Official Tobias Club

[vgbassman]

Following this...
I think I have the same issue. Just got my third pre Gibson Tobias Classic 5. I had two 4 strings that I sold.
I can say that they all sounded pretty similar. Personally, unless there is (and was) something wrong with the pickups and preamps (not likely though), I think I just don't "love" the sound. Maybe because my main sound is a P bass with flats and Ampeg SVT, I tend to gravitiate towards "that" kind of tone. A Stingray also sounds great to me - both with flats and rounds.
But, of course, I LOVE how the Classic 5 looks, feels and plays. Just makes me happy looking at it, holding it and playing it. But, sound wise, I go back to my Fender or Sadowsky basses.
On the other hand, I have an early Gibson era Signature 4 which is a phenomenal instrument in itself. The preamp on that actually sounds really good and quite versatile. It doesn't quite sound like a fender or musicman, but is tweak-able to get "close" to many tones. It has an 18v preamp in there, so I am not sure if it will even fit into the Classic 5 (if I really wanted to do that).

Maybe someone has more information on the preamp used on the Early Gibson Signature Tobias basses?

I have also tried to go "passive" on the Classic 5... There is a significant drop in volume when switching from active to passive, not sure why; however I don't mind keeping it passive and using a pedal preamp... Thoughts?

 

[evilgus]

Someone recently uploaded some "Go Pro" videos of one of my old cover bands from 1997, so lots of Grunge and 90s rock tunes - Featuring my very first Tobias bass, a Gibson Killer B-5 with the slap-switch! (Purchased new from Bass Northwest.)

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I'll go ahead and sign-on here... I haven't had a Tobias bass for a few years now, but this one caught my attention recently. Some of you may have seen it on FB marketplace or Reverb. It's been for sale for a while.

From what I've been able to piece together, it's an early Basic 4, built very simply... alder wings, maple/purpleheart neck beam, gloss black all over (with some really nice checking now) single Bartolini pickup and 9v preamp. Serial number 252, completed November 2nd, 1982. That much came from Mike Tobias, himself.

I'll be doing some more looking for curiosity's sake, and opinions are welcome. I can't remember seeing one exactly like this. I mostly bought it to play, the simpler configuration kinda' suited me for what I have in mind... and long story short, the price got right, so I'm awaiting delivery. (tomorrow)

More pictures later, these are from the seller's ad.






~Ed of H.

 

[dreamadream99]

I think I just don't "love" the sound.

The sound of a Tobias does lack character, compared to the highly stylized sound of the instruments you mentioned. But that is not its intent or specialty. It is a hi-fi instrument, with top-tier electronics, capable of producing a highly polished studio sound out of the box. It's not trying to be distinct; it's trying to sound perfect?

Maybe someone has more information on the preamp used on the Early Gibson Signature Tobias basses?

Except for a few of the last ones made, almost all of the pre-Gibson Tobias basses used the TCT tone module as the preamp. Unlike traditional tone controls, the three bands were interactive, not separate. Changes in one band affected one or both of the other bands. In fact, if all three bands are at zero, there is no sound. It is not an isolated EQ like a traditional three band preamp. It is an interactive tone control, and very hard for some people to get used to, because of the unexpected influence on other frequencies.

I have also tried to go "passive" on the Classic 5... There is a significant drop in volume when switching from active to passive

You may have a buffer. These were installed in many of the pre-Gibson Tobiases. They feature internal trim pots to boost or cut the pick ups. They may have been set too high, to generate extra volume when in active mode. Ideally, they will be set so that the active volume matches the passive volume.

 

[red_rhino]

It is a hi-fi instrument, with top-tier electronics, capable of producing a highly polished studio sound out of the box.

This is so true, at least for me. My Classic sounds amazing in the studio. I've never considered it the most versatile instrument for live work, but in the studio, it rules.

It is an interactive tone control, and very hard for some people to get used to, because of the unexpected influence on other frequencies.

That was something I didn't understand initially, and later on realized that it required settings that are highly individualized for the bass itself. I actually run with a significant bass cut and more mids to get the tone I want. That, and a very slight bit of compression give it a beautiful, pure bass tone that works for pretty much everything.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

If it doesn't matter, and he doesn't mind, I'd love to be assigned @Holdsg 's now retired #65... just whenever that comes around again. We're kinda' bass buds anyways.

 

[Holdsg]

no, I do not mind in the least @EdwardofHuncote

 

[evilgus]

Following this...
I think I have the same issue. Just got my third pre Gibson Tobias Classic 5. I had two 4 strings that I sold.
I can say that they all sounded pretty similar. Personally, unless there is (and was) something wrong with the pickups and preamps (not likely though), I think I just don't "love" the sound. Maybe because my main sound is a P bass with flats and Ampeg SVT, I tend to gravitiate towards "that" kind of tone. A Stingray also sounds great to me - both with flats and rounds.
But, of course, I LOVE how the Classic 5 looks, feels and plays. Just makes me happy looking at it, holding it and playing it. But, sound wise, I go back to my Fender or Sadowsky basses.
On the other hand, I have an early Gibson era Signature 4 which is a phenomenal instrument in itself. The preamp on that actually sounds really good and quite versatile. It doesn't quite sound like a fender or musicman, but is tweak-able to get "close" to many tones. It has an 18v preamp in there, so I am not sure if it will even fit into the Classic 5 (if I really wanted to do that).

Maybe someone has more information on the preamp used on the Early Gibson Signature Tobias basses?

I have also tried to go "passive" on the Classic 5... There is a significant drop in volume when switching from active to passive, not sure why; however I don't mind keeping it passive and using a pedal preamp... Thoughts?

At some point, after the handover of Tobias from Mike and crew to Gibson, all the old pickup and pre-amp stock ran out and they started using the "regular" Bartolini pickups (curved RT model) and NTMB pre-amps, probably to reduce costs. There were a few bass models in the late nineties with the Slap-switch, such as my Killer B-5 in the video above, but I think the main module was still an NTMB. I'm pretty sure that bass was running 18V, so it could have been an NTMB-918 pre-amp at that point. I'm guessing that the earlier NTMB pre-amps were still 9V, but I'm not sure about that.

Cheers,

EG

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

After some drama that ended this morning with me having to literally go find the flippin' Brown Truck, two days after receiving an email confirming delivery and a signature... happy to report Tobias #252 is actually in my custody now.

It's in really nice shape to be 40 years old. Plays great, not heavy at all. I'll be changing strings, cleaning up, doing some tweaks and such tomorrow in my shop, detail pics to follow...

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

So after all that nonsense yesterday just trying to locate this thing, I spent today in the shop, working on something for me instead of the store I do setup and repairwork for... and went over this bass setting it up like I like them. It really is/was in great condition to start with.

I started in the control cavity... just checking everything out, new battery, and I tucked a bunch of the wires neatly, wrapped the battery connector wires. I placed some adhesive foam on the backplate to secure the battery. The backplate itself was chipped out on a corner at one of the screw holes, so I fixed that too... easy job.

I mostly left the finish alone and just cleaned it up... aged black nitro is really nice and lustrous when polished up. I love the weathered checking. I did drop-fill three deep gashes in the front of the bass with some black CA glue and boost, then leveled, wet-sanded, and buffed back out. They are virtually invisible unless you know where to look for them. The rest of the scratches and dings I left. It appears to be just honest playing wear. It's in remarkably good shape. I don't know what caused those three gouges in the top... maybe it fell against something? Or something fell on it? Who knows, but I knew I could disappear them.

I polished the frets up and rubbed some lemon oil and finishing wax into the fingerboard. It looks like dark Indian rosewood to me, though if I'm not mistaken Mike Tobias was known for using wenge later on. The truss rod cover was missing so I made one from my stash of brass stock... I even countersunk the screw holes to make a nice finished look.

I restrung it with a new set Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Rounds. The lighter tension left the action too low, so I had to lighten-up a half-turn on the truss-rod. You can clearly see the thick purpleheart laminate up the center of the neck beam... and hear it; this thing rings and sustains like a grand piano. I made some very fine tweaks to the bridge saddles and it was good to go.

Cleaned up all the old-school hardware and remounted. I love those old California style strap buttons. Got 'em on a couple of my Alembics and Turner basses too.

Lastly, I gave it a good test run, to let the strings stretch out, and get a feel for the controls. The switch is the whole thing... I don't quite know how to describe what it does. The pots are Volume and Tone, a simple treble bleed I guess... but that switch acts like a mid-boost/flat/cut... but not completelythat. In the first position, the highs are also cut, along with the gain. In the middle position, the lows and highs are boosted, and mids are scooped. In the top position, it's like flat response, but still a hot signal. I honestly don't know what the thing would best be described as, but it's a very usable tone circuit. You could easily view this function as a solo or slap switch.

Me, I just run every full on, and let the bass be what it is. I can't wait to feed it through my Broughton Resonant LPF. It sounds tremendous in my stereo rig with an Alembic SF-2 here in the house.

Here's a few more pictures and details... sorry about the glare.

 

[WayneP]

Congrats, that's quite a find, @EdwardofHuncote! Great job on the mini refurb!

So you're a guitar tech?

No problem getting @Holdsg's old number #65!

BTW, I'm sure Ed of H won't mind me sharing our PM discussion about this bass when he was trying to decide on buying it:

Well, I got some correspondence back on this bass. The seller had talked to Mike Tobias about this bass some time back, which is how they got the build date and a rough estimate of how much it cost new.(reportedly $800-$900 in 1982) Mike says it was built plain this way on purpose to keep the cost down. He didn't remember anything specific, or much else. He was able to say definitively alder body wings, with maple/purpleheart neck. It's a legitimate Michael Tobias build. I guess from Florida by the November 1982 date.

This might be the earliest example we've seen on this thread. I notice the body shape is different from what we're familiar with. Guess Michael was still finding his way at this point.

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. EdwardofHuncote
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
154. guitarmutt
155. naetog
156. Spblat
157. Bruce
158. chupacerveza
159. darryl1965
160. BassistFTW
161. coyote1
162. John Stipicevic
163. xtremebassist1
164. Rohan Anderson
165. Afc70
166. jpataide
167. Thepoet62
168. Bassistcool
169. NotTheOx
170. kwallace
171.Corbusier
172. Sirfishalot

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Awesome, Thanks Wayne.

I have since learned that Mike's operation moved out of Orlando, Florida sometime in 1980, well before this bass hit the boards, so she's a legitimate California build.

Any other info is welcomed.

*and yes, I do repair and setup work for a couple local music stores and a teaching studio, but I have to be careful not to violate Talkbass rules and accidentally advertise my services. I'm strictly not available for folks here, unless by some wild coincidence they happened to patronize one of the places I do stuff for.

I'm just here at Talkbass for the hang. Too much work to do as it is!

 

[JakesAy]

Anyone tried the new lineup yet?

 

[scubaduba]

Anyone tried the new lineup yet?

Thread 'New Tobias Growler V coming today!'

Apr 8, 2025

I know some of you read the post from Dr. Cheese about his new GrowIer V where I shared that purchased one as well. It came from from Swing City Music about a month ago. When I received it I was impressed with the action, sound, overall weight, etc. The only thing I was disappointed in was the looks of the body. The finish was good and smooth but the grains appeared to be from two different species.
The top half was very light in color with virtually no grain. The bottom half was much darker with grain. Due to that you could see quite clearly where they were joined in the center.
Add to...

• Pep
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 
• 

Thread 'Tobias Killer B IV and V'

Mar 24, 2025

I see Gibson is marketing the Killer B as a Rock bass. That's cool, but I would have loved to have heard it in a Funk or Gospel context too.

• Dr. Cheese
• Replies: 63
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/tobias-officially-back.1669174/

Thread 'New Tobias Growler (Indonesian Import)'

Feb 27, 2025

I just went by this store to check out a used Cirrus and I had no idea these Tobias basses existed. This Growler has a Babicz bridge, Gotoh tuners, and Bartolini electronics. The build quality is excellent and this particular bass is probably under 8lbs. The price is comparable to a Lakland Skyline. This four string is $1,499 and the five is $1,599. I may be ordering a five very soon since this is a limited run.

I have admit that I think I finally understand the Growler. For years, I always tried to get a Stingray tone out of one when they simply are not set up for...

• Dr. Cheese
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

Thread 'Tobias Growler 5 (New Indonesian Import)'

Mar 14, 2025

The Tobias 5 I ordered came in today. I won't be taking it home until after Memorial Day, but I came, checked it out, and put more money on it today.
It weighs 8-8.5lbs. The string spacing is about 17.5-18mm at the bridge. The neck has the traditional Tobias profile. I will simply say that I take Mike Tobias at his word that he did not design the Growler, but I am pretty sure he examined a Growler pretty closely before he came up with the Super 5. The Growler is basically a 34" scale Super 5 with a single pickup in the Stingray...

• Dr. Cheese
• Replies: 186
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

 

[FeltTipPen]

What's the string spacing of the original 4 string? Feels more like 18mm to me.

 

[WayneP]

Anyone tried the new lineup yet?

Here's the latest thread. Very informative. Looks like the new offerings are pretty impressive and give the older USA basses a serious run for the money, for much less money.

Thread 'Received a new Indonesian Tobias Killer B and Growler… and also Classic.'

May 15, 2025

I purchased both of these with the intention of keeping just one. Figured the best way to know is to try both. Honestly, I'm impressed with both. A lot of bass for the money. The overall quality is really nice. Both sound fantastic. Honestly, I'm not sure which I'm going to let go.... might find a way to keep both.

Both look great. The Growler is about 7 lbs which will be killer for long gigs. I love the feel of the necks. They did get the asymmetrical thing going in a good way. Neck pockets are really pretty tight. The Babicz bridge is super easy to adjust. Both came set up really pretty...

• scubaduba

• 
• 
• 

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

 

[red_rhino]

What's the string spacing of the original 4 string? Feels more like 18mm to me.

My Classic 4 is 20mm at the bridge.

 

[FeltTipPen]

My Classic 4 is 20mm at the bridge.

I'm learning how so many factors contribute to the feel, not just spacing. Radius, depth, shape. All of the specs on the Growler make it the only 4 string I enjoy playing!

 

[red_rhino]

I'm learning how so many factors contribute to the feel, not just spacing. Radius, depth, shape. All of the specs on the Growler make it the only 4 string I enjoy playing!

Yeah, it all matters. In retrospect, I think 18mm would have been a slightly better choice, but I didn't really know much about all that at the time I spec'd the order. 20mm is nice for slapping if you have larger/thicker hands or fingers. I do not, and there are a few chords higher up that are easier on my 18mm Stambaugh.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I'm fascinated by this resurgence of interest in the Growler line several years after it was dropped. I'm more curious about who, or what is responsible for bringing it back. I mean... I guess it's just simply trends. They don't build what doesn't sell for very long, so have we gravitated back to what we liked about the Growler in the first place? Or has something else happened? I wonder what percentage of folks buying these had one before, or are they appealing to a new generation?

I'm kinda' leaving myself out of the equation... I sold traded my first-run Growler during a downsizing several years back, and kinda' regretted it, and I'd probably buy one of these reissues if not for having a single-pickup Basic 4 that kinda' does the same thing for me. I still might if the right deal comes along on a 5-string.