It has to be close to the finish line. Noticed the guys are posting new basses again on IG.
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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait, but that’s quite the build time. Please share your specs?
Went back and did the math on my recent AG430 build time…21 months (8/‘21-5/‘23)…
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I use Ernie Ball Cobalt rounds on my 534,
I really like them a lot. Last a long time too. I’m just about up for a change and was considering the slick rounds but if they aren’t round wound enough then they probably aren’t for me (on the MTD).
I really like them a lot. Last a long time too. I’m just about up for a change and was considering the slick rounds but if they aren’t round wound enough then they probably aren’t for me (on the MTD).
Has anyone swapped out electronnics in their MTD USA before?
I am replacing the Super pickups and preamp with the MTD standard package in this gorgeous 535. I got this bass in a very fun transaction from one of the nicest TBers this year. Absolutely love the bass, but I have found I prefer the tone and simplicity of the standard electronics to the Super, so I purchased the pickups and preamp directly from Mike.
I am assuming this is something a tech should do for me, but I haven't really looked at it yet. Any experience?
Also, anyone in the market for a set of Super pickups and preamp?
I am replacing the Super pickups and preamp with the MTD standard package in this gorgeous 535. I got this bass in a very fun transaction from one of the nicest TBers this year. Absolutely love the bass, but I have found I prefer the tone and simplicity of the standard electronics to the Super, so I purchased the pickups and preamp directly from Mike.
I am assuming this is something a tech should do for me, but I haven't really looked at it yet. Any experience?
Also, anyone in the market for a set of Super pickups and preamp?
I’m not mad about, just more anxious. I know they’ve had some issues at the shop, and they are highly regarded as bass makers, so I’m confident it’ll get here eventually, and like you say, be worth the wait. It’s not like I’m lacking for basses to play
But I double checked just now and I sent Donovan a deposit 10/4/21, so I am remembering correctly. For once.My build is a pretty common 535-24 ash neck/birdseye maple fingerboard and swamp ash (for lighter weight) body with a 10 walnut top, super pickups and electronics in the regular spots, and some bells and whistles. I’m very happy with how the top I took forever to pick came out, but the progress pic also adds to my wanting it now!!!
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Pretty common? Looks pretty outstanding to me.I’m not mad about, just more anxious. I know they’ve had some issues at the shop, and they are highly regarded as bass makers, so I’m confident it’ll get here eventually, and like you say, be worth the wait. It’s not like I’m lacking for basses to play
My build is a pretty common 535-24 ash neck/birdseye maple fingerboard and swamp ash (for lighter weight) body with a 10 walnut top, super pickups and electronics in the regular spots, and some bells and whistles. I’m very happy with how the top I took forever to pick came out, but the progress pic also adds to my wanting it now!!!
View attachment 5191501 View attachment 5191499 View attachment 5191500
Nice! I swear I want to sell enough of my basses a get a 535. Ever since I got my Kingston super 5, I'm just gassing...I’m not mad about, just more anxious. I know they’ve had some issues at the shop, and they are highly regarded as bass makers, so I’m confident it’ll get here eventually, and like you say, be worth the wait. It’s not like I’m lacking for basses to play
My build is a pretty common 535-24 ash neck/birdseye maple fingerboard and swamp ash (for lighter weight) body with a 10 walnut top, super pickups and electronics in the regular spots, and some bells and whistles. I’m very happy with how the top I took forever to pick came out, but the progress pic also adds to my wanting it now!!!
View attachment 5191501 View attachment 5191499 View attachment 5191500
What an outstanding top nothing common about it! I always love seeing the before and after pics how the figure can change once the body is shaped and sanded.I’m not mad about, just more anxious. I know they’ve had some issues at the shop, and they are highly regarded as bass makers, so I’m confident it’ll get here eventually, and like you say, be worth the wait. It’s not like I’m lacking for basses to play
My build is a pretty common 535-24 ash neck/birdseye maple fingerboard and swamp ash (for lighter weight) body with a 10 walnut top, super pickups and electronics in the regular spots, and some bells and whistles. I’m very happy with how the top I took forever to pick came out, but the progress pic also adds to my wanting it now!!!
View attachment 5191501 View attachment 5191499 View attachment 5191500
Here’s the before and after pics on my MTD the Quilt looks slightly different.
I think it's interesting to see how the color of the wood top changes from the raw slab to the finished top. The walnut slab had a lot of red in it, which is completely gone in the finished body. My myrtle top came out a lot more yellow than the first photo indicated.
Well there’s several European brands I wish there were more of here in the States, if that makes you feel better
Such as?Well there’s several European brands I wish there were more of here in the States, if that makes you feel better
Well I know Jad Freer is one of them....
But, man MTD... that just sounds great, I tired one in Bass Club Chicago while back....
- Oct 23, 2005
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, Bartolini, Genzler Amplification, GHS, Tsunami Cables, Sonic Nuance
Such as?
Well I know Jad Freer is one of them....
But, man MTD... that just sounds great, I tired one in Bass Club Chicago while back....
Schack, Marleaux, Jerzy Drozd, Maruszcyk & more!
A couple questions for those that wish to share
What was your price for your custom MTDs I've seen some around 5k and others almost double that.
Also what is the build consultation like? Were you expected to know exactly what you wanted or did they guide you through options to achieve a certain sound?
What was your price for your custom MTDs I've seen some around 5k and others almost double that.
Also what is the build consultation like? Were you expected to know exactly what you wanted or did they guide you through options to achieve a certain sound?
I went through Donovan at FretSpot, I ordered mine 2 years ago (paid my deposit 2 years from tomorrow
), and am still waiting on mine, but hopefully any day now. Mine was more than $5k, but less than $10k, but that was with 2021 prices (EVERYTHING is more expensive these days), plus it depends on the options you get (I think I got just about every one- YOLO! ). I didn't shop around though- I bought an F Bass from FretSpot before and he had the best price by far, and was great to deal with, so I didn't hesitate giving him my repeat business. Plus it was his youtube videos that amped up my MTD gas... 
Donovan has no problems answering questions and reaching out to Mike if necessary- that being said, I also emailed Mike and he was very quick to respond and answer questions, no matter how trivial they are (it's an expensive investment, and I don't want any buyer's remorse). But I also perused the MTD gallery on their site and read the descriptions to get an idea of how to describe what I am looking for- I wanted growl, thickness, clarity, punch and versatility, at around 9lbs. So I've got a swamp ash body (more for the weight- probably would have preferred northern ash for tone, but I'm not getting any younger), walnut top, ash neck, birdseye maple 'board with the super electronics in the traditional 535 spacing. Hopefuly it'll be worth the wait (although I am sure it will be).
If going through a good dealer - they will offer input and assistance, plus you can also talk directly to the folks at MTD.
Prices depend on your specs, but are normally between $4500-8,000.
Prices depend on your specs, but are normally between $4500-8,000.
Buy used and see if you like it, turn it around and buy a custom if it works for you. Whatever you order, it won't come out like you expect anyway - wood is a finicky thing.
Plus there is a price list, so you should be able to price it out yourself.
Ordering — Michael Tobias Design
Plus there is a price list, so you should be able to price it out yourself.
Ordering — Michael Tobias Design
