• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Official MTD USA Thread

#10,561
Ok! So heres a updated MTD family :) That saratoga is alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard. It also has wenge cap behind the headstock to kill dead spots. Bartolini BiAxis PJ-pickups and bartolini 18v preamp with vintage tone :)
IMG_9631.JPG sarafront.jpg
 
#10,562
JesseMalaska said:
That saratoga is alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard. It also has wenge cap behind the headstock to kill dead spots. Bartolini BiAxis PJ-pickups and bartolini 18v preamp with vintage tone :)
View attachment 1031927
Click to expand...
mine is the same woods and finish, but the elecs are aguilar, and it's JJ instead of PJ. love it.
 
#10,564
JesseMalaska said:
Nice one! ;)
Yeah, JJ-setup would be nice too. But I have Fbass VF5 to cover my 5-string jazzbass needs :) Justin Raines JJ saratoga sound awesome! I got to listen to it very near year ago when i was warming up for Israel Houghton here in Finland :)
Click to expand...
i wish i could say it's my only JJ, but alas, i still have a collection that's far too big. need to work on that this year. :)
 
#10,565
I just finished my first (minor) Tru Oil refinish on my 1995 MTD. A previous owner liked digging their finger nails into the oil finish (Duh!), I guess for leverage (who knows).


Anyway, what do you think of the results? The first 3 pictures are before, the last three are after.
 

Attachments

  • Image.jpg
    Image.jpg
    38.4 KB · Views: 127
  • Image 2.jpg
    Image 2.jpg
    39.2 KB · Views: 122
  • Image 5.jpg
    Image 5.jpg
    38.6 KB · Views: 125
  • Image.jpg
    Image.jpg
    63.6 KB · Views: 124
  • Image 1.jpg
    Image 1.jpg
    64 KB · Views: 113
  • Image 2.jpg
    Image 2.jpg
    45.3 KB · Views: 121
#10,566
Nightman said:
I just finished my first (minor) Tru Oil refinish on my 1995 MTD. A previous owner liked digging their finger nails into the oil finish (Duh!), I guess for leverage (who knows).


Anyway, what do you think of the results? The first 3 pictures are before, the last three are after.
Click to expand...

Looks great! What is the bodywood?
So did you remove the original finish?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nightman
#10,567
Thanks!!
The body is Korina, the neck is Wenge. I did only lightly sand the finish and tried to smooth out the finger nail digs some. I did do some steaming to help raise whatever grain that would. I applied about 6 coats of the Tru Oil after reading a lot of info on how to use it. My first time and I was a little nervous, but....
 
Last edited:
#10,568
Nightman said:
Thanks!!
The body is Korina, the neck is Wenge. I did only lightly sand the finish and tried to smooth out the finger nail digs some. I did do some steaming to help raise whatever grain that would. I applied about 6 coats of the Tru Oil after reading a lot of info on how to use it. My first time and I was a little nervous, but....
Click to expand...

What's the serial number on that one? The first 535 I acquired was wenge/korina just like that, and it had the same kind of wear when I got it, but I left it as-is...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nightman
#10,573
rodneyat said:
Totally off topic here...but what is the current lead time from Rob Allen. The last I talked to him, it was fairly short.
Click to expand...

I ordered it on September 17th and got it January 9th!! Initially the completion date was late December, but he ran about two weeks behind - no issues there since it was the holiday season!!! But what I liked about the entire process was the communication. Rob kept me in the loop! He gave me the option to pick the top from a couple of blanks, sent photos during the build and gave me what I wanted. That was my first custom build from a small shop, but I'd say 90 days is real short compared to where I am with my Wyn bass!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rodneyat
#10,575
bassgrackle said:
View attachment 1033359 I had the privilege to stop by the MTD HQ last Friday and hang with Michael and Daniel while Michael made a matching ramp for my Pistachio 535. There really good people. I also couldn't pass on the opportunity to place an order for a Super 5. 8-9 months of torture here we come.
Click to expand...

Okay, so you knew somebody was gonna ask, 'How does the Super 5 compare to the 535?'
 
#10,576
Nightman said:
Okay, so you knew somebody was gonna ask, 'How does the Super 5 compare to the 535?'
Click to expand...

There are a few things that make the Super 5 a little different. The tone is much more low end focused and a natural growl. (this is due to the location of the pickups down near the bridge) The body shape is the same as the 535 and the neck from what I learned on my trip to the "mother ship" can be made to match (by hand) to another bass if you'd like. In my case Mike will be matching my 535.

The other main difference is the ability to control the pickup coils and the option of active and passive.

To summarize that rant "Growl"
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nightman
#10,577
bassgrackle said:
There are a few things that make the Super 5 a little different. The tone is much more low end focused and a natural growl. (this is due to the location of the pickups down near the bridge) The body shape is the same as the 535 and the neck from what I learned on my trip to the "mother ship" can be made to match (by hand) to another bass if you'd like. In my case Mike will be matching my 535.

The other main difference is the ability to control the pickup coils and the option of active and passive.

To summarize that rant "Growl"
Click to expand...

Whoa! That really sounds like a nice MTD right there!! I might have to inquire into the Super 5.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back