Reviewer Michael Nelson
Manufacturer Tobias
Model Classic V
Price $4100 list, $2995 new @ Guitar Center, paid $1800 used

Neck Type 5 piece neck-through, flame maple & purpleheart
Fingerboard Pao Ferro, 24 frets
Body Type Flame maple top, wenge plate, walnut body
Finish Satin Oiled natural finish, black hardware
Pickup(s) 2, active, Soapbar, Bartolini
Controls Volume, pickup pan, active bass, treble, midrange,
bypass switch
This is my first five-string bass. Coming from a Jazz, I was somewhat apprehensive about how difficult this axe would be to play, given the extra string and the wider, flatter finger- board. However, after playing it for a bit more than a week I find it actually easier to play than my beloved Jazz. Part of this is due, I believe, to the asymmetrical neck shape, (it's thinner on the treble side of the neck than it is on the bass side). The neck feels very comfortable in my hand.

This bass is so precisely and carefully made that you can run the action quite low. The tone is incredible, with quite a wide variety of sounds available. The bypass switch allows you to bypass all of the active EQ, so you can get a very clean sound by using the bypass switch. The B string has a nice growly tone and seems well-matched to the sound of the other four strings.

The woods used are carefully selected for the tone effect and for their appearance. Tobias makes this instrument available in several different combinations of woods, the particular combination I have is kind of a "middle of the road" sound, nice brightness on the highs, nice deepness in the lows. Other wood combinations will give other tones.

It's a gorgeous instrument to behold. I love the shape of the body, the look and feel of the woods, and the natural finish.

The neck-through design gives easy access to the high frets and incredible sustain.

Construction 100%
Playability 100%
Appearance 100%
Sound 95%
Value 80%
Overall 98%
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