Hi guys, I'm interested in this bass, but before I buy it I'd like more information about it. Year, where it was manufactured (USA?) And I'd like your opinion, is it worth it? I'll pay about 600 dollars. If you need better photos of the serial number I can try to get them! Thanks!
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Tobias Bass Identification Help
- Thread starter kadson
- Start date
It's a Korean-made Toby Pro.
Here's one that sold a few years ago in the UK for $270 at today's rates.
No idea what they play like, or whether it is/was worth even that, but I will say that I'm very much enjoying the sharpie work
Here's one that sold a few years ago in the UK for $270 at today's rates.
No idea what they play like, or whether it is/was worth even that, but I will say that I'm very much enjoying the sharpie work
It’s a nice example of a Toby Pro model, by most indications an early 2000’s model and made in Korea. Search “talkbass toby pro” and you’ll find a number of threads. Here’s one:
Official Pedulla Club #45
Most people seem to like them, especially for the price. Common complaints are the electronics, which are easily upgraded. Comparing your pic to one in the sale thread @simisker linked, the electronics look identical. The handwritten “made in USA” appears to indicate that some of the pots have been upgraded. $600 seems on the high side from what I can find, but you can find past sales on Reverb getting more than that.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Official Heartfield Club #36 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Administrator, Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/holiday-gift-to-me-tobias-toby-pro-4.611461/
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Official Pedulla Club #45
Official Pedulla Club #45
Most people seem to like them, especially for the price. Common complaints are the electronics, which are easily upgraded. Comparing your pic to one in the sale thread @simisker linked, the electronics look identical. The handwritten “made in USA” appears to indicate that some of the pots have been upgraded. $600 seems on the high side from what I can find, but you can find past sales on Reverb getting more than that.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Official Heartfield Club #36 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Administrator, Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/holiday-gift-to-me-tobias-toby-pro-4.611461/
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Official Pedulla Club #45
That's certainly one interpretation of what's happening there!
I dont know what YOU are talkin bout, but I always add zeros to my dollar bills with a sharpie and it fools, i mean works, every time.
I can attest, all the above is good and true info. I still have mine (5 string), which I believe I paid about $600 for somewhere around 2000, and remained my #1 until a couple years ago when I became much more active in the music scene again.
I still have it, as it just is not worth much on the open market, so I've not bothered trying to sell mine. If you want one bad enough, and want some awesome grain structure, that one takes the cake, as I've not seen it's equal for figured wood on an import like this.
I've upgraded electronics as well, and that looks like the OEM PC board electronics/preamp set in there. Not sure the USA indicators mean much more than an attempt to upsell this one as some sort of higher valued instrument. It simply is what it is, and some new pots (from China or Taiwan, most likely) do nothing to upgrade the instrument's value. Certainly doesn't convert it to an American made product. Basically, they're asking pretty much retail on a 25 year old instrument, that sadly, has not really appreciated. There are fresher, more up to date versions of budget friendly MTD's available now days, and they are remarkably different in many, many ways.
As always, it's what the market will bear.
If you're Jonesin' for that Tobias sound, I'd say , if you can, save up and reach for a Kingston. In the 4 string category, there are deals out there that are only a few hundred more, but offer so much more. So much closer to a modern, updated MTD sound and feel, it really is worth it. Neck feel/comfort, well balanced weight, and snarls like a wild animal. Or slaps like a classic P. And rings harmonics/finger style like a solid J. I picked up a KZX5 from ProAudio staaarr for under 2k (call them about the B stock, ask for their best deal on a fresh one), and I've hardly touched the Toby since then. It is one of the best basses I've ever played, and it oozes that MTD sound without the $8k price tag. The Bartolini electronics in the ZX are a bit over-priced for the upgrade, but oh boy - what a sound!
I still have it, as it just is not worth much on the open market, so I've not bothered trying to sell mine. If you want one bad enough, and want some awesome grain structure, that one takes the cake, as I've not seen it's equal for figured wood on an import like this.
I've upgraded electronics as well, and that looks like the OEM PC board electronics/preamp set in there. Not sure the USA indicators mean much more than an attempt to upsell this one as some sort of higher valued instrument. It simply is what it is, and some new pots (from China or Taiwan, most likely) do nothing to upgrade the instrument's value. Certainly doesn't convert it to an American made product. Basically, they're asking pretty much retail on a 25 year old instrument, that sadly, has not really appreciated. There are fresher, more up to date versions of budget friendly MTD's available now days, and they are remarkably different in many, many ways.
As always, it's what the market will bear.
If you're Jonesin' for that Tobias sound, I'd say , if you can, save up and reach for a Kingston. In the 4 string category, there are deals out there that are only a few hundred more, but offer so much more. So much closer to a modern, updated MTD sound and feel, it really is worth it. Neck feel/comfort, well balanced weight, and snarls like a wild animal. Or slaps like a classic P. And rings harmonics/finger style like a solid J. I picked up a KZX5 from ProAudio staaarr for under 2k (call them about the B stock, ask for their best deal on a fresh one), and I've hardly touched the Toby since then. It is one of the best basses I've ever played, and it oozes that MTD sound without the $8k price tag. The Bartolini electronics in the ZX are a bit over-priced for the upgrade, but oh boy - what a sound!
I would have written "pre Gibson" in sharpie to really crank up the price.
I sold a 1997 Nashville Gibson “Tobias” Growler on Reverb a few years back for $600. I was amazed it commanded that much. It looked and sounded super cool but the neck was a twisted mess full of dead spots. I replaced it with a TRBX604 which was superior in every way and cost less than what I got for the Tobias.
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
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The Musicyo (Korean) TobyPro was a decent bass. I have had two, both 5-strings. Still have one technically, I just keep it loaned-out. It's a little on the heavy side, but balance is superb. The electronics are kinda' *meh* if you ever played a U.S. Tobias, even a Nashville, (personally, I had a first-run Growler 5-string that was fantastic...) but the Tobys are totally useful and usable, plus the electronics cavity is plenty big enough for whatever upgrades you want to do. $600 is about the most I'd pay for a very nice one.
Just my .02, may not be worth that.
Just my .02, may not be worth that.
It’s a HAZ clone, many Korean produced basses from that time came with those circuit boards (Spector, Ibanez, Tobias, etc…)
I had the Deluxe version (Jazz pickups). Was a well made bass but the preamp lacked volume.
