Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners - It's Showtime!

[XavidmanX]

Well, after many years of looking around and stumbling upon the right timing, I picked up this Pre-Gib Tobias from Bass Central:

It's a wonderful bass in superb condition for its age.

I do have a couple of questions I was hoping you pre-gib experts could answer for me:

** The serial # on this one is 18xx which puts it around '91 or '92 and in the days when the shop had technically been sold to Gibson, but before the Nashville move. So, is this still really a pre-gibson Tobias? Did Mike and crew still build this bass? Among the pre-gib "purists" would this be considered a "lesser" pre-gib? I read on the MTD website that the main crew hung around but I was wondering your thoughts.

** The sound output is far lower than my MTD's. I know that the 18V compared to 9V preamp could have a lot to do with it, but I have owned basses that have 9V preamps and still are much louder than this. For reference, my MTD gets played through my head with the master volume at about 6:00, while the pre-gib would have to be played at around 12:00. Has anyone else noticed this?

** What strings are you guys using? I love MTD strings, but the length on the B string is almost a bit too much. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Sorry for the long post.

Take care...

 

[Vic]

** The serial # on this one is 18xx which puts it around '91 or '92 and in the days when the shop had technically been sold to Gibson, but before the Nashville move. So, is this still really a pre-gibson Tobias? Did Mike and crew still build this bass? Among the pre-gib "purists" would this be considered a "lesser" pre-gib? I read on the MTD website that the main crew hung around but I was wondering your thoughts.

This one definitely falls under the "pure Tobias" banner. From [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], "The first Tobias Gibson serial number was 1094" ...and... "The final LA Tobias/Gibson serial number is 2044". Yours is all Mike and his crew.

** The sound output is far lower than my MTD's. I know that the 18V compared to 9V preamp could have a lot to do with it, but I have owned basses that have 9V preamps and still are much louder than this. For reference, my MTD gets played through my head with the master volume at about 6:00, while the pre-gib would have to be played at around 12:00. Has anyone else noticed this?

The 18V vs 9V is a misnomer. My Skjold is a 9V system and is every bit as hot as my 18V MTDs. It's just about how the gain stages in the preamp are set up and how hot the pickups are. If the preamp doesn't have a gain adjuster, it's just the nature of the beast, and as long as you don't have one pickup a lot hotter than the other, it's most likely not a pickup problem, either. One thing you might check is to make sure the pickups aren't too far from the strings... string proximity, as long as they're not too close, affecting rotation, can seriously affect "gain".

** What strings are you guys using? I love MTD strings, but the length on the B string is almost a bit too much. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Sorry for the long post.

Take care...

You do know you can get the MTD strings with a smaller (130) B, right?

Otherwise, DR is good stuff. I also like Dean Markley SR2000 SS's and, believe it or not, Sadowsky SS's with the 130T B. For nickels, again DR (SunBeam), Peavey Cirrus, and the old standby D'Addario XL 170's. All good stuff.

 

[XavidmanX]

WOW!! Thanks for all of the good info. I will check the pickup height later.

As far as the B string, I was asking about length since this bass is a shorter scale than my MTD's, and the MTD B string starts getting some of the thicker part of the string wrapped in the tuner, which I would like to avoid if I could. I will check out some of those that you mentioned.

Thanks!

This one definitely falls under the "pure Tobias" banner. From [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], "The first Tobias Gibson serial number was 1094" ...and... "The final LA Tobias/Gibson serial number is 2044". Yours is all Mike and his crew.

The 18V vs 9V is a misnomer. My Skjold is a 9V system and is every bit as hot as my 18V MTDs. It's just about how the gain stages in the preamp are set up and how hot the pickups are. If the preamp doesn't have a gain adjuster, it's just the nature of the beast, and as long as you don't have one pickup a lot hotter than the other, it's most likely not a pickup problem, either. One thing you might check is to make sure the pickups aren't too far from the strings... string proximity, as long as they're not too close, affecting rotation, can seriously affect "gain".

You do know you can get the MTD strings with a smaller (130) B, right?

Otherwise, DR is good stuff. I also like Dean Markley SR2000 SS's and, believe it or not, Sadowsky SS's with the 130T B. For nickels, again DR (SunBeam), Peavey Cirrus, and the old standby D'Addario XL 170's. All good stuff.

 

[Jerry J]

This looks like one honey of a bass.

Just curious, is the top burled maple? Is the bass heavy? Really nice!

 

[cricketfever32]

someone please buy me one?

i played my friends pre gibson tobias, serial number 764 6 string, played so well, and it was the first tobias with an asym neck that i could actually feel the difference in as opposed to my jazz bass

 

[XavidmanX]

This looks like one honey of a bass.

Just curious, is the top burled maple? Is the bass heavy? Really nice!

THe top is called "red nara". I am going to email Mike T. for clarification on what type of wood it is.

I still haven't messed with the pickup height and will do so tonight to try to get some more gain out of this bad boy...I really like the tone when I boost the amp, though.

 

[XavidmanX]

As promised, here are some pics: Tobias Album


I will be taking it down to the Amp Shop after the holidays to have their tech look it over. She comes highly recommended by Mike T.

 

[Vic]

As promised, here are some pics: Tobias Album


I will be taking it down to the Amp Shop after the holidays to have their tech look it over. She comes highly recommended by Mike T.

Dang, dude, that is incredible. That's gotta' be about the thickest Wenge tone plate I've ever seen... looks like an alder body, flamed maple/bubinga neck, and a pau ferro board? Damn sweet. Nice grab, dude.

 

[Debased]

As promised, here are some pics: Tobias Album


I will be taking it down to the Amp Shop after the holidays to have their tech look it over. She comes highly recommended by Mike T.

Beautiful bass.

Tina at the Amp Shop is a first rate tech. Her setup, fret dressing, electrical, and fingerboard work, etc. are as good as it gets IME. When it comes to expensive instruments like yours, I usually make a "rush order" appointment ahead of time (usually an extra $60) so she can do the work while I wait. I just can't bring myself to leave my pre-Gib Tobias or Jerzy for a week or two.

 

[Blake Bass]

Does any TBer have #1666 ? It is a Tobias signature with Zebra Wood. I bought it new from Mike back in 1992. I would love to see/here it again.

 

[jazzy grille]

most likely because it didn't know 35" was required to do what it was doing

I lol'd.

 

[jazzy grille]

As promised, here are some pics: Tobias Album


I will be taking it down to the Amp Shop after the holidays to have their tech look it over. She comes highly recommended by Mike T.

I may have missed this... But, is this the one that was at Basscentral?

Congrats! Btw..

Edit: I'm an R-tard.. :rollseyes:

 

[XavidmanX]

Beautiful bass.

Tina at the Amp Shop is a first rate tech. Her setup, fret dressing, electrical, and fingerboard work, etc. are as good as it gets IME. When it comes to expensive instruments like yours, I usually make a "rush order" appointment ahead of time (usually an extra $60) so she can do the work while I wait. I just can't bring myself to leave my pre-Gib Tobias or Jerzy for a week or two.

I'm definitely doing a rush appt!

The Tobias has a great, fat tone. I love it!

I think Vic nailed the woods...

 

[kesslari]

My new baby.
I've posted pics elsewhere, but it really does belong in this thread. Wish the weather was better so I could take some pics of my own...

I've finally gotten the neck and action set to my liking, and it is one sweet, sweet instrument. For my taste, the ultimate combination of playability, sound, and drop dead beautiful looks.

 

[mrbassman_de]

Got a new toy: A "real" pre-Gibson Signature 5, serial no. 9xx with Goncalo top and back ...

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[Debased]

Fantastic bass! Looks like it's in great condition too. Is that a wenge/purple heart neck with a walnut body core?

Congratulations.

 

[UncleEd]

there is a beautiful pre gibson bass on ebay right now for sale.... anybody have an idea what its worth....list #160220517815

 

[whoapower]

Ed - nice find! unsure on the actual value. I suppose it is what you would be able to pay for it? It is quite gorgeous.

 

[Debased]

there is a beautiful pre gibson bass on ebay right now for sale.... anybody have an idea what its worth....list #160220517815

That's once of the nicest goncalo alves tops I've seen on a Tobias. Looks kinda like mine...

I'd say the seller's $3K opening bid price is about right; it might even be worth as much as $3500, since it appears to be a bit above average in both aesthetics and condition for its age, but the $6K Buy It Now price is waaay over the top.

 

[skb5string]

Here is my New-to -me Tobias Classic 5 Ser# 166x made during the Burbank time frame by Mike. Its a ASh body (all laq finish) with maple core/neck (Flame) Bubinga stringers, Pau Fero fretboard. Wenge tone plate and an really nice looking Bubinga top! TCT pre with the volume/volume configuration (which I'm really beginning to like that config) This puppy is all orginal. No ware, just a couple of nicks and the bridge is beginning to oxidate a bit. I'm in love with the tone!! Plays awesome....I've been wanting a pre-gib (ok, yes I know Gibson technically owned Tobias by the time of the serial number but Mike still built this one, so I'd consider it Pre-Gibson) sence I got a Tobias guitars catalog back in 1990...its been worth the wait!!!!!

Can I get a club number??