Tobias basses return!

[simonlittle]

8 hours ago, Wombat said:

I was in the Gibson Garage last week - to gawp at the Jack Bruce bass - and engaging one of the assistants into the ‘why don’t you ever have many basses in here?’ conversation they said that that was to change very soon!

They told me on the QT that when the shop was fitted out the wall hangers were put in (wrong) immovable places meaning they can’t move the stock around and that they are too close together for basses. They then mentioned there was to be a relaunch of a ‘boutique brand they own’.

I guess I’ll have to pop up and ask to see their Growler soon!

I had a similar conversation with them about a month ago and they emailed back yesterday to say they were now in stock. Really looking forward to trying the Classic V but it’s a bit late now as I’ve just bought a Ken Smith Burner which covers the same ground. Still going for a test drive though. Been wanting to get my hands on one for ages! 

[lemmywinks]

I love Tobias basses but they're long gone as an entity, this is just a shape that Gibson owns. if I wanted a cheaper version I'd keep an eye out for a used Korean Toby Pro from back in the day and stick some high end electronics in there, or just get a K series MTD which is the real budget Tobias.

 

These do look nice though, it's such a killer shape.

 

This is £400 if anybody is in Edinburgh and wants to save some £

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/684422607244565/

[Dood]

 

 

[Dood]

 

 

[Dood]

Both videos showcase all three models but the title doesn't reflect that.

[Kev]

On 19/03/2025 at 17:42, AndyTravis said:

 

 

Also, presumably their website prices are full whack retail, not “street” price.

Yup, looks like they're coming in a bit cheaper

 

https://www.thomann.co.uk/tobias_growler_v.htm

 

If its a proper US bart setup, its not too bad.

[Dood]

3 hours ago, Kev said:

Yup, looks like they're coming in a bit cheaper

 

https://www.thomann.co.uk/tobias_growler_v.htm

 

If its a proper US bart setup, its not too bad.

I do like that the pickups have radiused tops! I was only mentioning that the other day on another post. I also love Gotoh tuners.

[crazycloud]

On 20/03/2025 at 06:40, lemmywinks said:

this is just a shape that Gibson owns.

I have no nostalgia for the original Tobias basses, so I'm not seeing the attraction with these.

[lemmywinks]

38 minutes ago, crazycloud said:

I have no nostalgia for the original Tobias basses, so I'm not seeing the attraction with these.

 

 

I do, an original USA Tobias is one of the basses I used to lust after when I was starting out. They're big money now, really regret not buying one in a full touring case for well under £2k when I had the chance.

 

Mike Tobias basses usually all have asymmetrical necks which feel great, hopefully whoever Gibson is contracting to build these does them justice.

[crazycloud]

1 minute ago, lemmywinks said:

I do, an original USA Tobias is one of the basses I used to lust after when I was starting out.

Are these US made, and identical to the originals, or just a 'shape' and 'name' (and ugly headstock) cobbled together by Cor-Tek in Indo*?

Based on Gibson's history, it's far more likely the latter than the former, but I could be wrong. We'll see.

 

* Far from knocking Cort, as I have 2 recent Cort basses, and multiple Ibanez BTB and SRs they made and they're excellent.

[lemmywinks]

17 minutes ago, crazycloud said:

Are these US made, and identical to the originals, or just a 'shape' and 'name' (and ugly headstock) cobbled together by Cor-Tek in Indo*?

Based on Gibson's history, it's far more likely the latter than the former, but I could be wrong. We'll see.

 

* Far from knocking Cort, as I have 2 recent Cort basses, and multiple Ibanez BTB and SRs they made and they're excellent.

 

 

Looks like Indonesian built but with US Bart pickups and pre. Given the use of Paulownia body wings (maple neck/core) and a Babicz bridge I'd lean towards Cort making them, my current main bass has Paulownia wings and the same bridge. Tbh I'd rather Cort made them than Gibson buggering things up.

 

The original Tobias company was bought by Gibson many moons ago, the original team carried on building for a short while post buyout (with a Korean import line, dunno who built those but they were well put together) then after that the general consensus is that quality dropped off and the brand disappeared. They were brought back for some super cheap (but perfectly decent) import basses a while ago which bore a superficial resemblance to the original design, think they have the asymmetrical necks as well.

 

Mike Tobias has been making basses under the MTD (Michael Tobias Design) brand for a while now, super high end USA built instruments with matching price tags and a top quality import line (originally Korean, now Chinese) which you can pick up used for around £600.

 

So these are basically the shape and name with no connection to the original company but do retain some design elements like the neck profile (assuming it's the same) and the use of Barts.

 

Edited Thursday at 23:34 by lemmywinks

[crazycloud]

1 hour ago, lemmywinks said:

Tbh I'd rather Cort made them than Gibson buggering things up.

So would I.

My 2 A series (A6 and A5 Ultra Ash) are flipping great, and for the price, way beyond great.

 

 

1 hour ago, lemmywinks said:

The original Tobias company was bought by Gibson many moons ago, the original team carried on building for a short while post buyout (with a Korean import line, dunno who built those but they were well put together) then after that the general consensus is that quality dropped off and the brand disappeared. 

Cough, Steinberger, cough, though the Woodbergers are perfectly fine - I own a couple of basses and guitars. But they're obviously not a patch on the original Newburgh composite ones.

 

I hope Cort do make the new Tobias basses and they're everything the people lusting after the originals hope for. But even better if they're at, or closer to Cort prices (and QC) than overinflated Gibson ones. Though I stated it poorly, that was what I meant with my posting in this thread as I have no interest in a Tobias, and I doubt I'll see one locally (I live in the sticks).

[bremen]

On 19/03/2025 at 10:09, PaulThePlug said:

Show us ya Growler... thread title Ha!

I dare you.

[kuetsum]

The classic line looks more like a cort than a Tobias..

[Bagman]

still got my mid-90's Growler , a nice instrument. The electronics are amazing and it's the lightest bass I have ever owned. I think it was made on 1995/6 

 

Bill Bartolini said they would never make the Growler electronics again. The Gibson Arkansas Growler's from approx 2005-7 were nice instruments but the original pick up models are an unique Bass 

 

[bremen]

3 hours ago, Bagman said:

still got my mid-90's Growler , a nice instrument. The electronics are amazing and it's the lightest bass I have ever owned. I think it was made on 1995/6

 

That would make it a MILP then...

[FunkyDude]

On 19/03/2025 at 15:23, AndyTravis said:

 

Just as I thought. Surprised that they are not made in China as Gibson has a factory there, and most of the Epiphones are made in China, and the quality is surprisingly good!

[Bagman]

18 hours ago, bremen said:

That would make it a MILP then...

not sure what that means, sorry

[Doctor J]

Music I Like to Play 😉

[joel406]

Well. Personally, I like em. So I'm trying one. A classic 5. I wanted Neck thru. Arrives tomorrow. Photos from the seller.

[AndyTravis]

[Schnozzalee]

I'm not an MM pickup guy, so I don't know about alternatives for that model, but there's better double soapbars for £1200.

 

That's just a Cort A4/A5/A6 and you're getting rogered for twice the price.

Edited 20 hours ago by Schnozzalee

[AndyTravis]

You not buying one then @Schnozzalee? 😉

[Schnozzalee]

2 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

You not buying one then @Schnozzalee? 😉

 

I started on a Cort A4 Ltd after deciding against a Musicyo Tobias (if you remember those way back), then I got a Goodfellow etc etc.

 

Frets Guitar Centre had a USA Peavey Cirrus for £1200 a couple of weeks ago and I know what I'd rather (nice retailer too).

 

Members wrapped up in marketing and subsequently getting fleeced - Not great.

[Dood]

36 minutes ago, joel406 said:

Well. Personally, I like em. So I'm trying one. A classic 5. I wanted Neck thru. Arrives tomorrow. Photos from the seller.

I do like Sweetwater’s webshop where you get clear photographs of every bass they have in stock and you can choose the one you want. Very helpful when instruments have differing wood tops for example. I think this is the one I picked from the current stock as a favourite. Looking forward to hearing that it has arrived safely.

 

We at Bass Gear Magazine are enquiring about getting some over as soon as. I think these Tobias basses need my in-depth review treatment, don’t they?