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 . 

Background
Tobias guitars was started in the mid-late 70’s , and sold to Gibson in the early 90’s  Michael was in the shop for 2 more years and left in 1992 and started MTD that continues his legacy .     This is a early-mid 2000 build, made by Gibson in the states by serious luthiers. 

Specs

• Neckthru construction
• Maple neck with bubinga stringer
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Asymmetrical neck with dual trussrods
• Swamp ash wings
• 34" / 24 frets
• 19mm string spacing
• Grover tuner
• Bartolini Pickup and Electronics (NS3TMB-18)
• Controls are - Vol / Pan / Hi / Mid / Lo , 3 way mid freq. select switch, and push/pull volume for mid cut/boost (slap switch)
• 9.8lbs

Playbility
It has a Jazz neck with narrower nut width.   I’ve never had a chance to play/try a 4 string MTD bass, and having the MTD (5 string) inspiration in mind, the neck feels a bit small to my personal liking.   It’s a fast neck with a smaller body shape.  Balance well on strap.  It’s about okay on my lap. 

Overall very balance string tensions, very low action and really easy to play. 

Sound
Bartolini pickup and electronics, and that’s the recipes!  Very versatile, balance, tight and modern sound out of the box !   These are still popular choices you see on MTD basses in these days.   I would say the neckthru construction adds a tad of compression to the overall sound than a bolt on, that also makes it easier to dig-in for the right hand.    The mid-cut/slap push/pull switch is also very efficient and fun .   

Thoughts
It’s a top notch boutique bass eventho it’s not built by Tobias himself.   A lot of these design/influences were carried over to the later MTD brand that you see everywhere.   

Gallery

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