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Pedulla neck vs. Tobias or Ibanez BTB

WayneP

WayneP

Oct 11, 2004
2,501
3,459
Corpus Christi, Texas
#1

I'm in the market for a fretless bass. Problem is, I picked up a Pedulla Thunderbass a few months ago and absolutely love the wide, thin-profile neck (i.e., fretboard-to-bottom thickness). So I'm looking for something similar in my next bass. I've come across some other wide-neck models, like the Carvin Bunny Brunel and MTD Kingston, which are reported to have an "asymmetrical" neck I think I might like. But they are really narrow down at the nut. IIR, my Pedulla is 1-7/8" wide at the nut.

Well, I've come across this beauty on eBay that looks promising. I e-mailed the seller and he said the neck is 1-15/16" at the nut. So far so good. The only question is, do Tobias basses have a thin profile neck, or are they telephone-pole thick like the Ibanez BTB?

I'm also concerned if this is even a good bass to get. From what I can tell from the Tobias Owners Club Thread, it's a Growler, right? I believe this is at least the third time the seller has put this bass up, and it's gone down with no bids every time, even though it seems like a good price for a Tobias. Is there something wrong with it that I'm missing? I'd sure hate to spring for it, only to find I don't like it and can't unload it for something close to what I paid.

Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated, as are any other suggestions for a bass with a Pedulla-like or asymmetrical neck!

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45
 
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#2
I don't think the Tobias is a Growler. The Growler has a musicman style pickup. Looks like a Killer B. Like most Gibson era instruments, it's hit or miss. One of the best thing about Tobias basses is the neck. Love the feel and shape of the neck. Spacing is definitely narrow compared to the Thunderbass. I don't know how old it is, but I think you could find one a cheaper than 1299.
 
#3
It looks like a killer B to me, and a pretty one.
It's likely to have a lovely neck...

The "thing that is wrong" is that he stuck EMG's into it.
They are not an upgrade in most people's opinion. EMG's on a fretless have a particular sound. He's asking a pretty typical price for a killer B, but because of the EMG's it's not selling.

I think you could do OK making an offer. At that point, if you like the pickups you're set, otherwise you can put a set of barts (or something else) in.

But honestly, if I was in that price range already, I'd keep an eye out for a Pedulla Hexabuzz... or just a buzz
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Pedulla...9|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50
 
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#6

Thanks for the comments, everyone!
It looks like a killer B to me, and a pretty one.
It's likely to have a lovely neck...
Click to expand...
Hmm... Well, the neck certainly looks like a Killer B, having purpleheart stringers and all, and I did find one vendor's site that noted the Killer neck is asymmetrical, so that's good. But it only had 4 knobs whereas the Killers I've turned up by Googling have 5, plus a switch. Also, it doesn't look like quilted mapel tops are an option with Killers, so I dunno. I guess it could be an older one or something...
i would definitely suggest a pedulla buzz if you want to go fretless...
Click to expand...
I'm interested in buying a fretless mainly because I think it would sound good with a couple of songs Link Removed plays. Much as I'd love to have another Pedulla, I can't justify that kind of money for such limited usage. If I get into using one I might be willing to "go all the way," but for now I'm mainly looking for a good "starter" model.

Any idea how much it would cost to revert back to Barts?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45
 
#7
To answer your question about that Tobias....it's not something I would ever even remotely consider. I wouldn't go anywhere near it, in fact.

Couple things:
1- USA Killer B's were never offered with a maple top. Very odd.
2- USA Killer B's were never offered in that color. Very odd.
3- USA Killer B's (ime, so this may not be entirely correct) have always had multiple color inlays. All the monotone headstock inlays I've seen were on imports.
4- USA Killer B's only came with black hardware, ime. Certainly I've never seen gold (though Growlers came with it on a few models).
5- Truss cover with Tobias logo is something I've only seen on imports.
6- The headstock color. When they were doing the black headstock for a while, it was a matte black, but not the greyed-flat black like this. It looks like the headstock has been sanded (in a refinish of the body?)
7- Bridge is not original. This is fine, but it does raise the flag as to what else has been done. This I am NOT holding against it at all as I don't think it affects the value, but it just makes me more curious about the unusual things elsewhere.

I'd ask for the serial and find out what it began life as.

It's pretty clear that when they routed the pickup routes for the EMGs, they moved the centerline of the pickups toward the bridge, as the pickups are not normally that close.
 
#8
Hi WayneP,

I replied in the official Tobias Club Thread:

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' !
Click to expand...

So I totally agree with Angus ! Find out the real history of the bass before bidding.
 
#9
So we've pretty much eliminated any established model it could be, which leaves heavily modified, or fake. None of this is a comment on the quality of said instrument, since we can't tell from a picture - but monetarily it's probably not a good idea IMO since I've seen Killer Bs go for less and they are quite nice.

I do have some speculation that just hit me about the pedigree of the bass in question. The seller is in Nashville. For years, US Tobias basses were made in Nashville. I regularly watch Ebay for anything Tobias and have for years. In that time, I have seen several Nashville based auctions of Tobias parts - necks, bodies - supposedly unused from the Gibson factory. I have also seen a few (usually ridiculously expensive) Gibson Tobias bolt on neck guitars with finishes and truss rod covers like the bass in the Ebay listing.

I've read things like "one off" and "prototype" on the guitar listings. The bass actually could have been built by Gibson for a show or somesuch. It could have been built by an employee, "unofficially" but with a Gibson made neck and body. It could also just be made of leftover parts. If it was a home made job, the EMG pickups make sense, though they could be a mod done in a misguided attempt to "upgrade" the bass. The body shape looks like a Tobias - if it's a fake, it's a darn good one. I'd say the neck IS a Tobias neck. Looks just the one on my Killer B, and just like the necks I've seen sold on Ebay.

I could be just talking out of my hat, but in any case there's something funny about the bass, I'd hold off.
 
#10
It's possible that it started its life off as a NAMM or artist instrument, but even then there are a lot of things that have clearly been modified. There's no way that bridge was put on at the factory, and the pickups are definitely not original (if it came with EMGs for an artist, they would be centered where the original pickups were). The headstock and truss cover are curious to me, too.

I just wouldn't touch it, even with a very, VERY long pole.
 
#11

Wow, thanks for the great comments, guys! I've e-mailed the seller for info on a model and serial number; I'll post what comes back. Since he's obviously having trouble selling it, I'd sure be worried myself about not being able to unload it, if it turned out I didn't like it. At this point, unless he comes back with some enlightening information, I don't think Id be willing to pay more than about $800 for it...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
 
#13
Hi,

I tend to believe that this is some sort of a hybrid.
The neck is Tobias alright, could be taken from any of the bolt-on models (like killer B or growler).
The body, however, does not look very 'Tobiassy'.
* The body has an offset shape
* There's no active/passive switch, and it isn't the knob configuration of Tobiases
* the pickups are EMG and seem too close to the bridge.
* I don't think there is a 'Tobias' inscription on any Tobias' truss-rod cover.

Anyway, it doesn't look original...
 
#14

I sent an e-mail to Gibson and got back this reply today:

Hello,

The serial number you provided appears as a 1996 Tobias Custom order. That might explain the unusual specs. Being as it is a custom order, I don't have any specs listed for it.

Thanks,

Daryl Mosley
Gibson Customer Service
Click to expand...

I guess this creates as many questions as it answers! We still don't know the model, so there's no way of telling if it's worth the vendor's asking price...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Pedulla Club #45
 
#15
The email from Gibson does explain a few things, at least.

"Worth" is entirely subjective.
For my money (and I love Tobias basses), if I was going to buy a Tobias, I'd buy a more typical Tobias, without EMG's and *with* regular pickup placement.
If I was going to drop this kind of cash on a fretless, I'd keep looking (in fact, I recently bought a fretless, and I'd noticed this one, and passed).
 
#16
I just emailed the same guy about the same exact bass. I would have offered him $1000 but the EMG's kept me from doing so. Though it's far more money, I'm going to buy the Pedulla from a reputable shop at a great price. I own a recording studio and can justify dropping $2800 for a $5500 list bass, plus the bass is new in the box. I've owned 3 Pedulla's before and they can't be beat for that classic fretless tone. I'd pass on the Toby if I were you, Good luck in your search, Steve
 
#17

Thanks for the comments, Steve. I guess you noticed he has it back up for sale at the same price he had before. Go figure. I offered him $800 after the last auction expired; that’s about all I’m willing to risk on a “mystery bass.” You passed on it; kesslari passed on it - who knows if I’d be able to resell and not take a beating if I decide I can’t live with a fretless? I figure if he can’t move it at that price, not much chance I’ll be able to!

Like you, I’ve decided to bite the bullet shell out the bucks for a used Pentabuzz. Got a chance to try one out at Guitar Center over the Christmas holidays, and loved it, the sound is awesome! More than I wanted to pay, but at least I’ll be getting a top-notch instrument and I know I’ll be able to move it should the need arise.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45
 

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