Official Tobias Club

[tombowlus]

A difficult question as not everybody likes the same things. From comments in other threads, it seems the "TB consensus" is that MTDs are better, the thinking being Mr T has only gotten better at his craft as time has gone by. To me it seems more that with the old Tobias basses he perfected one type of bass. With MTD he began building and perfecting a different type of bass. I wouldn't say one is good, and one is bad.

I would tend to agree with this. I currently own multiple pre-Gibson Tobias basses (Basic 5, Basic 4, Killer-B 4) and multiple MTDs (435, three 535's, Saratoga 4), and I have previously owned numerous other examples of each. The craftsmanship, build, and overall "quality" of each are highly comparable. The materials/electronics/finishes/etc of course changed and evolved, and each is a representation of the then current "state of the art" at the time that they were made.

Myself and others have commented in prior threads on the general compare/contrast between the two, but I'll summarize briefly by saying that my Tobias basses are a bit more full/smooth/round, and my MTDs are a bit more clear/cutting/precise/quick/snappy. That does not mean, however, that Tobiases are not articulate and clear, nor does it mean that MTDs are thin or sterile. The feel is a bit different, too, with the Tobiases being 34" scale neck-through builds, and (most) MTDs being 35" scale bolt-ons.

I'm very happy to own examples of each, and they are each their own kind of instrument. It always amazes me how Mike Tobias has been able to deliver a "Hall of Fame" performance twice over, with two different bodies of work which stand on their own unique merits.

 

[WayneP]

Here is a pic of my Growler! Thank you for the help.

Hey Chuck,

Don’t see a picture in the post!

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 

[Brams77]

I would tend to agree with this. I currently own multiple pre-Gibson Tobias basses (Basic 5, Basic 4, Killer-B 4) and multiple MTDs (435, three 535's, Saratoga 4), and I have previously owned numerous other examples of each. The craftsmanship, build, and overall "quality" of each are highly comparable. The materials/electronics/finishes/etc of course changed and evolved, and each is a representation of the then current "state of the art" at the time that they were made.

Myself and others have commented in prior threads on the general compare/contrast between the two, but I'll summarize briefly by saying that my Tobias basses are a bit more full/smooth/round, and my MTDs are a bit more clear/cutting/precise/quick/snappy. That does not mean, however, that Tobiases are not articulate and clear, nor does it mean that MTDs are thin or sterile. The feel is a bit different, too, with the Tobiases being 34" scale neck-through builds, and (most) MTDs being 35" scale bolt-ons.

I'm very happy to own examples of each, and they are each their own kind of instrument. It always amazes me how Mike Tobias has been able to deliver a "Hall of Fame" performance twice over, with two different bodies of work which stand on their own unique merits.

Very well put I own one of each, my experience is about the same, the tone of the mtd is more upfront, but a crazy beautiful tone, but co's it's that upfront/cutting it's not as allround as my tobias, that has a smaller sonic footprint. Still a very impressive tone as there is definitly a fermiliar thing about these two, but the tobias has a softer rounder voice...
Anyway, getting one of the two will be a very rewarding thing... Most beautiful instruments around but thats my opinion...

 

[The Chuck]

I hope it is here now- too big last time.

 

[WayneP]

Finally welcoming The Chuck to the club! Wow, can’t believe your brother shelled out for that beauty and then just left it in the closet! Well, his loss is your gain.

BTW, what kind of speakers do you have there in your bass rig?

Updated list:
1. magneezius
2. Flintc
3. Eaglemoon
4. Vladpire
5. ireidt
6. saxofunk
7. Kesslari
8. ctmullins
9. rice128
10. westrock
11. grifo
12. kerenn
13. Jackholexxxx
14. rotassator
15. mrbassman de
16. Fealach
17. Debased
18. alexofc69
19. tombowlus
20. Phantasm
21. Tony G
22. Scubaduba
23. bucephylus
24. greenbass
25. johnpaulbass
26. rad87gn
27. manjonning
28. Basshole
29. capnsandwich
30. Flintc
31. Wadge
32. whoapower
33. Hella
34. Mungibunga
35. skb5string
36. toby23
37. NoFrets4Me
38. Gubna
39. Bassflute
40. ZionBound
41. tiz 1
42. abarson
43. Indigo
44. xk3smith
45. fitzy73
46. gr8fulhiker
47. jam.majors
48. aeonmouse
49. basspro557
50. svoncampe
51. sdbss
52. gbarcus
53. Agito (retired from club)
54. marvelous
55. shakey slim
56. Mattsochistic
57. joevcool
58. ClassicJazz
59. 73jbass
60. bassballs dk
61. architect
62. IvanMike
63. JMBassist
64. sayman
65. Holdsg
66. bass4worship
67. dofranco
68. MrLenny
69. Markus Tobias
70. w_bass
71. Carlosrzz
72. oystein
73. RoosterRusek
74. PlanetariumERB
75. el_crawfordo
76. gregwatts2008
77. sonyho
78. bwoodman
79. oystein
80. jo_mix
81. shade615
82. Red Planet
83. sneha1965
84. blackjack76
85. daerbass
86. maupek
87. meatwad
88. midijab
89. BrandonA119
90. pb9717
91. Mousekillaz
92. genmed42
93. thatinstrument
94. oldno.7
95. wolfmancharlie (retired from club)
96. Phil Smith
97. notejung
98. armybass
99. dkterry
100. basic5
101. Freezer
102. Mtnman
103. McSchwaiger
104. 77jazzbass
105. BARMALEY
106. seventhsunbass
107. Jason Wilson
108. Webtroll
109. dap
110. west*coast*bass
111. musiqisme26
112. vmabus
113. The Chuck


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 

[The Chuck]

Finally welcoming The Chuck to the club! Wow, can’t believe your brother shelled out for that beauty and then just left it in the closet! Well, his loss is your gain.

BTW, what kind of speakers do you have there in your bass rig?

Updated list:
1. magneezius
2. Flintc
3. Eaglemoon
4. Vladpire
5. ireidt
6. saxofunk
7. Kesslari
8. ctmullins
9. rice128
10. westrock
11. grifo
12. kerenn
13. Jackholexxxx
14. rotassator
15. mrbassman de
16. Fealach
17. Debased
18. alexofc69
19. tombowlus
20. Phantasm
21. Tony G
22. Scubaduba
23. bucephylus
24. greenbass
25. johnpaulbass
26. rad87gn
27. manjonning
28. Basshole
29. capnsandwich
30. Flintc
31. Wadge
32. whoapower
33. Hella
34. Mungibunga
35. skb5string
36. toby23
37. NoFrets4Me
38. Gubna
39. Bassflute
40. ZionBound
41. tiz 1
42. abarson
43. Indigo
44. xk3smith
45. fitzy73
46. gr8fulhiker
47. jam.majors
48. aeonmouse
49. basspro557
50. svoncampe
51. sdbss
52. gbarcus
53. Agito (retired from club)
54. marvelous
55. shakey slim
56. Mattsochistic
57. joevcool
58. ClassicJazz
59. 73jbass
60. bassballs dk
61. architect
62. IvanMike
63. JMBassist
64. sayman
65. Holdsg
66. bass4worship
67. dofranco
68. MrLenny
69. Markus Tobias
70. w_bass
71. Carlosrzz
72. oystein
73. RoosterRusek
74. PlanetariumERB
75. el_crawfordo
76. gregwatts2008
77. sonyho
78. bwoodman
79. oystein
80. jo_mix
81. shade615
82. Red Planet
83. sneha1965
84. blackjack76
85. daerbass
86. maupek
87. meatwad
88. midijab
89. BrandonA119
90. pb9717
91. Mousekillaz
92. genmed42
93. thatinstrument
94. oldno.7
95. wolfmancharlie (retired from club)
96. Phil Smith
97. notejung
98. armybass
99. dkterry
100. basic5
101. Freezer
102. Mtnman
103. McSchwaiger
104. 77jazzbass
105. BARMALEY
106. seventhsunbass
107. Jason Wilson
108. Webtroll
109. dap
110. west*coast*bass
111. musiqisme26
112. vmabus
113. The Chuck


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

Those are Hartke- a 4.5XL and a 115XL (removed the badges) Cool look I think and they sound great with the Ampeg head.

 

[WayneP]

Excellent! I thought they might be Hartke. I’m intrigued by the 5” HF driver in the 4-10 cabinet - very unusual, and I expect it sounds better than the typical piezo tweeter (I hate those things!) Too bad they don’t make a version like that with a single 12”...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 

[The Chuck]

You know, they sound better without the badges! LOL

 

[phatbass30]

Hi guys! My first Tobias Basic 5!

 

[tombowlus]

Congratulations! That is a beautiful bass!

 

[WayneP]

I’m with Tom, that’s a beauty! Welcome to the Club, phatbass30!

Updated list:
1. magneezius
2. Flintc
3. Eaglemoon
4. Vladpire
5. ireidt
6. saxofunk
7. Kesslari
8. ctmullins
9. rice128
10. westrock
11. grifo
12. kerenn
13. Jackholexxxx
14. rotassator
15. mrbassman de
16. Fealach
17. Debased
18. alexofc69
19. tombowlus
20. Phantasm
21. Tony G
22. Scubaduba
23. bucephylus
24. greenbass
25. johnpaulbass
26. rad87gn
27. manjonning
28. Basshole
29. capnsandwich
30. Flintc
31. Wadge
32. whoapower
33. Hella
34. Mungibunga
35. skb5string
36. toby23
37. NoFrets4Me
38. Gubna
39. Bassflute
40. ZionBound
41. tiz 1
42. abarson
43. Indigo
44. xk3smith
45. fitzy73
46. gr8fulhiker
47. jam.majors
48. aeonmouse
49. basspro557
50. svoncampe
51. sdbss
52. gbarcus
53. Agito (retired from club)
54. marvelous
55. shakey slim
56. Mattsochistic
57. joevcool
58. ClassicJazz
59. 73jbass
60. bassballs dk
61. architect
62. IvanMike
63. JMBassist
64. sayman
65. Holdsg
66. bass4worship
67. dofranco
68. MrLenny
69. Markus Tobias
70. w_bass
71. Carlosrzz
72. oystein
73. RoosterRusek
74. PlanetariumERB
75. el_crawfordo
76. gregwatts2008
77. sonyho
78. bwoodman
79. oystein
80. jo_mix
81. shade615
82. Red Planet
83. sneha1965
84. blackjack76
85. daerbass
86. maupek
87. meatwad
88. midijab
89. BrandonA119
90. pb9717
91. Mousekillaz
92. genmed42
93. thatinstrument
94. oldno.7
95. wolfmancharlie (retired from club)
96. Phil Smith
97. notejung
98. armybass
99. dkterry
100. basic5
101. Freezer
102. Mtnman
103. McSchwaiger
104. 77jazzbass
105. BARMALEY
106. seventhsunbass
107. Jason Wilson
108. Webtroll
109. dap
110. west*coast*bass
111. musiqisme26
112. vmabus
113. The Chuck
114. phatbass30


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 

[WayneP]

You know, they sound better without the badges! LOL

LOL, that’s a good one! Actually come to think of it, Acme has midrange drivers like your Hartke in their cabinets. I need to pick one up and check it out...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 

[phatbass30]

Congratulations! That is a beautiful bass!

Thank you!

 

[Brams77]

This past few months have been a very Tobias rich time for me after the signature 5 I have a classic six from 1986 comming my way... With a passive tone control.. Now thats something I havn't seen very often, man I am a pretty lucky guy

 

[WayneP]

Holy cow, you have a Signature and a Classic? I’m green with envy! That Classic there is a real beauty!

Updated list:
1. magneezius
2. Flintc
3. Eaglemoon
4. Vladpire
5. ireidt
6. saxofunk
7. Kesslari
8. ctmullins
9. rice128
10. westrock
11. grifo
12. kerenn
13. Jackholexxxx
14. rotassator
15. mrbassman de
16. Fealach
17. Debased
18. alexofc69
19. tombowlus
20. Phantasm
21. Tony G
22. Scubaduba
23. bucephylus
24. greenbass
25. johnpaulbass
26. rad87gn
27. manjonning
28. Basshole
29. capnsandwich
30. Flintc
31. Wadge
32. whoapower
33. Hella
34. Mungibunga
35. skb5string
36. toby23
37. NoFrets4Me
38. Gubna
39. Bassflute
40. ZionBound
41. tiz 1
42. abarson
43. Indigo
44. xk3smith
45. fitzy73
46. gr8fulhiker
47. jam.majors
48. aeonmouse
49. basspro557
50. svoncampe
51. sdbss
52. gbarcus
53. Agito (retired from club)
54. marvelous
55. shakey slim
56. Mattsochistic
57. joevcool
58. ClassicJazz
59. 73jbass
60. bassballs dk
61. architect
62. IvanMike
63. JMBassist
64. sayman
65. Holdsg
66. bass4worship
67. dofranco
68. MrLenny
69. Markus Tobias
70. w_bass
71. Carlosrzz
72. oystein
73. RoosterRusek
74. PlanetariumERB
75. el_crawfordo
76. gregwatts2008
77. sonyho
78. bwoodman
79. oystein
80. jo_mix
81. shade615
82. Red Planet
83. sneha1965
84. blackjack76
85. daerbass
86. maupek
87. meatwad
88. midijab
89. BrandonA119
90. pb9717
91. Mousekillaz
92. genmed42
93. thatinstrument
94. oldno.7
95. wolfmancharlie (retired from club)
96. Phil Smith
97. notejung
98. armybass
99. dkterry
100. basic5
101. Freezer
102. Mtnman
103. McSchwaiger
104. 77jazzbass
105. BARMALEY
106. seventhsunbass
107. Jason Wilson
108. Webtroll
109. dap
110. west*coast*bass
111. musiqisme26
112. vmabus
113. The Chuck
114. phatbass30
115. Brams77


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 

[Brams77]

Thanks Wayne,

The signature I sold yesterday... Sadly... but I wont Carry more then 3 to 4 basses as I find it already hard to devide my attention to plus they both have a sort of same sound idea and this classic is a very early one serial 4XX pretty rare electronics and it's a 6 string so a little more rare and collectable... But yes I'm feeling very lucky to own it!

This was my signature nr 2044 now proudly owned by Max in Germany

 

[WayneP]

Number 2044? Holy cow, do you realize that was the last bass built by Michael Tobias and his crew before Gibson moved operations to Nashville???

Are you in Canada? I saw this bass for sale late last year by a guy in Canada for the unbelievable price of $1950. I tried to buy it, but he didn’t want to mess with shipping it to the States, even though I offered him a couple hundred extra for his trouble. I’ll bet you sold it for a tidy profit! People usually ask over $3000 for Signatures.


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 

[Brams77]

Number 2044? Holy cow, do you realize that was the last bass built by Michael Tobias and his crew before Gibson moved operations to Nashville???

Are you in Canada? I saw this bass for sale late last year by a guy in Canada for the unbelievable price of $1950. I tried to buy it, but he didn’t want to mess with shipping it to the States, even though I offered him a couple hundred extra for his trouble. I’ll bet you sold it for a tidy profit! People usually ask over $3000 for Signatures.


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

The serial was actually a double, it was however built by the Burbank crew I had Mike Tobias look into this. Yes the price was good, but I didn't made profit as I had to pay alot of tax, customs and insured shipment to Europe.
But it was one hell of a bass and in very good condition aswell, if the 6er didn't come along I would still be playing that bass with a big smile..

 

[gleneg61]

Hi Tobiasens,
Could some knowledgeable member please tell me what Tobias models were available/produced in lefty? Not the MTDs as that is current. Thanks!

 

[Brams77]

I believe all models have been made in left hand versions... But very very scarsly..