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Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners - It's Showtime!

#121
More pics!!
 

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#123
Nice bass, SKB! Are you sure it's an ash body though? The grain looks more like alder and that was more commonly used in the Classics. Makes no difference to value, would just give a more even and consistent tone across the range.

Cheers,

EG
 
#124
evilgus said:
Nice bass, SKB! Are you sure it's an ash body though? The grain looks more like alder and that was more commonly used in the Classics. Makes no difference to value, would just give a more even and consistent tone across the range.

Cheers,

EG
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm not 100% sure its Ash, looks like it to me though. Your right though it may be alder. The tone is very, very even. Just pure clean punchy fun!! I'll have to check with Mr. Tobias, although he may not remember. I'd love to know the actual year of the bass. I'm thinking it may be a late 1991.
 
#130
The Tobias (Red with the SN 54? is not a standard but an old Basic made in the Red Rhodes 1623 Cahuenga (Before 1614) days). The original Basics came passive and you had to get the active electronics as an option. I probably did the electronics for that bass in 1983-4 The SN rage from that period would be 200-500 series so yours could be 254 to 54? Very nicew example of an early Hollywood Ca. bass. To the owner, how much did you pay for it? (if you don't mind me asking).

Bob Lee
Tobias Guitars 1983-92

PS the reason I can recognize it as an early Basic is the shape of the bass side horn is chunkier than the later Basics
 
#132
BassLand said:
The Tobias (Red with the SN 54? is not a standard but an old Basic made in the Red Rhodes 1623 Cahuenga (Before 1614) days). The original Basics came passive and you had to get the active electronics as an option. I probably did the electronics for that bass in 1983-4 The SN rage from that period would be 200-500 series so yours could be 254 to 54? Very nicew example of an early Hollywood Ca. bass. To the owner, how much did you pay for it? (if you don't mind me asking).

Bob Lee
Tobias Guitars 1983-92

PS the reason I can recognize it as an early Basic is the shape of the bass side horn is chunkier than the later Basics
Click to expand...

Cool, good to know. I was familiar enough with the brand to be sure it wasn't a Standard when I bought it, though I can understand how someone might think it was, based on the knob configuration. I've seen Standards in a very similar color online as well. Good job on the electronics! I'll PM you what I paid for it so I don't run afoul of the new rules.
 
#133
Hey, this is my first time here. I want to share a picture of my bass with everyone. I only have one right now, I had more but somehow seemed to misplace my disc with all the pictures of my bass. As soon as I find it, I will post some more.

As for my bass, it's a 1989 Signature model, five strings and the serial number is #999. It is made by Michael Tobias himself. He made it for one of his workers before he closed the Hollywood shop. I scored this bass when I saw it in the recycler. Makoto Onishi is the guy who sold me the bass. If you look in the Tobias Bass history, Mike mentions Makoto. I bought it for $2700. Yes it's a steal.

The body is made up of five pieces. Three flamed koa, and two wenge pieces. And the neck is also five pieces, wenge, and purple heart. The fretboard is ebony with an abalone inlay. When I get more pictures i'll post them. The hardware is silver and the pick ups and preamp are by Bartolini.

The bass has a very warm growly sound to it because of the dark woods. It also sounds good when slapped and plucked. Although a bass with lighter woods like maple would sound better when slapped and plucked. But when this bass is plugged into the studio, the sound is awesome.

I've been playing my bass for nine years now. It's got some dings and scratches. I have no regrets. My new plan is to refinish my bass, and put it away. I plan on getting a pre-gibson Tobias Classic to play with instead. As soon as I get the funds and time.

Picture178ccc-1.jpg
 
#134
@Tobiasbassist:
Wow !! Koa topped pre-Gib Signatures are remarkably rare. You must be one lucky man to own that beauty ! Whenever you plan to sell it, drop me a line - I will make an unbeatable offer ....

If you plan to refinish it: be aware that this will probably affect the sound of the bass, as Mike used a lacquer type at that time which has been pollutant when applied and which is not available any more. That's what Mike told me when I asked him about a refinish of my pre-Gib Sig5. My Sig has some of the "air pockets" under the high-gloss surface which are often found on pre-Gib Tobi's.

Good luck with the bass.
 
#135
mrbassman_de said:
@Tobiasbassist:
Wow !! Koa topped pre-Gib Signatures are remarkably rare. You must be one lucky man to own that beauty ! Whenever you plan to sell it, drop me a line - I will make an unbeatable offer ....

If you plan to refinish it: be aware that this will probably affect the sound of the bass, as Mike used a lacquer type at that time which has been pollutant when applied and which is not available any more. That's what Mike told me when I asked him about a refinish of my pre-Gib Sig5. My Sig has some of the "air pockets" under the high-gloss surface which are often found on pre-Gib Tobi's.

Good luck with the bass.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the hawaiian koa top is a sight to see. Especially in the sun. I've had alot of offers, but I'm keeping this one in the family. When I saw the bass for the first time, my jaw dropped all the way to the floor. The bass was in great shape, never played. I sometimes wish I never played it. This bass was custom made. Most of the sig's have a seven piece neck, this one only has five.

Yes, I am planning on refinishing it, but wasn't aware of the lacquer being not available anymore. My bass also has the air pockets which is one of the reasons I want to refinish it. I also talked to Mike about it, and he recommended me to a luthier here in Los Angeles. I hope the sound doesn't change too much, i'm hoping for the best.
 
#136
mrbassman_de said:
@Tobiasbassist:
Wow !! Koa topped pre-Gib Signatures are remarkably rare.
Click to expand...

Yes, that bass is a real beauty, for sure! My Classic 5 actually has a koa body, with a purpleheart top (which has aged to a patina where it now looks like bloodwood). Man, I need some better pics of this bass.

2a_1_b.jpg


18_1_b.jpg


Tom.
 
#137
Amazing looking Sig Koa top and Tom, your Koa Body wings look killer, almost makes you wish it was a basic!

Anyone is welcome to post/pull links from the lowend sold gallery section of pre-gibs and post.

Some Beautiful Pre-gib Tobias!!! Mike did some amazing work back in the day with killer woods!!!!
 
#139
Tobiasbassist said:
That is one sweet looking bass! I bet it sounds clean. What year was it made?
Click to expand...

I'll have to check on that. This bass was made for one of Michael's emplyees, 'Obe', and it has some special touches added to it.

And Brian, I agree, this bass would have been amazing as a Basic! :D

Tom.
 

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