RIP Bob Lee

This weekend, the bass world lost a living legend—and the MTD family lost one of its own. Bob Lee was a close friend and part of our story long before MTD was MTD.

Michael first began working with Bob during the Tobias years on Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Bob helped the business grow and contributed in countless ways, far beyond wiring some of the earliest instruments built by Michael and his team. He worked in artist relations, installed and configured the shop’s first computers—a very big deal at the time—and seemed to have a hand in nearly everything happening in the old Los Angeles shop.

Bob remained alongside Michael until MTD was established in Kingston, New York, when he chose to stay in Los Angeles and continue building an extraordinary career as a bassist, educator, and mentor. On January 25, 2019, the City of Los Angeles, Council District 14, the Living Legend Foundation, and the Jazz Salon Jazzabration® Series formally recognized Bob as a “Living Legend Bassist,” honoring 25 years of contributions to the world of jazz.

To us, Bob was also a true MTD4Lyfer. Hardly a year went by without seeing him at the MTD NAMM booth, Bass Player Live, or one of the many MTD gatherings before and after the NAMM Show. His warmth, talent, loyalty, and history with Michael and MTD will remain an enduring part of our family and our legacy.

We’ll share more about Bob and his remarkable life soon.

Rest in peace, Bob. September 1, 1949 – September 25, 2026.