The Official MTD USA Thread

[confident_4ever]

I love this thing so much

Beautiful bass, one day I guess lol

 

[BassJuju]

Depends on your goal in replacing them. More versatility? More warmth? More transparent? More traditional? Etc…there’s a ton of options. I’ve seen a decent number of swaps to Nordstrand, and I’ve also seen EMG and Duncan’s.

I personally think that even just staying within the MTD/Bartolini designed electronics gives you a huge range of those options. You can add passive tone control, or you can switch from the standard MTD/Bart soap bars to dual coils that let you switch between single and dual.

Thanks for the info. Typically, I’m not a “mod” guy. The only times I’ve replaced pickups, I sold the bass later. However, I really like my MTDs from the fit and finish and wood choices. I’m not the super bright tone guy either. Maybe I’ll try some nickel strings and play with the EQ a bit.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the info. Typically, I’m not a “mod” guy. The only times I’ve replaced pickups, I sold the bass later. However, I really like my MTDs from the fit and finish and wood choices. I’m not the super bright tone guy either. Maybe I’ll try some nickel strings and play with the EQ a bit.

I put LaBella Deep Talkin Flats on mine and it's so perfect IMO. Nice deep rich done with just enough detail/brightness at center and plenty of room to play with using the EQ

 

[BassJuju]

I put LaBella Deep Talkin Flats on mine and it's so perfect IMO. Nice deep rich done with just enough detail/brightness at center and plenty of room to play with using the EQ

I have a set of those that I could try. I put a set of the Olinto Flats on the 535 and the super polished on the, well, super. I thought that was an improvement, but have not played with it much sense. You have given me hope.

 

[krfoss]

I threw some TI flats on my 635 recently and they sounded great. Mellow, smooth, just as TIs should sound. however, I switched back to MTD Nickel for that low B clarity. My fantasy set would be B and E with the clarity of new nickel rounds, and A and above to have TI flat sounds. Yes, I know I can, but I dont know about the texture inconsistency of rounds mixed with flats.

 

[songwriter21]

I love this thing so much

Just watched your shop vid again, as I anticipate delivery of a limba body and 5-piece neck 535-24 next week!

 

[red_rhino]

I threw some TI flats on my 635 recently and they sounded great. Mellow, smooth, just as TIs should sound. however, I switched back to MTD Nickel for that low B clarity. My fantasy set would be B and E with the clarity of new nickel rounds, and A and above to have TI flat sounds. Yes, I know I can, but I dont know about the texture inconsistency of rounds mixed with flats.

Maybe try a set of Ken Smith Compressors? My understanding is that these are essentially GHS pressurewounds, and I've had good luck with PWs on some of my basses. They start off sounding like a broken in set of rounds, mellow out slightly and then stay that way for a very long time. Just enough top end without being overly bright. I've had a set on my Tobias Classic for several years, but never tried them on an MTD.

If it was me, I would build up a 6-string set using the light or extra-light gauge 4-string set as my starting point, and add a low B (.125 taper core) and high C (.028) singles. You could do the same with Pressurewounds, but the Compressors feature a taper core low B single string.

 

[krfoss]

Maybe try a set of Ken Smith Compressors? My understanding is that these are essentially GHS pressurewounds, and I've had good luck with PWs on some of my basses. They start off sounding like a broken in set of rounds, mellow out slightly and then stay that way for a very long time. Just enough top end without being overly bright. I've had a set on my Tobias Classic for several years, but never tried them on an MTD.

If it was me, I would build up a 6-string set using the light or extra-light gauge 4-string set as my starting point, and add a low B (.125 taper core) and high C (.028) singles. You could do the same with Pressurewounds, but the Compressors feature a taper core low B single string.

Interesting. How does compare with groundwounds?

 

[red_rhino]

Interesting. How does compare with groundwounds?

Very different, IME. The groundwounds I've tried were rather unsatisfying in both feel (rougher) and sound. The PWs are much smoother, but not slick. Good fundamental and still retain enough top end to pull out nice harmonics and good chording.

I also have a set on my P-bass. They work very well there too. The set I have on my Tobias are about 4 years old, and ready to be changed out. I usually change strings more often, but they worked so well on that bass that I left them on. Really warmed up the bass.

But like all strings, they work better on some instruments than on others. Any bass where I want that bright sizzle or grind gets other strings.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Never understood the distaste for EMG. To me, they're a wonderfully blank canvas that starts "hi-fi/modern", but can go anywhere. I had Modulus Q5 with a full EMG setup, and it could do anything from Motown or Reggae, to Tool or Alice in Chains.

Of course, who knows how that setup would be on one of Mike's creations.

there are certain EMGs that I really like, such as the JVX. But the MECs I have had are always “meh.”

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Probably a stupid Q; but the single issue I have with my 534 is that it is just a bit heftier than I had requested / hoped for.

So, I am going to try swapping the HipShot A bridge out for a HipShot B bridge. I really like the A bridge; but the B bridge is more than 1 1/2 oz lighter.

Jeez, I feel a bit like the people who used to drill out their bicycle parts to save ozs.

Has anyone else swapped the A for the B? I presume not, and I’m just being odd. Anyhow, I’ll report back with the results.

mine is 11 pounds

 

[bucephylus]

mine is 11 pounds

I do have a slightly heftier instrument that I gig. It’s an Alembic. There are definitely tone / feel aspects which cut both w(eigh)ays. LOL.

My particular issue is that I worked VERY hard with Mike for a spec instrument. I really wanted the instrument to come in under 9 1/2 pounds; which is my comfort zone. Somehow, due to tonal prefs / possibly forgetting convos / difficulty predicting final weights at Mike’s end, the instrument came in just shy of 10 pounds.

IF the B bridge can be refitted with reasonable effort, the instrument would be just a shade over 9 3/4 pounds; which is a bit closer to my target.

Much ado about nothing. But, with as much effort / cost into a project as this has been, I’d prefer not to give up on it.

Very much YMMV.

 

[Combinator]

I love this finish so much, but if anything it's kind of stealth - it often looks close to black until you get some pretty bright lights on it. But I like the way it turned out here!

Also, the tone you hear here is partially due to a variable low pass filter called the Distiller SE, made by JTEX in Canada. It's set at its max, which is 8kHz, with a 5dB boost at that cutoff point via the chrome 3 way switch you see. Fans of bright, aggressive tone - enjoy! Haters of that tone - save it

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Got an email from Donovan about my 535...

 

[JimS]

I do have a slightly heftier instrument that I gig. It’s an Alembic. There are definitely tone / feel aspects which cut both w(eigh)ays. LOL.

My particular issue is that I worked VERY hard with Mike for a spec instrument. I really wanted the instrument to come in under 9 1/2 pounds; which is my comfort zone. Somehow, due to tonal prefs / possibly forgetting convos / difficulty predicting final weights at Mike’s end, the instrument came in just shy of 10 pounds.

IF the B bridge can be refitted with reasonable effort, the instrument would be just a shade over 9 3/4 pounds; which is a bit closer to my target.

Much ado about nothing. But, with as much effort / cost into a project as this has been, I’d prefer not to give up on it.

Very much YMMV.

I empathize but if a custom one-off spec'd bass delivers the tones, playability, cosmetics, and neck balance you like, I'd try to accommodate the 8 ounce difference. Maybe one of the new 'super' straps that are being marketed?

 

[confident_4ever]

Well guys/gals

I have decided to start thinking of what i want in a 635, but I am a little overwhelmed by all the options. I have never played a wenge neck, is there a big difference? what, in your view are the most impactful upgrades (sound wise)?

preference wise I would want it as versatile as possible with a very expressive mid. I also need the low end to naturally thump deeply. Not sure if I am expressing this right. I also would like a smaller MM spacing for comfort. yikes I feel confused already

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Well guys/gals

I have decided to start thinking of what i want in a 635, but I am a little overwhelmed by all the options. I have never played a wenge neck, is there a big difference? what, in your view are the most impactful upgrades (sound wise)?

preference wise I would want it as versatile as possible with a very expressive mid. I also need the low end to naturally thump deeply. Not sure if I am expressing this right. I also would like a smaller MM spacing for comfort. yikes I feel confused already

Have you owned or played an MTD 535 or 635 before? What struck you about what you played - did you note the specs? Otherwise, my recommendation is to do some listening on youtube and demos and contact Daniel / Mike at MTD for recommendation. That said, while the results are all awesome, they can swing quite wildly from ones expectations (tone in your head). If you read up on the thread, you'll find many reflections on this.

 

[CTC564]

Well guys/gals

I have decided to start thinking of what i want in a 635, but I am a little overwhelmed by all the options. I have never played a wenge neck, is there a big difference? what, in your view are the most impactful upgrades (sound wise)?

preference wise I would want it as versatile as possible with a very expressive mid. I also need the low end to naturally thump deeply. Not sure if I am expressing this right. I also would like a smaller MM spacing for comfort. yikes I feel confused already

My first MTD was a flamed redwood/ash with a wenge/wenge neck and I REALLY loved the tight sound…it’s definitely going to be included on my next build

 

[red_rhino]

IME, a wenge neck has a big influence on the tone, but the exact nature of that will depend on the body woods. I have a 435 with wenge board/neck and ash/maple body. The tone can be dry and woody, very organic, and surprisingly versatile in terms of what I can pull out of it with the onboard EQ. That said, you will want to pay equal attention to super vs standard electronics, and to a lesser extent, bridge style.

But you should also talk with Mike and Daniel about you tonal goals in addition to the advice you get here. They’re pretty good at that.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

For me, wenge neck adds natural compression and an emphasis in the mids. Some I have played have had tighter more defined lower-mids and some (including the one I owned) had more prominent high-mids (to my ears). I'm generally a fan of wenge neck.