The Official MTD USA Thread

[phillipkregg]

She has arrived!!!

Please ignore the messy practice room with strings all over the place.

This came in - unexpectedly early - from FedEx and I've been playing it for the past couple of hours.

It is the very first USA MTD that I've laid hands on, and I had high expectations going into it.

I'm surprised to say that this bass has actually exceeded my expectations. Wow. I'm giddy playing it. This bass is far easier and more comfortable to play than any other instrument I've ever touched. Wasn't sure if I would notice the asymmetrical neck, but it was super obvious and it feels fantastic. And the finish is one of the nicest I've ever seen. It's impossible to photograph how good this bass actually looks. It is sooooo much nicer in person. It was made in 2015, but the instrument looks almost completely unplayed and in brand new condition.

Don't get me wrong, I love my FBasses and the sunburst one on the right has been my main instrument. They are both wonderful and sound great. But from a strictly "comfort" standpoint, the MTD is the clear winner.

I'm taking it to my band rehearsal next week and fairly sure that I'm about to have a new "main player".

 

[bass12]

She has arrived!!!

View attachment 4284779

View attachment 4284781

Please ignore the messy practice room with strings all over the place.

This came in - unexpectedly early - from FedEx and I've been playing it for the past couple of hours.

It is the very first USA MTD that I've laid hands on, and I had high expectations going into it.

I'm surprised to say that this bass has actually exceeded my expectations. Wow. I'm giddy playing it. This bass is far easier and more comfortable to play than any other instrument I've ever touched. Wasn't sure if I would notice the asymmetrical neck, but it was super obvious and it feels fantastic. And the finish is one of the nicest I've ever seen. It's impossible to photography how good this bass actually looks. It is sooooo much nicer in person. It was made in 2015, but the instrument looks almost completely unplayed and in brand new condition.

Don't get me wrong, I love my FBasses and the sunburst one on the right has been my main instrument. They are both wonderful and sound great. But from a strictly "comfort" standpoint, the MTD is the clear winner.

I'm taking it to my band rehearsal next week and fairly sure that I'm about to have a new "main player".

Glad the neck worked out for you and that you are finding the bass so comfortable to play.

 

[phillipkregg]

Glad the neck worked out for you and that you are finding the bass so comfortable to play.

Thanks, I was even surprised at the weight - exactly 8 lbs, 4 ounces.

 

[iplay5strings]

She has arrived!!!

View attachment 4284779

View attachment 4284781

Please ignore the messy practice room with strings all over the place.

This came in - unexpectedly early - from FedEx and I've been playing it for the past couple of hours.

It is the very first USA MTD that I've laid hands on, and I had high expectations going into it.

I'm surprised to say that this bass has actually exceeded my expectations. Wow. I'm giddy playing it. This bass is far easier and more comfortable to play than any other instrument I've ever touched. Wasn't sure if I would notice the asymmetrical neck, but it was super obvious and it feels fantastic. And the finish is one of the nicest I've ever seen. It's impossible to photograph how good this bass actually looks. It is sooooo much nicer in person. It was made in 2015, but the instrument looks almost completely unplayed and in brand new condition.

Don't get me wrong, I love my FBasses and the sunburst one on the right has been my main instrument. They are both wonderful and sound great. But from a strictly "comfort" standpoint, the MTD is the clear winner.

I'm taking it to my band rehearsal next week and fairly sure that I'm about to have a new "main player".

A TCT in there wouldn't hurt

 

[bgartist]

I noticed Mike uses the Bart B Axis pickups a lot lately in the Saratogas. Anyone know how the tone compares to the standard Barts?

 

[red_rhino]

I noticed Mike uses the Bart B Axis pickups a lot lately in the Saratogas. Anyone know how the tone compares to the standard Barts?

A while back I was investigating the B Axis pickups and electronics. Here's a nice little comparison video of the pickups using a USA MTD Saratoga. (All passive.) My take (and probably an over generalization) is that they're a bit more "traditional" and focused when compared to the huge sonic footprint of the 535/635, for example. As for the EQ circuit, I believe MTD voices the mids at 400 & 800, as opposed to 250/500/1k.

I'm sure someone with more direct experience (i.e. actually owns one) will be along shortly. Hope this helps.

 

[iplay5strings]

I noticed Mike uses the Bart B Axis pickups a lot lately in the Saratogas. Anyone know how the tone compares to the standard Barts?

The B Axis are definitely more traditional Fender territory. There's some great examples of them in bass mod basses as well. My Beast used to have CBJD3 (What Mike was using before) in it and I swapped them for the B Axis to make it even more of a Fender sounding bass. They pair great with the TCT, definitely nails the Marcus Miller formula.

CBJD3


B Axis

 

[roller]

Just when I thought you were unloading all your 34-inch basses... no? Could've sworn that was you.

Don't get me wrong, I love my FBasses and the sunburst one on the right has been my main instrument. They are both wonderful and sound great. But from a strictly "comfort" standpoint, the MTD is the clear winner.

I'm taking it to my band rehearsal next week and fairly sure that I'm about to have a new "main player".

 

[phillipkregg]

Just when I thought you were unloading all your 34-inch basses... no? Could've sworn that was you.

You're absolutely right! And I sold a good bit of them and am still selling more. Only because of some painful tendonitis in my wrist that has been plaguing me for a few years now.

After talking to a few folks, I kept hearing that MTDs have very thin necks and are "easy playing". I primarily play 5 strings and basically live on the low B string... so it's very important to me to have that tension and tight sound. So I figured I'd give it a shot.

I've been playing the hell out of this bass so far and it isn't causing my tendonitis to flare up (knock on wood). If this means that I can keep playing 34" scale, then I'm about to start collecting MTD Saratogas and be the biggest MTD fan you've seen!

 

[roller]

Mr. Tobias and his squad know how to do the a-sym neck = very comfy.

Btw, I recently read where another builder refuses to make any asymmetrical necks because of fear they twist over time. I have several of a-sym necks and this is the first time I've ever read/heard anything like that.

Regardless, looks like you got a very cool bass... enjoy!

You're absolutely right! And I sold a good bit of them and am still selling more.

After talking to a few folks, I kept hearing that MTDs have very thin necks and are "easy playing". I primarily play 5 strings and basically live on the low B string... so it's very important to me to have that tension and tight sound. So I figured I'd give it a shot.

I've been playing the hell out of this bass so far and it isn't causing my tendonitis to flare up (knock on wood). If this means that I can keep playing 34" scale, then I'm about to start collecting MTD Saratogas and be the biggest MTD fan you've seen!

 

[Vic]

Btw, I recently read where another builder refuses to make any asymmetrical necks because of fear they twist over time. I have several of a-sym necks and this is the first time I've ever read/heard anything like that.

That's because it's a BS excuse for not wanting to do one for a customer. The real reason is they're harder to do and that builder just didn't want to put the extra work in.

 

[roller]

... and that's one of several reasons why I won't be doing business with this particular builder, who will remain unnamed.

That's because it's a BS excuse for not wanting to do one for a customer. The real reason is they're harder to do and that builder just didn't want to put the extra work in.

 

[phillipkregg]

And if you order a Super or a Headless - that's high percentage Dan up in there!

My Saratoga was built in 2015 - assuming it was built by Dan because his signature is on the back of the headstock.

Probably the finest instrument I’ve ever played, and I’ve had some killers.

 

[Sithian]

That's because it's a BS excuse for not wanting to do one for a customer. The real reason is they're harder to do and that builder just didn't want to put the extra work in.

I commend the builder for denying the request. Better to set realistic expectations than to disappoint with a poor end-result. Edit- in rereading, my reply didn't take into account the twisting of the neck comment - LOL- haven't seen this happen either....my oldest was built in '99 bought new and it is incredibly stable - even stays in tune.

There is a very high level of craftsmanship and artistry in carving the necks and one of the places where the mastery is showcased.

MTD necks in general are the most comfortable for my hands- They just work for me.

 

[Vic]

I commend the builder for denying the request. Better to set realistic expectations than to disappoint with a poor end-result. Edit- in rereading, my reply didn't take into account the twisting of the neck comment - LOL- haven't seen this happen either....my oldest was built in '99 bought new and it is incredibly stable - even stays in tune.

Since you're kinda' replying to me... I have absolutely no issue whatsoever with someone turning down a request for something they can't or don't want to offer. That is perfectly fine. My issue was with making up a BS reason and essentially starting a unfounded rumor about that neck design (whether that was their intent or not, it's what they basically did, which is why we're talking about it here).

IMHO

 

[MMiller28]

Since you're kinda' replying to me... I have absolutely no issue whatsoever with someone turning down a request for something they can't or don't want to offer. That is perfectly fine. My issue was with making up a BS reason and essentially starting a unfounded rumor about that neck design (whether that was their intent or not, it's what they basically did, which is why we're talking about it here).

IMHO

I'd lean towards the builder actually believing that. I'm a chef and this reminds me of dissenting viewpoints of how to cook something. One chef will tell you a method/recipe/whatever is foolproof and provides incredible results, another will call you a hack for trying it.

 

[Sithian]

Since you're kinda' replying to me... I have absolutely no issue whatsoever with someone turning down a request for something they can't or don't want to offer. That is perfectly fine. My issue was with making up a BS reason and essentially starting a unfounded rumor about that neck design (whether that was their intent or not, it's what they basically did, which is why we're talking about it here).

IMHO

Ya picked up on that and that is why I made the edit - didn't want my post to be misinterpreted. At first glance it seemed like the builder was denying request for legit reasons, but then to say the necks twist is BS. Of course to an unskilled builder attempting asymmetrical maybe they actually do twist!

I'd lean towards the builder actually believing that. I'm a chef and this reminds me of dissenting viewpoints of how to cook something. One chef will tell you a method/recipe/whatever is foolproof and provides incredible results, another will call you a hack for trying it.

Totally- all in the hands of the skill level with that particular feature- or ingredient.

 

[Vic]

Of course to an unskilled builder attempting asymmetrical maybe they actually do twist!

Yeah except, IMHO, still unrelated to the asym aspect specifically. Twist issues have been around forever, and as far as I've seen, are no better/worse based on a profile... just a generally bad piece of wood for a neck.

 

[phillipkregg]

Yeah except, IMHO, still unrelated to the asym aspect specifically. Twist issues have been around forever, and as far as I've seen, are no better/worse based on a profile... just a generally bad piece of wood for a neck.

I recently sold a Tobias 6 string here in the classifieds. It was a prototype for the Killer B model and built by Michael Tobias himself.

That bass was created just before the Gibson buyout - like 89 - 90 I think. The neck on that bass was asymmetrical and it's the nicest 6 string I've ever played. Absolutely perfect neck and action. No twists or funny business in over 30 years.

I'd still have it, but I'm more of a 5 string guy.

 

[Vic]

I recently sold a Tobias 6 string here in the classifieds. It was a prototype for the Killer B model and built by Michael Tobias himself.

That bass was created just before the Gibson buyout - like 89 - 90 I think. The neck on that bass was asymmetrical and it's the nicest 6 string I've ever played. Absolutely perfect neck and action. No twists or funny business in over 30 years.

i've owned several MTD basses over the years, but only one Tobias... it was a 90's Growler 5... the original model with the quad pickup and dual preamps. Had an asym neck and was absolutely perfect... despite I think it was a Gibson made instrument (Nashville era).