News and Tips
This section is reserved for latest developments, as well as
suggestions on how to make the best out of your Toobs and Metros
Please visit our bilingual (English/Finnish) Facebook pages (@toobspeakercabinet) for the current newsflow, fresh photos, hints & tips, chit-chat & feedback.
Our YouTube channel “Toobspeakers” receives new demo clips – both from us and third parties – on an irregular basis.
Into 2026 – A Message from Markku
While 2025 had a great start, August brought enough bad news to spoil the whole year. The US market was lost overnight, thanks to Trump’s abrupt tariff policies. Our best Finnish reseller, Custom Sounds, left business altogether. Thanks for the good years! Finally,...
Posts from 2025
On Bass Amplification
The Nordic Bass fest on September 26-28 in Gotheburg, Sweden, was an eye- and ear-opening event. A number of top bassists representing all styles convened for three intense days of lectures, workhops, performances and gear testing. Thank you, Nisse Palm, for...
Relocation accomplished!
Imagine losing your production facility, main market (USA) and top reseller (Custom Sounds) within weeks. That’s what August brought about. Luckily, new premises were found almost instantly. After weeks of stressful relocation, the new workshop in Mankkaa, Espoo, is...
ATTENTION! WE’RE MOVING!
15% Off On Everything Until End-September. TOOB 10E In Special Offer. We’re forced to relocate in a hurry. New premises in Mankkaa, Espoo, are ready to move in. The less to haul, the better. Hence, we’re offering a 15% discount on all models until the end of...
NORDIC BASS FEST IN GOTHENBURG SEP. 26-28, 2025
We have been invited to participate this new event. We’ll do it on a low profile, but aim to introduce our entire line of bass cabinets, including two new-to-the-world models: the ported TOOB 12BE aimed for bass guitar, and the Metro 8BG, still as a prototype. With...
US TARIFFS IN FORCE FROM AUG. 29
The EU tariff of 15% will apply to our deliveries to the USA as of Aug. 29, 2025. However, the situation is so confusing that many airlines and postal services, including Finnish Post, have interrupted their parcel services to the US. Our shipping agent ShipIt claims...
FULL STEAM AHEAD AND DAMN THE TORPEDOES!
The first half of 2025 was satisfactory, given the turbulent times we’re living in. Despite president Trump’s whimsical tariffs policies, sales to the United States remained brisk until July, which is a quiet month anyway. July was even slower, allowing us to enjoy an...
How to get it for less?
A) As a performing artist or full-time music student, you may be entitled to a substantial discount, subject to our discretion. Almost no strings attached. Check our Policies and Principles section.
B) We often have a few prototypes and other one-offs on hand. Those will henceforth be presented in the new Boutique section.
C) Reluctantly, we have shipped a few 10″ and 12″ TOOBs unloaded to people willing – and able – to install their own speaker. The price drop is typically EUR 100/90 (EU/non-EU) for guitar models and EUR 120/110 for bass models. If you can assemble Ikea furniture, you already have a 5 mm hex key, the only tool required.
ASK!
Playing with an upright cab
Our 12J, 12F, 10B, 12B, 6.5BG+ and 6.5FR II+ models, as well as most telescopic versions, come with removable UpBeat legs for playing in the vertical position. While we were aware of Johnny Smith’s “Fountain of Sound”, a huge 1957 Ampeg amp tilted on its back, we consider the upright legs another Toob innovation. First photos of our upright prototypes date from 2010.
Why upright? The concept makes the cab more omnidirectional: you hear yourself better, the band hears you better, and nobody in the audience is on the fire line. Works best if there’s a reflecting ceiling above – 3-5 m (10′-16′) seems ideal.
For double bass players, the solution raises the speaker closer to the instrument’s sound holes and allows the acoustic and electric sound to blend harmoniously. For guitar, applications range from orchestra pit work and big band comping to enhancing acoustic instruments and playing jazz in intimate situations.
TRY!
More on Bass Amplification
What we have learned over the years is that double basses, their preamp/pickup systems, and their players, are all great individuals. A double bass, given the chance, is a beautifully-sounding and versatile solo instrument. Our philosophy is that amplification must enhance rather than override its natural voice.
The main bass speakers we use, SICA 6L 1.5SL and Celestion BN12-300S, extend to 4 kHz and above and are rich in harmonics. The acid test is playing with the bow, and this is where they really shine.
Listening to requests for more bottom punch, we have developed the felt-ported 12EB, with some secret sauce inside, for electric bass. It’s still in the process of testing the enclosure with different speakers. The 400W LaVoce NBASS 12-30 does the job commendably but brings the total weight to 6 kg, a lot by our standards. Other candidates/alternatives include a 250W LaVoce WSN 122.50 and the Celestion BN12-300S in the louder 4 ohms version. We’ll know more soon, and will add the model to the website once the final specs are there
As for the Metro 8BG, a lot is still open: speaker, rims, cost – and the target audience. Will it offer enough extra for bassists versus the Metro 6.5BG, or is it rather a high-powered alternative to the Metro 8GP for jazz guitarists? It will take some time to find out. A clue: the only existing sample was instantly grabbed by a German bassist living in Sweden.
What we were unable to display, again due to the relocation hurries, was a sample of our telescopic bass cabinets. Built to order, they’re just like their users: all great individuals.
Here’s a link to a short video by Tuomas Pietinen: