Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners - It's Showtime!

[Fealach]

http://www.angel-ark.com/inst/tobias.htm

There's a Model T here. It does have those confounded dots found standard on Pedullas. And almost every other bass. I hate dots.

Interesting about the Killer B. Now all the Killer B owners can try to figure out if theirs is a Burbank or later bass. Mine was post Burbank, but still a quality bass. I sold it when I realized I had no need of a 5 string. That didn't last, of course, but that's another story.

 

[The Penguin]

http://www.angel-ark.com/inst/tobias.htm

There's a Model T here. It does have those confounded dots found standard on Pedullas. And almost every other bass. I hate dots.

That's the one, note the 3 piece maple neck with no lines and the one piece (maybe 2) maple bodies. Very Pedulla-ish.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

i wish i bought the lacewood signiture model when I had the chance

 

[Phantasm]

 

[neptoon]

No offense taken, I did my homework but can allow for the possibility of being wrong. I came upon the bass used, so have no idea of its history. The hardware and pickups are identical to an '85 Basic that a friend custom ordered, and it does not have the markings or features of any Standard I have seen or read about. Even the case is identical to my friend's original case,

My best conjecture is that is was a custom - back in the day when the company was still small, you didn't really see many stock models on store shelves...

Regardless, I think it's obvious that Debased is in possession of the most beautiful bass ever made.

hey, right on...i guess worst case scenario, you've got a really sweet tobias...

geshel had a freaking gorgeous 6 string signature that had a zebrano top that was probably the most awesome T i've ever seen

 

[Brad Johnson]

Numbers 196 and 308...

The back of 196...

 

[Fealach]

I like the cutout. Was there a reason given why he stopped doing that?

It's hard to tell, but I think i see what might be a little logo in the corner of the pickups on 179. EMGs? If so, how does that particular bass sound in comparison to the other? It seems to me that old Tobias basses (at least the ones I've heard, with the smooth rounded top Bartolinis) have a certain tonal quality to them - an earlier poster referred to it as "smoky," that's as good a term as any. Curious as to how EMGs, which in general don't sound like Bartolinis to my ears, would affect that.

 

[Past-Time]

The ultimate horror:

Debased, in his hurry to post sound clips, smashes the neck inbetween a narrow doorway.

:cries:

 

[Vic]

The ultimate horror:

Debased, in his hurry to post sound clips, smashes the neck inbetween a narrow doorway.

:cries:

OUCH! What the heck made you think that ugly thought???

 

[bucephylus]

I have the privilege of playing this one.

 

[Debased]

IIRC the MTD site has an article which says something like "a fine luthier in New England." I had read somewhere it was Pedulla, but cannot dredge up any references.

I think you're right about Pedulla. One of the guys at Mike's Burbank shop said the same thing.

 

[Debased]

OUCH! What the heck made you think that ugly thought???

That's a big +1 *whimper whimper*

At least he waited until the inauspicious influence of Friday the 13th was no longer a threat

 

[toman]

What the **** kind of cabs are those?!?

 

[Vic]

What the **** kind of cabs are those?!?

These kind...

http://www.philjonesbass.com/

 

[Debased]

Sweet! What's the top wood? Bubinga? Do you have any close ups?

 

[BodaciousBass]

I mailed Mike once asking about some info on the bass but unfortunately I don't have the mail left and I don't remember much about it. Only thing I clearly remember is that it's a Tobias Classic 5 from somewhere around '89 and that the fingerboard is of pau ferro (like most Tobias' at that time) and that one of woods is purpleheart. Great bass though. Unfortunately it isn't in perfect condition and has a lot of dings and marks, but I don't really care, since the electronics are working fine and the neck has a great feel to it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[ThatGermanDude]

i really like those flamed necks
they look sweet

 

[Vic]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Oh my holy gracious... wow... I've never seen a quilted maple neck before, that's totally amazing...

 

[Phantasm]

Sweet! What's the top wood? Bubinga? Do you have any close ups?

You're right, it's Bubinga. The other woods are Alder and Wenge. Not sure what type of freboard it has, I'm guessing some sort of rosewood. It also has EMG's instead of Bartolinis, but it was an EXCELLENT choice. This bass just crushes especially live.

Katrina very nearly destroyed this bass. I won't even say how close it was because I don't even want to think about it any more... I would probably rather burn down my house than lose this bass.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I like the cutout. Was there a reason given why he stopped doing that?

It's hard to tell, but I think i see what might be a little logo in the corner of the pickups on 179. EMGs? If so, how does that particular bass sound in comparison to the other? It seems to me that old Tobias basses (at least the ones I've heard, with the smooth rounded top Bartolinis) have a certain tonal quality to them - an earlier poster referred to it as "smoky," that's as good a term as any. Curious as to how EMGs, which in general don't sound like Bartolinis to my ears, would affect that.

Sorry, missed this. Yep, those are EMGs. They were recommended as replacements for the original Barts. This was right before the time I figured out that change does not equal better

Doesn't sound like it did with the original pickups. One of these days I'll find some Barts and install them.