Sonic Evaluation
"Growler" is an apt moniker for this incredible Tobias 5-stringer. I loved it so much that, to be honest, if I could navigate a 5-string, it would be going home with me tonight. Alas, the extra string confuses my synapses, so I am a four-stringer through and through. I wish I wasn't, because this bass exemplifies the best that Bartolini pickups offer. Each fret on each string sounds massive and powerful, ringing out with piano like power and hi-fidelity clarity. Some active pickups sound characterless and sterile, but the Bartolinis in this bass sound vibrant and lively. They produce a seismically dangerous fundamental that causes animals miles away in forests to perk up their ears and run like their lives depend on it deeper into the forest, sure that some eldritch abomination will spell their doom if they don't flee.
The fundamental is king for basses, but this Growler also has a good amount of overtones for seasoning, which makes each note feel rich and full. The B string is a P.A. destroyer that makes subwoofer speakers quake in their boots, and the other low notes and the midrange are broad and powerful as well--they just will only make the building's foundation quake rather than crumble. The highs are also quite meaty, and high notes project with just as much power as the low B.
Of course this is all with both pickups at unity. Using the push/pull knob to unlock the slap setting and fiddling with the powerful active EQ, you can coax pretty much every tone color on the spectrum out of this bass, giving it ultimate versatility.
If you're in the market for an active 5-string, this Tobias will offer you boutique tone at an unbeatable value. I have no doubt the lucky bassman who becomes this bass's next guardian will love it as much as I do.
Condition Report
This beastly Tobias Growler 5-string is in fantastic shape! It shows extremely light signs of normal use, and it has only a few small cosmetic imperfections: a few dents and marks in the fretboard, and a chip on the back next to the edge of the back plate. It comes with its original hardshell case, too!
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Brand Name
Tobias
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Model
2006 Tobias Growler 5 - 5-String
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Finish Color
Satin Natural
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Weight
8.62 lbs.
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Body Wood
Ash
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Neck Dimensions
.820 1st - 1.000 12th
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Neck Wood
Maple with Purple Heart Stripe
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Neck Shape
Standard Tobias Asym Profile
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Fingerboard Wood
Paduke
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Fingerboard Inlays
None
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Frets
24 Original
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Scale Length
34"
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Nut Material
Corian
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Width at Nut
1 3/4"
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Pickups
Active Bartolini Quad-coil
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Controls
Volume, Push-Pull Slap Tone, Pan-Pot, Treble, Mid-Range, Bass
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Hardware
Black
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Tuners
Grover
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bridge
Adjustable 5-Saddle
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Pickguard
None
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Case
Original Spector Black Hardshell
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point by point setup, an exhaustive evaluation, and expert shipping procedures, with first class, industry leading standards from start to finish. Why? Because you deserve it.
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