Reviewer Jason Klein
Manufacturer Tobias
Model Growler 4-String
Price $1099 w/gig bag

Neck Type Maple/Purpleheart, 3-Piece, bolt-on
Fingerboard Wenge, fretted
Body Type Swamp Ash,Swamp Ash, 2-Piece
Finish Clear
Pickup(s) active, Double Humbucker, Bartolini
Controls 1 Volume, 1-Blend, 2-Bass/Treble, 2-Hi/Mid/Lo Toggle Switches
I like the tone, looks, and feel. The Bass is very nice looking. It has a nice woodgrain under clearcoat finish. The construction is clean, no noticeable defects. Feels light and balanced. The neck is pretty beefy. Dead spot on theG string @ the 7th fret. It's a little tough to slap on the E but on the A,D, & G it's better. The tone really cuts through on recordings. Un-amped it's sproingy. Sometimes it sounds good other times it sucks.

I don't like the Electronics because they are very fragile.I have had this Bass for one year and have had problems with it on and off. The main volume potentiameter went out within three months, the toggle switch snapped off six months later, then it was fixed and snapped again! It also will squeal loudly when I am in front of my Amp.

I recommend this bass only as a studio instrument. It's just too unreliable and delicate for the road. I would not recommend it to a friend. I would feel guilty every time he had to send it away for repairs and he'd be using mine!

Construction 90%
Playability 85%
Appearance 90%
Sound 90%
Value 40%
Cust. Service 10%
Overall 50%
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