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Tobias basses, who knows about 'em?
- Thread starter Mr Matt
- Start date
Just curious, what was the difference between the Killer B and the other Gibson models (not counting the Renegade and Growler where the difference was obvious.) Was it because the Killer B basically a Gibson-based Tobias with a bolt-on neck?
Killer B's were bolt on neck basses while the Basic's, Classic's and Signatures's were "hippy sandwich" neck through constructions.
Yes, when they play right. I have one that the neck will not stay true for anything. Constant adjustment of truss rod, and still could not get over a hump around the 12 fret.
Thanks...got over that one long time ago, but it is still sitting on a stand as I try to figure out what to do with it. Actually, I think the most underrated MTD's are the early Korean made Sarasota's which were a Grendel with a new name...same pickups, same preamp, and even have an actual flame maple top (not a paper thin veneer.) Sometimes those are available for a song, and they are great basses!
I am confused about my recently acquired Tobias Rengade - There is a mini toggle that seems to make a change in the tone of the bridge MM style pup. Then there is also a push-pull on the tone pot which must be defective because when it's down the bass works but when up the bridge pup won't work.
I am not sure what these controls are supposed to do! Can anyone help?
I am not sure what these controls are supposed to do! Can anyone help?
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I can't see the picture Aero71 uploaded, but it sounds like it could be similar to my Tobias. I don't know anything about it other than it is built by Gibson, probably short after the Tobias purchase. I have not seen any bass that looks like it. Does anyone have any information on which model it might be, or which year it was produced?
Adamazing, I am not an authority on Tobias basses by any means, but I have owned I think at least 1 of all of the Gibson made models with the exception of the "Signature", which was just a fancier wood and gold hardware version of the "Classic", and I have never seen one like yours. The only bolt on models that I have seen are the "Growler", which had one MM pickup, four knobs and two mini switches, the "Renegade" with a large soapbar and a narrow (J) soapbar and only three knobs and a switch, and the "Killer B" which was a bolt on version of the "Basic". Prior to Gibson's purchase there were two non Tobias built Tobias basses, one built by Michael Pedulla (I think) for a short time, and one built in Japan for a short time, but I think these were both neck through. One did have the control knobs in a single line, which I think was the "Standard" model, but I can't remember which of the two this was.
Rmcfee, I think the push/pull on the Renegade is a mid shift, and the switch is active/passive, even though it only has the active tone and mid shift.
Rmcfee, I think the push/pull on the Renegade is a mid shift, and the switch is active/passive, even though it only has the active tone and mid shift.
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Thank you for your reply SMG! I'm amazed you answered so quickly. After I posted on this forum I did some more digging, and I found a bit more information. There was one guy on a forum that had the exact same Tobias bass as mine, only transparent red instead of transparent blue, and according to him the model was sold as "The American" and was made in the USA exclusively for the European market (which may explain why you have never heard of it). He also said that it was discontinued the same year it was sold (1995ish, +-1 a year or so), so there were only a limited amount made. The pickups are apparently the same pickups as the Gibson Thunderbird was equipped with at the time, and it is one of the few Tobias basses with passive pickups, as well as a maple fretboard (unfinished even).
So there we are! I have no idea of the price point or value since no one actually knows about the model.
So there we are! I have no idea of the price point or value since no one actually knows about the model.
It original price point may be in The Vintage Guitar Price Guide. I haven't seen on of these in a few years, but they used to be what the vintage dealers relied on for setting prices, at least at guitar shows (which I haven't been to lately). I have an older one at home, I will try to remember to see if this model is in it, and if it isn't, it may be in a new version, as the book is updated every year (I think), and keeps expanding with every update.
Steve
Steve
I was just crawling through this tunnel looking for info on the Killer B serial numbers that look like: XXXX193
It appears this is a Gibson Nashville 1993, perhaps January (1) and the XXXX is the actual serial number.
So, perhaps, this is the period of transition while Mr. Tobias was still hitting his hand with a hammer consulting (working) for Gibson?? I say this for two reasons;
(A)
Mr. Tobias asked me at his kitchen table if I "knew why working for Gibson was like hitting your hand with a hammer?"
He said; "It feels soooo good when you STOP!"
(B)
It appears that the numbering system did not go on for too long and stopped!
Anyway...
Those 110 Model T's were made by Pedulla. You will notice that the Model T is the only head adjust truss rod on any Tobias Basses. Mr. Tobias always has heel adjust truss rod access.
Later...
It appears this is a Gibson Nashville 1993, perhaps January (1) and the XXXX is the actual serial number.
So, perhaps, this is the period of transition while Mr. Tobias was still hitting his hand with a hammer consulting (working) for Gibson?? I say this for two reasons;
(A)
Mr. Tobias asked me at his kitchen table if I "knew why working for Gibson was like hitting your hand with a hammer?"
He said; "It feels soooo good when you STOP!"
(B)
It appears that the numbering system did not go on for too long and stopped!
Anyway...
Those 110 Model T's were made by Pedulla. You will notice that the Model T is the only head adjust truss rod on any Tobias Basses. Mr. Tobias always has heel adjust truss rod access.
Later...
The Gibson musicyo.com Tobias line from the late 90's had the truss rod adjustment on the headstock. These were build in Korea. I don't know if it is on reverb.com or musicgoround.com, but someone has recently found a shipment of these that were never sold, and they are asking prices, IMHO, way more then they are worth. They had a neck through model and a bolt on model, and they played OK...about like a decent 90's Korean made instrument should play, but they had a terrible pickup/preamp combination. Gibson should have been embarrassed with this portion of these instruments, if nothing else...but then they had the willingness to put the Tobias name on them, and I think that says it all.
This is getting off subject, but the musicyo.com Kramer Beretta line were pretty good instruments, that hardly related to earlier Kramers other then in name. The earlier ones had a normal headstock but the later ones had a reverse hockey stock headstock, that I think looks ridiculous. These Kramers had the Dual Rail pickups and five way switch that would later show up on the Epiphone Les Paul 5 string and SG 5 string basses in the early 2000's. The pickups are OK (notice I did not say great) but can sound pretty good through contemporary amps. The switching gives tons of options, as you can get any combination of either pickup in series/split/parallel positions in conjunction with the dual volume controls.
This is getting off subject, but the musicyo.com Kramer Beretta line were pretty good instruments, that hardly related to earlier Kramers other then in name. The earlier ones had a normal headstock but the later ones had a reverse hockey stock headstock, that I think looks ridiculous. These Kramers had the Dual Rail pickups and five way switch that would later show up on the Epiphone Les Paul 5 string and SG 5 string basses in the early 2000's. The pickups are OK (notice I did not say great) but can sound pretty good through contemporary amps. The switching gives tons of options, as you can get any combination of either pickup in series/split/parallel positions in conjunction with the dual volume controls.
I own 2 Gibson era basses. A 1994 and 1998 and
both are excellent basses, quality all the way.
There are some who say Tobias era builds were much better
but I have never tried them to compare.
both are excellent basses, quality all the way.
There are some who say Tobias era builds were much better
but I have never tried them to compare.
Eu tenho um Tobias Growler 5 "EDIÇÃO LIMITADA" sim senhores ... está escrito "Edição limitada" no estoque da cabeça.
No entanto ... contatei a Gibson ... e eles não me deram muitas informações sobre.
Feathers disse que ... não era feito na linha de produção, na época.
Ele é corpo em Walnut e escala em Wenge.
Alguém aqui ... você tem alguma informação sobre esse baixo?
No entanto ... contatei a Gibson ... e eles não me deram muitas informações sobre.
Feathers disse que ... não era feito na linha de produção, na época.
Ele é corpo em Walnut e escala em Wenge.
Alguém aqui ... você tem alguma informação sobre esse baixo?
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- Apr 18, 2008
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- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
