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Is it my imagination
- Thread starter woody357
- Start date
The similarities between MTD and Tobias are understandable (same builder). Ibanez? Well, they know a good design when they see it. 
Even the mighty Alembic made some models which were influenced by Mike Tobias' body design as early as the late 80's/early 90's.
Mica Wickersham referred to these as Tobian.
Mica Wickersham referred to these as Tobian.
A contract builder is going to build to the specification the client brings. If the client specifies their product to look like somebody else's, any decent factory can do it.
There was a time when some factories had better craftspeople than others, or better equipment, or whatever. This is the CNC era, though -- you can get exactly the same bass from any factory in any country as long as you provide the right woods and work processes.
Weird that Michael Tobias Design is designed to look like a Tobias…
Yes… typically all basses will have a body and a neck…
Are you sure we’re lookin at the same basses? It’s pretty clear they’re all shaped fairly different. MTD and Tobias will certainly have rather similar design elements, but the overall shapes of these models are in no way copies.
Are you sure we’re lookin at the same basses? It’s pretty clear they’re all shaped fairly different. MTD and Tobias will certainly have rather similar design elements, but the overall shapes of these models are in no way copies.
If only one could post pictures to the forum, what a game-changer that would be.
Not everyone’s tech savvy. Hell my mom (turned 71 early this year) just got a new car last month… she had been driving her 2001 Toyota Solara this whole time… was afraid to use the touch screen in her new Camry until I showed her how to do things because she was afraid she was going to “erase the hard drive”. And then she whipped out the “well, hooking my phone up to it is fine, I guess, but where do I put my cds in?”
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I wonder how many basses they have to sell to break even on their investment in CNC?
Not strange at all. Michael Tobias started Tobias Basses, sold the company to Gibson in 1990 and agreed to oversee the operation for a short period. In 1994 he started Michael Tobias Designs (MTD) so the similarities are no surprise.
Also the Tobias Growler was and is a Gibson design, but obviously Michael Tobias inspired.
Just do what the custom builder my friend works for does - - charge $30,000 per guitar or bass. You'll break even, maybe even pay for the laser etching machine too?
Since the Cort factories, for example, have been making thousands of guitars and basses per month for a few decades now, I imagine the initial investments have been paid off.
I had a BTB. it was the most ‘moderate’ looking, from some years back. Nowadays they look like giant seafood claws or something. I’m not a fan.
I have a Tobias. I don’t see them as anywhere near identical. They both have typical double cut traits, but not really similar in character.
I have a Tobias. I don’t see them as anywhere near identical. They both have typical double cut traits, but not really similar in character.
$30g’s?? I can build a shop and buy all the CNC equipment with thet amount lol
Yeah, I get it. They only build a handful of instruments each year, each one is highly customized, to a level most have never seen. Super detailed, laser-etched inlays, hand placed, works of art. They are building a 6 string right now for a very famous bass player, to be a gift at upcoming live event. After that is over, if my friend allows me, I will post a pic of it. I've seen it in process, it's unreal.
You know, if you want a new Alembic, it could set you back almost that much, for no where near the customization. Just saying.
Personally, I'll stick with my semi-premium level, mass-produced axes. Oh hell, my Sire P5 isn't even semi-premium, it's budget, but I love it anyway. I guess it's the runt of my pack?
It's almost 30G fort the concrete slab for me to put a small barn shed/shop in 3k sq ft in. I'd like a shop with CNC for 30G. I'll pay for the aircon units if you can get one built for that amount in 2025
don't have any kind of Tobias... yet, but i'm always reminded by these threads their asym neck profile is my favorite.
Yeah, but ... apparently not the case here
For sale Hartke HX Hydrive 210 and 115 cabinets
I havr owned these cabinets for two years I have gigged with them four times, but the mainly stay in the closet of a smoke free home. The 210 has one small blemishes. I am selling them because I need the money to help finance a new 410.
- woody357 (+0 /0 /-0)
- Views: 3K
- Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets
$650.00
