Michael Tobias and MTD basses have been around for decades. I remember playing some new and old build of his and they are all equally top notch in terms of craftsmanship, playability and the wide tonal variety.  Here comes a predecessor of the brand and some thoughts about their basses . 

Alot of the high end, boutique level started in the early 80s, and after 4 decades of hard work building their art and crafts to where things are. Many of these builders are shifting into their retirement.   Some of them had decided to train a group of apprentices and continue the brand in a more systematic way, some of them decided to sell the brands, and some of them have the

Here's comes one of the best work that a top builder can possibly offer in the most exotic form.