Tobias basses return!

[Brian18242]

Anyone know if the new versions of the 5's have 16.5 spacing or 19? 

[crazycloud]

25 minutes ago, Kev said:

quick google search seems to suggest there have been MK1's with split coils and humbuckers, not too surprising! 

I'd need to see some actual evidence on that, such as magnetic film pics as all of mine from an over 20y period have been splits (tested them myself) because there are so many things about PUs posted as "true" when they're just repeated misunderstandings.

[joel406]

23 minutes ago, Brian18242 said:

Anyone know if the new versions of the 5's have 16.5 spacing or 19? 

Well, I should have an idea about that in just under 6 hours. Tracking shows mine is now within driving distance. Just waiting for FedEx.

[lemmywinks]

Here's the frequency centres for the Mki:

 

The bass control actually mimics a USA Bart preamp (ie too low centre point and not enough around 100hz/120hz for me) but I don't think they sound that similar in person, the mids are voiced quite differently. On the Markbass MB-1 the lows are centred a bit higher and it sounds better IMO, check out Handsome Dan's review of the Cort C5 here to see how the MkI pups sound with it:

 

[joel406]

14 minutes ago, lemmywinks said:

Here's the frequency centres for the Mki:

 

The bass control actually mimics a USA Bart preamp (ie too low centre point and not enough around 100hz/120hz for me) but I don't think they sound that similar in person, the mids are voiced quite differently. On the Markbass MB-1 the lows are centred a bit higher and it sounds better IMO, check out Handsome Dan's review of the Cort C5 here to see how the MkI pups sound with it:

 

I get you're a Cort fan. There is more than one shop close to me that stocks em. Tried them I have. And my response is "very" subjective. Didn't care for them. Sound wise they were ok at best. But seem cheaply made. Of course, people complain about Fender in the same way. I feel differently about that. And while a monster player I am not a big fan of their primary endorser Mr. Jeff Berlin. He was my neighbor at one point. His views are solid enough but his message to abrasive for me. He stands his ground firmly. As for Mark bass products... REALLY not a fan. I feel even more so when it comes to Hartke. Fender, G&L, Mesa Boogie and Epifani are the kinda stuff that gets me outa bed in the morning. I even don't care for Dingwalls. Yeah, I'm that old school. I'm hoping that this Classic 5 that's due to arrive here within the next 5 hours impresses me. There is a Growler and a killer B at my buddies shop that I haven't had the chance to go see. But he's a hopeless MTD freak and he says he's considering taking a Growler home. That says a lot being as he owns 9 535s.

[joel406]

Well, the Classic 5 arrived this morning. I immediately took it to my trusted setup guy. New strings and a setup and it was perfect. My luthier works out of the shop where my buddy works. They have a very righteous bass department. They also have a new Growler and Killer B. While my Classic was being sorted, I had a run with them. That Growler was so light. I've never held a 6lb full scale bass. The tones were cool. But probably really not gig worthy. Too light. Felt like was gonna break it. But for a studio bass there are a lot of sounds in there. Then I tried the Killer B. Oh my... Tone. Feel! It's all there. So! I wanted a real case for the classic and of course Gator cases are everywhere there. So I got me a nice hardshell case for the Classic. Then I turned around and bought the Killer B. Crazy day too say the least. 2 new Tobias Basses in one day. And yes, I bought a second Gator case for it. Gonna be spending the night switching from Classic to Killer B. I will post pictures and a NBD later. Been a busy day. Time to chill.

[eude]

33 minutes ago, joel406 said:

Well, the Classic 5 arrived this morning. I immediately took it to my trusted setup guy. New strings and a setup and it was perfect. My luthier works out of the shop where my buddy works. They have a very righteous bass department. They also have a new Growler and Killer B. While my Classic was being sorted, I had a run with them. That Growler was so light. I've never held a 6lb full scale bass. The tones were cool. But probably really not gig worthy. Too light. Felt like was gonna break it. But for a studio bass there are a lot of sounds in there. Then I tried the Killer B. Oh my... Tone. Feel! It's all there. So! I wanted a real case for the classic and of course Gator cases are everywhere there. So I got me a nice hardshell case for the Classic. Then I turned around and bought the Killer B. Crazy day too say the least. 2 new Tobias Basses in one day. And yes, I bought a second Gator case for it. Gonna be spending the night switching from Classic to Killer B. I will post pictures and a NBD later. Been a busy day. Time to chill.

What a day!

Be really interested to hear your thoughts on the differences between the Classic and the Killer B.

[Kev]

You fell in love with the cheapest of the bunch!  Bodes well  

[Schnozzalee]

The new Gibson one didn't come with a case for £1,800?

[Dood]

37 minutes ago, Schnozzalee said:

The new Gibson one didn't come with a case for £1,800?

 

I think tehy come with a padded gig bag ratehr than a full on hard case, which is available as an option.

[crazycloud]

44 minutes ago, Schnozzalee said:

The new Gibson one didn't come with a case for £1,800?

The money saved on a HSC goes to the QC and legal depts.

[Dood]

On 26/03/2025 at 11:00, lemmywinks said:

Here's the frequency centres for the Mki:

 

The bass control actually mimics a USA Bart preamp (ie too low centre point and not enough around 100hz/120hz for me) but I don't think they sound that similar in person, the mids are voiced quite differently. On the Markbass MB-1 the lows are centred a bit higher and it sounds better IMO, check out Handsome Dan's review of the Cort C5 here to see how the MkI pups sound with it:

 

 

Here's the Bart MK1's in a different Cort bass, this time with a Cort Preamp'. Please give the channel a follow and the videos a like, we don't charge you for our reviews, so it would really help us to boost our reach with some support! 

 

It would be wonderful if you could click this link and subscribe to my own personal channel that I am hoping to put loads of material, outakes and deep dives on in coming weeks.  PLEASE ❤️ 

 

 

[bremen]

Done.

 

The Dood abides!

[Dood]

20 minutes ago, bremen said:

Done.

 

The Dood abides!

 

Thank you! It's really difficult to gauge if anyone gives a monkey's when few people subscribe, follow and like! 

[crazycloud]

1 hour ago, Dood said:

Here's the Bart MK1's in a different Cort bass, this time with a Cort Preamp'. Please give the channel a follow and the videos a like, we don't charge you for our reviews, so it would really help us to boost our reach with some support! 

 

It would be wonderful if you could click this link and subscribe to my own personal channel that I am hoping to put loads of material, outakes and deep dives on in coming weeks.

I watched this review when I saw it some months ago and liked it then, same with the C5 you did around the same time.

A suggestion for future reviews; could you please stand with it on strap so we can get an idea how it hangs? I realise this will have inherently good balance being headless, but it helps as the overall angle the bass sits at and where the strap pins are relative to the body etc can make it a no no for some of us. For me the Spectors and Warwick thumbs hang oddly and I can see that sort of thing in a picture, and I think other people might appreciate it too.

 

I subbed to your channel too and am interested to see what you come up with.

 

I love my A6 and A5 Ultra Ash and am tempted by the Space 5 as I'm a headless fan since my XL2 arrived nearly 40ya, but I might wait and try the Sire M6 6 string when they arrive. I hope you get one of the M6s to review.

Your reviews of the A4 Ultra Ash, and later A5 UA were pivotal in my getting one last year (but Frank Itt's bass face sealed the deal), once I recovered from the horror of the 2020-2023 era. I got the last one in Australia as far as I'm aware. It's a wee ripper...

[joel406]

I'm just getting started on my comparison of the Killer B V and Classic V. But on a softer note, the Growler. I spent all of 30 minutes with it so it's not very in depth. Sonically it does sound cool. Multiple coil adjustments make for quite the tonal palette. It was so light. But the neck has all the weight (you already see where this is going). Yep! Neck dive. Holy crap on a cracker neck dive. A good strap may help but IMO it's a deal breaker. But do not dismiss it. For studio work sure. Live, I would pass. As of right now I'm toying with the Killer B. Figuring out the EQ. This bass wants metal. I should have gone with my tried-and-true D'Addario Half Rounds. I opted for nickel round D'Addario's since they worked so well with my G&Ls. But I also know these strings are barley 24 hours old and some break in should mellow things. Also, I get regular interruptions from the construction crew. That tends to cause track changes. What they're doing will be for another post hopefully soon. 

[crazycloud]

^^ Pity about the neck dive as that's a killer for me, even seated it gives me a major dose of the irits.

Are the others OK?

Edited Thursday at 14:36 by crazycloud
spelling error

[joel406]

Just now, crazycloud said:

^^ Pity about the neck dive as that's a killer for me, even seated it gives me a major does of the irits.

Are the others OK?

The Classic and the Killer both balance nicely. Once you put them on a strap they just seem to fit the body. And the size is so cool. Reminds me of an Alembic.

[Schnozzalee]

2 hours ago, Dood said:

 

I think tehy come with a padded gig bag ratehr than a full on hard case, which is available as an option.

And one o' those haemorrhoid pillows for the sore arse?

[joel406]

49 minutes ago, Schnozzalee said:

And one o' those haemorrhoid pillows for the sore arse?

What's making you sore?

[Bagman]

On 27/03/2025 at 10:41, joel406 said:

Well, the Classic 5 arrived this morning. I immediately took it to my trusted setup guy. New strings and a setup and it was perfect. My luthier works out of the shop where my buddy works. They have a very righteous bass department. They also have a new Growler and Killer B. While my Classic was being sorted, I had a run with them. That Growler was so light. I've never held a 6lb full scale bass. The tones were cool. But probably really not gig worthy. Too light. Felt like was gonna break it. But for a studio bass there are a lot of sounds in there. Then I tried the Killer B. Oh my... Tone. Feel! It's all there. So! I wanted a real case for the classic and of course Gator cases are everywhere there. So I got me a nice hardshell case for the Classic. Then I turned around and bought the Killer B. Crazy day too say the least. 2 new Tobias Basses in one day. And yes, I bought a second Gator case for it. Gonna be spending the night switching from Classic to Killer B. I will post pictures and a NBD later. Been a busy day. Time to chill.

the light weight of the original Growler is good for me

 

however previously I though only a heavy bass would sound "good"

[lemmywinks]

Would rather have a premium gigbag than a hard case.

 

 

Gonna wait until these appear on the used market for <£1k and have a think.

[joel406]

Alright! 

The road so far...

 

que music.

 

I've played exclusively on the KB V since yesterday. Noting mostly the difference the feel of it is, compared to my Fenders and G&Ls. 

The neck is thin. Compared to a Fender Jazz V or a G&L L2500. The G&L M2500 still holding as a favorite neck. The KB has feel and action more like an Alembic. Flat feeling. Strings go straight down the neck in a line, from nut to bridge. Holds tune well. The EQ is still being sorted. It will be better for all once I can get the Quad Cortex out. But these are keepers. I plan on having more to say about the KB. I hope to have the classic out in a couple of days.

[crazycloud]

1 hour ago, joel406 said:

Strings go straight down the neck in a line, from nut to bridge.

Not having it in hand so trying to get a visual, do you mean there is little string taper? Is it narrow at the bridge?

[joel406]

26 minutes ago, crazycloud said:

Not having it in hand so trying to get a visual, do you mean there is little string taper? Is it narrow at the bridge?

Expression isn't easy sometimes. I meant the "action'. Same at the nut as at the 24th fret. String height. Feels equal from top to bottom.