Aguilar AG500 or Mesa Walkabout. I just can't decide!

wateroftyne · #1 03-22-2013, 04:19 PM

Hi all

I'm a long-time MESA Walkabout user, and I recently picked up an Aguilar AG500 just to try something new.

I've A/B'd them both, and tonally they're both different flavours of great. I think I could live quite happily with either for the music I play (rootsy rock, country, blues). The DI's are great.

But now I have a problem: one of them has to go, and I REALLY don't know which one. I mean REALLY.

I love the tubiness of the Walkabout, and I love the defined tightness of the AG500. The Walkabout is smaller and a bit lighter, and is loud enough, but the AG500 has more headroom.

I'm at the stage where I'm about to toss a coin, but I thought... let's ask the good people of Talkbass first.

All opinions welcome!

RickenBoogie · #2 03-22-2013, 04:57 PM

No way for anyone to make the decision for you. Why not keep both, and find some other way around whatever problem you think this is the answer to?

Musicman20 · #3 03-22-2013, 05:02 PM

Try the Aguilar TH500

SJan3 · #4 03-22-2013, 05:47 PM

Go with the Aguilar! More headroom/less maintenance. I am NOT a fan of babysitting tube amps. The Aguilar has big time grunt!

wellso74 · #5 03-22-2013, 06:10 PM

Walkabout!

RCCollins · #6 03-22-2013, 06:16 PM

that's a tough call! I had an AG500 for a bit, and it's one of my favorite solid-state amps for sure. But for the styles you're playing (and considering the cab you're using) I'd probably pick the Walkabout over the AG500.

MysticMichael · #7 03-22-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wateroftyne

I love the tubiness of the Walkabout, and I love the defined tightness of the AG500. The Walkabout is smaller and a bit lighter, and is loud enough, but the AG500 has more headroom.

I'm at the stage where I'm about to toss a coin, but I thought... let's ask the good people of Talkbass first.

C'mon, man! You can't outsource a decision like that! Not one that's so rooted in personal preference!

Get real...

MM

GregC · #8 03-22-2013, 11:33 PM

Wot, as I recall, you are on your second Walkabout. You got rid of the first one, then ran through several other amps before coming back to it. I say stick with this one, you're just going to miss it again.

GregC · #9 03-22-2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJan3

Go with the Aguilar! More headroom/less maintenance. I am NOT a fan of babysitting tube amps. The Aguilar has big time grunt!

I really don't think a tube amp has to be babysat, unless something's really wrong with it. At any rate, the Walkabout is not a tube amp, it just has two preamp tubes. And those babies can last a very long time. I've owned a Walkabout for six years, I've never had a single issue.

blindrabbit · #10 03-22-2013, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Try the Aguilar TH500

What this guy said.

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 03-22-2013, 11:50 PM

I say AG500. Besides headroom/power benefits it also has a better di where you are not stuck with post di only.

+1 on the TH500

wateroftyne · #12 03-23-2013, 01:01 AM

Cheers, all!

Greg - it is indeed my 2nd WA. Maybe that's telling me something

I'd love to hang on to them both, and I have for a month or so, but Mrs. WoT is starting to ask questions. I can't keep the charade up for much longer. :-)

I do like the pre-DI functionality of the Aguilar, and it seems to be much more resistant to noise and interference.

I'm not really interested in the TH500 - all the B&O-based micros have disappointed me so far...

JimmyM · #13 03-23-2013, 02:31 AM

LOL! Walkabout's not a tube amp.

kasbrey · #14 03-23-2013, 04:57 AM

Have you tried the Markbass TTE 500 ? Sounds perfect with a P (not to mention J's and everything else I've tried through it). The DI is post only I believe but is ace.

RCCollins · #15 03-23-2013, 09:10 AM

Am I the only person who prefers the AG500 to the TH?

The AG breaks up surprisingly nicely when the gain is cranked, while the TH NEVER sounds clean...and doesn't really sound tubey IMO... I like to be able to have a bit more flexibility from an amp.

::::BASSIST:::: · #16 03-23-2013, 09:53 AM

TH pedal version sounds very clean to me... as long as the AGS is off.

husky123 · #17 03-23-2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Am I the only person who prefers the AG500 to the TH?

The AG breaks up surprisingly nicely when the gain is cranked, while the TH NEVER sounds clean...and doesn't really sound tubey IMO... I like to be able to have a bit more flexibility from an amp.

Phew, IDK. My TH500 sounds tubey as all get out and I've had quite a few tube amps.

Bassist is right though. The TH pedal will take way more gain before breakup before the head will but the pedal is missing that magic "drive" knob.

blindrabbit · #18 03-23-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husky123

Phew, IDK. My TH500 sounds tubey as all get out and I've had quite a few tube amps.

Bassist is right though. The TH pedal will take way more gain before breakup before the head will but the pedal is missing that magic "drive" knob.

My TH350 sounds "tubier" to me than any other hybrid (or SS) amp I've owned or played through.

I'm not the best person to be commenting on clean tones, as I always like having some grit and drive on tap.

RCCollins · #19 03-23-2013, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindrabbit

My TH350 sounds "tubier" to me than any other hybrid (or SS) amp I've owned or played through.

I'm not the best person to be commenting on clean tones, as I always like having some grit and drive on tap.

It sounds gritty alright, but so can the AG500. And I mean the SC!

goldenglory18 · #20 03-23-2013, 11:28 AM

I think you will be able to sell the Walkabout faster, and for more $$ than the Aggie...