Bass Details:
Date Created: 4/11/2001, Orig Item #: 000110, First Name: Sean, Last Name: Barney, country: USA, U.S. state: NV, bass make: Tobias, make if other: , bass model: Signature 6 String, bass year: 1995, body color: Lacewood laminated with Wenge, body style: , neck specie: , neck specie if other: 9 pc, neck-thru. Wenge, Purple Heart and Maple, neck style: , fingerboard: ebony, fingerboard if other: , fretlines: none, pickup brand: Bartolini, pickup config.: 2, neck & bridge, originally fretless?: yes, comments:: FOR SALE! FOR SALE! FOR SALE! TOBIAS SIGNATURE 6st FRETLESS Serial #3867 Gibson Made in USA. I want to be very thorough in representing this bass! I bought this bass a last year from a guy in a music store in Athens GA. The bass was loaded with Seymour Duncan pickups when I got it (which I knew about). I had a lot of trouble finding a “tone” within this bass. An “adequate” tone could only be achieved with one particular setting. It was very frustrating. After a lot of experimenting, on and off the gig, I discovered the problem. It wasn’t the Seymour Duncans at all. It was the incompatibility of the pre-amp inside (an EMG “B-EQ”, which I did NOT know about) combined with the Seymour Duncans. The two components of the system just didn’t work well together at all! During my experimental phase with this bass, I found a pre-Gibson Tobias 5st fretless in pristine condition (See #108). So, I bought it as well. I fell in love with the 5st as soon as it arrived! I can’t keep them both, although I’d like to. So, I’m offering this 6st for sale. I can’t misrepresent this, or anything, that I’m trying to sell. I wasn’t raised that way! Because of this, I have completely replaced the the electronics. (I don’t want anyone to be misled the way I was!) This bass now has new Bartolini pickups (custom ordered by me) and a 9 volt, Bartolini/Tobias pre-amp out of one of Michael Tobias’ original basses (#1077, which I also own). The tone now, is Incredible! It sounds Fantastic! Regardless of the setting, the Tobias/Bartolini quality of tone shines through! The configuration is volume, volume, treble, mid-range and bass with a mini toggle switch for active/passive operation. I called Gibson myself and learned that this bass was a custom order completed in November of 1995. It’s original price was $6,000.00 (They wouldn’t divulge to me who originally placed the order). It has the name “Jilly” inlaid in the body in Mother of Pearl below the neck pickup to match the “T” on the headstock. (See url link.) I guess Jilly is Her name now! Jilly has an added thumbrest made of Lacewood (to match her body). It runs along the neck/body seam from the end of her fingerboard, to her bridge. Both of her pickups intersect the thumbrest. (See url link.) She plays like a dream! (It’s a shame I have to part with her because I’ve corrected all her flaws!) She has a nine-piece, neck-through construction. Her asymetrical neck is made of Wenge, Purple Heart and Maple. Her body is Lacewood laminated with Wenge. She is an absolutely GORGEOUS bass! She has a hand-rubbed oil finish. (Hard to tell from the photos because she’s so beautiful!) As you can see, she’s in great shape! There is no belt buckle damage on her back at all! She hasn’t been played much because her fingerboard is also in great condition! There are standard, position marking dots on the bass side of the neck. Neck width at the nut is 2&1/16″ or 52mm. Neck width at the 24th fret marker is 3&1/4″ or 82.5mm. Neck thickness at the 5th fret marker is 11/16″ or 17.5mm. String spacing at the nut is 1&25/32″ or 45mm. String spacing at the bridge is 3&7/32″ or 82mm. (I don’t have a micrometer so these specs are only as accurate as I can measure with a small ruler). Jilly comes with a new, hard-shell, Tobias case. It has a plush, black, velour-type lining and a large, covered compartment for accessories, located under the neck. It is a wonderful piece of craftmanship and it sounds fantastic! I only wish I could keep it myself! Sean Barney UPDATE! THIS BASS HAS BEEN SOLD! Sold on consignment by Beaver Felton @ Bass Central, Florida. Thanks to Beaver & his staff for all the great service that you always provide for me!