Just had this drop in my lap. This will probably go to the Bay, but let's try this first:
What we have here is a early Tobias Classic 5 string.
This bass was made when Gibson had just acquired Tobias,
but was built by Michael Tobias and his original crew while they were still in California, before the move to Nashville and his departure from Gibson.
This bass is all original Tobias. You can check the Tobias history on-line here:
MTD History
and here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobias_...guitar_company)
The serial number (see pix) is 1459.
I got this in a multi equipment acquisition and thought I would give a Tobias a try and not realizing how old and sought after these are. I've been a Spector guy for over 20 years so the Wife say's the extra basses have to go.
From what I've researched everything is original.
What is absolutely amazing is the almost total lack of player wear for a bass of this vintage. No thumb resting spots. No pick scratches. No slap scratches. No major or even minor nicks or dings. No bass of this age goes unscathed, however, so if you look real hard you might see the "occasional" micro nick. Doesn't even look like the headstock ever made contact with anything (I mean.....who doesn't bang their headstock into something in 20+ years of playing?!?). I can't stess enough how unbelievably clean this thing is for a 20+ year old instrument.
I do pro setups and everything is tip-top here. Truss works as it should. Frets are all nice and even with almost no wear. I cleaned all the pots as the treble +/- was a little scratchy. It's all whisper quiet now. When setting the intonation I noticed the bridge has "Tobias" stamped in it, but is hard to see as the saddles are sitting on top of it. This bass does not have a single issue other than the battery clip is missing as the previous owner put a little duct tape around the battery (see pix). I have new extras and will send a replacement clip with the bass.
The back cavity cover is actually a darker grained wood. It just looks like black plastic in the pix.
I can't stress enough how clean this bass is.
Any perceived scratches, scuffs or discoloration from wear is due to my lack of digital photograghy skills.
On a personal, professional player's note: This bass plays like butter and sounds fantastic. Every bit as good as my top-of-the-line Spectors. The neck has a fairly thin (front to back) profile. String spacing at the bridge is 17mm. Controls are Vol / Blend / Treble boost-cut / Mid boost-cut / Bass boost-cut / Active-Passive switch. Blend, Treble, Mid and Bass all have center detents. Pickups appear to be the original Barts and are radiused. Low action (almost too low) with vitually no fret buzz. The gloss finish is virtually flawless everywhere on this bass.
I've been told the going rate on an average example of this bass is in the $3K range. There's a "well played" example on eBay right now with a $4k B.I.N. + shipping.
I'm going to to set the price of this near mint example at $3200 firm shipped in the continental US. It will ship in a non-original (well used) hard case, "packed for war", insured ground. No trades as the Wife will have my "you know whats" if I keep any more gear. If you are outside the US and/or want it shipped faster, I will give you $50 credit towards the actual shipping costs. The rest will be on you.
PayPal gladly accepted.
My feedback here and eBay (user PhatBasstard/160+ auctions) is 100% positive.
EDIT:
To the best of my knowledge and with some help from other Tobias owners,
the woods are:
Body Top: Figured/Flamed Maple.
Second Layer: Wenge.
Body Back: Walnut.
Outer Neck Strips: Maple.
Inner Neck Strips: Bubinga.
Thin Inner Strips between body wings and neck plank: Ebony?
Finger Board: Pau Ferro.
Body Cavity Cover: Ebony?
Enjoy the show
:
The End. Thanks.
