Gibson is bringing back Tobias basses...

[G-Lol]

What, no Renegade?

"There were a few unexpected previews, too, most notably the return of the Tobias bass. Classic IV, Classic V, Growler IV, Growler V, Killer B IV and Killer B V models have been launched, all of which work to revive the retro-yet-boutique bass brand in striking fashion."

We went behind the scenes at Gibson’s exclusive NAMM 2025 booth to check out all of its new releases – here’s everything we saw

 

[MaxCellExcelWon]

Gibson announced the return of the Tobias bass, while the collective response has been: "There's no way they won't screw this up too."

 

[Si-bob]

They don’t look toooo bad….horrible hardware though, cheap 80’s looking nonsense. Radiused Bartolinis though…..although taking bets that the radius is different to the fingerboard

Si

 

[krfoss]

I want to read about them and see pics but that website is awful. I’d rather not know than use that site…

 

[MaxCellExcelWon]

That whole super cheap & cheezy "top wood not thick enough to cover the contour" is sooooooo 1990's.

Laughable fail.

 

[Lenny JG]

I want to read about them and see pics but that website is awful. I’d rather not know than use that site…

It was painful to look at for sure lol

 

[FRoss6788]

That whole super cheap & cheezy "top wood not thick enough to cover the contour" is sooooooo 1990's.

View attachment 7134747

Laughable fail.

Looks like a ripoff of an Ibby BTB...

 

[ravelax]

I wish they'd start making reverse Thunderbirds again. And/or make proper reissues of the Ripper and Victory basses.

 

[FRoss6788]

I wish they'd start making reverse Thunderbirds again. And/or make proper reissues of the Ripper and Victory basses.

Or the Bass 4 and Bass 5

 

[ravelax]

Or the Bass 4 and Bass 5

Yeah, why not!

And an Explorer bass!

 

[scubaduba]

That’s an odd assembly for a Tobias. First the body shape. The upper horn is elongated though maybe that is more of a Growler body cut. Then the Soapbars are more in the Killer B position. But then you have the multiple laminations which wasn’t the case with the Killer B. Hmm. Maybe Gibson is taking a different approach this time around?

 

[spade2you]

That whole super cheap & cheezy "top wood not thick enough to cover the contour" is sooooooo 1990's.

View attachment 7134747

Laughable fail.

They did that in the past.

 

[RandomKaren]

That whole super cheap & cheezy "top wood not thick enough to cover the contour" is sooooooo 1990's.

Seems to work ok for Wal...

 

[WayneP]

Seems to work ok for Wal...

And Pedulla...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

 

[WayneP]

Same song, second verse:

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

Then the Soapbars are more in the Killer B position.

I don’t see that as a bad thing! I have a Gibson Classic and Killer B. Of the two, I like the B sound much better.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Official Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Administrator, Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gibson-bringing-back-tobias-basses-in-2023.1598584/
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

 

[KB5]

That whole super cheap & cheezy "top wood not thick enough to cover the contour" is sooooooo 1990's.

View attachment 7134747

Laughable fail.

That's a pretty thick top and similar to pre Gibson Tobias that had laminate tops.

 

[pie_man_25]

They did that in the past.

I'm ngl I can dig it

 

[Killing Floor]

Yay

 

[Mastiff_5]

My Cali-built killer B is my big regret sale… oh, to have her back. Maybe they won’t blow it, and maybe they won’t charge an arm and a leg and a spleen and a rib and a lung and…

 

[MegaSwing]

I’ll check them out, for sure, but based on Gibson’s past performance, it’ll be a tough sell. There is substantial market resistance to overcome.