Aguilar or GK???

[tonybassboss]

I have a dilemma ...
Which amp to buy: Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 or Gallien Krueger MB Fusion??
Aguilar is Made in USA I believe, and GK is Made in China...
Which is better in your opinion and why?
Thanks.
T.

[DosiYanarchy]

Hey Tony.

I've tried both, and I just bought the MB500 (if I had a bit more cash it would definitely have been the fusion).

The tonehammer looks really cool aestheticaly to me, but really it didnt seem do a heck of alot tonally. I experienced the same thing with the Tonehammer pedal. This isnt necessarily a negative, at the time I wanted something relatively flat without massive extremes of EQ that I could just tweak for the room as I use a Tech21 VTbass for the majority of my tones.

The fusion is a different beast it sounds warmer and more 'ampeggy' than the MB500 but its not a night and day difference as they both have the 'GK growl' that i'd always heard about but never knew what people meant till I heard it. The drive sounds are great too.

TBH in my opinion the TH500 wasnt that impressive, not a bad bass amp but is pretty subtle to my ears and the fact is that for roughly 1/3rd of the pice you could just get the pedal and wack it into the effects return of whatever you currently use. The fusion has a wealth of tonal options and just kicks @ss in my opinion. I'm happy with my MB500, but the fusion is a bit smoother - however with my VTbass/MB500 combo i can get very similar sounds to the fusion.

[tonybassboss]

Originally Posted by DosiYanarchy

Hey Tony.

I've tried both, and I just bought the MB500 (if I had a bit more cash it would definitely have been the fusion).

The tonehammer looks really cool aestheticaly to me, but really it didnt seem do a heck of alot tonally. I experienced the same thing with the Tonehammer pedal. This isnt necessarily a negative, at the time I wanted something relatively flat without massive extremes of EQ that I could just tweak for the room as I use a Tech21 VTbass for the majority of my tones.

The fusion is a different beast it sounds warmer and more 'ampeggy' than the MB500 but its not a night and day difference as they both have the 'GK growl' that i'd always heard about but never knew what people meant till I heard it. The drive sounds are great too.

TBH in my opinion the TH500 wasnt that impressive, not a bad bass amp but is pretty subtle to my ears and the fact is that for roughly 1/3rd of the pice you could just get the pedal and wack it into the effects return of whatever you currently use. The fusion has a wealth of tonal options and just kicks @ss in my opinion. I'm happy with my MB500, but the fusion is a bit smoother - however with my VTbass/MB500 combo i can get very similar sounds to the fusion.

Thanks...
other opinions?

[trjazzluva05]

Originally Posted by tonybassboss

Thanks...
other opinions?

I like both brands and i use a GK MB2-500 with a Neo 410 and an Aguilar Tone Hammer preamp instead of my GK's EQ. The GK's EQ is not very usable for me...the TH is limited in controls, but sounds far superior...and much warmer sound than the MB. I've never owned or played an Aguilar amp, but i have owned a GS 212 and 112. I'm actually considering switching fully to Aguilar from GK, it just gives me the tone i like.

[RickenBoogie]

Neither is "better", both are different. Personal preference.

[jdwinva]

I went with the Gallien Krueger MB Fusion over the Tonehammer 500. Now if you were comparing the Aguilar DB750/751 that would be a whole different story.

[Angelsbass]

GK vs Aguilar

[Lublin]

Originally Posted by Angelsbass

GK vs Aguilar

Well done.

[inazone]

When you first mentioned Aguilar or GK, I thought Aguilar of course! I have owned lots of gear by both and stayed with Aguilar for years. Then you mentioned Tone hammer 500 and MB500, of those I like the GK, go figure. I’m just not a fan of the Tone hammer.
Try both if you can!