The production line models (Deluxe and Custom) that Gibson have been manufacturing since they bought the company are nowhere near the same quality of the hand-made instruments that Mike Tobias and his team used to produce. Even though the design is more or less the same these basses use lower quality woods, hardware and electronics. However, they are considerably cheaper due to being manufactured in the Far East. For the price I think they are ok and compared to other well known names out there within the same price bracket they are actually good value for money.
It is from my understanding that Gibson have recently opened a custom shop for Tobias Classic models. I have yet to see a Gibson made Custom Tobias and I have no idea of the quality. If you want a quality made instrument designed and produced by Mike Tobias get an MTD. I would be very certain that the bass you will recieve will knock spots off the Gibson made Custom Tobias bass.
just to correct a lil bit of your info
there 4 types of tobias basses in chronological order
#1. Tobias basses handcrafted by mike tobias and his team
#2. there are tobias basses made in japan but this was a short lived project bcuz the yen to us$ but this was spear headed by mike tobias, these were known as Tobias Standards
#3. Gibson tobias for the first year mike tobias over saw production of gibson made tobiases, there are were 6 models but now only 5
the basic, classic, signature, killer B, growler, and there used to the renegade which is no longer made
#4. gibson start producing a cheaper korean made tobias known as the toby and they have 2 model the deluxe and pro