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Tobias Toby 6

J

Junglerog

Mar 16, 2012
36
1
London, UK
#1
Hi Folks.

Link Removed

So I found this Tobias for sale and I am quite interested in a purchase.
Problem is the owner does not know much about the bass, neither do I.
I am a fan of Michael Tobias work, actually using one of his Kingston basses, although looking now for a bit different sound than my modded Artist 5.
I am not able to get my hands on this bass before I actually buy it so it's quite important to research it as well as I can.

I've done some "googling" and it seems like the bass wings are made of maple and neck is wenge/maple with rosewood fingerboard. I think this wood combination would most likely give me the sounds I am currently looking for. I wish I could confirm this somehow.

I was wondering if perhaps some of you have used it before and could share your experience?
I don't mind modding it in future if it's actually worth doing.
Any help is much appreciated.

God bless you.
Paul
 
#7
Are the electronics stock? If so, I wouldn't pay anything over $700 for it. Actually, $500 sounds more reasonable depending on the condition. I'm the previous owner of Kitsapbass's Toby 5'er. I had the electronics gutted and stuck in an 18V Bart preamp and 2 Bartolini quad coil pickups in it. That, to me, is what made that bass sound awesome. By itself, though, it sounded like a budget bass.

If you're willing to mod it up and stick some money into the electronics then I'd say go for it. If not, you'll be buying a bass that sounds like it's price tag. This is my opinion, mind you. YMMV.
 
#8
Stock and in great condition, I wouldn't pay a dime over $500! If anything is wrong with it and it can be remedied, $300-$400 tops. These were made in Korea by Gibson. It's a Tobias in name only. Mike never made these. These were also sold direct via the MusicYo website (Gibson entity) at really good prices. Decent basses. Weak link was the preamp. You'll most likely want to upgrade immediately!

I owned the Deluxe 5 string version (Bolt-on, Jazz pickups) and gigged it for about 6-7 years!
 
#9
DWBass said:
Stock and in great condition, I wouldn't pay a dime over $500! If anything is wrong with it and it can be remedied, $300-$400 tops. These were made in Korea by Gibson. It's a Tobias in name only. Mike never made these. These were also sold direct via the MusicYo website (Gibson entity) at really good prices. Decent basses. Weak link was the preamp. You'll most likely want to upgrade immediately!

I owned the Deluxe 5 string version (Bolt-on, Jazz pickups) and gigged it for about 6-7 years!
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, well I do not plan to pay more than £200-250$ for it ( about 300-400 dollars).
 
#10
capnsandwich said:
Are the electronics stock? If so, I wouldn't pay anything over $700 for it. Actually, $500 sounds more reasonable depending on the condition. I'm the previous owner of Kitsapbass's Toby 5'er. I had the electronics gutted and stuck in an 18V Bart preamp and 2 Bartolini quad coil pickups in it. That, to me, is what made that bass sound awesome. By itself, though, it sounded like a budget bass.

If you're willing to mod it up and stick some money into the electronics then I'd say go for it. If not, you'll be buying a bass that sounds like it's price tag. This is my opinion, mind you. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Yes mate, I don't mind modding it.
I've got 2003 MTD Kingston Artist with Bart pick up+electronics and it sounds quite awesome.
If I get this one I might go for OBP-3 this time.
 
#11
I don't know, capn - the sustain was what really made the bass for me. Again, that's why it was my main bass for years - the fact that I could play a note and it stopped pretty much when I lifted my finger, unlike the Peavey and the Guild it supplanted. Admittedly though, the preamp and p/us are awesome - but the sustain was the biggest factor.
 
#12
I don't mean this to sound negative, good buddy. Just wanted to put up a note of caution about the neck.

A couple years ago my local music store had taken in an American made Gibson Tobias on a trade. The owner knew I liked MTDs, so he offered it to me pretty cheap. I was astounded how high the action was, so I sighted down the edge of the neck. Yup: the dreaded ski jump. I passed on it, as much as I liked the MTD basses.

I've had a total of four MTDs, three imports and one built by Mike at his shop in Kingston NY. The necks on those are great, and they take a low setup with no problem. But that Gibson bass was a dog, IMO.
 
#13
Ewo said:
I don't mean this to sound negative, good buddy. Just wanted to put up a note of caution about the neck.

A couple years ago my local music store had taken in an American made Gibson Tobias on a trade. The owner knew I liked MTDs, so he offered it to me pretty cheap. I was astounded how high the action was, so I sighted down the edge of the neck. Yup: the dreaded ski jump. I passed on it, as much as I liked the MTD basses.

I've had a total of four MTDs, three imports and one built by Mike at his shop in Kingston NY. The necks on those are great, and they take a low setup with no problem. But that Gibson bass was a dog, IMO.
Click to expand...

Well I didn't have to do anything to the Kingston's neck and after a bit of work (mostly at last frets) this bass became quite amazing, I couldn't be happier with action and overall feel. I am definitely sold when it comes down to MTDs.
 
#14
I had a six- and four-string Toby Pro from MusicYo, one of which (the six) is on the local craigslist. I'd originally intended to pull the pickups and preamp and upgrade to Barts, but the stock setup, while not top shelf, didn't suck either. Just never got around to it, as time constraints weighed heavily on me. The build quality---of mine, at least---was spot on.
 
#15
Kitsapbass said:
I don't know, capn - the sustain was what really made the bass for me. Again, that's why it was my main bass for years - the fact that I could play a note and it stopped pretty much when I lifted my finger, unlike the Peavey and the Guild it supplanted. Admittedly though, the preamp and p/us are awesome - but the sustain was the biggest factor.
Click to expand...

I do believe the solid walnut body had a lot to do with that. It was a great piece of wood! The build quality of these basses are good for how much they cost.
 
#17
capnsandwich said:
I do believe the solid walnut body had a lot to do with that. It was a great piece of wood! The build quality of these basses are good for how much they cost.
Click to expand...
I agree. As good as any Korean built instrument. Which they are pretty good. Tuners, pots and bridge were all decent quality. I think I had my neck adjusted once in the 6-7 years I played mine. Never had an issue other than that.
 
#18
Just thought I would update on this one...
The guitar was sold for £365 which is roughly 600$ and as advised by fellow TBers I passed on it.

Anyone can explain to me why are the instruments so expensive in UK??!!

I mean for real....you can even buy Ashdown amps cheaper in States than here......
 
#19
Junglerog said:
Just thought I would update on this one...
The guitar was sold for £365 which is roughly 600$ and as advised by fellow TBers I passed on it.

Anyone can explain to me why are the instruments so expensive in UK??!!

I mean for real....you can even buy Ashdown amps cheaper in States than here......
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like it's time to cross the pond for your next big gear purchase.
 
#20
Junglerog said:
Just thought I would update on this one...
The guitar was sold for £365 which is roughly 600$ and as advised by fellow TBers I passed on it.

Anyone can explain to me why are the instruments so expensive in UK??!!

I mean for real....you can even buy Ashdown amps cheaper in States than here......
Click to expand...
It was probably passed off as a 'legit' Tobias! I don't think they even sold for that much brand new!
 

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