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Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners - It's Showtime!

#182
Hey all. Stumbled across this thread and started getting nostalgic. I owned #2026 for some years. Lacewood Signature 5 that goes by the name "Melinda". A guy that worked for the Tobias dealer here in Cincy ordered it when news of the Gibson deal broke. He had his wife's name inlayed @ 12th fret. They split, he sold me the bass. '94 I think. Life smacked me around pretty hard in '00/01 and I decided to sell the thing. Had to do what I had to do at the time, but I've always been kinda heartbroken ever since. (I know, it's just a bass....:hmm:) Last I spoke to Mike, it's owner at the time had called him to inquire about getting a finish applied to the body. I hope that never happened, as the thing just beamed with every fresh rub of orange oil. If anyone knows of it's whereabouts, I'd love to have a shot at buying it back......
 
#184
Goncola Alves Top on Walnut Body.
Original Bart 9 volt TCT preamp with 3 band (all boost) Eq.
Sounds wonderful even in passive.
 

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#189
emjazz said:
That's an amazing looking bass......I would love to have one of those one day, but I'm sure as time goes on it will become more and more difficult to aquire one. Yours is one of the absolute best I've seen.
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Thank you. It had one previous owner who did play it (I had it refretted) but kept it in the case and in pristine condition. The wood combination contributes to a very solid fundamental (unbelievably punchy B & E) without even engaging the preamp. The mids have a lovely complex character and the typically glassy sweet highs. And above all a physical joy to play.

I love my fretless Smith CR6G but if a fretless Pre-Gib Tobias 6 came along I'd consider a change. There is really something special about these instruments. Maybe it was because Mike tone tapped his woods when choosing lumber, I don't really know, but the end result is fantastic.

I feel very lucky I spotted this at The Low End when I did and as always, Brian Barrett was great to work with.
 
#190
Here's my nr 1519,
walnut wings, maple -wenge neck, wenge board.
I like to ask a question though.. there's no 'bartolini' written on the pick-ups, does that mean those are EMG's ?
 

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#191
leloupa said:
Here's my nr 1519,
walnut wings, maple -wenge neck, wenge board.
I like to ask a question though.. there's no 'bartolini' written on the pick-ups, does that mean those are EMG's ?
Click to expand...

That's one of the nicest Basics I've seen. Unusual to see one with a wenge board. They're usually rosewood on the Basics, and pau ferro on the Classics.

Those look like the stock arch-top Barts to me.
 
#192
leloupa said:
Here's my nr 1519,
walnut wings, maple -wenge neck, wenge board.
I like to ask a question though.. there's no 'bartolini' written on the pick-ups, does that mean those are EMG's ?
Click to expand...
Very nice! They are the original Bartolini pickups used on the earlier pre-Gibson Tobiases, the best ones to have, IMO. :) I can't remember whether Mike and crew made the shells and Bartollini made the pickups inside or Bill and crew did the whole lot.

Cheers,

EG
 
#194
Gonna have another to show soon! And it looks (since I can only afford to keep one) that my walnut-topped classic will be in the TB classifieds in a week or so.
 
#197
EG - 20 or so years ago I played a walnut/purpleheart Tobias fretless much like this one in Mike's shop. The tone impressed me so much - so rich and warm. I am hoping that my 20 year memory is even partially accurate. If it is, this is going to be one killer fretless singer.
 

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