I ve seen more than once a store selling a Musicyo for $1500, or the Ebay ads for a 'Vintage US Made Tobias' that list a detailed company history and fail to mention they're actually selling a Gibson. Just be careful, there' sconfusion and deception aplenty. Just IMO, of course, what I'd do if I was considering a Tobias. However, if the price is right, and you can try out the particular bass, you may find a Gibson that you like. There's no way a new Gibson that's pushing $4000 can compare. If you have $2000 or so, wait and look for an 80's Tobias. If you're on a budget, I'd get a Musicyo. Even an MTD isn't better, just different - a different concept, executed just as well. There may be other brands in the same league, but nothing's better. Honestly I'd rather buy a Musicyo than a Gibson given the prices, since neither one is a 'real' Tobias. I've played a couple of the older ones, and thought that for the Musicyo price they were excellent buys. The Asym is based on Mike's design, and feels very nice and natural. I think that the older ones all had the Asym neck, while now only the right handed 4,5, and 6 fretted models do. The Musicyo basses are the Korean imports. There are subtle differences even in appearance, and they are just less attractive to me. The newer ones haven't tempted me enough to even plug them in. I played a 90's basic that looked good, but sounded rather generic. I had an early Killer B that looked plain, but played and sounded great. I have played both the new Gibsons, and the 90s. I've never seen one that was actually junk, they've seemed well put together others have written of some with real problems.

If you like it, and feel it's worth it, great. Basically, with the Gibsons it's hit or miss, people have differing opinions so be sure to play the very one you would be buying and not just a 'representative' of the type.

Gibson tobias bass