Tobias 6 string Japanese neck-through?

[Bassist Tony]

I bought this bass in 1999, it’s a great instrument, but I don’t know much about it. Sounds like it’s pre-Gibson? Are people seeking these instruments?

 

[4string5string]

Tobias standard….are you selling?

 

[GTHintz]

Thats lovely!!! I love the original tobias look. (Pre mtd)

 

[Bassist Tony]

Before I owned a custom Ken Smith, I owned a 90’s Japanese made Smith (Burner Custom 5) which was an OUTSTANDING bass. It seems Tobias went the same route. I keep this 6 string as a situational bass.

 

[dickfitts]

Careful flashing that around here man, pretty soon the "Are you Selling?"s are going to start turning into "ARE YOU SELLING?????"s

 

[Tim Grant]

It's a Tobias Standard. If you go to the MTD website on the "about" page near the bottom there is a little history of the Tobias brand. He talks about a period where they "sought the help from other vendors". The standard model was built in Japan and sent back to Burbank CA for finishing. The website explains when the Gibson buy-out happened and how Gibson moved the Tobias crew to Burbank CA. Michael Tobias Design
According to the website Burbank basses were early Gibson's built/ finished by the Tobias crew. They are desirable basses. G9od luck with that.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I know what it is, but I don't recall seeing one in that black sparkle (?) finish before. Most I've seen are natural ash or transparent colors... reds, greens, blues...

Cool bass. And a sixer.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Sweet bass!
I’m a big Spector fan, and my better half just let me splurge on a US Spector NS6, but I still would love to one day own a Tobias bass.


And an MTD, and a Ken Smith. And I also want a fretless Warwick Thumb, and a…….

Come on, Powerball!!!

 

[groooooove]

people love those basses..

looks very nice.

i have no idea what the value is, but i know that's a proper bass.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I bet if anybody, @scubaduba might have seen that finish before.

 

[scubaduba]

It does appear to be a Tobias Standard. I have not seen one with that finish before. Pretty interesting.

 

[sotua]

The classic Tobias headstock is the most gorgeous headstock of all time.

 

[JC Nelson]

Nice!

 

[Bassist Tony]

I'm new to Talkbass, and I want to thank everyone for the info and comments. I bought the bass used at Sam Ash Music over 20 years ago. I'm looking forward to researching it. I need to play it more, that's for sure, the quality of this off-shore made instrument never ceases to amaze me!

 

[sylvanbass]

That's a gem for sure.

 

[perfektspace6]

That's a really cool bass. I have never seen another Tobias like it. Sounds like it's pretty rare for all the reasons stated. Had a Tobias (Gibson) Basic at one point and it was a really solid bass.

 

[foal30]

I'm new to Talkbass, and I want to thank everyone for the info and comments. I bought the bass used at Sam Ash Music over 20 years ago. I'm looking forward to researching it. I need to play it more, that's for sure, the quality of this off-shore made instrument never ceases to amaze me!

there is a number Tobias Clubs here on Talk Bass

I think I either have a review or advertising for this MIJ Tobias from US Bass Player magazine , I’ll have a look at some point

I to have not seen that particular finish. Cool instrument

 

[MAJOR METAL]

That's a METAL Machine!

 

[Jrussblues]

To the op. After the plant that made Gibson Tobias basses was burned down (or so I was told in 1999) they discontinued the Gibson American line and released these. If I remember right they were originally between 2-500 bucks and have no crazy value on the aftermarket. Even the am Gibson Tobias instruments don’t command the amount they were originally sold for. To be clear this is not pre Gibson, it’s actually post Gibson. Cool bass and enjoy it.

 

[Hercules]

Thats a keeper for sure. Not sure what it is worth but it will do nothing but go up in value imo.