- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
+1 same here. For basses with both and active and a passive mode, I generally set the preamp gain such that the overall volume in active or passive is roughly similar.
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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
+1 same here. For basses with both and active and a passive mode, I generally set the preamp gain such that the overall volume in active or passive is roughly similar.
A nice interview with Mike and Dan from winter NAMM:
Michael Tobias on future of his bass company MTD
Michael Tobias on future of his bass company MTD
Question for those of you who have done special order builds. Did you start off by talking with Mike or Daniel, or did you route it all thru a dealer from the start (or maybe entirely)?
I think I've been bitten by the MTD bug again. I've owned a few, but they've all been off-the-rack. I'm thinking about a special build. (Last time I did anything like that was my pre-gibson Tobias, which I still have). I find myself seeing what dealers have in stock or what's available privately, but it's usually not the config I have in mind.
Any tips on how best to approach this? I want to be more involved with the process than I was when I ordered the Tobias.
Thanks.
I think I've been bitten by the MTD bug again. I've owned a few, but they've all been off-the-rack. I'm thinking about a special build. (Last time I did anything like that was my pre-gibson Tobias, which I still have). I find myself seeing what dealers have in stock or what's available privately, but it's usually not the config I have in mind.
Any tips on how best to approach this? I want to be more involved with the process than I was when I ordered the Tobias.
Thanks.
I go right to Mike. He’s so knowledgeable about getting your bass the way you want it. You explain what you are looking for and then he will discuss with you all the combos that will get you there. I also have the privilege of living an hour from his shop, there are no dealers closer to me then he is.
I live just slightly farther away.
My challenge right now is that I only have some vague ideas of what I'm after, which is probably a good thing since it leaves me open to ideas that might not otherwise occur. About the only two things I believe I'm zeroing in on are 34" scale and mahogany for a body wood.I guess I need to spend some time on the phone with Mike and/or Daniel.
Ordering a build to your specs is a lot of fun, but my preferred approach would be to play a bass before buying. Even if you get all of your ducks in a row with a custom order, choosing the woods that 'in theory" will get you a certain sound, it's still a crap shoot. The question is, how much are you willing to leave to chance where a $5000 + purchase is concerned?I live just slightly farther away.
I guess I need to spend some time on the phone with Mike and/or Daniel.
I think it just cuts gain, right? A lot of MTD artists play with the EQ maxed out...sounds amazing, but you definitely have to roll back the gain to prevent it from distorting. I tend to keep EQ set flat, gain slightly higher. I tinker with the dial so that it provides the greatest dynamic range without clipping. Probably doing it all wrong, though!
Wait, aren't you supposed to be enabling me?
I hear you and completely agree. My Tobias Classic turned out a bit different than I initially thought it would. And I've also experienced owning a 535 & 635 side-by-side of the exact same wood combinations (seriously, the only difference was one string) that were night and day in terms of sound.
But I don't see anything in-stock from anyone right now that ticks all the boxes for me, and I don't want to end up spending a bunch of money on shipping charges testing & returning instruments. Buying used carries the same risk as a special order; I may not like it and I can't return it. That's what's led me to consider a special order.
Yes, buying used carries the same risk in terms of the instrument not lining up with your expectations, but at least with a used instrument you can likely sell it for what you paid. I wasn't, however, suggesting that you buy used. I figured that you might have some shops within driving distance that stock new MTDs. Since there's nothing in stock that interests you then special ordering is probably your only alternative (unless you want to try going used). I would deal directly with Mike and Daniel for a custom order. And let me be perfectly clear: my last post was not in any way an attempt to discredit Mike and Dan. I have no doubt that Mike knows his wood better than almost anyone in the business and the folks at MTD (Mike, Dan and Charlie) are the nicest guys one could hope to deal with. It's just the nature of the beast - wood is not totally predictable. But yeah, sometimes you have to just roll the dice and hope things turn out the way you want them to (and they certainly can). I do love the process of ordering a custom build and wish I had the funds to do it more often.Wait, aren't you supposed to be enabling me?
I hear you and completely agree. My Tobias Classic turned out a bit different than I initially thought it would. And I've also experienced owning a 535 & 635 side-by-side of the exact same wood combinations (seriously, the only difference was one string) that were night and day in terms of sound.
But I don't see anything in-stock from anyone right now that ticks all the boxes for me, and I don't want to end up spending a bunch of money on shipping charges testing & returning instruments. Buying used carries the same risk as a special order; I may not like it and I can't return it. That's what's led me to consider a special order.
I took a $250 round-trip flight to NYC, got a $50 rental car, and drove up to the shop to pick woods and meet everyone. What's another $300 on a $5,635 bass?
From where I live, that involves 2.5 hours driving to the airport for a 6 hour red-eye flight departing at 10:30pm, however long it takes to drive to/from the shop and visit, then a 6.5 return flight arriving at 9:00pm followed by a 2.5 hour drive home. So, at least a 24 hour day, and that's the fastest I can do it. Anything more "convenient" involves more stops, layovers, and maybe a hotel.
I'm motivated, not crazy.
Call Mike. He’s a GREAT guy, easy to talk to, knows his stuff, and very available. My sense is that he really enjoys working with the musicians on their particular prefs. Of course, he’s busy; so, you need to be focused. But, if you prepare for the call by listing your basic interests and specs, that should carry you. Enjoy! I’m in AZ, and had zero issues working with Mike on the bass he recently built for me. And, it had a bunch of non-standard elements.From where I live, that involves 2.5 hours driving to the airport for a 6 hour red-eye flight departing at 10:30pm, however long it takes to drive to/from the shop and visit, then a 6.5 return flight arriving at 9:00pm followed by a 2.5 hour drive home. So, at least a 24 hour day, and that's the fastest I can do it. Anything more "convenient" involves more stops, layovers, and maybe a hotel.
I'm motivated, not crazy.
That's kind of what I figured I should do. I need to figure out how to figure out what I want. Probably start with emails, move to phone calls, and maybe a shop visit (should I happen to cross the line between motivated and crazy
).BTW, what are the stats on that bass?
34” ScaleThat's kind of what I figured I should do. I need to figure out how to figure out what I want. Probably start with emails, move to phone calls, and maybe a shop visit (should I happen to cross the line between motivated and crazy
BTW, what are the stats on that bass?
17.5 mm bridge, 1 3/4 nut
“Light” Northern Ash body with Walnut top
Roasted BEM neck with Ebony fingerboard
Nordstrand Zen Blades
Pope Preamp
Bass weighs in at 9.5 pounds. A little heftier than my preference; but, about as light as you are going to get with Northern Ash. I discussed toasted ash with Mike; but, his preference is for the tonal character resulting from the slightly heavier wood.
Killer bass.
Actually, I think that's right in the weight range I'm looking for, although I'm leaning toward mahogany rather than ash or alder this time. Also seriously considering something other than Barts for pickups and EQ. How do you like the zen blades?
As a Fodera artist, I was looking for something different in my 5 string. I liked the concept of the asymmetrical neck, so I definitely wanted to try them out.
I called Mike and told him what I was looking for. He sent pictures of 6 basses, I picked my top 3, then he shipped them to me to try out for a few days.
I picked the one that I liked, sent him the payment, then shipped the other 2 basses back. With service like that, I didn't mind paying the return shipping.
Aside from owning a Fodera and an MTD, the previous story was fiction... but had you mildly interested... right? Happy Valentines Day!
I called Mike and told him what I was looking for. He sent pictures of 6 basses, I picked my top 3, then he shipped them to me to try out for a few days.
I picked the one that I liked, sent him the payment, then shipped the other 2 basses back. With service like that, I didn't mind paying the return shipping.
Aside from owning a Fodera and an MTD, the previous story was fiction... but had you mildly interested... right? Happy Valentines Day!
The Zens are the most Jazz Bass Plus Soapbars I’ve ever heard. Very punchy, open, and tons of growl. They pair really well with the Pope.
If you ever have an opportunity to post some sound clips, I'd love to hear them.
