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Official Tobias Club

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by magneezius, Oct 18, 2007.

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Page 40 of 81
  1. May 6, 2015 #781
    iplay5strings

    iplay5strings

    Aug 10, 2007
    Waterford, MI
    Does anyone know the reasoning behind the use/lack of the different buffers?
     
  2. May 6, 2015 #782
    scubaduba

    scubaduba Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 23, 2003
    Michigan
    My pre-Gibson Tobias has a Bartolini WTMB. I recently inquired of Bartolini of the difference between the TCT and the WTMB. So while this is not directly related to the TCT here is what Clyde at Bartolini told me.

    The WTMB used in Mike's basses is identical to a TCT except that it has a lower input impedance and first stage bias so that it isn't overdriven by the dual buffer. The buffer is for isolation of the pickups from each-other. We do this in cases where the pickups have a fairly low output and wide frequency response - it makes them effectively active pickups. When the frequency response is wide and the output is low, the upper frequencies can do a lot of phase cancellation resulting in a thin tone. The buffers are voltage controlled with a relatively high input impedance, so they isolate the capacitance from each pickup in order to hold up the high frequencies. So it isn't as much about volume level at blend center as it is about voice consistency for each pickup throughout the blend range - although it helps with that as well for the same reasons at lower frequencies.
     
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  3. May 6, 2015 #783
    iplay5strings

    iplay5strings

    Aug 10, 2007
    Waterford, MI
    Very interesting. Bartolini no longer makes the DTA 1.3 buffer (at least as far as I could tell based on my research) commonly seen in the Tobias pre's, but you can still get a DTA 1.2. I'm just trying to figure out if the buffer is a piece I will also need for my attempt at recreating a "Burbank Tobias Preamp". As of right now I just have the XTCT and the 3 way selectable mid boost module on the way. I guess if things still don't sound right then my next step should be buffering? Also, has anyone ever tried wiring an XTCT for 18v?
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2015
  4. May 8, 2015 #784
    WayneP

    WayneP Supporting Member

    Oct 11, 2004
    Corpus Christi, Texas

    Well, at long last I get to join this esteemed club! That’s right, I picked up David Egeler’s 1999 5-string Tobias Classic last week. Been tweaking the string height and intonation this week and giving it a try out and I really like it. t.gif

    Here is the pertinent info:

    AAAAA quilted maple top
    Wenge tone plate
    Walnut back
    Flamed maple and bubinga neck
    Wenge fretboard
    Bartolini 18v preamp with midrange switch
    Push/pull volume knob (active/passive? I’m not sure)
    Came with Fodera.45 - .125 strings

    I can’t say I’ve ever seen another Tobias like this one. Check out basspro’s stunning pictures, they really do the bass justice.



    tobias-enhanced-reduced-jpg.jpg tobias-back-enhanced-reduced-jpg.jpg ​


    Regards,
    Wayne A. Pflughaupt


    Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
    Administrator, Tobias Club #133
    Fretless Club #943
    Big Cabs Club #23
    My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 5, 2015
    chupacerveza likes this.
  5. May 8, 2015 #785
    kesslari

    kesslari Groovin' with the Fusion Cats Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2007
    Santa Cruz Mtns, California
    Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
    Beauty
     
  6. May 8, 2015 #786
    bucephylus

    bucephylus Supporting Member

    Aug 18, 2002
    Central Ohio
    Wayne, that is totally and completely AWESOME!!! Congrats. I know you will enjoy that bass to bits.

    I was playing that bass' 6 string cousin today for quite a while and thinking just how great these basses are.

    Are those the Fodera nickels or steels? My bass likes the Fodera nickels, which are actually quite close to the DR Sunbeams in character.
     
  7. May 9, 2015 #787
    MrLenny1

    MrLenny1

    Jan 17, 2009
    New England
    Wayne?
    Do you know if Gibson made Tobias is out of production?
    Never any info available from Gibson
    Thanks
     
  8. May 9, 2015 #788
    iplay5strings

    iplay5strings

    Aug 10, 2007
    Waterford, MI
    I believe they've re-launched the Toby Pro line under the Epiphone brand. Not sure about the Nashville made line though.
     
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  9. May 9, 2015 #789
    WayneP

    WayneP Supporting Member

    Oct 11, 2004
    Corpus Christi, Texas


    Thanks for the kudos buce! Don’t know the details on the strings, David only said they were Fodera.

    So far the only thing I don’t like about it is that it’s really bright, which gets lots of string noise (all tone knobs set flat). Does anyone know if one of those small pots in the electronics cavity can make an adjustment on that? Not the end of the world, I can always dial down the treble knob, but that does cost some of the resonance you get with roundwounds.

    Regards,
    Wayne A. Pflughaupt


    Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
    Administrator, Tobias Club #133
    Fretless Club #943
    Big Cabs Club #23
    My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2015
  10. May 9, 2015 #790
    iplay5strings

    iplay5strings

    Aug 10, 2007
    Waterford, MI

    If that's a Gibson Bass with the push/pull slap tone volume knob then one of those pots adjusts how much the mids get cut.
     
  11. May 10, 2015 #791
    MrLenny1

    MrLenny1

    Jan 17, 2009
    New England
    Yes, the push/pull volume knob is a setting for slap & pop.
    My Classic has that feature.
     
  12. May 10, 2015 #792
    WayneP

    WayneP Supporting Member

    Oct 11, 2004
    Corpus Christi, Texas
  13. May 10, 2015 #793
    bucephylus

    bucephylus Supporting Member

    Aug 18, 2002
    Central Ohio
    Best advice I can give you is to set your mids at the detent at 50%, boost the bass maybe 15% to 20% above the detent, and then adjust your treble to suit, either cutting or boosting depending on tune and right hand approach. They are articulate; and I am not completely in love with the 3 band thing anyhow. JMHO. That and pan your pups for more neck v bridge depending on the tune. Hope that helps.
     
  14. May 10, 2015 #794
    scubaduba

    scubaduba Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 23, 2003
    Michigan
    There are likely three pots in the cavity (assuming the NTMB preamp). The two that are side by side control the output of each pickup. Clockwise is hotter. The third pot away from the other two controls the contour of the slap switch which is activated by pulling up on the volume knob (again, assuming the NTMB preamp used on the Gibson Tobias basses).
     
  15. May 11, 2015 #795
    WayneP

    WayneP Supporting Member

    Oct 11, 2004
    Corpus Christi, Texas
  16. May 23, 2015 #796
    notejung

    notejung Commercial User

    Nov 16, 2010
    Bangkok, Thailand but have USA address
    Twinbemusic
    Anyone want to sell early Tobias Killer B 6 string.Please PM me.

    Thank you
     
  17. May 23, 2015 #797
    scubaduba

    scubaduba Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 23, 2003
    Michigan
    Anybody have a pretty-Gib Tobias 5 string they'd like to sell? Or trade for a Ken Smith BMT with 7 piece body and neck?
     
  18. May 23, 2015 #798
    WayneP

    WayneP Supporting Member

    Oct 11, 2004
    Corpus Christi, Texas
  19. May 23, 2015 #799
    scubaduba

    scubaduba Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 23, 2003
    Michigan
    Haha. Yep. I meant pre-Gib. Crazy autocorrect. Gibson Tobias basses are pretty too but after owning a few Gibson Tobias basses and a couple pre-Gib basses I'm sold on the pre-Gibs.
     
  20. May 23, 2015 #800
    iplay5strings

    iplay5strings

    Aug 10, 2007
    Waterford, MI
    Early Gibson Tobias' are nice/pretty close to the pre-Gibs (especially with a burbank Tobias/TCT family preamp), but I'd love to try/own a true blue, pre-Burbank, pre-Gib Tobias
     
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