Help ID Tobias Bass

[UnglazedSquase]

Hello!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting an old friend, who was instrumental in teaching me how to play the bass guitar. Back in the day, he played in a contemporary church band and generously allowed me to join him on bass for a couple of years. I've been in my hometown for a few days and will not be returning for a long time, so I decided to stop by before we leave town. We had a great time reminiscing and playing some instruments from his impressive guitar collection.

During my visit, he offered to sell me his Tobias bass for $1,500. He recalled that it features Bubinga wood and mentioned it's a model from before Tobias was acquired by Gibson. Unfortunately, his memory isn't as sharp as it used to be, and I'm seeking assistance in identifying the bass. I would like to be able to confirm his memory of it and/or give him more details when I go back to pick it up in the next day or two. Your help is much appreciated. I think the body is birdseye maple as someone else suggested to me.

Here is a link to a picture I hastily took as I was leaving.


Bonus: He has owned a Rickenbacker 4001 for as long as I've known him. As I was about to leave, I casually mentioned that someday I hoped to have one like his. To my surprise, he simply offered to give me his Rickenbacker right then and there, and he did. I am still overwhelmed by his generosity. I have memories of this bass, including photos of me as a high school senior holding it, which he lent to me once just for a photo session.

Here are two photos of the Rickenbacker.


Thank you for your time,
Ryan

 

[s_wood]

Looks like a Tobias Basic, perhaps made of birdseye maple. If the serial number is 2022 or lower it’s a pre-Gibson Tobias.

 

[Tim Grant]

I would guess that is a basic 6 or classic 6. It does not appear to be Bubinga unless its on the back with a maple top. Here is my Tobias basic 5 which is made of bubinga.

 

[Whale]

That 4001 appears to have checkerboard binding, which would put at ‘73 or earlier. I’ve been searching for a 4001 like that for years and yet, you get one for free! Amazingly generous of your friend.

 

[dreamadream99]

We need to see the back of that Tobias to know for sure. if it is a neck-through, it is probably a basic, which sold for more than $3000. If it is a bolt-on, it is a killer B, Which sold for about half the neck-through models

 

[Tim Grant]

We need to see the back of that Tobias to know for sure. if it is a neck-through, it is probably a basic, which sold for more than $3000. If it is a bolt-on, it is a killer B, Which sold for about half the neck-through models

I don't think it's a Killer Bee. I also have a KB and it doesn't have the stripes down the middle that match the lamination from the headstock. Mine is a slab of Walnut. I would like to see the back to see if the maple is top only. That would show the difference between a classic and a basic. I'm pretty sure it's a basic which is a very fine instrument. Classic had fancier woods and appointments. Regardless it's a great deal either way.

 

[UnglazedSquase]

Update! Here is a link to more photos of the bass and some other guitars in his collection.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Though it’s definitely a Gibson made Tobias, $1500 is still a great price

 

[red_rhino]

Though it’s definitely a Gibson made Tobias, $1500 is still a great price

+1! The Gibson Tobias basses were generally pretty good. Hard to tell from the photo if the pickups are curved top or flat.

 

[sawzalot]

$1500 total for those two basses is a steal.

 

[Reedt2000]

$1500 for the Tobias alone is a steal!

 

[TrustRod]

Bubinga neck stringers, birds eye maple body.

People are funny with Tobias'. All the Burbank basses were made when Gibson owned and built the shop. There's more of these than the Hollywood pre Gibson days but most everyone calls the Burbank models pre Gibson.

From Mike himself. MTD History

So this one is after the move to Nashville where Mike did spend a year. It's a neck through and has the bridge where the black finish wears off easy that my '93 Killer B had.

 

[red_rhino]

People are funny with Tobias'. All the Burbank basses were made when Gibson owned and built the shop. There's more of these than the Hollywood pre Gibson days but most everyone calls the Burbank models pre Gibson.

As I understand it, Mike & his crew built the Burbank basses. Gibson took over manufacturing following the move to Nashville.

I’ve played some wonderful Gibson-built Tobias basses. It’s still Mike’s design, and ultimately, a good design is a good design.

 

[UnglazedSquase]

Thanks for the kind words and info. Just got it home and played around for an hour or so. It plays real nice. Haha.

+1! The Gibson Tobias basses were generally pretty good. Hard to tell from the photo if the pickups are curved top or flat.

It has curved top pickups.

 

[UnglazedSquase]

Bubinga neck stringers, birds eye maple body.

People are funny with Tobias'. All the Burbank basses were made when Gibson owned and built the shop. There's more of these than the Hollywood pre Gibson days but most everyone calls the Burbank models pre Gibson.

From Mike himself. MTD History

So this one is after the move to Nashville where Mike did spend a year. It's a neck through and has the bridge where the black finish wears off easy that my '93 Killer B had.

I was wondering about the bridge color. Haha. Thanks for the awesome info!