Used 2006 Tobias Growler 5 – 5-String

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!