Aguilar DB 359

[krispn]

I currently play in a 6 piece band. I have previously used a DB659 preamp with a ss power amp and am about to take the plunge on a DB 359

I play a EBMM Big Al usually in passive P bass mode but i do incorporate the other p/u's on certain tracks.

The power should be adequate for the venues I play and I would welcome some views on the amp. I'm not looking for super articulate solo punch and I know that by activating the 4B eq on the Big Al I can tweak my sound from the bass. I'm after a 'supportive' tone as we have lots of harmony, piano, 2 or 3 guitars on the go etc so I'm really just after that solid low end. Im confident I can do that with the BD359 but you're collective wisdom is appreciated.

Here is a link to my band and the style we play.

Jump: Press A

Thanks in advance.

[krispn]

No opinions or thoughts if I would have enough power - playing rooms of 200 ppl capacity with most bigger rooms having decent PA support.

[Rumblefisher]

It will get plenty loud but will have a bit of grit to the sound at volumes louder than say, 9 oclock. Sounds like you want that though. More speakers = more volume. More watts...not necessarily.

[bassgod0dmw]

I found it to be on of the best sounding amps I've owned/played. It always fit in the mix perfectly.

Are you saying you want or don't want opinions on if it would be enough power? I don't care either way...I'll give you my 2 cents anyways! I found it to be not enough power for me. I always felt like I was pushing it hard to keep up. In the end I couldn't justify keeping such an expensive amp to be used in the studio only. My band is very loud.

It was also a pain to move. Heavy, deep, and full of glass. I stuck it in a huge 4 space amp depth rack and it was almost unwieldy to move around for me, and I'm not really a small guy. Awkward is a good word for it...

But with all it's shortcomings for me, I still love that amp. It was awesome!

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Awkward is a good word for it...

+1000

Great sounding amp, awkward form-factor. Should have made it twice as tall and half as deep.

It only goes down to 4 ohms. But legend has it there's a 2-Ohm mod that's not too invasive (works with existing trannies). If you had that puppy pushing a 2-Ohm load, you'd be loud as bombs. Still plenty loud at 4 ohms.

[krispn]

The no opinions thoughts was a rhetorical question but enough to get a reply it seems

I'm currently playing a read purity into an Eden wt1000 so I have a killer rig but the lure of all valve is what keeps me looking at the Aguilar. Its form factor isn't that important.

The Read is a fine pre and I love the tones I can get from it - the emphasis control, 4 band eq and the deep switch can make it sound massive. The only thing holding me back is that the Aguilar might not have the same versatility although I have played a DB 659 and really enjoyed the experience.

Its a nice position to be in and pretty much a win win.

Thanks for your input guys and gals!