pusso9tails Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Does anyone know anything about Gibson buying Tobias? I've always salivated over the gorgeous Tobias line, however, the basses were unremittingly unaffordable. Since Gibson took up ownership of the design from Michael, the prices appear reasonable. I'd like to add one to my arsenal, however I'm somewhat concerned over the quality of the instrument. Since it is now a "factory" design off a Fordian line, has the quality of Tobias diminished at all? P.S The MTDs are pretty tasty, too! www.flow14.ca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Use the search function and you'll find other discussions. Gibson owns the Tobias name and now markets basses made in Korea through (Gibson owned)MusicYo.com. Gibson made some models in the USA in the early '90s. For the USA made Tobiases, check eBay for Classic, Renegade, Growler, or Killer B. These models were made in the early 90's. If it says "Toby Pro" or "Toby Deluxe" or anything about being "brand new" it is made in Korea. The eBay prices are probably higher than getting the same instrument direct from MusicYo. For new basses that are probably the same or better quality than USA Tobiases, check out the MTD models that are made overseas. Kingston, Heir... I think there are a couple discontinued models. If it says "MTD" then the production was part of Michael Tobias' company (after he worked with Gibson). As far as quality of the Korean instruments, I have a Deluxe 4 that has been fine. Others have experienced loose wires or other electronics issues, even in the Pro line. MusicYo does not offer a warranty. My opinion is that you get good bang for the buck with the Deluxe line (but they were $100 less 2 years ago when I got it). The Toby Pro series is over $600, and you can get a Kingston for that price. - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 FYI, here's Michael's URL. His site shows list prices of current models. MTD Basses There's a brand new book called "American Basses" that has histories of Amercan bass manufacturers. It covers a bit about the relationship between Tobias and Gibson. Backbeatbooks, American Basses. - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattC Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 Did anybody see the new Tobias acoustic in the new BP mag? the sub-$600 price tag got my attention. Has anybody played it? ...think funky thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chamers Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I've posted about the Gibson Toby Pro's before. Mind I've just undergone a religious conversion and joined the church of fender and I'm selling the Toby Pro so draw your own conclusions Playing open strings with one fist in the air http://www.garageband.com/artist/Geller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWBass Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 **Bulletin** I just read that Tobias is going to start building in the United States again. No more Korean built models!! Woo Hoo! Tobias News Scroll to the bottom. www.myspace.com/thefunkfather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orphan wells Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 i was looking at a few MTD's and of course the ones in picked out were like over $3000. price drop? i wish. his basses are killer looking killer playing and killer sounding. I didn't come here to play. I came here to make babies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Originally posted by orphan wells: i was looking at a few MTD's and of course the ones in picked out were like over $3000. price drop? i wish. his basses are killer looking killer playing and killer sounding.MTDs are different than Tobias basses. Michael Tobias sold Tobias basses to Gibson (I think). Then he started making his own basses again under MTD (Michael Tobias Designs). The MTDs are more expensive (and tasty basses, too!) since they're crafted custom by Mike himself. The Tobias basses are cheaper because their lines are production models. I think the gist of this is correct, but someone else may be able to add details or clarify. Peace. spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H. Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Stay away. Anything Gibson buys or touches goes away. Along with the customer service. Trace Elliot, Opcode, Slingerland, Baldwin. All good companies until Gibson got involved. http://www.identity5.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartolini Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Thanks to Gibson buying over Trace Elliot, I got to grab a Trace Elliot 320W 4x10 bass speaker just for US$ 166. Yamaha just cleared them and damn sound people came in lorries and swept the stores in half a day. I was fortunate to get hold of one. Usual price was US$830. I wish I had a 1x15 too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music-man Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 Sorry to hijack: Has anyone played (or even seen up close and personal) an MTD Saratoga? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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