Official Tobias Club

[fivestringdan]

I don't remember. Also they really didn't care about keeping track of this sort of thing to my knowledge. I suspect that Bartolini was having trouble keeping up with the demand from gibson so they tried to find a new supplier of pickups. We all know what happened to Lane but I don't know why they stopped using SD.

 

[WayneP]

Here's a recording (instrumental) with me playing my sweet 5-string Classic.



Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133

 

[Musashimonkey]

I'm after some advice please: I've got a chance to buy serial number 2116... is that any good? And what sort of price would be reasonable?
Tobias custom 5 string bass - 1992, with case. | eBay

 

[Musashimonkey]

I'm after some advice please: I've got a chance to buy serial number 2116... is that any good? And what sort of price would be reasonable?
Tobias custom 5 string bass - 1992, with case. | eBay

Mr Tobias himself emailed back within minutes, (very impressive, as always) he confirmed that the last bass was serial number 2044 that he was involved in.

Does this mean it's not a good buy?

 

[WayneP]

For the record, that bass is a "Classic" model. I don't think Tobias ever had a model name "Custom." At least as far as USA marketing went.

A bit of Tobias history: Michael Tobias sold his company to Gibson in January 1990, and from then until late 1992 the basses were still built in his California shop by his original production crew. In 1992 Gibson moved production to Nashville, Tennessee. Gibson offered the Tobias crew jobs in Nashville, but none of the crew made the move.

Thus, it doesn't mean the bass you're looking at on ebay is not a good bass, it just means that the original Tobias crew from California were no longer building them.

It's reported that there were some issues with Tobias basses after Gibson fully took over, at least for a time. I'm not sure exactly when that period was – maybe one of our other enthusiasts can shed some light. Assuming they kept the same numbering sequence, it appears your ebay bass was one of the early Nashville models. I personally have a Classic 5-string from 1999, and it's a stellar instrument.

The nice thing about ebay is that if you aren't satisfied with the purchase, they have a generous return policy. For instance, if it turns out that the neck is warped, or some frets are loose, and the seller didn't fully disclose those (or any other) issues in the auction, ebay will let you return it and will refund your money.

All that said, assuming the bass is as good as the seller claims, the price seems way too high. I paid $2250 USD for my Classic a few years ago. However, the UK market may be different.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133

 

[WayneP]

Did a little digging here on TB etc. and it seems that the QC issues started in 2003 when Gibson moved production from Nashville to Conway, Arkansas. However one TBer noted that Arkansas models with serial numbers above 10,000 are good instruments.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133

 

[Buszkock]

Info above is accurate... Anything after 2044 was not built by the original team. There were 60 or so basses first built in Nashville that weren't even numbered, and thereafter they began manufacture, with Michael only consulting. To me, $3K for a Gibson-era Tobias seems a bit high, but I'm not an expert on prices. I have a four string and I paid far less than that for a 86' pre-Gibson, (serial #524.) It may very well be a great bass... very hard to tell from the pictures . But if part of what you're looking for is that Tobias "magic" and an investment that will keep value over time, maybe look for one in the TB classifieds, as they do come up from time to time.

 

[Musashimonkey]

Did a little digging here on TB etc. and it seems that the QC issues started in 2003 when Gibson moved production from Nashville to Conway, Arkansas. However one TBer noted that Arkansas models with serial numbers 10,000 and higher are good instruments.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133

That's really helpful. Thank you so much.

 

[Musashimonkey]

Info above is accurate... Anything after 2044 was not built by the original team. There were 60 or so basses first built in Nashville that weren't even numbered, and thereafter they began manufacture, with Michael only consulting. To me, $3K for a Gibson-era Tobias seems a bit high, but I'm not an expert on prices. I have a four string and I paid far less than that for a 86' pre-Gibson, (serial #524.) It may very well be a great bass... very hard to tell from the pictures . But if part of what you're looking for is that Tobias "magic" and an investment that will keep value over time, maybe look for one in the TB classifieds, as they do come up from time to time.

Thank you for the great advice.

 

[echo008]

Hello, Just wanted to post #2090 Early Nashville Basic.

 

[Buszkock]

Hello, Just wanted to post #2090 Early Nashville Basic.

Representing Tobias AND Long Island, nice! I'm a Seaford guy myself. Really cool bass man!

 

[echo008]

Representing Tobias AND Long Island, nice! I'm a Seaford guy myself. Really cool bass man!

Thank you my friend.

 

[WayneP]

Hello, Just wanted to post #2090 Early Nashville Basic.

Oooh, that is a beauty! Welcome to the club #152 - first new member of the new year!


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
141. mustangcruise
142. dejan72
143. Brad Johnson
144. BlueAliceOasis
145. Buszkock
146. alzabass
147. jrussblues
148. Templar
149. Vuong Bass
150. Suresh
151. red_rhino
152. Echo008


Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133

 

[Groove Doctor]

Bought my second Tobias bass this week. #3619 Classic 4.

Can anyone help me ID the year built and woods used please??
Also, what's the best way to clean up the bridge?

 

[skb5string]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to put the word out I'm on the hunt for a Pre-Gibson Tobias Basic or Classic 5 or 6.

Let me know if ya got one for sale!

Thanks

 

[WayneP]

Bought my second Tobias bass this week. #3619 Classic 4.

Can anyone help me ID the year built and woods used please??
Also, what's the best way to clean up the bridge?

Welcome to the Club Groove, and congratulations on the score! Four-stringers seem to be pretty rare. See below for your number.

You'll probably have to contact Gibson for the exact year, but we can make an educated guess as to the age or your bass. The last bass built by Michael Tobias' crew in late 1992 was #2044. My 1999 Classic is #9082. Assuming they kept the same numbering sequence (I don't know if they did), your bass #3619 is probably about 1995, give or take a year.

Body woods appear to be bubinga top plate, wenge tone plate and alder back. That's a combination that Gibson's Tobias archive site lists as one of the options (Link Removed ). Neck is flame maple with bubinga stringers. The fingerboard appears to be wenge.

Hopefully someone will have some tips on that bridge. Yikes!

BTW, won't hurt our feelings if you want to post some pics of your other Tobias. We love eye candy!



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
141. mustangcruise
142. dejan72
143. Brad Johnson
144. BlueAliceOasis
145. Buszkock
146. alzabass
147. jrussblues
148. Templar
149. Vuong Bass
150. Suresh
151. red_rhino
152. Echo008
153. Groove Doctor

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133

 

[natas]

Can anyone tell me if this is legit?have trouble checking.. tia

 

[Buszkock]

Can anyone tell me if this is legit?have trouble checking.. tia

Legit in what way? I'm not sure what you're asking. I have definitely seen some later Gibson models with painted finishes. It's definitely not a pre-Gib.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Can anyone tell me if this is legit?have trouble checking.. tia

I can't honestly claim to know what that one is... looks a little like a modified Renegade. Those look like Gibson TB+ pickups.

Curious what turns up here.

 

[natas]

Legit in what way? I'm not sure what you're asking. I have definitely seen some later Gibson models with painted finishes. It's definitely not a pre-Gib.[/QUOTE
Sorry if my querry is unclear.. i have not seen a pre gib or gibson era with painted headstock, tbird like pups and 3 knobs altogether