))
How Michael Tobias Designed the Bass You Didn’t Know You’ve Heard
Manage episode 481787309 series 3565752
Content provided by Jamie Gale. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jamie Gale or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Michael Tobias didn’t set out to change the sound of modern music, but that’s exactly what he did. In this episode, he joins Jamie Gale to reflect on five decades of instrument building, from the early days of repairing guitars in Washington, D.C., to founding Tobias Guitars, surviving corporate life at Gibson, and ultimately creating MTD: a brand that quietly redefined what a bass could be.
Together, they trace the evolution of tonewood, the philosophy behind zero frets, and why electric instruments are more acoustic than most players realize. Michael shares lessons from factory floors, family workshops, and near-catastrophic failures - plus a look into the future as his son Daniel carries the torch.
This is not just the story of a bass builder - it’s a story about listening, adapting, and building instruments that speak for themselves.
Watch the video version on YouTube:
🔗 YouTube Channel – Life With Strings Attached
Learn more about Life With Strings Attached and Boutique Guitar Showcase:
🔗 Boutique Guitar Showcase
Support the deeper conversations:
🔗 The Business of Guitar – Patreon
Thank you for listening and supporting the ongoing conversation between music, makers, history and the future.
55 episodes
Share
