I recently set out to replace my old beat up p-bass clone with a decent 5 string. I only had a minimal budget to work with (about $500). I started out looking at the usual basses in this price range at mu local music stores (Ibanez, Yamaha, Fender, Peavey, Dean, etc.). Nothing "jumped out" at me so I started playing around with some of the more expensive, foreign made neck-thrus. I immediately fell in love with the Spector (built in China) and a used Carvin. Problem was that they were still out of my price range. That sent me on a mission to find a used instrument similar to these at a real good price. That's when I stumbled on a Toby Pro-5 at a popular internet auction site. I went to the seller's website and was blown away by the great price (and specs) so I took a gamble and purchaced on of these beauties.

When I took it out of the shipping box I was pleasently surprised. The picture on the website didn't do it justice. The finish was a nice clear satin that shows of a beautiful maple body (nice selection of grains in the wood) that appears to be flamed.

When I strapped it on, it was well balanced and comfortable. The long horn and offset strap buttons make the bass sit right where it belongs and it doesn't move (unlike my old p-bass clone which never felt right). The action was set nice an low right out of the box and the neck fits very comfortably in my hand (the neck is real thin for a 5 string). The satin finish gives the neck a real nice fast "fast" feeling.

After plugging it in I was even more excited. The electronics are very quiet. Only when I crank the treble can you head any hiss (and it's not too bad). I get a large range of tones with the active electronics. It can get a nice treble slap tone, a thick full low end or a nice rock and roll "growl". There's not to much I can't do with this bass.

This instrument is not a high end Tobias by any means. It has cheaper hardware (black finish), is mass produced in Korea (unlike the hand built American models) and a fairly inexpensive pickup system. One complaint is that the fret markers are not easy to see in low light (not a big issues with me). But for the cash this bass is by far the best deal I've seen in years. It has many of the features of the high end instruments (laminated neck thru, active electronics, etc.) for less money than the bolt on models that I originally looked at.

Overall I am very happy with this bass and will be using it as my primary instrument for many years to come. I would recommend a Toby Pro to anyone who is looking for a low priced bass with high end features.

Construction	90%
Playability	100%
Appearance	100%
Sound	90%
Value	100%
Overall	100%