• 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

#11,181
Great video Sean! Not a lot of people are brave enough to swap out the OG Barts let alone document the differences.

To me, the differences are very clear and staggering. I personally liked the voicing of the originals more than the 2Js, but I liked the various voicings and the warmth and thickness they had over the OGs. If the OGs can retain their voice while adding thickness, particularly in the higher register, it would be more my preference.

EDIT:
I wanted to add that the 2Js sound more like your run of the mill quads when everything is up full and in parallel. It reminds me of what Mayones is doing in their modern offerings and also some Roscoes with that super glassy top end. This video made me appreciate the OG Barts as I'm reminded time and time again that they have their own unique voicing that gives the 'MTD' sound.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Spfairchild
#11,182
namuxtree said:
Great video Sean! Not a lot of people are brave enough to swap out the OG Barts let alone document the differences.

To me, the differences are very clear and staggering. I personally liked the voicing of the originals more than the 2Js, but I liked the various voicings and the warmth and thickness they had over the OGs. If the OGs can retain their voice while adding thickness, particularly in the higher register, it would be more my preference.
Click to expand...
Thank you! For that reason I'm actually wondering what the original pickups would sound like without the buffer, and maybe with traditional value volume and blend pots. The adjustable gain on the preamp itself can probably make up the lost gain from the buffer stage. That might change the high-end a little bit on the original pickups.
 
#11,184
MMiller28 said:
I just got a promotion and treated myself to MTD #3, a 635-24, from Planet Bass. Burl Redwood over Mahogany with Wenge/Wenge.

It has the black plastic knobs. Does anyone know if Michael/Daniel would be willing to swap them for the matching wooden knobs if I sent it in? Thought I'd ask here before I bother them about it.
Click to expand...
I’ve seen that listing before. Lucky!
 
#11,186
MMiller28 said:
I just got a promotion and treated myself to MTD #3, a 635-24, from Planet Bass. Burl Redwood over Mahogany with Wenge/Wenge.

It has the black plastic knobs. Does anyone know if Michael/Daniel would be willing to swap them for the matching wooden knobs if I sent it in? Thought I'd ask here before I bother them about it.
Click to expand...

I think you would be able to order a set from Mike-
 
#11,188
Combinator said:
To me, the difference is very pronounced between all 3 examples...
Click to expand...
I agree... I also felt that parallel mode was kind of "Smithy" sounding, which a hard sound to capture outside of owning a Smith. Very cool demo!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: vision and Spfairchild
#11,189
Vic said:
I agree... I also felt that parallel mode was kind of "Smithy" sounding, which a hard sound to capture outside of owning a Smith. Very cool demo!!
Click to expand...
Thanks Vic! Tom asked for a write-up to go along with it for a less than complete review or post, so it may get up on the site in short order.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saluki, vision and tombowlus
#11,191
Thinking of buying this mint 2016 535-24 Claro Walnut MTD. What would I be looking at tone wise and do you guys think this would be a good first MTD?
93752180-5C1E-403D-BEA0-3019312873B7.png
56C8F35A-63BE-4AE0-98C8-A5C04CD13847.png
C6795CFE-5334-4CBB-A54F-AD7BAB315A61.png
E5E71F44-B250-414F-A093-E17232E75D58.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikezimmerman and TolerancEJ
#11,193
#11,196
Combinator said:
Thank you! For that reason I'm actually wondering what the original pickups would sound like without the buffer, and maybe with traditional value volume and blend pots. The adjustable gain on the preamp itself can probably make up the lost gain from the buffer stage. That might change the high-end a little bit on the original pickups.
Click to expand...
Nice demo and very interesting. The quads sound the similar character, except lifting the blanket off. So to speak. Let the growl come through.

That is precisely why I went with Nordstrand Fat Stacks on the recent build Mike did for me. I had pretty extensive discussions with Mike about the stock pickup/preamp tonal character. My take is that the stock tone train is kind of optimized for a great studio sound. Kind of pre-eq’d in that sense. For live work, where you may want a little more raw growl, it’s nice to have some alternatives.

FWIW, the Fat Stacks have great single coil tone, with lots of airy growl. I’m not altogether impressed by what they do in humcancelling mode. Mainly, they are somewhat noisy in humcancelling mode. Which is a real head scratcher, and seemingly contradictory. For whatever reason, in humcancelling mode, only the slugs get grounded. That grounding scheme is pretty ineffective when you take your hands off the strings. Not a good safe house, when on a noisy stage. Not sure why Carey did that. Still trying to figure out if they are keepers or not. The single coil tone is great.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DRay521 and Spfairchild
#11,198
  • Like
Reactions: vision and campbems

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back