Two prototypes -- a 4- and a 5-string in blue and amber, respectively -- were unofficially introduced today. (There will still be the obligatory official unveiling at NAMM.)

The Renegade follows the path Tobias blazed two years ago with the Growler, in delivering concert- and studio-quality instruments at prices a club musician can afford.

In the Tobias scheme of exotic, personalized basses, the Renegade will be an entry-level instrument, but it possesses quality and features surpassing many manufacturers' "top end."

"The Renegade is designed to provide people interested in Tobias with a professional instrument that will fit almost any budget," Tobias product manager Greg Whiting said.

The Renegade's beauty is in its simplicity. The alder body is mated to a 3-piece asymmetrical maple neck with maple fingerboard and dual truss rods. The Renegades's tone is supplied by one Bartolini humbucking and one Jazz Bar humbucker. A special switch enables you to run the pickups either in "series" or "parallel," offering a wide variety of tones. To further shape the sound, a Bartolini TC-7 enhanced active pickup circuit is included. The TC-7 features a preset tone contour, utilizing a trim pot inside the body cavity to fine tune the Renegade's EQ curve. For a more "vintage" sound, the tone contour circuit is bypassable. To activate the TC-7 contour, just pull up on the tone control.

Other "non-entry level" features include USA construction, a brass bridge, strap locks, sturdy gig bag, Grover tuners and a lifetime warranty.

The Renegade comes in amber, blue, red, green or black finish. The 4-string Renegade carries a U.S. list price of $1490. The 5-string Renegade lists for $1590.