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The Official MTD USA Thread

#10,482
New comer to the family, sharing my joy as proud owner of this pink beast
Hello guys

IMG_2919.JPG
 
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#10,491
GHOST AT said:
The top is Cocobolo, the specs said the fingerboard is African Blackwood, it looks like Cocobolo to me whatever it is it's beautiful.
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Wow...I remember Mike not liking to work with Cocobolo in the past - must have found some that he really likes.
 
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#10,494
I apologize if I am breaking the rules the 535 I posted ,and another Cocobolo topped 535 are available at Ultimate Basses . I have no affiliation with the seller, just wanted to give everyone a heads up on what will be two killer 535s! Hopefully two of you will snap them up and kill my GAS for now!
 
#10,495
GHOST AT said:
I apologize if I am breaking the rules the 535 I posted ,and another Cocobolo topped 535 are available at Ultimate Basses . I have no affiliation with the seller, just wanted to give everyone a heads up on what will be two killer 535s! Hopefully two of you will snap them up and kill my GAS for now!
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Man that sucks....Ultimate Basses always get primo MTDs but their prices are insane..
 
#10,498
Ok fellas (and ladies?)...Id like to have a discussion about something that I've been pondering the past few weeks...the resale value of an MTD....I've literally seen them all over the map...same pickups..same preamp..same craftsmanship...some wood combos may be more desired than others, sure, but at any given time there's about a $2k difference in price for a used one here in the classifieds and the main reason seems to be age...I'm not talking a 15-20 year difference (though some find those among the first batches more desirable)...I'm talking one made in 2016 vs one made in 2011 (as an example).. They can have all the usual traits of an MTD 535 made by Charlie, Dan, and Mike, both be in like new condition, but because one is newer, the resale is much higher..

I understand that the initial owner paid a higher cost for a newer bass so they will try to recoup as much as they can (of course), but it just seems like a lost cause when you can find one $1,000-$1,500 cheaper with a little patience and luck...it just seems kind of futile to list one for thousands more when there's competition out there that can beat your price at any given time..I'd really like to get you guy's thoughts on this and see what the varying opinions might be...
 
#10,499
Ace Of Bass said:
Ok fellas (and ladies?)...Id like to have a discussion about something that I've been pondering the past few weeks...the resale value of an MTD....I've literally seen them all over the map...same pickups..same preamp..same craftsmanship...some wood combos may be more desired than others, sure, but at any given time there's about a $2k difference in price for a used one here in the classifieds and the main reason seems to be age...I'm not talking a 15-20 year difference (though some find those among the first batches more desirable)...I'm talking one made in 2016 vs one made in 2011 (as an example).. They can have all the usual traits of an MTD 535 made by Charlie, Dan, and Mike, both be in like new condition, but because one is newer, the resale is much higher..

I understand that the initial owner paid a higher cost for a newer bass so they will try to recoup as much as they can (of course), but it just seems like a lost cause when you can find one $1,000-$1,500 cheaper with a little patience and luck...it just seems kind of futile to list one for thousands more when there's competition out there that can beat your price at any given time..I'd really like to get you guy's thoughts on this and see what the varying opinions might be...
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We had a good discussion about this exact issue around 6 months ago or so on this thread. Someone was selling a very early mid 90s MTD but it hadn't sold after being in the classifieds a LONG time. Meanwhile the newer used MTDs were selling more quickly. The near consensus from us was that the newer MTDs seem to sell at a higher value than the older models. In his case he judged the selling price based on what was selling which were the newer MTDs while the older ones sell for way less. We told them that, and he decided to leave there price where it was and wait for the right buyer. I'm not sure if it sold yet or if he ended up lowering the price.

I think that in the last 5-6 years or so Mike has evolved with the newer basses he's putting out. There are way more wood combinations available, way more options for electronics, and way more options for colors and finishes. The quality has always been there and it's as good as ever. But the basses offered now are somewhat more "custom", and because of some of the different options there is a much wider variety of tone available on an MTD than there was in the 90s and early 2000s. Just my opinion on why there may be a difference in the value of a more recent model on the used market.

To your point though - if I was buying one used I would be looking for the sweet spot of around 2005-2010 because I may be able to get a good deal on a bass very similar to the new MTDs he's putting out.
 
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#10,500
vision said:
We had a good discussion about this exact issue around 6 months ago or so on this thread. Someone was selling a very early mid 90s MTD but it hadn't sold after being in the classifieds a LONG time. Meanwhile the newer used MTDs were selling more quickly. The near consensus from us was that the newer MTDs seem to sell at a higher value than the older models. In his case he judged the selling price based on what was selling which were the newer MTDs while the older ones sell for way less. We told them that, and he decided to leave there price where it was and wait for the right buyer. I'm not sure if it sold yet or if he ended up lowering the price.

I think that in the last 5-6 years or so Mike has evolved with the newer basses he's putting out. There are way more wood combinations available, way more options for electronics, and way more options for colors and finishes. The quality has always been there and it's as good as ever. But the basses offered now are somewhat more "custom", and because of some of the different options there is a much wider variety of tone available on an MTD than there was in the 90s and early 2000s. Just my opinion on why there may be a difference in the value of a more recent model on the used market.

To your point though - if I was buying one used I would be looking for the sweet spot of around 2005-2010 because I may be able to get a good deal on a bass very similar to the new MTDs he's putting out.
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You're right..I do remember Brad Johnson talking about his old 635 if memory serves me right...I guess what I'm getting at is that more than likely a potential buyer is going to want a traditional sounding MTD with his proprietary electronics and I believe statistics will show that most people in the hunt initially look for one with an exotic top and just a clear coat with no paint job (of course there are exceptions)..when I was shopping for my second, me and three friends were allowing for the same thing pretty much.. a 535 with typical electronics, an exotic top and no paint...we were all pretty flexible when it came to wood selections...most importantly, we were all looking for a great deal...I scored one here in the classifieds as did one buddy..the other two: one used eBay, the other used a local shop....we all got what we wanted , but there was a price difference of about $1,700...I paid the least for the second oldest (2006) while someone else paid the most for the third oldest (2012)...I just found it interesting (and still do) that the resale value seems to be very broad in comparison with other customs that tend to fall in a more narrow range...are people charging more because they have a really cool looking bass because in some cases that seems to be the only difference...
 
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