The Official MTD USA Thread

[idoker]

Some MTDs are very bright and some are not - it really depends on the individual bass. I much prefer MTDs that fall on the warmer end of the spectrum and sound a little more "traditional".

Yes…A lot depends on the wood combinations that are used.

I also have some problems “taming” my MTD’s (ash/maple/ebony) tone at times. It kind of can be a love-hate type situation sometimes. I just crave that “traditional” tone more and more frequently now.

I’ll have to look into having that passive tone option possibly added to my bass by Mike, or maybe another MTD in the future.

 

[vision]

I tried an MTD in a shop in Tokyo last year. It felt great, but the sound was so bright it was unreal. I couldn't even begin to dial it out. Can't remember the woods, which I'm sure was part of what was going on. I think maybe the ash/ash/maple combo. I couldn't stand it. It turned me off immediately. However, I have played one in the past with a wenge neck (no idea of the body wood....it was a 17mm spaced bass) and it sounded killer. Not nearly as bright as the other. I'm sure with a warmer body wood and that passive tone control an MTD would be much warmer and useful to someone like myself. It's a great option for them to offer for sure.

Yep - MTDs with maple boards are definitely SUPER bright. Passive tone can tame that, but also other fingerboard woods won't be as bright up top. Mine is roasted maple which is a bit warmer because it is essentially a "broken in" wood.

 

[tbone0813]

Just entered back in to the MTD family with this little gem. Funny thing I had this exact bass on order with Mike a couple of years ago, minus the stained back, before I had to pull the plug for back surgery. So I guess its my non-custom custom MTD 535.

 

[bass12]

I once sent that above picture to Mike to ask what the stain was. I ended up getting the same stain on one of my 535s and it was a gorgeous bass (if it hadn't been so heavy I would probably have kept it). Enjoy your new bass - it's a real beauty!

 

[scubaduba]

I'm curious why Mike doesn't do more gloss finishes anymore. Most of his earlier Tobias (pre-Gib) basses were gloss finishes.

 

[MrLenny1]

Yah, I noticed that also. My Gibson axes are natural finish. When I originally started hunting for a Tobias I was looking for a gloss finish. Quilt tops look great with gloss finish.
It took 2-3 years to locate and finalize a deal on my Basic 5. I found the Classic 5 in a local shop,ha.

 

[vision]

I'm curious why Mike doesn't do more gloss finishes anymore. Most of his earlier Tobias (pre-Gib) basses were gloss finishes.

He actually does still offer a gloss finish, it just isn't the standard finish he does. I see some pop up from time to time.

Here's a video demo of an MTD 535 with gloss finish:

 

[Bollenator]

Hey all, just joined the club by trading for this bad boy (#2515) in the Classifieds:

Link Removed
It's been through a few hands in its short life, but I think it's finally found a home - I'm in LOVE!

Quick update: I had Mike Lull put the MTD pickups and preamp in (got them direct from Mike T.) and it is a world of difference. I mean obviously, right? But still, it just sounds "right" now - so much attitude and zing compared to the Aguilar/Bart combo. Anyway, I was already a happy customer, but now I'm totally amped up! I also just got a Summit TD-100 and the combination of the two just sounds killer.

 

[scubaduba]

He actually does still offer a gloss finish, it just isn't the standard finish he does. I see some pop up from time to time.

Here's a video demo of an MTD 535 with gloss finish:

Thanks. Yes, I know there are some out there. I just wonder why there aren't more? Seems like Mike has made a purposeful decision to produce basses without gloss now which is sort of a 180 from the early Tobias basses he was building which were almost always gloss. I just wonder why the change. It's Mike so there's a good reason for sure. Just wondered.

 

[bass12]

Thanks. Yes, I know there are some out there. I just wonder why there aren't more? Seems like Mike has made a purposeful decision to produce basses without gloss now which is sort of a 180 from the early Tobias basses he was building which were almost always gloss. I just wonder why the change. It's Mike so there's a good reason for sure. Just wondered.

Maybe it's just more of a pain to do (like neck-throughs )

 

[tbone0813]

Thanks. Yes, I know there are some out there. I just wonder why there aren't more? Seems like Mike has made a purposeful decision to produce basses without gloss now which is sort of a 180 from the early Tobias basses he was building which were almost always gloss. I just wonder why the change. It's Mike so there's a good reason for sure. Just wondered.

This is from his website.

"The MTD Standard Finish is a catalyzed acrylic urethane satin that looks and feels a lot like oil but is many times harder without building great thickness. This allows the bass to breathe, sounding more wooden".

 

[scubaduba]

Hmm... that doesn't really answer the question as to why he isn't doing gloss more often. Just explains why his standard finish feels like oil.

 

[vision]

Hmm... that doesn't really answer the question as to why he isn't doing gloss more often. Just explains why his standard finish feels like oil.

At this point just about all the basses Mike is building have been custom ordered either by a dealer or a customer, so what he builds pretty much depends on what is being ordered. His satin finish is standard and gloss is an up charge, and most aren't choosing to pay for that up charge. Especially seeing that there is no tonal benefit to it.

Also, I know it's personal preference, but to me an exotic wood bass looks better without the gloss - the wood looks more natural. Completely personal preference though.

 

[antontanzil]

I'm curious why Mike doesn't do more gloss finishes anymore. Most of his earlier Tobias (pre-Gib) basses were gloss finishes.

IIRC, he told me that of he have to do gloss finishes he will have to make someone do it for him, because of a regulation that does not allow him to do spray finishing in his workshop. Mike's hand rubbed finishes are the best. I've compared it to other luthiers, MTDs has the toughest finish while staying thin and beautiful, and the colors are crazy nice.

 

[Econdude]

Had to share this. I play in our church worship band and this morning during sound check the sound tech could not get enough out of my bass to get me in the mix without turning the gain up to about 50 (should be around 9). He went through all the cables, I changed my battery out, nothing was helping. Apparently my 5 year old had turned my bass on my MTD's EQ all the way down. Right before we went live I almost killed the sound guy when I turned the bass up. LOL

Anybody else with kids have similar challenges??

 

[scubaduba]

Also, I know it's personal preference, but to me an exotic wood bass looks better without the gloss - the wood looks more natural. Completely personal preference though.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I think the gloss really brings out the uniqueness of exotic woods. Especially burls. I can see where some of Mike's burst finishes might look a bit over the top if done in gloss though.

 

[vision]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I think the gloss really brings out the uniqueness of exotic woods. Especially burls. I can see where some of Mike's burst finishes might look a bit over the top if done in gloss though.

That is a great point - gloss definitely makes the contrast in exotic wood figures pop. Especially in those early Tobias basses - most were pretty subtle in terms of the natural wood figure so the gloss highlighted the grains and the figure that was there.

But I do love the look of the oil finish in that from some angles my top looks flat and plain, very conservative, but then when you hold it at another angle or look closer you see all the depth and almost 3D nature of the figure.

All personal preference though! It's cool that Mike offers both options, and the fact that he has to outsource the gloss explains why it is an extra charge.

 

[Jparpino]

After my discussion with Mike Tobias, I wouldn't recommend anybody buy a bass from him. he was rude, patronizing, and blamed me for the problem .. then hung up the phone when he didn't get his way. Was like dealing with a 2 year old. Mike if you read this u know who it's from. and you know how to get ahold of me.. after your crap dealing with my issue well have fun

My (albeit limited) experiences with Mike have been 100% opposite to what you have described. In fact EVERYONE I have ever spoken to about Mike and his basses have only sung his praises about how great he is to deal with.

I know we are only going to get a one sided story but what was your issue that could have gotten this alleged response.

 

[LeonD]

There must be two guys names Mike Tobias.

alexgeddy, I'm not sure what happened to you but the bass Mike Tobias I know has been only been professional in my dealings with him. He's gone WAY out of his way to help me out many times. One of the reasons I've recommended his basses to people is BECAUSE they get to deal with Mike.

I'm not saying nothing happened. But I will say this is probably not the best place to air your dirty, MTD laundry. And the way you did it, has you coming off looking like a troll.

 

[rodneyat]

There must be two guys names Mike Tobias.

alexgeddy, I'm not sure what happened to you but the bass Mike Tobias I know has been only been professional in my dealings with him. He's gone WAY out of his way to help me out many times. One of the reasons I've recommended his basses to people is BECAUSE they get to deal with Mike.

I'm not saying nothing happened. But I will say this is probably not the best place to air your dirty, MTD laundry. And the way you did it, has you coming off looking like a troll.

100% agree Leon. I have dealt with Mike personally on a number of occasions. And, as with any builder, things come up on occasion. From my experience and I know from the experiences of others. Mike will go out of his way to make things right.

We all don't know the details of your situation. But this is definitely not the norm by any means.