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Official Tobias Club

#101
Greetings!! Besides of what has been said here, does anyone know if the differences between Korean and American Tobias are that significant? Wood quality, built quality, electronics (are Korean pup's Bartolini also?).
I'm asking this because I have a Korean one, and although I'm totally satisfied with it, I'm curious to know AND try an American one.

Thanks
Figas
 
#102
Figas said:
Greetings!! Besides of what has been said here, does anyone know if the differences between Korean and American Tobias are that significant? Wood quality, built quality, electronics (are Korean pup's Bartolini also?).
I'm asking this because I have a Korean one, and although I'm totally satisfied with it, I'm curious to know AND try an American one.

Thanks
Figas
Click to expand...


Yes, the differences are significant - especially if you consider the differences between the upper and lower end lines of say, Fender - where there aren't that many differences really.

In regards to wood differences, on the Korean Toby series, you won't see a lot of figuring in them. I have a Toby neck-thru, and not a lot a figure to it. It's nice walnut - don't get me wrong - but it's just not pretty like lets say a Tobias Classic would be.

Another thing - no assymetric neck profile. It's a normal neck, a great feeling neck, but it's not the well known Tobias neck for certain.

On the US models, there is a proprietary Bartolini preamp, 3-band (B/M/T) with a master volume/blend...on my Toby, it had already been replaced by a Bart pre (and pickups), but it was a 2 band (B/T). Not even close to the Bartolini pre in the US models, but it works for what I'm doing. I tried a used one with the original pickups a while ago - not great, but not too bad. I would have changed them out if I had bought the bass.

On the good side, I got a bass with absolute killer sustain, with a great feel. I don't care where it's made...I will get another Tobias in a heartbeat, but I'm happy with what I have for now...!
 
#104
Please sign me up!

Here's my Tobias Growler 5-string fretless
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#105
My first Toby Tobias:
Korean made 5 string I used from 1995-2002, it was my main bass for that time. a couple hundred shows, and 3 CDs. It was so beat by the time I got rid of it.

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I had a Fretless Kingston MTD as well, but I didn't care much for the ebonal fingerboard. However, I am on the lookout for a 5, fretted - if the price is right.
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2nd Toby Tobias - also Korean made had this for a short while and did a little bit of recording with it, but sold it last year.
probably early 2000s model
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and my most recent, a 1997 Tobias Growler

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#107
For those who have both, how do the neck profiles on the Tobiases differ from the USA MTD's?

I love the neck on my 535, but even in the pictures it looks as though the Tobiases are a little more "chunky", which is fine by me as I have big hands, so just curious. :)

Particularly the Renegade 5. I see one F/S and am interested. I'd love a Basic or Standard 5, but with my MTD, those are outta the question ATM... ;)
 
#109
magneezius said:
Sorry for my absence and not updating the thread. My mother has been in the hospital and I've been taking care of a lot of family issues. Please understand because I will update this thread and all the memberships soon enough....thank you to everyone who has posted.
Click to expand...

Hope everything turns out OK. No need to apologize for prioritizing what's truly important.
 
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#112
Hi WayneP,

Nice Bass, although I'd have some serious concerns about bidding for it:

1) As kesslari posted, the EMGs are a downgrade for me - especially for fretless
2) You can NOT restore it with Tobias Barts because the EMGs seem to be wider than Tobias Barts. The current pickup routes seem to be made before finishing the body - so the EMGs seem to be original !
3) Bridge is not original Tobias imho.
4) I've never seen Growlers or Killer Bs with gold hardware, only new NT models (Classic etc.)
5) Knob layout seems to be NOT from a Killer B, more from a Growler (with the 2 stacked knobs), but there is missing a 5th knob or the 2 switches used in the 90s.
6) I've never seen a Growler or a Killer B with a high grade body top and a high gloss finish like this one.
7) Tobias never built 2 strap pins on the back of the bass.

So I tend to assume that a Growler body (or a copy !) has been refinished after a new top has been glued on the body. Then the price would be VERY high for that model ! But that should be clarified with the seller and can't be verified only with these pics.

So I recommend to ask the right questions and let the seller make some pics from the electronics cavity, the pickup routes (with pups disassembled) and the neck pocket. And contact Michael Tobias directly - he is a very supportive guy !

In any way - it looks great, and if it sounds and plays good and the price is adjusted to your suits - do it. I love my Tobias Classic Fretless' !
 
#113
Could it be a Renegade? I can't recall what they looked like, there aren't as many of them out there but it was a Gibson bolt on model as I remember. I agree with the previous comments that seem to differentiate it from Growlers or Killer Bs, both of which I am familiar with. The only Tobias bass I've ever seen with stock EMGs was an early custom, and this is clearly a Gibson product.

Even if it is legitimate, I don't see how it can be worth that much. Better to be patient and keep your eyes open for a Killer B, which in my experience are very nice basses.
 
#119
Thanks Bassflute !

To be honest - I don't play this Tobi very often, because I don't need the 6th string.

But everytime I pull it from the stand and play a few tunes I think: this bass is a pure beauty.... aesthetical and tonal...

When I found it on the web I involved a personal courier to bring it from South France to me.

Link Removed
 
#120
Just got my MTD Kingston Heir 5er today!! What a fantastic axe!! I still gotta tweak the action a little bit (I like a low action) and the weather change from Az to Wa still needs to be worked out on the setup but all in all I'm stoked :hyper:
GAS satisfied. . . for now. . .:bassist:
 

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