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Tobias Experts

#23
Fire-Starter said:
You may know this web site BASSALONE. At any rate, if you want to see the last Tobias that seems to get everyone stirred up, go to the links below, it was sold a few days ago.
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I'd love to know what that sold for. It doesn't appear to be in particularly great condition, and the finish seems dull compared to the pre-Gibsons I'm familiar with. Here's mine (#72x) for a comparison of the finish (sure wish it was a six though):

Tobias4-0701asm.jpg
 
#27
Debased said:
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I'd love to know what that sold for. It doesn't appear to be in particularly great condition, and the finish seems dull compared to the pre-Gibsons I'm familiar with. Here's mine (#72x) for a comparison of the finish (sure with it was a six though):

Tobias4-0701asm.jpg
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I sent an email to the store asking what he would take in cash, to replied 3,300. btw, I was very impressed by the preamp you put in yours and you mentioned it was strong enough to drive a set of head phones. Any leads to the contact/people who did this for you?
 
#28
Fire-Starter said:
I sent an email to the store asking what he would take in cash, to replied 3,300. btw, I was very impressed by the preamp you put in yours and you mentioned it was strong enough to drive a set of head phones. Any leads to the contact/people who did this for you?
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$3300, eh? Thanks for the info.

The pre was handmade by Jim Williams. I had mine installed almost twenty years ago, and he's made several improvements since then. I'll PM you his contact info. One nice feature is that you can swap out different op-amp chips (three in mine) to get different tonal characteristics. It's 18V and has sweepable highs and lows that overlap into the upper and lower mids, so it's extremely versatile. He also added a three-way coil-splitter toggle, and yeah, it's got more than enough headroom to drive a set of cans. It's a lot more punchy and clean than the stock Bart TCT (which I still have), but it retains the smokey growl that the old Tobies were famous for.
 
#29
mophead said:
When comparing older Tobias models, 34" scale, to newer Tobias or MTD, 35" scale, which has the better B string as to sound, tension, overall satisfaction?
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I have played Tobias #2044 (the last Tobias made by Mike and his team). I couldn't fully appreciate the tone as the strings on it were way dead, but it is a beautiful instrument. It belongs to TBer Oddio and there is some information on his blogspot. He has some very nice things to say about the B string. Check it out here:http://otherbasses.blogspot.com/
 
#30
Bass Viking said:
I have played Tobias #2044 (the last Tobias made by Mike and his team). I couldn't fully appreciate the tone as the strings on it were way dead, but it is a beautiful instrument. It belongs to TBer Oddio and there is some information on his blogspot. He has some very nice things to say about the B string. Check it out here:http://otherbasses.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Wow, it sure looks better in that pic, in the one above, it looks like the coating was removed or something.:confused:
 
#31
Well, we did buy a Tobias six string, Japanese origin finished by Mike and crew in Burbank. I must say I am pretty impressed with the B string, even with old rusty strings.

It is light for a 6 string, 1.5 pounds less than my Spector Euro neck thru, and sounds really nice. I guess the Bartolini's have a different sound than the EMG's I have been playing on the Spector. I fear if one of these shows up somewhere in the 5 string version, my bank account will take a hit for sure.

Anyway, this six string has a funky bridge on it compared to what I have seen in the past. Any of you Tobias experts have info on setup procedures with this bridge? Tricks or things to be aware of while restringing and cleaning? All the adjustables on the rear of the bridge with the setscrews is new to me.

It is about to get new strings and hopefully a good setup to go out as a gift so we don't want to screw something up at least by lack of knowledge.

Thanks, Mophead
 
#32
Debased said:
I'd love to know what that sold for. It doesn't appear to be in particularly great condition, and the finish seems dull compared to the pre-Gibsons I'm familiar with. Here's mine (#72x) for a comparison of the finish (sure wish it was a six though):
Click to expand...
Nice bass you have there. I remember playing a 6 classic, #850 and it was much smaller in the body, more compact, solid bass. Well, more so than my 6 which is #1751.

As for the B, it is fine fine. I've also played a few Z series 5's and 6's and they are incredibly light! My back loves it! But there is a difference in the US series MTDs. Worth the extra few thousand? Not to all people, but to some sure. The Z is very well balanced and I'm very impressed. My old basic 6 looks very dated in comparison.

Fire-Starter said:
Wow, it sure looks better in that pic, in the one above, it looks like the coating was removed or something.:confused:
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That photo resembles one of the natural Ibanez SDGRs which lack a serious finish on them, but I believe this is lighting and serious glare reduction.
 
#33
I own #950, a Signature Six. I have not yet played any MTDs, although Mike was kind enough to recently make me a P-body for a fretless ESP neck I left with him years ago.

I have always used a 145 D'Addario low B on #950, so I can't really comment on how floppy or not it would be with a typical smaller string. I just know that my Tobias is the single best sounding and playing bass I own (and I own 30), and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
 
#34
My personal opinion is that the B-string on the 34" Tobias(pre-Gib) compared to the 35" MTD is not quite as defined. I feel that you do get a more defined B off of the newer MTD's. I don't feel however that the main reason alone is the scale length. The MTD has the zero fret, bolt-on neck, different bridge, and different proprietary Bartolini electronics. The zero fret and bolt-on neck probably have the most influence on the overall tone.
I personally don't like the 35" scale length, but I do prefer the MTD over the Tobias. I feel however that the best B string I've ever played came from my current bass a Devon Diamond J. It is 34" scale bolt-on swamp ash. To me the 35" scale instruments on average have a more defined B, but lack juice on the A, D, and G strings. Oh by the way I have owned a Tobias and an MTD and wish I still had them both.
 
#35
What i dont understand is that i know there is one tobias that is manufactured by gibson and there is MTD which is also tobias... are they brothers or something... pardon my ignorance but i just came to kno about tobias's a few weeks ago when i couldnt stop but drool at my friends 6 string tobias...
Anyways someone mentioned a tobias club?? i'll join as soon as i steal my friends tobias somewhere next week ;P
 
#36
Michael sold the Tobias brand to Gibson, and after a brief period waiting out his "non-compete" agreement, began production on his new brand, MTD, which he currently manufactures.

As a result, there are "pre-gibson" Tobias basses, as well as those made after Mike and his crew turned things entirely over to Gibson.
 
#37
Basshole said:
Michael sold the Tobias brand to Gibson, and after a brief period waiting out his "non-compete" agreement, began production on his new brand, MTD, which he currently manufactures.

As a result, there are "pre-gibson" Tobias basses, as well as those made after Mike and his crew turned things entirely over to Gibson.
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WOW i want a MTD i want to ride my MTD...
 
#38
NoobBassist said:
WOW i want a MTD i want to ride my MTD...
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You can learn the whole Tobias history here:
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Get one!! A good way to get into the Mike Tobias legend is to pick up any of the Korean MTD's. The Kingston Z basses are awesome. They could use a little better electronics, but none the less incredible for the price. If your ready to dish out some serious $$$ then you can get a hand made USA from Mike himself.
 
#39
Fealach said:
I wish you would stop posting that bass. Every time I see it, I just stop and stare at it. The drool is going to ruin my keyboard.
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+1

That's one of the few basses I'd give my Alembic up for....;)

Bass Viking said:
I have played Tobias #2044 (the last Tobias made by Mike and his team). I couldn't fully appreciate the tone as the strings on it were way dead, but it is a beautiful instrument. It belongs to TBer Oddio and there is some information on his blogspot. He has some very nice things to say about the B string. Check it out here:http://otherbasses.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Has anyone noticed that Oddio's 2044 and the "2044" listed at Bass Alone aren't the same bass at all? :eyebrow:
 

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