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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
I remember that bass. Best 535 I ever owned, and I've owned multiple.
Good heavens, what a lovely couple!
- Oct 23, 2005
- 1,439
- 1,378
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, Bartolini, Genzler Amplification, GHS, Tsunami Cables, Sonic Nuance
If anyone was curious about the features I mentioned on my recently received custom 535-24; magnetic closures, 4-knob layout, Type A bridge, etc, here you go:
Yes, quite possibly the finest bass I've ever played. I loved it so much that I ended up selling off my other 5strings to have the super built!
What is the neck on this 535 ?
I see an ash body, walnut top, BEM fingerboard but I cannot see the neck wood...
Ash neck. Beautiful grain pattern too, oval rings that radiate out from the 7th fret area.
The magnetic covers are really cool. Is Mike doing that on basses from now on as standard?
- Oct 23, 2005
- 1,439
- 1,378
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, Bartolini, Genzler Amplification, GHS, Tsunami Cables, Sonic Nuance
I love them so much. I had modded my 635 to use neo magnets for the battery and truss covers so I was thrilled when Dan agreed to do all magnetic closures. He originally said only the battery and truss would be possible. But no, not standard. The option has a $300 list price upcharge.
Ok wow, nice feature but not a $300 feature for me personally.
I never quite got along with the 535s I've owned in the past, the ergonomics never fit me -- the reach to first position was just too much. The sound, unbelievable. I've always regretted selling, maybe I should have worked harder on my technique or gained some weight. Well, fast forward to last year when I picked up a Saratoga from the classifieds. Amazing feel, just love it. It's ash body, ash neck, BEM fingerboard. As good as it sounds and feels, I still want to get closer to the 535s I've owned in the past. I just bit the bullet and ordered a Norm Stockton Signature, Mike was nice enough to allow me to order it in 34" scale! Now the wait begins. I'll probably sell/trade my current Saratoga, maybe I will look for a 534 to try out.
My 3 Custom Devon basses all have the magnetic Battery and electronic covers and I love them. Makes it so much easier for access to change battery or make preamp adjustments.
Mike and I selected woods for that bass literally for over a year. The hardest part was getting a lighter piece of ash that met my weight requirements as well as both of our tonal requirements. Even the inlay was carefully selected from many great ones. That is a VERY special 535.
basically getting as close to the same tone and resonance of his more typical heavier ash bodies. of course it's not going to be identical, but came damn close and made it an 8.5-ish pound bass (as i recall) instead of a 9.5-10lb bass. the fingerboard was about getting as much consistency in the figuring as possible, so the tone would be consistent all over. the neck selection was just about aesthetics.
I would have jumped on if I hadn't ordered the NSS. Maybe I'll try and move my Saratoga to pick this up.
