The return of Tobias

[Dave W]

Tobias instruments were trailblazers in the bass world. Now they're back.

[gearHed289]

Seems like a good idea. At these prices, I wonder where they're manufactured?

Gibson Tobias page

[Son of Dave W]

Seems like a good idea. At these prices, I wonder where they're manufactured?

According to some TB threads I saw, apparently Indonesia, but I don't see any concrete proof there.

[Son of Dave W]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ClassicV--tobias-classic-v-5-string-bass-guitar-natural look at the back of headstock photo.

Apparently made at the Samick factory where Epi and I think I saw Kramer mentioned.

[Dave W]

At those prices, I would guess Korea. That's still Samick headquarters.

[gearHed289]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ClassicV--tobias-classic-v-5-string-bass-guitar-natural look at the back of headstock photo.

Apparently made at the Samick factory where Epi and I think I saw Kramer mentioned.

Cool, I was hoping for a back of headstock shot. Samick makes some fine instruments. I have an acoustic guitar and a mini bass with their name on them.

[Son of Dave W]

At those prices, I would guess Korea. That's still Samick headquarters.

True, but the Sweetwater back of headstock shot says "Indonesia".

[Dave W]

True, but the Sweetwater back of headstock shot says "Indonesia".

D'oh!

Every Tobias in their inventory says Indonesia. Guess that settles it.

I notice that the over-$2K neck throughs all say that they won't be restocked, so maybe these are old stock.

[ajkula66]

I notice that the over-$2K neck throughs all say that they won't be restocked, so maybe these are old stock.

My understanding is that these are some kind of a test run. Test for what exactly, I have no clue but one and done. Not old stock though, evident if you look at the serials which give 2024 as the production year.

[Alanko]

The slow creep of Tobias from boutique brand to budget 'Toby' basses from Epiphone, courtesy of the Gibson buyout, is a bit bizarre. I think Tobias himself cannot use his own name on instruments now, hence MTD basses?

Still, my Lakland Hollowbody was apparently part designed by Michael Tobias, who has apparently consulted on other designs over the years, so presumably everybody is happy!


Thru-necked fancy wood basses with Bartolinis and 18-volt preamps are about the opposite of my taste in basses, but these do look rather nice.

[Son of Dave W]

I think Tobias himself cannot use his own name on instruments now, hence MTD basses?
....
Thru-necked fancy wood basses with Bartolinis and 18-volt preamps are about the opposite of my taste in basses, but these do look rather nice.

You would be correct, he sold the name/IP to Gibson, I read somewhere waaaay back when that at the time he was taken care of pretty well by the deal.

And they do look pretty nice.  I'm not sure about 2K+ US for a made in Indonesia bass, but I wouldn't mind trying one out.  I had a chance to play a gig once with a pre-Gibson Classic 6, and outside of the brain seizing mid-song from playing a 6, it played like butter and sounded great in a mix.