joel406

Busy day. Had some issues with the KB. Fretting out on G and D 5th fret. Took it to my wizard who diagnosed an issue that would require a fret dressing. Under warranty so an issue it wasn't. But after thinking it over for 6 hours I called to inform the shop I would be returning the bass. They abided. The Classic V is rock solid so it will remain with me. I then proceeded to purchase a new MTD 534 17. Just got back home with it. Crazy piece of kit. Fresh setup and strings. She needs some time to breath, but sexy in all the right places. Don't see a lot of 534 17s out there. Price was nuts. But I'm worth it. Amazingly solid fit and finish. Crazy Birdseye maple fretboard. Looks like roasted maple neck. I gotta read the sheet and give Michael a call. Get the real scoop on this baby inside and out. I'll post some pictures later. Time to chill.

Funny you should show at this point in history as I am purchasing my first MTD today. A 534. Extraordinarily beautiful bass for and even more exuberant price. Clearly my largest investment ever. But after looking it over I have decided it's better than the price of an Alembic or Ritter or even a Fodera. And likely a better instrument in the end.

The last good head I had from GK was the MB-800. Should never have moved it on. Even the MB-800 Fusion didn't sound as good. So, I tried "all" of the new GK line. 800 and 1200. Legacy and fusion. Did not get along. Tried a Mesa Subway D-800+. Sold every GK component I had. Switched to Mesa Subway. Cabs and all. Never been happier. With an amp. These days I try to live in the 21st century and run amp less. But I'll keep a couple of Mesa stacks. Should I need them. YMMV.

I got banned for relating an experience I had with a backline. I was just telling about my experience, and they took offence relating how weak the amp was they provided for the bass. A Hartke 810 hydrive with their 600 class D head. I forget the model. The new one. No power. Barely audible. All the while I was thinking I had my Mesa Subway 212 and a D-800+ right outside in the car. And how it would blow this away. Blew their cogs.

Started thinking after that last post. So, I got the Classic V out. Has new strings on it and is in tune out of the case. Body fits better than the KB. EQ so much better. Easier to control out of the gate. Easier on the right hand(if that makes any sense). Smooth tones. It's an affordable MTD 534. After 15 minutes of play I've already ask for it's hand in marriage. She said yes.

Finally got the house settled and have spent the last hour-ish with the KBV. Understanding the electronics better. Also how she like's to be handled. Balances well in the strap. Found the clean stuff. The dirt is just a flick of the wrist, and you can be on another planet. Playing style shows. Pickup selection(pan control). Slight adjustments either way can be felt. Best to start at center and adjust. But the pickups are strong. I still feel like I'm playing an Alembic. The classic still rest in case. I'm gonna fine tune the KB. Again, I'm just running wide open into a small mixer. With headphones. Good ones. So very basic at the moment. Once the studio is done. 2-3 weeks. I can better control with the setup in it. But the new Toby KBV rocks. I expect the Classic to rock my world.

Expression isn't easy sometimes. I meant the "action'. Same at the nut as at the 24th fret. String height. Feels equal from top to bottom.

Alright! The road so far... que music. I've played exclusively on the KB V since yesterday. Noting mostly the difference the feel of it is, compared to my Fenders and G&Ls. The neck is thin. Compared to a Fender Jazz V or a G&L L2500. The G&L M2500 still holding as a favorite neck. The KB has feel and action more like an Alembic. Flat feeling. Strings go straight down the neck in a line, from nut to bridge. Holds tune well. The EQ is still being sorted. It will be better for all once I can get the Quad Cortex out. But these are keepers. I plan on having more to say about the KB. I hope to have the classic out in a couple of days.

What's making you sore?

The Classic and the Killer both balance nicely. Once you put them on a strap they just seem to fit the body. And the size is so cool. Reminds me of an Alembic.

I'm just getting started on my comparison of the Killer B V and Classic V. But on a softer note, the Growler. I spent all of 30 minutes with it so it's not very in depth. Sonically it does sound cool. Multiple coil adjustments make for quite the tonal palette. It was so light. But the neck has all the weight (you already see where this is going). Yep! Neck dive. Holy crap on a cracker neck dive. A good strap may help but IMO it's a deal breaker. But do not dismiss it. For studio work sure. Live, I would pass. As of right now I'm toying with the Killer B. Figuring out the EQ. This bass wants metal. I should have gone with my tried-and-true D'Addario Half Rounds. I opted for nickel round D'Addario's since they worked so well with my G&Ls. But I also know these strings are barley 24 hours old and some break in should mellow things. Also, I get regular interruptions from the construction crew. That tends to cause track changes. What they're doing will be for another post hopefully soon.

Well, the Classic 5 arrived this morning. I immediately took it to my trusted setup guy. New strings and a setup and it was perfect. My luthier works out of the shop where my buddy works. They have a very righteous bass department. They also have a new Growler and Killer B. While my Classic was being sorted, I had a run with them. That Growler was so light. I've never held a 6lb full scale bass. The tones were cool. But probably really not gig worthy. Too light. Felt like was gonna break it. But for a studio bass there are a lot of sounds in there. Then I tried the Killer B. Oh my... Tone. Feel! It's all there. So! I wanted a real case for the classic and of course Gator cases are everywhere there. So I got me a nice hardshell case for the Classic. Then I turned around and bought the Killer B. Crazy day too say the least. 2 new Tobias Basses in one day. And yes, I bought a second Gator case for it. Gonna be spending the night switching from Classic to Killer B. I will post pictures and a NBD later. Been a busy day. Time to chill.

I get you're a Cort fan. There is more than one shop close to me that stocks em. Tried them I have. And my response is "very" subjective. Didn't care for them. Sound wise they were ok at best. But seem cheaply made. Of course, people complain about Fender in the same way. I feel differently about that. And while a monster player I am not a big fan of their primary endorser Mr. Jeff Berlin. He was my neighbor at one point. His views are solid enough but his message to abrasive for me. He stands his ground firmly. As for Mark bass products... REALLY not a fan. I feel even more so when it comes to Hartke. Fender, G&L, Mesa Boogie and Epifani are the kinda stuff that gets me outa bed in the morning. I even don't care for Dingwalls. Yeah, I'm that old school. I'm hoping that this Classic 5 that's due to arrive here within the next 5 hours impresses me. There is a Growler and a killer B at my buddies shop that I haven't had the chance to go see. But he's a hopeless MTD freak and he says he's considering taking a Growler home. That says a lot being as he owns 9 535s.

Well, I should have an idea about that in just under 6 hours. Tracking shows mine is now within driving distance. Just waiting for FedEx.

I owned 2 Mike Lulls that had the full US Bart setup. Oddly enough both were 9v. While great instruments I couldn't get along with the 35" scale. I have seen Lulls in 34" since moving both of those on. But again at $5k usd I chose to pass. Now the Classic I now wait for seems to have the full USA Bart and pre, lets hope the neck and balance pan out. Tracking says it will arrive in the next 6 hours. Kinda excited. I was an old Toby fan from back in the day. Big Chris Squire fan. Remember "On the silent wings of freedom"? Still love that song. Coming from a hopeless Fender freak. I have 13. This is a big change.

Another note to be added. Of the 3 retailers I've spoken too, all have said that Gibson is making only one run of these. After that they are discontinued. So, get now while you can or forever hold your peace.

I have seen one. The $6k usd price was somewhat restrictive.

Looks like the Cort has different electronics than the Toby. Different body, neck and fret board woods as well. Plus, I'm sure being made by Gibson license adds a tick.

I have high hopes. I could have just gotten myself a MTD 534 and been happy. But they all seem to have wide string spacing. Wide necks. I prefer Fender-ish spacing. These look like their close. I will find out tomorrow.

Well. Personally, I like em. So I'm trying one. A classic 5. I wanted Neck thru. Arrives tomorrow. Photos from the seller.

Mesa Boogie. I tried all the new Subway line. I loved the D-800+. So, I keep 2 on hand. For cabs I have a pair of Subway 212s. And a pair of Subway 410s. I also have a custom built Epifani UL 901. I was a GK junkie for decades, but their new line was terrible. So, I tried Mesa. Now I'm good.

Yeah... I guess CS is nice and all. But I have never seen the point. A MIA Fender will always get you there. Even if you do change pickups. Speaking from experience, adding a preamp to an instrument is counterproductive. I own 4 active basses and 9 passive. A QuadCortex will always get you the sound you want. And you can set it up for every bass you have. Just step on the button.

Check out the G&L M-2500 (if you can find one). Those necks and electronics are crazy good. So good I ended up with 3 of em. The L-2500 is good. Easier to find. I have one. But the M-2500 is so much better.

Hard to tell. Blue with tort. My favorite of 13.

This is the way...