South Shore Guitar Boutique

HISTORY

A future set in wood

Renowned for his passion, skill, and craftsmanship, MTD founder Michael Tobias began making guitars in the 1970s. Opening Tobias Guitars in April of 1977, Michael Tobias sold instruments through his first business, known as The Guitar Shop. The first Tobias Guitar (serial number 0178), followed soon after in January 1978.

Following the sale of The Guitar Shop in 1980, Michael Tobias relocated to San Francisco, where he partnered with manufacturing business, Sierra Guitars. A short-lived endeavor, Sierra Guitars produced about fifty instruments before Michael’s departure. Continuing on his creative journey, Michael Tobias relocated to Costa Mesa California, in May of 1981. 

After several months of operating a repair shop in Costa Mesa, Michael Tobias relocated the business to Hollywood California. Tobias Guitars continued the repair and construction of custom instruments, (basses and guitars) with the help of long-time friend (and MTD family member) Bob Lee and Kevin Almieda.

A year after the relocation to Hollywood (1623 Cahuenga Blvd.) Tobias Guitars was able to retire from the repair business and focus solely on the creation of custom instruments. Kevin Almieda (Music Man) left Tobias Guitars and was succeeded by the additional members Bob McDonald and Makoto Onishi.

"The business grew by leaps and bounds. In June of 1988, we had so many back orders that we could not accept any new orders until the January NAMM show in 1990.”- M.Tobias.