Tobias Basses

[Pete Academy]

USA Tobias basses used to be the dog's bollocks. I played a USA Classic 5 for 15 years.

They seem to be totally out of vogue these days. Nobody seems to bring them into the UK, especially since they now belong to the Gibson family. Stores in the USA don't seem to stock them, yet they are still very much in production.

Anyone own a US model?

[stingrayPete1977]

A guy running the jam night the other day had one, He said it was about 20 years old and had to be refinished but it sounded fantastic Pete! Not my style visually but great tones and a nice owner too.

[Vibrating G String]

I have 2, both Gibson models. USA built.

Many people like to call the first Gibson models pre Gibson due to prejudice against Gibson but most of the Tobias' made under Mike Tobias were made in the Gibson owned factory in Burbank California.

[risingson]

My old uni tutor had one originally given to Paul McCartney. It's a long story how he ended up with it, but it was a nice instrument... shame I couldn't play it as it was a lefty.

[gerryk]

I never played original Tobias, but have had MTD just a year now, and have to say I've virtually played none of my other basses (64 jazz, MM jazz, 1980 MM Ray, Lakland US 5) since I got it. Beautifully made, great and versatile sound.

[obi 2 kenobi]

Yep, got a 1997 killer B 5. Great bass. Superb construction. Seriously heavy.

[Chris2112]

They're cool basses, although I've generally found the original Tobias models to be much better than the Gibson made models. At one point, Tobias were considered to be absolutely top drawer basses, held in regard alongside Fodera, Alembic [i]et al[/i]. Even with MTD, I don't think Michael Tobias will ever get that back sadly.

[Vibrating G String]

[quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='1142752' date='Feb 26 2011, 12:01 PM']Yep, got a 1997 killer B 5. Great bass. Superb construction. Seriously heavy.[/quote]
Is it walnut? My 1993 is light ash and weighs 7 pounds 15.3 ounces.
[url="http://damprabbit.com/guitars/basses/24-tobias-killer-b.html"]http://damprabbit.com/guitars/basses/24-tobias-killer-b.html[/url]

The neck is too thin for my tastes and I never play it anymore

I do play my Renegade a lot which is not as well made but it fits better.

[obi 2 kenobi]

Its maple apparently. Emailed serial no. Gibson.

Most of the weight is the neck.

[attachment=73502:tobias.jpg]

[Wil]

I've been perving over Tobias basses lately. Has anyone compared a Gibson era Tobias Growler with an MTD Kingston Artist/Heir? I'm guessing the MTD Kingston basses will have better QC?

[Vibrating G String]

[quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='1144161' date='Feb 28 2011, 12:59 AM']Its maple apparently. Emailed serial no. Gibson.

Most of the weight is the neck.

[attachment=73502:tobias.jpg][/quote]
Definitely maple with a wenge fingerboard. I love the color!

How do you know most of the weight is the neck?

[obi 2 kenobi]

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1145211' date='Feb 28 2011, 11:03 PM']Definitely maple with a wenge fingerboard. I love the color!

How do you know most of the weight is the neck?[/quote]


That's the way it feels. Fingerboard is almost 1cm thick. Sounds great though. Need to use it more.