New Tobias Growler (Indonesian Import)

[Dr. Cheese]

I just went by this store to check out a used Cirrus and I had no idea these Tobias basses existed. This Growler has a Babicz bridge, Gotoh tuners, and Bartolini electronics. The build quality is excellent and this particular bass is probably under 8lbs. The price is comparable to a Lakland Skyline. This four string is $1,499 and the five is $1,599. I may be ordering a five very soon since this is a limited run.

I have admit that I think I finally understand the Growler. For years, I always tried to get a Stingray tone out of one when they simply are not set up for that. This bass has a very articulate finger tone and a crisp slap tone. This is a nice take on active bass tone.

 

[ahbass2500]

I had a fretless US Growler for several years (first run with the mid switches, not the reissue). Fantastic bass. The Growler was made to be fretless IMO. Pickup/preamp setup was perfect for it. If it had not been a 4 string, I would still have it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I had a fretless US Growler for several years (first run with the mid switches, not the reissue). Fantastic bass. The Growler was made to be fretless IMO. Pickup/preamp setup was perfect for it. If it had not been a 4 string, I would still have it.

I bet this bass would kick butt fretless!

 

[scubaduba]

Indonesian made? Where did you find that?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Indonesian made? Where did you find that?

At a local shop that deals in Gibson and Epiphone too. I think switching production to Indonesia was a good move.

 

[rogerbmiller]

At a local shop that deals in Gibson and Epiphone too. I think switching production to Indonesia was a good move.

They didn't switch production per se. The Growler was long discontinued (since late 90s) when the Tobias line was made by Gibson in the USA. Eventually all US Tobias manufacturing ceased. Years later Gibson used the brand to make really cheap basses off and on for years (the Toby models).

Now over two decades later they are reintroducing the classic Growler bass as it was but made overseas so that it is an affordable price point though not cheap.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

They didn't switch production per se. The Growler was long discontinued (since late 90s) when the Tobias line was made by Gibson in the USA. Eventually all US Tobias manufacturing ceased. Years later Gibson used the brand to make really cheap basses off and on for years (the Toby models).

Now over two decades later they are reintroducing the classic Growler bass as it was but made overseas so that it is an affordable price point though not cheap.

Exactly. The other, two pickup, Tobias that Fred Hammond used play is being produced too. I will do a video of it tomorrow.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Exactly. The other, two pickup, Tobias that Fred Hammond used play is being produced too. I will do a video of it tomorrow.

Basic 5? Kewl.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Basic 5? Kewl.

The one in the store is a four, but I'm sure the five is available. The four is $2,199. I am guess the five is about $100 more, like The Growler.

 

[WayneP]

Wow, it sounds awesome! I passed on a chance to pick up a Growler a few months ago, sure regretting that now. But, that would have put me having four Tobias basses, which would make me look like a fan-boy. Which I guess I am...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
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My Basses
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[Dr. Cheese]

Wow, it sounds awesome! I passed on a chance to pick up a Growler a few months ago, sure regretting that now. But, that would have put me having four Tobias basses, which would make me look like a fan-boy. Which I guess I am...

View attachment 7163190

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

I love that color!

 

[pb9717]

I've had a few growlers. Got this one as a basket case way back bout 10 years ago. Was black over trans blur over natural., Broken switches, grounding issues. Fixed it up, refinished in faux gold marble. I was very pleased with the outcome. OK. You can pick your jaw up off the floor. Lol.

 

[red_rhino]

Very authoritative tone! Kinda liking it.

But, that would have put me having four Tobias basses

At which point you would have to admit you have a problem. But with only 3, you can still argue that you can stop anytime.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

YeeHaw! Thanks @Dr. Cheese for the newsflash that Growler is back! Glad to hear this.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Of all of the Growler reviews I have seen, Low End Lobster's video is the most thorough. Although he ultimately was not that crazy about the Growler, he does a great job of showing how versatile it is. Although I tend to like my active electronics more simple, I think that I would get along with this bass because the tones are all different varieties of fat humbucker not quite in the Precision position. That pickup spot gives it a nice combination of roundness and punch. Although Michael Tobias did not design this bass, I think it reminds of a Super 5 except it is more slap friendly. I am ordering one this Friday. I have finally found a replacement for my Peavey AX Forum V who preamp went bye bye last December during our church's Christmas program.

 

[brianrost]

Limited edition, eh? Is the new marketing strategy to grab buyers who don't actually need a new bass?

So typical of Gibson, make something that's actually good and as soon as people start buying it, stop production.

 

[kesslari]

Thanks, Doc, for posting this. It almost makes me want a 5 string fretless version. Good thing they're hard to find...

 

[pb9717]

Of all of the Growler reviews I have seen, Low End Lobster's video is the most thorough. Although he ultimately was not that crazy about the Growler, he does a great job of showing how versatile it is. Although I tend to like my active electronics more simple, I think that I would get along with this bass because the tones are all different varieties of fat humbucker not quite in the Precision position. That pickup spot gives it a nice combination of roundness and punch. Although Michael Tobias did not design this bass, I think it reminds of a Super 5 except it is more slap friendly. I am ordering one this Friday. I have finally found a replacement for my Peavey AX Forum V who preamp went bye bye last December during our church's Christmas program.

The growler has lotsa tones. But it has one GREAT tone. Both switches down, Full pickup ( both sides) 50% bass boost. 50% treble. Gives a wicked snappy, crispy punchy tone. Thats the bass's forte'. That distinct bright, crisp high end with Tobias bass punch under it all. Thru the right cab it's staggering. Another great aspect is that design. Tiny body, asymmetrical neck. Smaller spacing. Lotsa great things about that bass. But it's certainly not mainstream sounding, and not a "Swiss army knife" in any manner. it's a unique beast. Oh, and a Growler with only knobs….Sorry. Not a growler. I pity the fools that gut that triple pre. Thats things a marvel.

 

[MVE]

Love those Growlers.

 

[evilgus]

I'm disappointed that the one I had was a bit of a dud, otherwise I would still have it and maybe even de-fretted it! (It had a dodgy neck and the asymmetrical neck carve was also too extreme for my liking.)

EG