MTD Norm Stockton Signature Bass: Making Of, Norm's settings & full tour w/ Michael & Daniel Tobias!

The detailed follow-up to the "Introducing the MTD Norm Stockton Artist Edition Bass" video!
Watch renowned luthiers Michael Tobias & Daniel Tobias of MTD build this amazing instrument from start to finish, with an unprecedented look at the extraordinary craftsmanship & incredible attention to detail that goes into these handbuilt instruments.
This is followed by a short but illuminating interview with Michael about the development of this most versatile MTD bass.
Norm then walks through his favorite settings.
(1:32) The Build
(23:20) Interview
(30:54) Norm's settings
www.mtdbass.com
www.normstockto...
www.groovesands...
www.artofgroove... (instructional site)

[@MrBassflute]

Amazing seeing this man work on these astonishing instruments. Thank you all so much! ❤

[@normstockton]

Thanks & glad you dug it. And YES, I loved watching the process with these amazing luthiers doing what they do!

[@Zontar-xt6ql]

Great Video. The craftsmanship that goes into making a high end instrument is amazing to watch. Thanks Norm!

[@normstockton]

Thanks & AGREED-after seeing the whole process, I had a much better understanding of why handbuilt instruments cost what they do!

[@metallutca]

Love seeing Michael & Daniel work and explains their craft 👍🏽

[@normstockton]

Thanks, Metallutca-me, too!! I thought I had a decent understanding of what goes into a build, but I actually only knew a small portion of the CRAZY amount of work & attention to detail. Craziness.

[@metallutca]

@@normstockton Mike made it look easy, but its years of practice, trial & errors and ultimately, passion! Not to mention, talent. Thanks for sharing this video, Norm 😊

[@RicTone]

What craftsmanship. I love watching bass building. Better them than me. Hard work but nothing beats handmade.

[@normstockton]

I completely agree - it's fascinating to watch the Tobias guys in action! Thx for watching! #mtd4lyfe

[@themusiccompanyllc6477]

There are Many Luthiers, but Only One Michael Tobias, & alongside him, Daniel Tobias. There are Many Great Bassists, However, there’s only One Norm Stockton. I am Honored & Very Blessed to be Your Student. I am also still in Awe of my MTD. God Bless You, Michael, Daniel & Your Families Always! Much Love for You All, Always! 🙏🙏❤️❤️

[@normstockton]

Thanks for the kind words, Sylvester-and AGREED that the MTD guys are unique and amazing! :^) Thx for watching!

[@Randy_Solares]

Thanks for the great video, Norm!

[@normstockton]

Glad you dug it, Randy! :^)

[@johnhood7098]

Beautiful! Thank you, doing a second video. I was sharing some of the older videos about your bass the other day. think this bass will eventually be my first MTD. You are absolutely one of the greatest bassists in my opinion.

[@normstockton]

Thanks so much for the kind words, John! Elated you dug it and please shoot me a pic when you acquire your first MTD! :^)

[@johnhood7098]

@@normstockton You’re welcome.I definitely will!

[@josebarcenas5343]

This is great!! Thanks Norm for the chance to peer into this world of MTD.

[@normstockton]

Thanks & stoked you enjoyed it, Jose! So cool of Michael & Daniel to allow such detailed access into their process!

[@mattmeyers403]

This is awesome! It’s one of my favorite artist series basses too. It just talks to you. Really cuts through too.

[@normstockton]

Thanks, Matt! Pretty fun to see the whole process, yeah?!? Even after all these years, I had NO idea. Mindblowing.

[@twocats2543]

Thank you for creating and sharing this video, Norm! Michael and Daniel make special instruments. The craft, passion, and professionalism they put into their instruments is unreal. There’s nothing like an MTD.

[@normstockton]

Thanks & AGREED! :^) Pretty fascinating to actually see the whole process! #mtd4lyfe

[@floppytnarwal1641]

I always enjoy seeing videos of both Michael and Daniel Tobias working and talking about their creations. That bass is still stunning to hear, probably helps with who's playing it. 😉. Really great video, well worth the wait

[@normstockton]

Thanks for watching & stoked you enjoyed watching the Tobias guys doing their thing! It was amazing to me how much goes into one of their builds. They're artists, for sure. Thx for your kind words!

[@Giladude72]

Thank you so much for sharing Norm ! Always a joy to see where the magic happens.I have a 534- 24 on order , it should be ready in a couple of months starting to feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

[@normstockton]

NICE! Congrats in advance and thx for watching! :^)

[@JohnShoemaker-g2q]

Hey Norm. I'm looking into getting one soon. I play worship every week, and I'm losing my high mids and higher octave notes in the mix due to fighting the tracks. ( I'm really boosting my mids already in the battle). I'm thinking with all the maple in your bass it will help bring those out. Can you tell me what settings you would use on your bass for the Elevation, bethel, gateway worship music to really bring out all the layers and flavors? Side note I also play on a GK 1001 rb. I been trying to copy your tone for years lol. My bass sounds good, but I think the wenge on wenge neck might be a little too dark of a tone for what I'm really needing... any guidance would be awesome. I appreciate you and all you do!!

[@chaksumlee9520]

Nice to see MTD on site! Have one Norm signature on order.Cant wait to have it on hand! Thanks for the video!

[@normstockton]

NICE, Chat Sum LEE! DM me a pic (Facebook or Instagram) when it arrives! :^)

[@LevelTreeBroda]

Just placed my order for one of these !! 🎉

[@normstockton]

Nice!!! Congrats & hope you love yours as much as I love mine! :^)

[@LevelTreeBroda]

hi , met you at namm. Amazing musician but even better person.@@normstockton

[@RamaNatan]

awesome people and bass Norm

[@normstockton]

Thanks, Rama Natanael! I agree!!! haha Michael & Daniel are pretty amazing.

[@hushpuppykl]

They can CNC a lot of it but at the end of the day, it’s still about the skill of the luthier to get it spot on. Amazing. For me it’s still worthy to be called hand made. Seeing what’s involved, it’s truly worth the asking price. 👍👍

[@normstockton]

Agreed, absolutely. I expected to see a lot of work go into building these amazing instruments...but I had NO IDEA. It's a staggering amount of labor and skilled craftsmanship. Really is a balance of science and art.

[@hushpuppykl]

@@normstockton … I tried building my own bass with a luthier. Yeah … it’s a lot of work despite being a simple bass. If you divide the price of a good bass by the number of hours, it comes up to about $50/hour. What about material cost and fixed overheads? I’m not filthy rich but I feel that is very fair.

[@Bassic778]

Fascinating!!! May the great Bill Bartolini rest in peace.

[@normstockton]

💔😢

[@Antman3820]

I love mine

[@normstockton]

NICE!!! :^) And ME, TOO!!! ha

[@briansong7137]

Norm, I love the Cobra Kai reference, ha. But also seeing this video makes it all the more compelling to buying a bass. Obviously an artist performing has such impacting on wanting to get a similar bass, but seeing Mike and Dan do that meticulous work gives such a larger and deeper appreciate of what goes into creating these. Dang it, I shouldn't have watch this video, at least that is what my bank account is saying, ha.

[@normstockton]

haha - sorry, Brian! :^) Yeah, I thought I had a decent idea about these builds, but discovered that I really had no clue. What a colossal amount of expertise, attention to detail, and crazy hard work it takes. Hats off to MTD & Bartolini!

[@grindguz]

Sounds great, but i'm curious to hear how it sounds flat. Anyway, front humb ,rear single sounds Killler!

[@normstockton]

Thanks, Grindguz-and sorry I didn't include that! The flat sound IS great. :^)

[@rodas_guinea]

Oh Man, if I was rich, I would order one of these bases right away! Hopefully some day 😅

[@normstockton]

They are pretty amazing. Certainly not inexpensive, but you can pay a LOT more for a boutique bass that isn't anywhere near the instrument that MTD builds!

[@pp90djask2idjk]

Blessings. May I know how tall you are? The 35" looks good on your shoulder. But I am worrying that the 35 is too long for me myself. May I know the weight including strap and strap locks?

[@normstockton]

Thanks for your interest! I'm 5'-10", and it's quite ergonomically comfortable for me. Not positive about the weight, but most who try it out at the NAMM show seem pleased that it's light.

[@pp90djask2idjk]

Hi, Norm. What is the string used on this bass in the video?

[@normstockton]

I use Dunlop Super Bright stainless steel roundwounds with tapered B (45-125 or 45-130...I've gone back & forth!).

[@sigmundsound]

I agree with the "acoustic unplugged" statement. All my basses sound good unplugged. 😊

[@normstockton]

Yeah, that's now the first thing I check when I come across a new bass! :^) N

[@0bzen22]

MTDs and F Basses. Best modern-style basses IMO. F Basses are more 'Jazz', but they use a lot of maple / Ash to get there. Either are End-Gsme for me.

[@zyxwfish]

I don’t know why but MTD basses always sound the best. Don’t know if it’s the wood, electronics, or both.

[@normstockton]

Agreed - it's the whole package. I've shared a bunch of how Michael Tobias thinks of electric basses first & foremost as acoustic instruments; if they don't have that vibrance and resonant feel (what I'd describe as "this thing feels ALIVE"), then Mike's perspective is that no amount of good electronics will salvage it. Every MTD has that resonance acoustically, to where you KNOW it's going to sound great plugged in. Truly remarkable what Michael & Daniel do.

[@zyxwfish]

@@normstockton I sold a cort fretless to someone 15 years ago who had a 6 string maple fretboard fretted MTD hanging on the wall. I asked if I could try it. I still remember it being the best sounding bass I ever played. Why don’t I own one yet. I need to get one eventually.

[@michaelweymouth4015]

You had me at sandwich.

[@normstockton]

haha - they DO make a mean sandwich!!! :^)

[@benjaminleimkuhler6812]

Good sniffling here by the camera man.