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Official Tobias Club
- Thread starter magneezius
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My guess (and it is a guess) is that it may be original, and that this bass is likely a Nashville Tobias. I'm basing that partly on the drop shoulder pickup shells, as I believe those went away later on.
Not sure exactly. I believe that all the Gibson Tobias basses eventually moved to 18 volts, but your control cavity certainly looks to be meant for a single 9V battery. If it was originally supposed to be 18V, there would be room for two batteries. Every 18V Tobias I've seen has a battery area routed to hold two batteries.
As a reference, I've attached a couple pics of my Tobias Classic control cavity. Mine is pre-Nashville, and you can see it's a 9V, and I have a shot of the Bart TCT pre. It would be helpful if you got a shot of the labeling on your pre (or if you can at least tell us what it says). Might not be definitive, but it may give someone more knowledgable than me something else to go on.
Hope this helps.
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It does help, thank you!...... It's a Bartolini XTCT. Cables are very tight right on the label, impossible to get a clear shot.
From what I can tell, Gibson were using the 9V XTCT pre-amps in Tobias basses, around the mid-nineties, before they moved to an 18V setup with the NTMB-918 pre-amps. I used to own a '95 Gibson Tobias Classic 5 that had an XTCT and the same Bartolini RT pickups with the curved shells and logo. (In fact, I still have that pre-amp and pickups in my spare parts box, as I upgraded the whole setup with Bartolini BC pickups and an Aguilar OBP-3.)
Before that bass, I owned a '98 Killer B-5 and that had the 18V NTMB setup, but similar pickups. I've just recently received a 2006 Killer B-5 and it has the later, single module NTMB-F pre-amp and a single gain-pot on the top.
Cheers,
EG
What major differences did you find between the 2 preamps? Does the 18v sounds clearer in highs? Does the NTMB have more usable sounds?
The TCT preamps have a bit of a "Bass heavy" and "open/glassy top-end" sound and the controls affect a fairly wide band of frequencies. (Wider Q settings.) Most people describe that as more of a "vintage" vibe. (Or "thicker" or "warmer".) The NTMB pre-amp sounds a bit more modern and allows you to target certain frequencies a bit more accurately. If you use your Killer B for a range of music styles, it probably would be more practical than the XTCT. (Or something like the Aggie OBP-3 or Pope Flexcore.)
Yes, I'd say the 18V gives you a tiny bit more mids and top-end, but more importantly, it allows more boosting without distortion. I certainly wouldn't route another hole in a bass for a second battery, but if it would fit in the cavity around the pots, then it's worth trying.
Cheers,
EG
@evilgus I just watched your video with the Black Basic and TCT...that's what I like, so good luck to me finding one at a reasonable price nowadays 
I returned the Killer B with the XTCT to Guitar Center yesterday, I didn't want to start messing up changing electronics for experiments, those days are over for me. If anyone is interested in that bass it should be available at GC pretty soon.
I returned the Killer B with the XTCT to Guitar Center yesterday, I didn't want to start messing up changing electronics for experiments, those days are over for me. If anyone is interested in that bass it should be available at GC pretty soon.
Sorry to hear it didn't work out, but that's a good call to not mess with a perfectly working bass. That black Basic 5 is actually still up for sale, here in Sydney, but shipping and import duties would probably make it too pricey to get it back to the U.S. Besides, I want it to stay here, in case I can ever afford to buy it back!@evilgus I just watched your video with the Black Basic and TCT...that's what I like, so good luck to me finding one at a reasonable price nowadays
P.S: I probably should do some better videos of my Tobiases, including the new Killer B, those old ones are sooooo dodgy and low in volume!
Cheers,
EG
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Here's a few pics of the latest acquisition! I believe it's a 2006, but looks almost brand-new!
Cheers,
EG
Cheers,
EG
Yes, Mahogany body, Maple/Bubinga neck and Pau Ferro board. Preamp is an NTMB+F.
I'm pretty pleased with it - quality is excellent, playability is great and it sounds punchy, but also warm. I was really after an ash body, but they are pretty rare here in Australia. I do think it sounds a bit better than the Lacewood one I used to have, but I don't have a lot of recordings of that one.
Cheers,
EG
+1 on mahogany. My 535-24 is mahogany with a pau ferro board; amazing punch, definition and clarity.
The NTMB-F appears to be a combination of characteristics from two bart preamps, thus the naming overlap that includes the F.
A guy in Sydney has had it up for sale for about a year, on ozbassforum.com. I recently posted a "Wanted" ad for a Growler 5 and he messaged me about his bass. Although it wasn't what I was after, it was a really great price, so I couldn't resist! (I think he was the 2nd owner, but takes really great care of his basses, so it's still in great condition.)
EG
I just had a look at your 535-24....WOW!!! (Now I really miss the MTDs I used to have, they were both ash-body, ash-neck models.) I'm pretty sure this one doesn't sound anywhere near as amazing as an MTD, but I won't be that worried taking it to gigs and getting a few scratches.
Now if only we can get out of COVID Lockdown, sometime soon, so I can actually go to a band rehearsal and try this thing out at full volume!!!
Cheers,
EG
Can anyone take a guess what model is this and have an opinion on it? It's on a mid 90s Killer B.
PS: there's no prize to win, don't get excited
PS: there's no prize to win, don't get excited
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It's clearly another NTMB variant, but I've not seen one with such a long model number!
EG
My Arkansas Growler is Bartolini XTMB 918F.
I've got a Nashville one arriving when NZ Lockdown frees up. Ordered a Hipshot Type A bridge and Grover 144BC tuners as I can see (for whatever reason) it presently has Chrome Hardware.
Hopefully that's the only modifications and the Neck is good...
I've got a Nashville one arriving when NZ Lockdown frees up. Ordered a Hipshot Type A bridge and Grover 144BC tuners as I can see (for whatever reason) it presently has Chrome Hardware.
Hopefully that's the only modifications and the Neck is good...
2004 article about Arkansas site for Tobias USA return
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
