Official Tobias Club

[evilgus]

Hey Tobias aficionados, I have a newb question about Killer Bs.

I have been looking at older Bs for awhile and have noticed that a lot of the USA-made Bs have the bridges waaayyy back on the body. In many of the examples I see, the bass side back corner of the bridge is pretty much hanging off the edge of the lower bout...

Example:

View attachment 7290573

What is the deal with this? Not all of them are built this way- I see plenty where there is a decent bit of real estate between the bridge and the edge of the body.

I know there's lots of shade thrown at Gibson made Tobias basses for QC/manufacturing issues- but is there a "decoder ring" for what the deal is with these? I'm a bit OCD about this stuff and I think it would bug the heck out of me.

It probably won't help much, but mine certainly isn't like that - there's a good few mm between the edge of the bridge and the edge of the flat top of the body wood. IMO, the quality of Gibson-made Tobiases varies so much over the years, that you really need to inspect before you buy, or only buy through shops that have a decent inspection policy, or eyeball as many photos as you can get and take the risk.

Cheers,

EG

 

[scubaduba]

Definitely ask questions up front before you buy. Some Gibson Tobias basses are excellent. Others, well, not so much. Or not at all. Even the new Indonesian Gibson Tobias basses are hit or miss. I’ve had one of each of the new models and played several of the new classics. In more than one occasion the bridge wasn’t centered properly.

 

[skb5string]

Hello all! Hope this finds you well!

I'm looking for a couple things and hope you can help. I recently purchased a 1988 Tobias Classic 6 with Alder Body and Cocobolo Top. The bass is to die for. I'll post pics soon.

The bass came with a Non-Tobias gig bag.

I'm looking for:

1.) Original Black Tobias Hard Shel case w/logo
2.) Tobias Bass Strap (Black) with Logo

The main thing is the case. Any help in locating one or, if someone on here has once they would be willing to sell, hit me up!

 

[woodiebass]

So I came across this Zebra-topped Gibson Classic IV. GAS got me hard and I couldn't resist:

Gibson support tells me this was Nashville-made in the late 90s. They did not have the precise record for this one so they had me send them a bunch of photos and researched it.

There isn't a ding on this thing, it seems like it's been a case queen. You can kind of see some very minor lines in the satin finish under the right light, but those are the only flaws. (They aren't really scratches, just very minor indentations in the finish)

I have the action around 2mm on the bass side. But on the treble side it's a tad higher, it seems like it needs a bit of fret leveling at the higher frets which I will take care of.

This one is heavy too, 10lbs.

It's interesting to play with the controls to get different tones out of it. You can really hear the strings on this thing, haven't had a bass like that before. I guess that is thanks to the Barts. I am used to playing thumpy basses so it it is taking some getting used to.

Have some EB Cobalt Flats on it right now. It came with some really dead Chromes.

 

[skb5string]

Hello all! Hope this finds you well!

I'm looking for a couple things and hope you can help. I recently purchased a 1988 Tobias Classic 6 with Alder Body and Cocobolo Top. The bass is to die for. I'll post pics soon.

The bass came with a Non-Tobias gig bag.

I'm looking for:

1.) Original Black Tobias Hard Shel case w/logo
2.) Tobias Bass Strap (Black) with Logo

The main thing is the case. Any help in locating one or, if someone on here has once they would be willing to sell, hit me up!

Anyone have a Tobias Case for sale?

 

[WayneP]

Came across this fantastic interview with Mike Tobias. Definitely worth a listen.



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

 

[bassyogi]

What's the string spacing on Arkansas era Tobias KillerB 5's? 17,18,19mm?

 

[WayneP]

So I came across this Zebra-topped Gibson Classic IV. GAS got me hard and I couldn't resist:


View attachment 7305979


View attachment 7305983


Gibson support tells me this was Nashville-made in the late 90s. They did not have the precise record for this one so they had me send them a bunch of photos and researched it.

There isn't a ding on this thing, it seems like it's been a case queen. You can kind of see some very minor lines in the satin finish under the right light, but those are the only flaws. (They aren't really scratches, just very minor indentations in the finish)

I have the action around 2mm on the bass side. But on the treble side it's a tad higher, it seems like it needs a bit of fret leveling at the higher frets which I will take care of.

This one is heavy too, 10lbs.

It's interesting to play with the controls to get different tones out of it. You can really hear the strings on this thing, haven't had a bass like that before. I guess that is thanks to the Barts. I am used to playing thumpy basses so it it is taking some getting used to.

Have some EB Cobalt Flats on it right now. It came with some really dead Chromes.

Sir, I believe you have a genuine Signature there, not a Classic! The clue is the neck has three center “stripes,” while the Classic has two – see the pictures of mine in the link in my signature. Congrats on a beautiful bass and an awesome score!

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
173. woodiebass

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

 

[WayneP]

What's the string spacing on Arkansas era Tobias KillerB 5's? 17,18,19mm?

Not sure if mine is Nashville or Arkansas, but it’s 17mm. Unless you have reason to believe it changed, from one location to the other, I'd expect them all to be the same.

My Classic is 18mm. But curiously, the Killer B is wider at the nut than the Classic. Go figure.

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

 

[WayneP]

Hadn’t noticed that I reached a milestone with my 1999 Classic. I’ve had it for 10 years now. Still loving it – Sounds fantastic, and it’s a work of art!

Post in thread 'Official Tobias Club'

May 8, 2015

Well, at long last I get to join this esteemed club! That’s right, I picked up David Egeler’s 1999 5-string Tobias Classic last week. Been tweaking the string height and intonation this week and giving it a try out and I really like it.

Here is the pertinent info:

AAAAA quilted maple top
Wenge tone plate
Walnut back
Flamed maple and bubinga neck
Wenge fretboard
Bartolini 18v preamp with midrange switch
Push/pull volume knob (active/passive? I’m not sure)
Came with Fodera.45 - .125 strings

I can’t say I’ve ever seen another Tobias like this one. Check out...

• WayneP

• 

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

 

[bassyogi]

Had the opportunity to grab another Tobias. It's been 20+/- years since I've had one. Man, I forgot how much I enjoy their necks! Action is crazy low w/o buzzing and sounds amazing. I can see this quickly becoming my go to bass.

 

[scubaduba]

Looks like a nice killer B there.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Got my old Basic 4 loaded up for a brewery gig tonight. Pics tomorrow.

 

[WayneP]

Had the opportunity to grab another Tobias. It's been 20+/- years since I've had one. Man, I forgot how much I enjoy their necks! Action is crazy low w/o buzzing and sounds amazing. I can see this quickly becoming my go to bass.

Nice Killer B! I love the way they sound – I’ve seen it described as a “Ken Smith killer.”

What is the wood?

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

 

[bassyogi]

Nice Killer B! I love the way they sound – I’ve seen it described as a “Ken Smith killer.”

What is the wood?

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

Swamp ash

 

[WayneP]

Cool – probably not too heavy then. My zebrawood Killer is a hefty 10.2 lbs, and I’ve seen people claiming their bubinga bass weighed over 11 lbs.

So – wanna join the club?

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

 

[bassyogi]

Cool – probably not too heavy then. My zebrawood Killer is a hefty 10.2 lbs, and I’ve seen people claiming their bubinga bass weighed over 11 lbs.

So – wanna join the club?

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

Sure! Ballpark weight is around 8.8lbs.

 

[WayneP]

Alright then – welcoming @bassyogi to the club! See below for your number!

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
173. woodiebass
174. bassyogi

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

 

[WayneP]

What's the string spacing on Arkansas era Tobias KillerB 5's? 17,18,19mm?

Elaborating a bit on Post #1689 above, with @bassyogi asking about the Killer B string spacing of 17mm at the bridge:

Turning our attention to the top end of the neck, my 18mm Classic is 1-3/4” at the nut, while the Killer B is 1-7/8” at the nut – 1/8” wider.

Incidentally, my 19mm Pedulla Thunderbass is also 1-7/8 at the nut.

The net effect for the Killer B is that despite its narrow bridge measurement, the neck feels more like a 19mm bass for the first few frets the first octave (at least by Pedulla standards), and an 18mm neck for the rest of the first octave.

I guess that explains why I never felt “cramped” with the Killer B, despite its tight bridge specification.

For me, it’s just another reason to love the Killer B (I’m a 19mm fan). If only it my zebrawood version was a bit lighter, it would be perfect. But I’m scheming of a way to address that...

BTW @bassyogi, my Killer B has the natural headstock like yours, so I guess that also makes mine a Razorback issue. (Reportedly, earlier versions [presumably Nashville] had a black headstock.)

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]

My bass setup in the corner tonight...

Filling in with some old boyz here-

A Few Old Goats Brewing

A Few Old Goats Brewing (AFOG) has two locations in Southwest Virginia - Roanoke and Buchanan. Come have a beer with us!

afogbrewing.com