Pete Academy Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 USA Tobias basses used to be the dog's bollocks. I played a USA Classic 5 for 15 years. They seem to be totally out of vogue these days. Nobody seems to bring them into the UK, especially since they now belong to the Gibson family. Stores in the USA don't seem to stock them, yet they are still very much in production. Anyone own a US model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 A guy running the jam night the other day had one, He said it was about 20 years old and had to be refinished but it sounded fantastic Pete! Not my style visually but great tones and a nice owner too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibrating G String Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I have 2, both Gibson models. USA built. Many people like to call the first Gibson models pre Gibson due to prejudice against Gibson but most of the Tobias' made under Mike Tobias were made in the Gibson owned factory in Burbank California. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 My old uni tutor had one originally given to Paul McCartney. It's a long story how he ended up with it, but it was a nice instrument... shame I couldn't play it as it was a lefty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerryk Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I never played original Tobias, but have had MTD just a year now, and have to say I've virtually played none of my other basses (64 jazz, MM jazz, 1980 MM Ray, Lakland US 5) since I got it. Beautifully made, great and versatile sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Yep, got a 1997 killer B 5. Great bass. Superb construction. Seriously heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 They're cool basses, although I've generally found the original Tobias models to be much better than the Gibson made models. At one point, Tobias were considered to be absolutely top drawer basses, held in regard alongside Fodera, Alembic [i]et al[/i]. Even with MTD, I don't think Michael Tobias will ever get that back sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibrating G String Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 [quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='1142752' date='Feb 26 2011, 12:01 PM']Yep, got a 1997 killer B 5. Great bass. Superb construction. Seriously heavy.[/quote] Is it walnut? My 1993 is light ash and weighs 7 pounds 15.3 ounces. [url="http://damprabbit.com/guitars/basses/24-tobias-killer-b.html"]http://damprabbit.com/guitars/basses/24-tobias-killer-b.html[/url] The neck is too thin for my tastes and I never play it anymore I do play my Renegade a lot which is not as well made but it fits better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Its maple apparently. Emailed serial no. Gibson. Most of the weight is the neck. [attachment=73502:tobias.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I've been perving over Tobias basses lately. Has anyone compared a Gibson era Tobias Growler with an MTD Kingston Artist/Heir? I'm guessing the MTD Kingston basses will have better QC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibrating G String Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 [quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='1144161' date='Feb 28 2011, 12:59 AM']Its maple apparently. Emailed serial no. Gibson. Most of the weight is the neck. [attachment=73502:tobias.jpg][/quote] Definitely maple with a wenge fingerboard. I love the color! How do you know most of the weight is the neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 [quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1145211' date='Feb 28 2011, 11:03 PM']Definitely maple with a wenge fingerboard. I love the color! How do you know most of the weight is the neck?[/quote] That's the way it feels. Fingerboard is almost 1cm thick. Sounds great though. Need to use it more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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