Aguilar AG500 Combo, Opinions?

[Dr. Cheese]

There is a pretty clean Aguilar AG500 combo at a pawnship in my area that I have played through a few times. It sounds pretty good, but I wonder if the fact that I know it is an expensive amp might be coloring my opinion of it. I know this is an older model that I don't think is made any more. I saw a review of it in Bass Player from 2005 that is over all positive but not glowing.

The bottom line is that I want to hear from people who have played it to know whether or not it worth getting for around $800.

[scd]

I picked up an AG 500-212C in 2006.The overall quality, tonal range and power are impressive. Love the overdrive sound (dialed in light, just a nice grind) on the second channel! I don't gig this amp, however I do jam with it, and it sits in the mix very nicely in a trio. At that price, if it's in good condition, I don't see how you could go wrong. Hope it works out for you!

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by scd

I picked up an AG 500-212C in 2006.The overall quality, tonal range and power are impressive. Love the overdrive sound (dialed in light, just a nice grind) on the second channel! I don't gig this amp, however I do jam with it, and it sits in the mix very nicely in a trio. At that price, if it's in good condition, I don't see how you could go wrong. Hope it works out for you!

The one I am looking at is a 1x12 with two tweeters and a horn. Thanks for the info. Is it solid state with a tube preamp?

[jasonbraatz]

The AG500 is full solid state.

[RCCollins]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

The one I am looking at is a 1x12 with two tweeters and a horn. Thanks for the info. Is it solid state with a tube preamp?

No tubes in an AG500. The OD channel sounds great, and was slimmed down for the "Agro" pedal.

[Dr. Cheese]

Dang, I have sworn off layaways for gear, but this does sound like a great deal. I think it is fairly light too. We'll see. I was planning an Acoustic B200 next week since that is something I can comfortably afford to buy cash but the Aguilar is tempting.

[jeff7bass]

It's real good but 800 is too much, IMO, for a used 12" combo. You could get a brand new Carvin MB12 with an MB115 extension for 100 bucks less. Heck there are a lot of amps you could get for less, brand new.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

It's real good but 800 is too much, IMO, for a 12" combo. You could get a brand new Carvin MB12 with an MB115 extension for 100 bucks less. Heck there are a lot of amps you could get for less, brand new.

Thanks! I needed that! I was planning on getting an Acoustic B200 next week for three bills new, with a warranty from GC. I now don't feel guilty for sticking to my budget.

[Munjibunga]

Considering that just the head is $1,350 new and the GS112 is $549 new, $800 is a very good price for the combo. I just sold mine in my weight reduction program, but I keep having seller's remorse. It's a great-sounding combo, and if you add a GS112NT under it, the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Considering that just the head is $1,350 new and the GS112 is $549 new, $800 is a very good price for the combo. I just sold mine in my weight reduction program, but I keep
having seller's remorse. It's a great-sounding combo, and if you add a GS112NT under it, the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

How loud is it, Munji?

[wcmackin]

+1 Munji that seems like a good price. I used this combo a great deal, and it always sounded good alone but ran out of steam at more extreme volume levels. Any cabinet (crappy to awesome) I added to the equation transformed it into a monster rig. It's not all that heavy, but is kinda awkward to carry whether alone or with help. IME a more substantial combo than most but really shines with an extension cab.