The Official MTD USA Thread

[iplay5strings]

Hi all. Quick question, I am considering a Super 5 and I understand that they are designed to be more focused and less wide/hifi than a 535, which is a good thing for me. But what I’m looking for is some kind of info and specs on the preamp and pickups in a super that explain the differences, besides the obvious pickup placement. TIA

You have 2 more traditional (no buffer) dual coil pickups mated to a more typical NTMB+F (not MTD custom) preamp. Each pickup has series/single/parallel mode via separate 3-way switches and when both pickups are in single coil mode the stock configuration is set to use the 2 most outer coils (the neck side of the neck pickup and the bridge side of the bridge pickup) so they will hum-cancel with the blend centered.

 

[J.Wolf]

Solid info thanks

 

[Taustin Powers]

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 finally had this done by a good tech. Changed Super5 pickups and preamp to the standard MTD electronics. Could not be happier! There is that punch and growl I was missing - exactly what I wanted!

So now I have an extra set of Super5 pickups and preamp. Anyone in the market? Please note I am in Berlin, Germany. Though I will be in Chicago for a few days in late Feb, so maybe we can work something out.

 

[MattLplaysBass]

What did you put in the extra switch spot?

 

[Pablo Primo]

I love the super 5/6 set up, the pickup tappings, the tone control, the lack of 500hz frequency doesn't quite bother me, but i pretty much can get a lot of sound just with pickup tappings and tone control. Yes, it does lack some of that HIFI high end zing, but it doesn't bother me either, i have another MTD to give me that tone!

 

[Taustin Powers]

What did you put in the extra switch spot?

Nothing, it’s just a dummy switch now. The extra pot is a tone knob.

 

[kevk]

Enjoy some MTD goodness during this holiday season, however you celebrate …

 

[Rob L]

Happy Holidays everyone!

 

[red_rhino]

Don't make me go searching for a wenge xmas tree!

 

[krfoss]

Howdy everyone. A local guy is selling a Warwick dolphin 5 string bass. A fantasy bass. I’m considering putting my ash neck and body with ebony top 635-24 up for trade for it. Ia it’s a terrible trade, or pretty even? I’m looking for a more growly sound and wonder if the Warwick will do it over the MTD. I know the neck on the Warwick is thicker than the MTD, so that’s a major consideration against it.

what do you all think.

 

[bass12]

Howdy everyone. A local guy is selling a Warwick dolphin 5 string bass. A fantasy bass. I’m considering putting my ash neck and body with ebony top 635-24 up for trade for it. Ia it’s a terrible trade, or pretty even? I’m looking for a more growly sound and wonder if the Warwick will do it over the MTD. I know the neck on the Warwick is thicker than the MTD, so that’s a major consideration against it.

what do you all think.

Definitely not an even trade if you consider the (typically low) resale value of Warwicks.

 

[Bass Viking]

I have tried a couple of MTD USA models but neither of them appealed to me. It was probably just a matter of the woods used.

A few weeks after I posted this I got to play an MTD USA at Bass Central. That one sounded and played great! Ash body, maple neck, and birdseye maple fretboard. I knew it was only a matter of time. I also tried a Kingston Andrew Gouche 5 string that was very nice.

 

[bucephylus]

Happy holidays to Mike’s faithful.

Pretty sure this is my fav bass tone - Nordy Zen Blades + Pope preamp. I also just replaced the HipShot A bridge with a HipShot B; and that opened up the tone for me a good bit. It’s the little things.

 

[Bass Viking]

Howdy everyone. A local guy is selling a Warwick dolphin 5 string bass. A fantasy bass. I’m considering putting my ash neck and body with ebony top 635-24 up for trade for it. Ia it’s a terrible trade, or pretty even? I’m looking for a more growly sound and wonder if the Warwick will do it over the MTD. I know the neck on the Warwick is thicker than the MTD, so that’s a major consideration against it.

what do you all think.

If you're doing the trade ask for lots of cash. Or buy a Warwick Thumb, they growl.

 

[GrooveDaddy]

Howdy everyone. A local guy is selling a Warwick dolphin 5 string bass. A fantasy bass. I’m considering putting my ash neck and body with ebony top 635-24 up for trade for it. Ia it’s a terrible trade, or pretty even? I’m looking for a more growly sound and wonder if the Warwick will do it over the MTD. I know the neck on the Warwick is thicker than the MTD, so that’s a major consideration against it.

what do you all think.

I think it's a terrible idea

 

[Lonnybass]

Happy holidays to Mike’s faithful.

Pretty sure this is my fav bass tone - Nordy Zen Blades + Pope preamp. I also just replaced the HipShot A bridge with a HipShot B; and that opened up the tone for me a good bit. It’s the little things.

View attachment 5293052

WOW! How does the Zen/Pope combo compare to the stock Bart setup?

 

[Taustin Powers]

Happy holidays to Mike’s faithful.

Pretty sure this is my fav bass tone - Nordy Zen Blades + Pope preamp. I also just replaced the HipShot A bridge with a HipShot B; and that opened up the tone for me a good bit. It’s the little things.

View attachment 5293052

One of the best looking MTD‘s I have seen!! What are the specs?

 

[bucephylus]

WOW! How does the Zen/Pope combo compare to the stock Bart setup?

Meatier. More lower mids accessible. More open tones. Somewhat better as an R&B gigging tool, IMO.

 

[bucephylus]

One of the best looking MTD‘s I have seen!! What are the specs?

- 17.5 mm Roasted BEM neck, not shaved down. Mike didn’t think it would work for an 18mm bridge; but, that’s what I’ve got on it.
- “Medium” weight Northern Ash body. Possibly my one +/-, as I would have preferred lighter swamp ash. Mike strongly suggested this for tonal reasons, and it definitely delivers. With the Al bridge, I’ve got the instrument weight down to a hair more than 9 3/4 lbs, which is at the top of the range I can deal with on a 4 hour gig.
- 34” scale
- walnut top

 

[kevk]

Julian Vaughn in action (co-headliner w/Adam Hawley) tonight…absolute stellar MTD (piccolo-strung) bass tone and playing! I’ve attended 75+ jazz gigs there, but sadly…first MTD sighting. Nice hearing that signature MTD growl!