Tobias, Identification help needed

[Daveyboyz]

Hello, I am hoping someone can help me with identifying this bass please.

I bought it from a shop in London UK for £800 a long while ago, I was told it was one of very few imported to England. I played it for about 6 months (I am a guitarist but needed to fill in on Bass for a while) and then I put it away in its case for 10+ years.

Here are the images.

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It says on the reverse of the headstock "Tobias 5032723 Korea" I would like to know the model name for this bass, what year it was produced, if it has any rarity and any other information I should know.

Its a very nice bass to play and even though I don't pick it up very often I will probably keep it for the foreseeable future... I wonder if it will ever accumulate any value if kept immaculate and what it is currently worth.

 

[73jbass]

Looks like the Toby. Imported through Music Yo several years ago.

 

[Daveyboyz]

Thank you, super quick reply...

Can it be dated from the serial number?

 

[scubaduba]

Yep. That's a Toby.

 

[Daveyboyz]

While I agree that the body is the same shape while looking at these online I see they are MUCH cheaper than mine was.

Is this a reflection of everything being sold cheaper in the states or is mine slightly different? Mine has the volume/tone knobs in different positions and a marked fretboard.

I am just trying to figure why mine cost so much (it was from a reputable dealer that I can't see ripping me off)

 

[scubaduba]

See this link: http://web.archive.org/web/20040417084638/http://www.musicyo.com/product_specs.asp?pf_id=331

 

[Daveyboyz]

Yeah that's definitely the one I have... but then I look at the price and just think "***!"

There's nothing wrong with the bass itself, but I paid £800 when £800 was $1600... so how can they be selling the same bass for $350?

Anway thanks for the help

Only other thing is how to find the date from the serial number...