Brand NEW Pre-Gibson TOBIAS Killer Bs

[darkbass]

And so the story begins....

1990 based in NYC, I begin working for Tobias Guitars as an independent sales agent.

I had spent the 3 years prior working for Ken Smith Basses. (But that's another story)

After a very successful year Michael Tobias asked me if I'd like to move out to LA.

I'd been traveling to California for NAMM shows since 1987 and had pretty much already fallen in deep like with the slower pace and lack of winters of LA.

It's worth mentioning that although Tobias Guitars was located in Burbank, CA. it was owned by the Gibson Corp. by the time I arrived. Relevant because in 3 years I would be the last surviving member of the Tobias team (yes after Michael himself had moved on). I spent the last year running Tobias and Steinberger Guitars (also owned by Gibson Corp.)

Bob Lee had been employed by Michael since the early 80s. He did a little bit of everything at Tobias including sales, electronics install, setup, artist liaison, etc...

He was quite gracious towards me.
He showed me, introduced me to folks and even taught me a few licks on bass. He was and still is a wonderful bassist and friend.

During an Artist Clinic tour with Jimmy Haslip of Yellowjackets game and I "wish/hoped" a bolt-on model on the back of a napkin. We gave that napkin to Michael on a Friday. On the following Monday Michael had a ready to play prototype! Yes Michael Tobias could build his ass off!

Well by late 1992 the axe began to fall as Gibson decided to move Tobias to Nashville. None of the crew chose to relocate although several (myself included) were asked to do so. The employees received severance and a Tobias bass upon termination.

Bob Lee was given 2 incomplete (still in white wood phase) prototype Killer B Basses. (a 5 string and a 6 string).

The 5 string was a complete Unicorn. The body woods were actually taken from our Classic Series (Goncalo Alves/Walnut). This combination was fairly aggressive sounding.

The 6 string was another anomaly in that it featured a Maple fingerboard to accompany a Eastern Maple body.

Bob thought at some point he would complete these Basses. Well 25 years later he still had these Basses in their original incomplete and unfinished state under his bed.

Well guess who just purchased those Basses from Bob Lee? That's right and guess who works for Brubaker Guitars now? Kevin Brubaker (one of the preeminent luthiers and finishers on the planet) has completed these Basses for me!

Bartolini provided the original era correct pickups and preamp. We upgraded all hardware to Hipshot USA as they are vastly superior to the bridges and tuners to what we were using back then.

Bass Specs:

6 String
Eastern Maple Body
Birdseye Maple Fingerboard
Maple 5 pc neck w Purple Heart Strings
Purple Heart Back Plate & Truss Rod Cover
Bartolini Radiused Humbucker Pickups
Bartolini 3 Band Preamp w 3 position
Midrange shift and Push/Pull bypass
Black Hipshot UltraLite Tuners
Black Hipshot A Style Bridge (Brass Saddle/Aluminum Plate)
RockReady Gig Bag

5 String
Goncalo Alves/Walnut Body
Pau Ferro Fingerboard
Maple 5 pc neck w Purple Heart Strings
Purple Heart Back Plate & Truss Rod Cover
Bartolini Radiused Humbucker Pickups
Bartolini 3 Band Preamp w 3 position
Midrange shift and Push/Pull bypass
Black Hipshot UltraLite Tuners
Black Hipshot A Style Bridge (Brass Saddle/Aluminum Base)
RockReady Gig Bag

So now the Project is complete. We have 2 Brand NEW Basses that are 25 years old!

 

[Thump C]

Are they for sale? How much?

 

[StevieMac]

Very cool story

 

[Sav'nBass]

Wow...

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Great story!

 

[Marial]

Now that is cool.

 

[Bob_Ross]

i'm almost speechless...

 

[Lammchop93]

cool story, and awesome basses! The fact you used "Slow pace" and "LA" in the same sentence baffles me, but it's all about perspective

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Awesome story! Now how about some clips so we can hear how they sound? Please and thank you.

 

[davec]

Just wow

 

[scubaduba]

Wow. Really cool story. I have a Tobias that fits in to this story too I think. I own #196X which I bought directly from Bob MacDonald. It has the unicorn WTMB preamp Bob Lee and Mike were testing. I assume you worked with Bob MacDonald while working with Bob Lee. My Tobias was part of Bob MacDonald's severance. Here's my piece of history. I even keep her strung with strings from that era. I had #666 too which I also bought from Bob but foolishly sold.

 

[darkbass]

That's a BWA Bubinga/Wenge/Alder Classic 5. Probably our best selling model.

That's great add-on story. Does anyone have any great old Tobias add-ons?????

 

[StevieM]

Awesome story. Beautiful builds. You couldn't have chosen a better builder to finish these up. GLWTS.

 

[bholder]

Nice bass porn!

 

[darkbass]

MOre fun stuff.
I just found original TOBIAS fanny packs and hats (circa 1992).

So i guess whoever buys these Basses will get those as well!

 

[JSBassman61]

Don't know if this is a great add on story or not, lol, but this is my pre-Gibson killer B. I've only owned her a short time but she's rapidly becoming the beast of the house. She's been upgraded with a John East Deluxe 18v pre amp

That's a BWA Bubinga/Wenge/Alder Classic 5. Probably our best selling model.

That's great add-on story. Does anyone have any great old Tobias add-ons?????

 

[darkbass]

Great Add-On. These Basses are at the NAMM show at the Brubaker booth #3051

Come by and hello

 

[chadds]

They probably are bad for you due to the aging from "unassembled bass syndrome." So to save your health ship immediately to this address. I will provide all necessary hazmat response teams and insure safety for all. Extensive testing to see if inadvertently the syndrome can be cured by sound waves will be implemented.

Be assured that no animals will be harmed in this testing. When it's safe the instruments will be allowed in public at small or large venues. If people dance incessantly or listen intently it's a sure thing the basses are contagion free. This study will terminate somewhere in the year 3000. There is no hint of bias or personal gain by the researchers in this study. Only a deep humane desire to see all people healthy.

 

[MrLenny1]

Wow. Really cool story. I have a Tobias that fits in to this story too I think. I own #196X which I bought directly from Bob MacDonald. It has the unicorn WTMB preamp Bob Lee and Mike were testing. I assume you worked with Bob MacDonald while working with Bob Lee. My Tobias was part of Bob MacDonald's severance. Here's my piece of history. I even keep her strung with strings from that era. I had #666 too which I also bought from Bob but foolishly sold.

View attachment 2830191 View attachment 2830192

I have the same bass but Gibson made 1998 I'm told. Wonderful

 

[KB5]

Here is my Killer-B 5 purchased in n 1992. Not sure where that puts it in relation to Gibson/Pre-Gibson. It is a maple body, Pau ferro fretboard, and maple/bubinga neck. Has the early black headstock. Plays and sounds amazing. It has been my main bass since I bought it.

I had the same bass in fretless with an oiled finish and maple/purple heart neck bought 6 months later. The fretless was equally amazing but I sold it in 2006 when times were tight. I miss it dearly.