Alot of the high end, boutique level started in the early 80s, and after 4 decades of hard work building their art and crafts to where things are. Many of these builders are shifting into their retirement. Some of them had decided to train a group of apprentices and continue the brand in a more systematic way, some of them decided to sell the brands, and some of them have the 2nd generation taking over the business.
Background:
Michael Tobias started building bass backed in the mid 70s, MTD bass was formed in 94’ and it was instantly in the top of the botique bracket with every details done in perfection. In the recent years, it’s his son Daniel Tobias who had been leading their small team continuing building these highest quality instrument. It’s never easy to carry all the greatness from the predecessors, but it’s also the pride in the family that makes him carry on.
Specs:
- Roasted ash body
- Exotic Pale moon ebony top
- Matching knobs, headstock and trussrod cover(magnetic)
- Maple neck
- Ebony fingerboard
- Luminlay side dot
- MTD World headstock logo
- 35” Scale length, 24 frets
- 19mm string spacing
- Bartolini pickup and electronics
- Custom MTD bridge
- Controls are: Vol / Pan / Hi / Mid / Lo (boost and cut)
- 3 way toggle switch for mid frequency (250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz)
- Weights around 9lbs
Playbility:
Best of the class, every details are done in perfection. Fret works, finish, ergonomic of the bass, the craftsmanship are all extremely solid as always. Very slick feel. The action can go extremely low without buzzing at all, with a thunder like lowB string. MTD perfected modern electric bass build long ago and still going at their strongest than ever.
Sound:
This bass is more on the traditional side of the spectrum, where (roasted) ash body, Maple neck gives that raw punch and fast responsiveness between all strings. Not as compressed/hi-fi overall when compare to their signature Wenge / Ash neck combo. But a lot more wild to play for the type of music I like, and that makes this bass shine .. the roasted ash body(more resonant) + ebony fingerboard gives a tad more defined woody tone and a bit more mid focus. I prefer this over Wenge /Ash combo as this is more on the old school side.
Thoughts:
Best in class of everything, and the 2nd generation hasn’t really disappointed anyone. The Pale Moon Ebony top is astonishing. Daniel also came up with a few new design in the recent years. It’s not an easy business andI give them my full respect to their dedication. all the CONs are just about me not being able to handle a 35” scale and I prefer 21 over 24 frets, but that’s all personal preferences.
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