Official Tobias Club

[WayneP]

Here is a pic of my new to me 98 renegade. Thank you for letting me join up!!
I just finally had a chance to play it with the guys last night. I absolutely love it.

Ooh, nice! Love the neck, great visual contrast with the body. Welcome to the club, #140!

Updated list:
1. magneezius
2. Flintc
3. Eaglemoon
4. Vladpire
5. ireidta
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 (retired from club)
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
116. tobias3469
117. sfearing
118. Ricky Caboverde
119. Nick supalerk
120. mntallpaul
121. Eugene B
122. mark35mi
123. Lo6man
124. noise_art
125. evilgus
126. higain617
127. barrel650
128. jbarn
129. kwdhsk
130. Basstovsky
131. Foal30
132. carvinbassplyr
133. WayneP
134. rufus.K
135. Chris McKenzie
136. Nightman
137. EdwardofHuncote
138. Mikkoantt
139. bassdudepat
140. TrcSeb



Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

 

[WayneP]

May I ask.....In your opinion, which string is most suit to Tobias bass...and why ?

Guys, bbgugu is interested in a 1994 Basic Serial #2845 with an unusual finish and has been PMing me with questions about it that I’ve had a hard time answering. As you can see, its a zebrawood body with a tobacco burst finish. He says Gibson told him in an e-mail:

”The serial number is consistent with a CLASSIC 5 - B/W/A OIL FINISH LF. The SKU is TBC5BWAHRLF but unfortunately I am unsure of the official color.

Best regards
Vincent Wynne
Gibson Customer Service”


Something’s fishy there, as you can see from the pics that it’s not a 5-string or a Classic…

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

 

[evilgus]

May I ask.....In your opinion, which string is most suit to Tobias bass...and why ?

Brand
Size
Material

I've had the best results with R Cocco strings, especially the FatPak sets. (Both SS and Nickel are good.) They seem to suit the warm tone of the Tobiases really well and are slightly lower tension, so great for bending and expression. I nearly sold one of my Pre-Gib Tobiases until I tried RC strings on it, but never will sell it now.

EG

 

[scubaduba]

Where do you get R Cocco strings these days? Seems a lot of the common places aren't carrying them anymore.

 

[evilgus]

I didn't realise that. I got about 6 sets on sale, a few years back, still haven't used them all. Maybe they went out of business?

EG

 

[bassdudepat]

Guys, bbgugu is interested in a 1994 Basic Serial #2845 with an unusual finish and has been PMing me with questions about it that I’ve had a hard time answering. As you can see, its a zebrawood body with a tobacco burst finish. He says Gibson told him in an e-mail:

”The serial number is consistent with a CLASSIC 5 - B/W/A OIL FINISH LF. The SKU is TBC5BWAHRLF but unfortunately I am unsure of the official color.

Best regards
Vincent Wynne
Gibson Customer Service”


Something’s fishy there, as you can see from the pics that it’s not a 5-string or a Classic…

​

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

Guys, bbgugu is interested in a 1994 Basic Serial #2845 with an unusual finish and has been PMing me with questions about it that I’ve had a hard time answering. As you can see, its a zebrawood body with a tobacco burst finish. He says Gibson told him in an e-mail:

”The serial number is consistent with a CLASSIC 5 - B/W/A OIL FINISH LF. The SKU is TBC5BWAHRLF but unfortunately I am unsure of the official color.

Best regards
Vincent Wynne
Gibson Customer Service”


Something’s fishy there, as you can see from the pics that it’s not a 5-string or a Classic…

​

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed

I've emailed with Michael T a couple times about old serial numbers and he says Gibson was horrible about serial numbers and records when they took over. I don't know if this helps or not but there's a strong chance that Gibsons records are crap when it comes to old Tobiases..

 

[Mackself]

Hi, guys with my band bought this bass some time ago, recently we start to have problems with the electronics, i would like to have schematics and specifications about this bass, i've been trying to contact with Gibson customer service, but they ask me for pics of the bass, which i send to them but that's it, they don't reply anymore, reading your comments i understand for the serial number (3540) is a gibson era, I would be very grateful if you could shed some light about the model, date, or any detail, and I hope I am not mistaken putting this post in this section of the forum, thank you very much for your help.

P.D. Sorry about my english i'm from Ecuador Southamerica

EMF

 

[bucephylus]

That appears to be a possibly decent/nice Tobias Basic with Bartolini NTMB electronics running at 18V. The schematics for the Bartolini electronics are available on the Bartolini web site. There are quite a few wires, and IMO/E you really have to take your time and write out an as-built wiring diagram to compare to the Bartolini diagram. That preamp is still available, if it needs to be replaced.

Gibson gets tagged with a lot of knocks here on TB, and particularly so for the way that the Tobias transition was handled. But, my experience with the Nashville shop while they were in operation was mostly pretty positive in terms of knowledge and support.

 

[Mackself]

That appears to be a possibly decent/nice Tobias Basic with Bartolini NTMB electronics running at 18V. The schematics for the Bartolini electronics are available on the Bartolini web site. There are quite a few wires, and IMO/E you really have to take your time and write out an as-built wiring diagram to compare to the Bartolini diagram. That preamp is still available, if it needs to be replaced.

Gibson gets tagged with a lot of knocks here on TB, and particularly so for the way that the Tobias transition was handled. But, my experience with the Nashville shop while they were in operation was mostly pretty positive in terms of knowledge and support.

Great, thanks for your quick response, i'm going to check the Bartolini site with the info you gave me, regards

 

[MrLenny1]

Tobias Basic 5. Looks like the 2nd battery was added to the cavity.
I have an 18 Volt Tobias Classic and the 2 batteries are in one cutout/cavity area.
My Basic 5 has one battery and one cutout like yours.
Under the truss rod cover there is a pencil marking of the bass and wood types abbreviated. i.e. TC5 BWA = Tobias Classic 5, Bubinga, Wenge, Alder.
Gibson use to answer E-mails but stop doing so several years ago.
They told me S/N 8099 was made in 1998.
Check the battery connector wires, they can become loose and kill the output on and off.

 

[Mackself]

Tobias Basic 5. Looks like the 2nd battery was added to the cavity.
I have an 18 Volt Tobias Classic and the 2 batteries are in one cutout/cavity area.
My Basic 5 has one battery and one cutout like yours.
Under the truss rod cover there is a pencil marking of the bass and wood types abbreviated. i.e. TC5 BWA = Tobias Classic 5, Bubinga, Wenge, Alder.
Gibson use to answer E-mails but stop doing so several years ago.
They told me S/N 8099 was made in 1998.
Check the battery connector wires, they can become loose and kill the output on and off.

Cool, thanks a lot MrLenny1

 

[Mackself]

Hi Guys, thanks for your help, coincidentally after months of writing to Gibson, an email arrived last night, i share the info just in case someone else have the same bass, Greetings.

EMF

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi,

The pictures and serial number are consistent with a 1995 Tobias Basic 5 string model with a Zebrawood body, made in Nashville, TN. I have attached information on the model and schematic for your viewing. Thanks!

JS

Gibson Customer Service
1-800-4GIBSON
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[JimC Bass]

Hello Tobias lovers!
I'm in the unfortunate position of needing to sell my pre-Gibson Tobias Basic 6 string, #586.
Ouch!

Having a hard time trying to decide on a reasonable price.
Seems like the older basses don't sell very often and when they do it's at wildly varying prices due to all the options available.
So I'm hoping to get some well informed feedback about this bass and I figured this would be a great place to ask.

The bass:
#586 dated 7/31/87
6 string Basic, all original.
Walnut body wings with maple/purpleheart neck
Passive, Micheal Tobias said they made "more than a few" but it's the only one I've ever seen.
Plays great, sounds great, and is very good condition showing only minimal signs of wear and tear.
I had a luthier counter sink holes for Dunlop Strap locks.
No case, but I have a "distressed" Reunion Blues leather gig bag that will probably be part of the deal.
I will take many more detailed pics and post them sometime tonight.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

 

[bucephylus]

Hello Tobias lovers!
I'm in the unfortunate position of needing to sell my pre-Gibson Tobias Classic 6 string, #586.
Ouch!

Having a hard time trying to decide on a reasonable price.
Seems like the older basses don't sell very often and when they do it's at wildly varying prices due to all the options available.
So I'm hoping to get some well informed feedback about this bass and I figured this would be a great place to ask.

The bass:
#586 dated 7/31/87
6 string Classic, all original.
Walnut body wings with maple/purpleheart neck
Passive, Micheal Tobias said they made "more than a few" but it's the only one I've ever seen.
Plays great, sounds great, and is very good condition showing only minimal signs of wear and tear.
I had a luthier counter sink holes for Dunlop Strap locks.
No case, but I have a "distressed" Reunion Blues leather gig bag that will probably be part of the deal.
I will take many more detailed pics and post them sometime tonight.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

That is a pretty interesting instrument. It appears to be more of a Basic than a Classic with the solid wings and plastic truss access cover. The other thing that is interesting is that the pickups are not "Shouldered;" but, that could be the kind of pickups Mike used for passive builds, or they were replaced at some point?

Bet it has very interesting acoustic tone with the walnut. Nice bass!

 

[JimC Bass]

Thanks bucephylus!

I'm obviously not real knowledgeable on the model names, I only called it a Classic because that's what I've seen other low serial # basses called.
I will edit the original post.
It does have a plastic truss rod cover and electronics cavity cover.

I'm %99 sure the pickups are original, but I have seen the "shouldered" type.
Maybe it's just due to the width of the six strings?
I've also seen similar era basses with a Schaller bridge. Not sure where Tobias sourced this type. I really like the way it's slotted so you don't have to thread the whole string through the bridge.

I think the bass sounds great, very warm and even across all the strings. I think that's the walnut.

 

[JimC Bass]

More pics!

 

[JimC Bass]

And more!

 

[scubaduba]

Six string Tobias instruments didn't have shouldered pickup covers. And that was a common bridge for Mike for a while.

 

[JimC Bass]

Thanks scubaduba!

 

[TrcSeb]

Ooh, nice! Love the neck, great visual contrast with the body. Welcome to the club, #140!

Updated list:
1. magneezius
2. Flintc
3. Eaglemoon
4. Vladpire
5. ireidta
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 (retired from club)
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
116. tobias3469
117. sfearing
118. Ricky Caboverde
119. Nick supalerk
120. mntallpaul
121. Eugene B
122. mark35mi
123. Lo6man
124. noise_art
125. evilgus
126. higain617
127. barrel650
128. jbarn
129. kwdhsk
130. Basstovsky
131. Foal30
132. carvinbassplyr
133. WayneP
134. rufus.K
135. Chris McKenzie
136. Nightman
137. EdwardofHuncote
138. Mikkoantt
139. bassdudepat
140. TrcSeb



Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

Thanks a lot! Very happy to be a part of this club!!