Not sure if I have see a roasted birdseye maple board before. Probably looks awesome!
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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
Not sure if I have see a roasted birdseye maple board before. Probably looks awesome!
...and on my 635. i too love them.
My preference as well. My 535 has that, although I seem to recall that it's somehow proprietary to MTD? Did they spec out something different for their use? If so, anyone know the differences between the standard Hipshot A Style and the version that comes with MTDs? I'm actually considering swapping in an A style bridge on my 434. (Nothing wrong with the B style; it's simply a matter of preference.)
- Oct 23, 2005
- 1,439
- 1,378
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, Bartolini, Genzler Amplification, GHS, Tsunami Cables, Sonic Nuance
The MTD version of the A is only minimally different, and is mainly reflected in MTD's sloping downward left and right sides, VS the non-sloping, parallel to body sidewalls of the typical A. I have As on all of mine; one of the prop. ones.
Congrats I looked forward to seeing the pictures your completed MTD. I remember
over the top you chose, it looks perfect with the trans black and Ebony board!
When I ordered mine, I was told that
“The MTD A is a modified Hipshot without all the extra cut outs and a bit less mass in the tray.”
Curious. Why would one prefer the A bridge over the standard B bridge? String spacing adjustability? Or is there a physical reason as far as how strings feel and react with one or the other? Not only that, why is the B bridge the standard for MTD?
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the people that like the A bridge are the ones that like that additional adjustment and also believe the added mass improves tone, usually translates to maybe a little bit of compression and added sustain. Mike likes the B bridge and has it as his default because he believes it is less of a barrier between the strings and the woods, and he is all about maximizing the effects of the woods in the instrument.
I don’t mind the if it’s the A or B bridge but I asked for 17mm spacing so imagine I’ll get the A bridge
I personally find string changes easier on the a style. I have a b style on my FBass BN5 and the b and e strings are a pain to get in and out, unless they are taper/exposed core. Not the end of the world, but I ordered the mtd a style on my 535
A bridge is more mass, from my experience more bridge mass is more attack / bite. It is easier to change strings, more adjustment and also it looks cool.
I don’t know if it’s real or imagined, but to my ears, I get less sympathetic string vibration with the A bridge. On the B, I sometimes feel I am more aware of even the saddle springs making noise while playing. Aesthetically, I also prefer the look of the A.
I’ve had the B on every MTD I’ve owned except my current 535. I’m somewhat serious about changing my 434 bridge to an A. Also considering swapping pickups and pre for the super ones, but I’m kinda digging the standard electronics at the moment.
I don’t really have a basis for comparison. All of my basses have completely different bridges lol. The Pedulla I owned for a couple years had an A bridge and I sure enjoyed the adjustability of it.
I love to do an A vs B shootout (or hear someone else’s results) on the same bass and record the differences.
I love to do an A vs B shootout (or hear someone else’s results) on the same bass and record the differences.
i think this was actually done a long time ago, but memory fails, can't find it. but if i remember correctly, it's not night/day, it's subtle, so it seems for most people, it would boil down to if you want that extra adjustment or not whether you'd pay for the upgrade or not.
i've played a lot of USA MTDs in my day, including i think just as many incredible basses with either bridge.
@Vic thats real. I’ve yet to get my hands on one but hopefully one day spec out a Super 5 or 6. Those (at least from YouTube and pics from MTDs site) really get my goat.
I’m in the somewhat weird position of having two basses sharing the #1 slot, and a little voice in my head wondering out loud if “I might be done.”
In June of 2020, I spotted a 535-24 on Reverb being sold by Music Force in S. Korea. The demo video was really nice, and I wanted back into the MTD family. So I jumped thru all the customs and shipping hoops and bought it. Really happy with it. And I mean really happy. I could go on and on about how great this bass sounds, the versatility of the super pickups and pre, etc, etc.
Then this past August, I picked up a 434-24 here on Talkbass. I’d always wanted an MTD 4, and thought it would be a nice addition. Completely different woods and electronics. What I didn’t expect was how much I would enjoy it. I figured after a time, the newness would wear off and I wouldn’t play it as much. Wrong. I love what this bass does. It’s so different from the 535, but compliments it so well.
I know, never say never. I think about the only thing that might tempt me would be a new 434 build. But then I worry I’d end up with 3 basses in the #1 slot. LOL
In June of 2020, I spotted a 535-24 on Reverb being sold by Music Force in S. Korea. The demo video was really nice, and I wanted back into the MTD family. So I jumped thru all the customs and shipping hoops and bought it. Really happy with it. And I mean really happy. I could go on and on about how great this bass sounds, the versatility of the super pickups and pre, etc, etc.
Then this past August, I picked up a 434-24 here on Talkbass. I’d always wanted an MTD 4, and thought it would be a nice addition. Completely different woods and electronics. What I didn’t expect was how much I would enjoy it. I figured after a time, the newness would wear off and I wouldn’t play it as much. Wrong. I love what this bass does. It’s so different from the 535, but compliments it so well.
I know, never say never. I think about the only thing that might tempt me would be a new 434 build. But then I worry I’d end up with 3 basses in the #1 slot. LOL
Man those two basses look amazing. Wood choices right up my alley, except for the wood knobs.
BoesPronounBass
Commercial User
- Jan 7, 2022
- 63
- 88
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- Owner/operator of Feather Guitars LLC
I can help!!! I’ll take the 434-24 off your hands (looks Amazing!!!) and you can buy a new one. Haha!
