it!
I had one with an ash neck...I have one with a wenge neck...to me the ash neck opened things up more, especially when it was paired with the maple board I had on there...the wenge neck is more compressed sounding, but it has agreat bbalance and with it being a one piece neck/board, it lets me dial in an unreal smooth but growly tone I am extremely fond of...love the open grain on both...!
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Wow this is perfect! I love wenge (3 basses with wenge necks) but I don't want that compressed tone for my next bass, so I was thinking of Ash as an alternative and it sounds like it's the perfect winner!
I had an ash/walnut/ash/maple 535. It had a notable growl to it (more so than the wenge/wenge 535s I've owned). Unfortunately, the maple boarded MTDs I've owned have not had the strong fundamentals to them that I like to hear in a bass (I like to clearly hear the notes I'm playing in a band setting). Also, lots of "drop out" when switching from fingers to slap. I'm not saying that all maple boarded MTDs are going to sound this way but this has been my experience.
I've also had this experience with ash necked MTD's with one exception. I owned a 635 with an ash body, ash neck, and a pistachio board. The pistachio gave the bass a strong fundamental, a comparable brightness to maple (though a little warmer and more focused kind of treble, and more snappy than maple. That bass had a huge bottom, growl for days, and a good focus in the mids. It does have similarities to wenge necks, but much more open. Sometimes when i needed a really big note, the wenge's compression sucked the life out of it. Wenge is an amazing wood and i love it, but it works best when the bass needs to be focused in the mix. Reginald from Bass Freqs has a review of a similar bass on YouTube That should give you an idea
Anyone with USA Saratoga experience out there that might be able to tell me anything about the pickups...?..are they hot sounding like a '70s Fender or a Sadowsky...?..I'm looking into a combo for my next build that will give me a more aggressive sound than my 535 has...I love my '73 jazz, but I'd like to put it out to pasture when I find a 5 string replacement....not sure if it will be an MTD or not...
Mmm, I wouldn't say the Saratogas are more aggressive sounding than 535s. They still sound very much like MTDs, just more "focused" in terms of sonic "footprint" than a 535. If you're looking for a Fenderish sound then I would get a Fender. If you want an MTD sound that leans more in a Jazz bass direction (but is still an MTD) then the Saratoga is a great option.
I should add that, along with a bunch of "typical" Saratogas, I've tried Saratogas that did not have Mike's standard Barts in them. If you don't want the Bart sound then you can always request different pickups or a different preamp.
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bass12 said:
Thanks, but I'm definitely not looking for a Fender 5 string...I was just wondering if the Saratoga had hot single coils in it...
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
I'm down to the final countdown on my 535! Mike shipped it out to me this morning, should be here sometime Wednesday.
Such a great feeling...unboxing, then opening that new MTD case for the first time! That is one special top wood you have coming...and btw, congrats!
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
What gigbags are you all using for your MTDs? I've been using an original Sadowsky Portabag since they first came out around 8 years ago, and it's treated me well. But with the new bass coming in I figure it's time to try something new.
The Mono bags and Reuinion Blues bags have too high of a profile for me - I'm 6'5" and I can't get through doors without banging the headstock with higher profile bags. The Gruvgear GigBlade looks really cool, but does the side carry thing really work well in the real world? Seems like the bass would want to slide off of the shoulder. I also looked into getting a Glenn Cronkhite leather bag, but he only sells Fender shaped bags now - his bags are very form fitting and not one size fits all. The J bass shape MAY work but it's a tough call to spend that much on a custom bag that might not fit.
The Mono bags and Reuinion Blues bags have too high of a profile for me - I'm 6'5" and I can't get through doors without banging the headstock with higher profile bags. The Gruvgear GigBlade looks really cool, but does the side carry thing really work well in the real world? Seems like the bass would want to slide off of the shoulder. I also looked into getting a Glenn Cronkhite leather bag, but he only sells Fender shaped bags now - his bags are very form fitting and not one size fits all. The J bass shape MAY work but it's a tough call to spend that much on a custom bag that might not fit.
Jason, since you're a big guy, the GruvGear will probably work for you. I own a Reunion Blues, Gruv Gear, and both Monos. For me, it depends on the situation, but I mostly go with my Mono cases, but I'm 5"7, so I'm tiny compared to you. Try out the GruvGear if you get the chance. It's biggest advantage other than the height thing is that you can wear a backpack with it ( i use my club bag for every gig) and it's great to be able to wear both comfortably. Also, it combines some great features of the Mono that I like, like the top loading of the Vertigo and it's very stiff and protected. Just try a bunch and test them all. That's the best way, but this is my 2 cents
I use the Protec bass case for my MTD 535 it is very similar to the Sadowsky bag I have one of those as well. I have a Gig Blade as well great bag. I also have Mono M-80's and a Vertigo and a Gator Progo Ultimate Gig bag ( will fit a Gibson T-bird)
Protec
Protec Contego Bass Guitar Case - eBags.com
Gator
Gator G-PG BASS - ProGo Ultimate Gig Bag for Bass | Sweetwater.com
Protec
Protec Contego Bass Guitar Case - eBags.com
Gator
Gator G-PG BASS - ProGo Ultimate Gig Bag for Bass | Sweetwater.com
Portabags are still my favourite. I have a Contego (because it came with one of my basses) and it never sees any use. My Mono M80 gets used when I need less protection (than the Portabags offer) and will be walking a lot. With the M80 you still need to extra-pad the bottom because a bass with rounded edges (like a 535) can slip to the front of the bag past the padded base (I'm always extra careful when putting my M80 down vertically). Portabags offer, by far, the best protection - they're just not as convenient to carry as some cases.
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
Well...my 535 came this morning and I haven't put it down since. Absolutely killer. Here's the specs:
535-21
Ash body, ash neck
Red Narra top, roasted birdseye maple board
Matching ramp, matching wood knobs
Custom Bartolini preamp with passive tone control and push/pull mids
535-21
Ash body, ash neck
Red Narra top, roasted birdseye maple board
Matching ramp, matching wood knobs
Custom Bartolini preamp with passive tone control and push/pull mids
Very nice...really dig the fingerboard...Well...my 535 came this morning and I haven't put it down since. Absolutely killer. Here's the specs:
535-21
Ash body, ash neck
Red Narra top, roasted birdseye maple board
Matching ramp, matching wood knobs
Custom Bartolini preamp with passive tone control and push/pull mids
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Well...my 535 came this morning and I haven't put it down since. Absolutely killer. Here's the specs:
535-21
Ash body, ash neck
Red Narra top, roasted birdseye maple board
Matching ramp, matching wood knobs
Custom Bartolini preamp with passive tone control and push/pull mids
That is beautiful, Jason! I love the electronics layout, as well. Passive tone control is very nice. Do you also have an active/passive option?
