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The Official MTD USA Thread

#10,341
namuxtree said:
So what about these basses gives it that sound if not the pickup style and placement? Is it the bridge? Neck pocket?
I can't see why Mike and Daniel wouldn't be able to build something that sounds like these. :\ Maybe I'm being too hopeful
Click to expand...

I think Mike and Daniel could get reasonably close to that tone with the right electronics combination. Either Nordy or Aguilar single coils with a paired preamp. BUT - there is something special about an ash/maple jazz bass that is difficult to explain - there is a certain "bounce" to the feel of the basses when playing. Especially when slapping. It's like when you hit a note it jumps back at you. That is a feel/playability quality but I think it adds something to the tone that would be difficult to reproduce in a bass that isn't a jazz. I don't know if it's the body shape, something with the neck, the hardware, etc. It's not spcifically a Fender thing - I've have Alleva Coppolo, Celinder, and Sadowsky basses that had the same bounce. But there is something there, and if Mike and Dan really wanted to make a bass with that sound they would need to go even closer to the actual jazz bass format than the Saratoga currently goes.

The thing is, if they did go closer then those basses would lose a bit of what makes an MTD an MTD. For example, that bounce actually makes the basses a bit more difficult to play fast. But it sounds to me like your goal is to have MTD craftsmanship and playability with 70's jazz tone. The electronics will get you close, but not all the way there.
 
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#10,342
Yeah, I understand what you're saying Namux. The thing is, I doubt anyone here has played enough Saratogas to be able to say for sure that a Saratoga CAN'T sound like what you've posted - just that, perhaps, they aren't meant to. But who knows, drop the guts of one of the basses in the videos you posted into a Saratoga and maybe it would be able to cop those sounds.
 
#10,343
bass12 said:
Yeah, I understand what you're saying Namux. The thing is, I doubt anyone here has played enough Saratogas to be able to say for sure that a Saratoga CAN'T sound like what you've posted - just that, perhaps, they aren't meant to. But who knows, drop the guts of one of the basses in the videos you posted into a Saratoga and maybe it would be able to cop those sounds.
Click to expand...

It's not just the electronics that determine the tone of a bass. A 70's ash/maple jazz bass has a particular tone even when playing it unplugged. I've only played 3 or 4 Saratogas, and none of them had that tone unplugged, completely separate from the electronics.

I'm not saying they CAN'T sound like that, just that there's more to it than the pickups and preamp.
 
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#10,344
vision said:
It's not just the electronics that determine the tone of a bass. A 70's ash/maple jazz bass has a particular tone even when playing it unplugged. I've only played 3 or 4 Saratogas, and none of them had that tone unplugged, completely separate from the electronics.

I'm not saying they CAN'T sound like that, just that there's more to it than the pickups and preamp.
Click to expand...
I totally agree, though I would be curious to hear the effect of transplanting different electronics into Saratogas (aside from the ones I've already heard) .
 
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#10,347
vision said:
I think Mike and Daniel could get reasonably close to that tone with the right electronics combination. Either Nordy or Aguilar single coils with a paired preamp. BUT - there is something special about an ash/maple jazz bass that is difficult to explain - there is a certain "bounce" to the feel of the basses when playing. Especially when slapping. It's like when you hit a note it jumps back at you. That is a feel/playability quality but I think it adds something to the tone that would be difficult to reproduce in a bass that isn't a jazz. I don't know if it's the body shape, something with the neck, the hardware, etc. It's not spcifically a Fender thing - I've have Alleva Coppolo, Celinder, and Sadowsky basses that had the same bounce. But there is something there, and if Mike and Dan really wanted to make a bass with that sound they would need to go even closer to the actual jazz bass format than the Saratoga currently goes.

The thing is, if they did go closer then those basses would lose a bit of what makes an MTD an MTD. For example, that bounce actually makes the basses a bit more difficult to play fast. But it sounds to me like your goal is to have MTD craftsmanship and playability with 70's jazz tone. The electronics will get you close, but not all the way there.
Click to expand...

If I had to guess, the main differences in the Saratoga and Fender Jazz (other than body shape/size) is #1 The lacquer on jazz basses seem to be much thicker and "glossy" rather than the more minimal lacquering that Mike uses on his basses and #2 a high mass bridge to give it that extra sustain and punch, whereas Mike uses an aluminum bridge with steel saddles. I bet changing the bridge alone would change the tone and response a fair amount.
 
#10,348
Hey guys! I have a 435 and was wondering if anyone knew if there was any way to install a passive/active switch in it? Is that something I'd have to send to Mr. Tobias? I'm finding a of my pedals don't work well with active pick ups. So I'm not ditching pedals or my bass...just looking for a solution.
 
#10,349
jwr said:
Hey guys! I have a 435 and was wondering if anyone knew if there was any way to install a passive/active switch in it? Is that something I'd have to send to Mr. Tobias? I'm finding a of my pedals don't work well with active pick ups. So I'm not ditching pedals or my bass...just looking for a solution.
Click to expand...

There's not a way to install an active/passive switch with the standard MTD electronics, because the output level of those custom Bartolinis would be too low to run "passive".

But getting at your actual issue, what is the problem with using an active bass with your pedals? Is the output too high? If so, there is an internal trim pot on the MTD/Bart preamp that would lower the output level of the bass without having to just turn the volume down. That may help your issue.
 
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#10,350
YEA! It is here and I got to use it at rehearsal last night. What can I say, it is an MTD! Another bassist was there last night (on guitar, he just got a Martin) and was blown away by the bass.

I'll have to take some new pics, but here is a pic from the seller.
MTD_zpsffslxcbw.jpg

spec's are:
-black limba body
-macassar ebony top w/ matching truss rod cover and headstock veneer
-wenge neck/fingerboard
-double accent line (purple/black)
-24 frets
-MTD "world" logo
-9.55 lbs
Comes in an MTD double gigbag (put my Lakland 55-94 in the bag for rehearsal just in case... it was HEAVY!)
Dan
 
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#10,355
fret wrap - not sure if I a sold on keeping it for every song but there are a couple that I play regularly (lots of string crossing) that I need to improve my muting technique on. It does stop part of that "zing" sound though. Also helpful when I transition back to roundwounds after a LONG period of only flatwounds and I get lazy with technique. LOVE TI flats but they do make it possible to get sloppy


Dan
 
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