Aguilar DB359 Amp Replacement Suggestions?

matti777 · #1 02-02-2012, 09:57 AM

I'm looking for something more portable than my DB359. Any suggestions?
- must have enough power for practice sessions (small room w/drummer)
- will run 1-GS112 8 ohm cab
- love the DB359 sound. How close can I get to this

- I play classic rock but don't care for distortion or top end
- budget - less than $1k new or used. $500 would be nice

I haven't been able to try the Tonehammer 500 which might be an obvious candidate. Thanks!

thisSNsucks · #2 02-02-2012, 10:18 AM

I haven't tried the DB359, but the Tonehammer 500 with a GS112 is a very nice pairing. Not sure if you'd have enough power, or if the tone would be similar to your all tube DB359.

I'll throw out the suggestion for a Streamliner 600/900. Very tube like hybrid, and very loud.

I wasn't a huge fan of the pairing with a GS112 though. Lots of bottom, shy in the mids and treble. Not for me, but it may work for you.

matti777 · #3 02-02-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisSNsucks

I haven't tried the DB359, but the Tonehammer 500 with a GS112 is a very nice pairing...

Thats good to know. I just found locally a used Eden WT400 w/210XLT for $750 which might be an option too.

Pickebass · #4 02-02-2012, 11:11 AM

I think the DB359 is hard to replicate. You've got a great blend of detail and tone. Almost "3D" like. The TH500 will get you close, don't think you will get the high end detail that you can get out of the DB359. That being said, my TH500 leaves the house more with the GS112s than the DB359.

Tried something last week and it get me really close. I ran a pbass with a trilogic preamp and that in front of the DB359 and it was VERY CLOSE. Added a little "sheen" overall and made it more tube like.

matti777 · #5 02-02-2012, 09:38 PM

I haven't found one in town yet that I could demo so I may have to just take a chance on the TH500.

jsbarber · #6 02-03-2012, 03:34 AM

Why not get a used DB 659 and then a lightweight power amp?

Jim

DJJazzV · #7 02-03-2012, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickebass

I think the DB359 is hard to replicate. You've got a great blend of detail and tone. Almost "3D" like. The TH500 will get you close, don't think you will get the high end detail that you can get out of the DB359. That being said, my TH500 leaves the house more with the GS112s than the DB359....

The DB359 is the keeper for sure, but if I wanted a "lighter backup" for it, I would try the above stated choice first.

derrico1 · #8 02-03-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbarber

Why not get a used DB 659 and then a lightweight power amp? Jim

That would also be my rec for Aggie tone at high volumes. You won't pull that deal off for $500 and still stay on the right side of the law.

Still, for $800-900, the 659 + light power amp crushes a lot of gigs.

pgullo64 · #9 02-03-2012, 08:38 AM

I've been plying the TH 500 Since it came out last April - somewhere between 50 -75 Gigs, 3 bands - Classic Rock band, Funk band and Wedding band - Indoor small venue, mid venue, outdoor all summer. It fits in my gig bag. I sold my DB 750 because I just wasn't using it. I agree with what Pickbass said above about the TH not haveing the same Hi end detal, but I was only able to discern that by direcly a-b'ing the two amps in my studio. On the gig you really can't tell. I use an Epifani t-2-10 and it kicks - I've herd it with the Aggie 12 and that is a great combo too.

**Chef** · #10 02-03-2012, 08:47 AM

While I loved the db680 preamp, I didn't like the 659 at all when I tried it, hoping for a smaller rig.
I felt it was grittier and more low-fi.

If you feel your 359 falls in the fat/clean/warm/with tube squish category like I felt about the 680, I'm not sure the 659 will get you where you want to go.

matti777 · #11 02-03-2012, 11:15 AM

Great info guys. There are so many choices these days. There was another post suggesting the Tecamp Puma 500 with Aguilar cabs. In the end I think I would be happy with any of these choices for what I'm doing. Somedays I think I would be better off concentrating on my playing rather than my gear but...

ps just saw the price of the Tecamp!

Munjibunga · #12 02-03-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matti777

I haven't found one in town yet that I could demo so I may have to just take a chance on the TH500.

If you can wait a month, you may want to try the new TH350. I heard it at NAMM, and it has great tone and plenty of power for your purposes, and it's right in line with your budget. Having never heard a DB359, I don't know how the sound compares.

Pickebass · #13 02-03-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

While I loved the db680 preamp, I didn't like the 659 at all when I tried it, hoping for a smaller rig.
I felt it was grittier and more low-fi.

If you feel your 359 falls in the fat/clean/warm/with tube squish category like I felt about the 680, I'm not sure the 659 will get you where you want to go.

The 659 to me was a totally different thing. I went through the process of trying to find a smaller or lightweight version of the 359.

I had the 680/728 combo to get a "louder" 359
I tried the 659 with a Peavey dpc 750 combo to go small and replicate the 359.
Got a 750, which wasn't lightweight but was probably the closest to sounding like the 359.

I use the TH500 primarily because it's sonically "in the family" and lightweight

I think the 659 is a great pre, but always seemed more fender like to me. To my ears it was very similar to the TB-1. Actually I think I preferred the TB-1 to the 659!

**woolysock** · #14 02-03-2012, 07:27 PM

I have and love a DB359. The sound is amazing, as others have said, round, fat, 3D with plenty of detail on top. But it is a pain to schlepp. My solution -- strongly recommended -- is the Genz Benz Streamliner 900. It doesn't sound exactly like the DB359 but it does come darn close -- and weighs less than 7 lbs!

The trick is to roll the bass back to 10 o'clock.

I bought an AG500 thinking it would come close to the DB359 tone. No way. It's one dimensional and kinda cardboard sounding in comparison. But the Streamliner is way different. Tubey, fat, 3D, woody, clean power for days. And light as a feather.

babebambi · #15 02-03-2012, 09:22 PM

750/1 is way too dark to replace the 359, IMO
I too think the TH500 is the best candidate base on your requirements

DJJazzV · #16 02-04-2012, 06:27 PM

I just made a combination that is very close to the DB359 (to my ears), but it doesn't really help the original post request for "portability". I tried the Aguilar Tone Hammer pedal to drive a Crest CA9 poweramp. Very similar clarity and punch. The pedal treble had to be set at about 2 o'clock with everything else flat. Perhaps the CA9 >700 damping factor is similar to the DB359 and that helps a lot?
Now I want the Tone Hammer pedal as a 1 space preamp.

bassfootballguy · #17 02-04-2012, 07:35 PM

Ok, I have owned a DB359, a 659 w poweramp rig and now a TH500. If you're looking for the portable Aguilar sound, get the TH500 and don't look back.
It will get you quite close to the 359 tone and you don't need a roadie.

matti777 · #18 02-05-2012, 08:42 PM

I tried to buy the TH500 that was in the classifieds but was a bit slow so I bought the GK MB200 on impulse from a local TBer. I figured that it will get me by for awhile. Its probably going to be the best $200 I have ever spent on bass gear

I played it for about a 1/2 hr on it tonight. This little 2 lb amp is awesome and sounded great with my Aguilar 1x12s. I actually think it sounds better than my DB359 in some cases. I'm not great at describing amps and such but the DB359 is very warm and somewhat tame. The MB200 seems a little punchier if that is the right word but doesn't give up much if anything on tone. The contour switch and controls are great. If all goes well and I need a bit more power I'm going to have to think about the MB500.

ps I wonder if the DB359 tubes have had better days. I'm going to bring it in for service and possibly a retube. I think they are still original and 10 years old! We have a great tech in town fortunately.