The only issue i have is the fact that they look like exactly what they are, a nicely made, good sounding bass made in Indonesia. I would prefer an original.
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Tobias Officially Back
- Thread starter BaltBass5
- Start date
I assume you mean a pre-Gibson Tobias? Me too, but the price will be at least double the Classic IV or V. Personally I would like a decked out MTD 535, but my talent and wife disagree. I can work on my talent, but not sure about my wife
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Yeah, can't afford one, but you know what i mean, the new ones look like a nice high end Cort product, nothing wrong with that, just no character.
I honestly don’t think you would say that if you did not already know they were made in Indonesia. I know when I first saw them in the store, I thought “wow, new Tobias basses.” I picked them up and played them, and I really liked them. It was not until I saw the Made in Indonesia sticker on the back that I knew where they were made.
That said, everybody is different. Maybe you saw something that signaled Asian bass to you.
Just to clarify something, Tobias never made a Growler prior to Gibson acquiring the company. It was designed and built by Gibson using a lot of the knowledge that Michael passed on to them. The Growler is and always has been a Gibson original.
I have an original Growler IV and used to own an original Growler V but sold it about 15 years ago. I’ve been wanting to find another Growler V but hadn’t had any luck, so I bought one of these new ones.
Is it exactly the same? No, but very close.
Bartolini Quad Coil pickup & Bartolini 18v preamp. Babicz bridge instead of ADM. Gotoh tuners instead of Grover.
The asymmetrical neck feels and same as the original. Still maple, Purpleheart and Wenge fretboard.
The only real difference is the body wood being Paulownia instead of Swamp Ash. It doesn’t seem to affect the tone and it does make the bass lighter.
In my opinion this bass is a keeper and Dr. Cheese agrees.
One other thing. The availability on these is limited and according to Gibson, there are no plans to make more of them, so if you want one you need to jump on it now. Sweetwater has all they will receive and they’re all shown on their website in individual photos, weights, etc.
I have an original Growler IV and used to own an original Growler V but sold it about 15 years ago. I’ve been wanting to find another Growler V but hadn’t had any luck, so I bought one of these new ones.
Is it exactly the same? No, but very close.
Bartolini Quad Coil pickup & Bartolini 18v preamp. Babicz bridge instead of ADM. Gotoh tuners instead of Grover.
The asymmetrical neck feels and same as the original. Still maple, Purpleheart and Wenge fretboard.
The only real difference is the body wood being Paulownia instead of Swamp Ash. It doesn’t seem to affect the tone and it does make the bass lighter.
In my opinion this bass is a keeper and Dr. Cheese agrees.
One other thing. The availability on these is limited and according to Gibson, there are no plans to make more of them, so if you want one you need to jump on it now. Sweetwater has all they will receive and they’re all shown on their website in individual photos, weights, etc.
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Thanks for the reply Cheese. I think i am still bummed that i wasn't able to get the Growler 5 that i saw almost 20 years (20 yrs!) ago. That was a peach.
Back before Michael Tobias sold the Tobias company, I had a chance to play one of his 5 string 2 pickup models. It immediately felt like it was made for me. To this day, no bass has ever felt that good upon first playing it. I never was able to get one, but if these new ones are good ... maybe, just maybe ... Please don't screw this up Gibson.
Yeh, sorry, I should have said "cheaper than a U.S MTD or Pre-Gibson Tobias"....
I am big curious about these but skeptical given Gibsons reputation recently. Curious how they’ll compare to the Kingston line and I’m kinda bummed they’re on a limited production. I hesitate to be an early adopter of a new thing before they’ve been sufficiently vetted. I’m sure they’ll sell like hotcakes though.
So you wouldn't "Go Down Low" on a Growler?Maybe it's my puerile sense of humour, but there is now way I could play anything called a Growler
Beautiful looking basses though.
I might, but I'd have to be careful with my fingeringSo you wouldn't "Go Down Low" on a Growler?
I’m a bit surprised that a Paulonia body sounds similar to an ash body. But hey, that’s great news. I’ve never held onto any paulonia basses, as the tone didn’t appeal to me. I’m a huge OG Growler fan, so a very light version seems appealing.
A few colleagues from a German bass forum and I went to Thomann yesterday.
We have tested the new Tobias Growler IV too. Everyone was impressed by the basses low weight (2.68 kg = 5.91 lbs) and tonal flexibility.
The neck and playability are absolutely top-notch, I highly recommend giving it a try!
I couldn't resist and took it home...pimped with inlays. I'm thrilled in every way.
We have tested the new Tobias Growler IV too. Everyone was impressed by the basses low weight (2.68 kg = 5.91 lbs) and tonal flexibility.
The neck and playability are absolutely top-notch, I highly recommend giving it a try!
I couldn't resist and took it home...pimped with inlays. I'm thrilled in every way.
Sell her for the 535. Totally worth it.I assume you mean a pre-Gibson Tobias? Me too, but the price will be at least double the Classic IV or V. Personally I would like a decked out MTD 535, but my talent and wife disagree. I can work on my talent, but not sure about my wife
I have 2 paulonia basses and both sound fantastic. One is a Lowe Chromasonic and the other is a G&L Custom Shop M2500 fretless (in my avatar).
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