Aguilar - Official 'Tone Hammer 500' 3.8lbs 500w Thread #2

[Jeff Scott]

Either one but if you want to use the EQ of the amp with the XLR out set it to post (in).

[Zeelod]

I'm wondering if any of you fellows had any experience with this, or could possibly give me any feedback. It would be much appreciated.

Originally Posted by Zeelod

Hey everyone, I'm very interested in the TH500.

My current amp is a Fender Bassman Pro 300. I love the sound that comes from the amp but after hauling it around for a few years, the weight and size are really starting to get to me.

So I was wondering how these two amps compare? Obviously there's a huge difference in size and weight, but what about tone?

On the Fender, a majority of the time I have the main EQ controls flat and then on the graphic EQ I have the low bass frequencies rolled off just slightly, a little boost to the low mid area, a slight cut to the upper mid area, and then a flat treble end. I also have the built in compression turned on but it's used in a fairly subtle manner.

I run it into an Avatar 2x12 8ohm cabinet that has the tweeter rolled almost all the way off. And I also run my bass with flatwounds.

What do you guys think I should expect from using the TH500? After reading through quite a bit of this thread, it sounds like the TH has slight boost in the lower mids, which appeals to me a lot.
How would it be on volume going into my cab compared to my current amp? I typically play with an extremely loud drummer, and loud types of music in general so having head room is nice.

[mizedog]

Originally Posted by astack

Early 70's V4B. Pure rock and roll.

Cool! Years ago I moved from an Eden WT500 to a 300 watt SVT Classic then added a V4B to the arsenal for smaller venues. Loved both Ampegs! The V4B definitely sounded different from the SVT. The V4B was snarlier, mid-forward and not very tame. The SVT was more subtle in the mids, but shook the house and had a nicer bloom that the Eden just missed.

Unfortunately, I lost all three heads, cabs, most basses, other band equipment etc. when a poor pilot crashed into the house (I wasn't home, but he parished). Wish I still had all that stuff but will never replace it all. I'm just not gigging like I used to.

Re: the TH500 -
I've used it in my 800 seat church more for a personal monitor (through an old SWR Monitor 12) than for sound reinforcement. But, I like it so far much better than my old GK 700RB 210 kickback combo. The TH500/SWR is one third the weight of the GK, and it MUCH easier to carry back to my station. The warmth is soooo much easier to use as I had to consently try to tame the GK. Practicing for X-Mas carrols last night, I kept my J-bass volumes at about 75%, tone at 60%. From there, the J-bass alomst felt like an active bass - lots of variety in tone.

I set it up like this, no bottom cab. If I put it in front of me, below the music stand, it makes a great foot rest.

[astack]

Question for the doublers here: How's the TH500 at double duty and what cabs are you using?

I've seen a bit of love for them over in the DB side. I tried the TH500 into my 1x15PR400 cab once and found it way too nasally and couldn't get it dialed back, but that speaker's been on the fritz, so it's hard to tell what wasn't working. I did not try it with the ML112 before selling them, partly because I was afraid I'd like it too much and have to lug around what I consider a huge cab for an upright gig...

I'd love to not have to buy a second head for upcoming DB gigs in the new year.

For reference, I'm playing a 50's Kay M-1 with a K&K bass max. Cab is TBD.

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by Zeelod

I'm wondering if any of you fellows had any experience with this, or could possibly give me any feedback. It would be much appreciated.

There would be a difference in feel going to a solid state head, even though the Aguilar TH500 is very warm, you're coming from an all-tube design so it's tough to say if you'd like the change or not. You might love it. I'm sure you're back would, but everything else is very subjective. I think the TH500 has the EQ control to let you get very close to the tonal response of the Bassman, but there could be other things that are very different, like harmonic response, cushy tube feel, etc, etc. Just hard to say.

[Zeelod]

Originally Posted by Eublet

There would be a difference in feel going to a solid state head, even though the Aguilar TH500 is very warm, you're coming from an all-tube design so it's tough to say if you'd like the change or not. You might love it. I'm sure you're back would, but everything else is very subjective. I think the TH500 has the EQ control to let you get very close to the tonal response of the Bassman, but there could be other things that are very different, like harmonic response, cushy tube feel, etc, etc. Just hard to say.

I see. Thanks for responding. I'll have to see if there are any of these aguilar heads locally to try out to really get an idea. So far I've just been going off of youtube clips.

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by Zeelod

I see. Thanks for responding. I'll have to see if there are any of these aguilar heads locally to try out to really get an idea. So far I've just been going off of youtube clips.

I know what you mean. Youtube can help you get the basic tonal characteristics of something, but don't really let you get a feel for how they respond under your fingers. Good luck!

[rodl2005]

I used this rig last night. We got a bit loud during the 2nd of 3 sets, so I put the TH500 on top & unplugged the Fender Studio Bass 200
The extra headroom was great &, gee, I didn't want for much tubey feel & tone. The TH500 did it, in spades.

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by astack

Question for the doublers here: How's the TH500 at double duty and what cabs are you using?

I've seen a bit of love for them over in the DB side. I tried the TH500 into my 1x15PR400 cab once and found it way too nasally and couldn't get it dialed back, but that speaker's been on the fritz, so it's hard to tell what wasn't working. I did not try it with the ML112 before selling them, partly because I was afraid I'd like it too much and have to lug around what I consider a huge cab for an upright gig...

I'd love to not have to buy a second head for upcoming DB gigs in the new year.

For reference, I'm playing a 50's Kay M-1 with a K&K bass max. Cab is TBD.

I haven't tried it with my upright but I would think that if you cut back on the drive knob, there should be no problem with it.

[B String]

Originally Posted by Freddels

I haven't tried it with my upright but I would think that if you cut back on the drive knob, there should be no problem with it.

I truly expected to not like the ML112 with my upright. I don't usually like 12's for upright, and for many gigs it seemed a bit big. In fact, it totally surprised me.
It sounded fantastic with the upright bass and a Fishman Full Circle pickup. I used an Acoustic Image Focus 1. The six inch made the bass sound as quick as can be and the 12 gave it the fullness.

[astack]

Cool thanks for the feedback. I'll mess with the di out for now to get a sense of it. I don't have any cabs atm that are too ideal. Been thinking of doing a little diy box or LDS cab. Just working my way through the signal chain...

[AMp'D.2play]

My TH500 was delivered yesterday! Only had a brief chance this morning to play it through my SWR GoLight 210 (not the Berg HD112s in the pic - that'll come later). So far, I like what I'm hearing. I do intend to go back through these TH500 threads and see what some of the preferred EQ settings are. I'm also going to RTFM as I usually like to set the gain so it's backed off just a bit from clipping, but I couldn't get the clip light to come on no matter what I did, so I must be doing something wrong.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by AMp'D.2play

My TH500 was delivered yesterday! Only had a brief chance this morning to play it through my SWR GoLight 210 (not the Berg HD112s in the pic - that'll come later). So far, I like what I'm hearing. I do intend to go back through these TH500 threads and see what some of the preferred EQ settings are. I'm also going to RTFM as I usually like to set the gain so it's backed off just a bit from clipping, but I couldn't get the clip light to come on no matter what I did, so I must be doing something wrong.

[/IMG]

The clip light on the TH500 is a unique sort of thing, and is actually in the signal chain AFTER the master volume. So, it is a 'total preamp' clip indicator. Since the TH500's input gain (and drive control) is designed as part of the tone circuitry (kind of like a tube pre) versus a pure input gain setting circuit, there really is no 'optimum clean' setting (like with amps that have a more traditional first gain stage with an input clip indicator). It just adds more growl and grit as you turn it up. There is no problem playing with the clip light coming on regularly, and it only indicates that the signal going into the power amp has some distortion in it (which is not a bad thing in some cases)

With the TH500, if you really want to clean it up as much as possible, set that gain control quite low (9 o'clock or less) and crank the master. However, that isn't really what the head is about.

Also, don't interpret/think of the 'drive' control as an 'overdrive' control. It is not. It is a revoicing control that simultaneously reduces deep bass and upper treble... it is the 'old school knob'. Various ratio's of gain/drive/midrange boost' result in an infinite range of 'warmth'.. from old school top of driver break-up emulation to full out massive fuzz/grind.

Amazingly complex front end that goes from 'relatively clean but always warm' to 'screaming'.

The midrange control is particularly powerful, and boosting in the upper range (i.e., above noon on the frequency knob) results in lots of variation of growl and grind in combination with the gain control and driver control.

Finally, the bass EQ knob is VERY sensitive, and there is a lot of tonal variation between 11 and 1 o'clock... from huge, fat, warm low end that kind of masks the midrange complexity of the amp to very tight and mid-present/punchy.

So, don't think of this preamp/front end as similar to the more typical (for example) Markbass, GK, Genz Shuttle front end and EQ. Quite different.

Enjoy!

[Funkfaker]

+1 To KJung above. You can get clean, but that's not what the amp is about. Although, it's nice to have the versatility.

Eublet's post #815 really makes the drive control visually comprehendible, if you haven't been able to try out the amp firsthand.

[pauliebass]

Don't forget about the input pad. It seems more useful on this head than others.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by pauliebass

Don't forget about the input pad. It seems more useful on this head than others.

Good point if you are looking to 'clean up' the tone of the TH500 as much as possible. Again, not really what the amp is about, but with some minor cuts in the mid-midrange and a relatively low level signal hitting that first input stage of the preamp, you can force it into that territory.

I'm lucky enough at this point to have a separate amp for that sort of 'modern, clean, bright' vibe, and the TH500 for 'that other thing'

[gustobassman]

Originally Posted by AMp'D.2play

My TH500 was delivered yesterday! Only had a brief chance this morning to play it through my SWR GoLight 210 (not the Berg HD112s in the pic - that'll come later). So far, I like what I'm hearing. I do intend to go back through these TH500 threads and see what some of the preferred EQ settings are. I'm also going to RTFM as I usually like to set the gain so it's backed off just a bit from clipping, but I couldn't get the clip light to come on no matter what I did, so I must be doing something wrong.

Interesting. I'm not the only one then! I've cranked this head in a few situations now and haven't had the clip light come on at all.

I did read what Kjung just posted above, and it makes sense. I was actually wondering if my clip light even worked!

[Eublet]

Just keep turning up the master volume. It'll come on sooner or later. They all do!

[Freddels]

I've had my TH500 for a few months now and I absolutely love this little amp.

IBTL

[KJung]

Originally Posted by gustobassman

I did read what Kjung just posted above, and it makes sense. I was actually wondering if my clip light even worked!

It will be brutally loud before that happens, since everything is kind of tied together for that single indicator.

With my relatively high efficiency Berg cabs, I've never reached the 'clip light' level. Pounding through the moderate efficiency/deeply voiced Audiokinesis TC115 (4ohms), I've gotten it to flash a bit when really digging in toward the end of the night down low. Amp wasn't even warm to the touch after that.