Aguilar - Official 'Tone Hammer 500' 3.8lbs 500w Thread #3

[gustobassman]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

Sorry to hear about the theft. Will you be getting another Aguilar?

Yes. I had only had it for a month and half.

[IntrepidCellist]

I agree that the TH500 doesn't care regarding ported or sealed cabs. I much prefer it running with my Thunderchild 1x12 than with the 810e at the rehearsal space. Much clearer, less wooly, and less "cluttered-sounding."

[cjp3044]

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

I agree that the TH500 doesn't care regarding ported or sealed cabs. I much prefer it running with my Thunderchild 1x12 than with the 810e at the rehearsal space. Much clearer, less wooly, and less "cluttered-sounding."

Discovered the same thing, and thanks again to everyone that has chimed in, especially Ken (KJung) -- got some bottom out of the 2x10, but no real "punch" just good tone. Using same settings on a 4x10, same great low end and a lot more punch (as to be expected pushing more air). Thanks to all the help, I think I've got a pretty good handle on the eq settings. Ampeg used to (they may still) include suggested eq settings for different kinds of tones or music. It would be nice if Aguilar did the same thing with some suggested starting points. Maybe they could pay Ken to write that part for them!

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by cjp3044

Ampeg used to (they may still) include suggested eq settings for different kinds of tones or music. It would be nice if Aguilar did the same thing with some suggested starting points. Maybe they could pay Ken to write that part for them!

I think Aguilar equipment tends to appeal to a wider audience of bassists in general than Ampeg- and so I also think its safe to say that there are more people playing non-standard instruments (ie-more than passive P/J basses) through Aguilar amps and using non-8x10/etcetera cabs as well. This makes general tone setting suggestions pretty tough. They'd probably just be better off giving a more clear explanation of what the Drive control is really doing to avoid the obvious confusion. Plus I figure when you are trying to market mostly to serious/professional artists/musicians, a "suggested settings" part of the manual might come off a bit demeaning. With Ampeg, you have countless young bassists saving up to buy the rig their favorite rocker plays through but with little experience with sculpting tone (I have seen a number of bassists playing SVT-CLs with the rock settings right outta the book into an Ampeg 810)- Aguilar doesn't really have that big slice of the market to appeal to yet (until Justin Meldal-Johnson brings it now that they are making these heads that are actually affordable for the non-pro musicians).

My 2 cents! And man this thread has me really GASsing for one of these heads bad. Just bought a DB750 though and the Walkabout isn't going anywhere. If I ever get strapped for cash I'm guessing I will turn that 750 into a Tone Hammer! (....though I sincerely hope that doesn't happen, at least there are these fantastic alternatives!)

[cjp3044]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

I think Aguilar equipment tends to appeal to a wider audience of bassists in general than Ampeg- and so I also think its safe to say that there are more people playing non-standard instruments (ie-more than passive P/J basses) through Aguilar amps and using non-8x10/etcetera cabs as well. This makes general tone setting suggestions pretty tough. They'd probably just be better off giving a more clear explanation of what the Drive control is really doing to avoid the obvious confusion. Plus I figure when you are trying to market mostly to serious/professional artists/musicians, a "suggested settings" part of the manual might come off a bit demeaning. With Ampeg, you have countless young bassists saving up to buy the rig their favorite rocker plays through but with little experience with sculpting tone (I have seen a number of bassists playing SVT-CLs with the rock settings right outta the book into an Ampeg 810)- Aguilar doesn't really have that big slice of the market to appeal to yet (until Justin Meldal-Johnson brings it now that they are making these heads that are actually affordable for the non-pro musicians).

My 2 cents! And man this thread has me really GASsing for one of these heads bad. Just bought a DB750 though and the Walkabout isn't going anywhere. If I ever get strapped for cash I'm guessing I will turn that 750 into a Tone Hammer! (....though I sincerely hope that doesn't happen, at least there are these fantastic alternatives!)

Pretty big generalization of Ampeg players there. And while Ampeg surely makes amps aimed at the beginner bassist, the higher end stuff is most definately not aimed at that market, and I also don't think it's fair to assume that people playing Ampegs are doing so with just passive P and J basses. Also, the settings they would include in the manuals would include settings for rock, pop, jazz, country, etc - I don't think it's a stretch at all to ask Aguilar to do the same thing, plus a better explanation of the Drive control.

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by cjp3044

Pretty big generalization of Ampeg players there. And while Ampeg surely makes amps aimed at the beginner bassist, the higher end stuff is most definately not aimed at that market, and I also don't think it's fair to assume that people playing Ampegs are doing so with just passive P and J basses. Also, the settings they would include in the manuals would include settings for rock, pop, jazz, country, etc - I don't think it's a stretch at all to ask Aguilar to do the same thing, plus a better explanation of the Drive control.

I figured that might come off as a write-off on Ampeg, but that wasn't my intention: I wasn't trying to make a generalization as much as pointing out a fact- the SVT/fridge is still THE pre-eminent and most visible amp in rock. I wasn't pigeon-holing people that like/play Ampeg (which would include myself for many years and happily again in backlines) so much as acknowledging their brand visibility/appeal- which is the same visibility and appeal placed upon their 8x10 and on the Fender P and J basses that still reign the "rock" genre(s). They also have the benefit of wider availability to keep them desirable AND attainable for most. Aguilar doesn't have that iconic appeal, availability (though they are expanding noticeably) nor quite the same genre-specific preconception, and up until the release of these Tone Hammer heads was more or less a boutique amp company in price and exposure compared to a company like Ampeg. So in my opinion they are still playing to a smaller crowd- one that actually has to seek them out. Certainly all sorts of people play Ps and Js through Aguilars and Dingwalls and Sadowskys through Ampegs, the latter just doesn't make up the bulk of Ampeg's profits, even for their most expensive offerings.

[cjp3044]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

I figured that might come off as a write-off on Ampeg, but that wasn't my intention: I wasn't trying to make a generalization as much as pointing out a fact- the SVT/fridge is still THE pre-eminent and most visible amp in rock. I wasn't pigeon-holing people that like/play Ampeg (which would include myself for many years and happily again in backlines) so much as acknowledging their brand visibility/appeal- which is the same visibility and appeal placed upon their 8x10 and on the Fender P and J basses that still reign the "rock" genre(s). They also have the benefit of wider availability to keep them desirable AND attainable for most. Aguilar doesn't have that iconic appeal, availability (though they are expanding noticeably) nor quite the same genre-specific preconception, and up until the release of these Tone Hammer heads was more or less a boutique amp company in price and exposure compared to a company like Ampeg. So in my opinion they are still playing to a smaller crowd- one that actually has to seek them out. Certainly all sorts of people play Ps and Js through Aguilars and Dingwalls and Sadowskys through Ampegs, the latter just doesn't make up the bulk of Ampeg's profits, even for their most expensive offerings.

Point taken - AND why I'll never part with my fridge. SVT 6-Pro/810HE. I rarely gig with it anymore, but I still shake the walls once in a while. The Tone Hammer I already know will be my main amp for gigging for the foreseeable future - or rather when something else comes along that I just CAN'T live without

[Mulebagger]

At the NAMM Show this year I saw a tone hammer 500 and a single 12 or a pair of 12s in nearly every booth.

They seem to becoming the new high standard.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Mulebagger

At the NAMM Show this year I saw a tone hammer 500 and a single 12 or a pair of 12s in nearly every booth.

They seem to becoming the new high standard.

I saw that in many pictures. Last year when I attended it was pretty equally split between the GK micro's and the Genz amps. However, GK must have sponsored most of the performance stages, since that was all GK from what I remember.

Not sure if that represents 'vendor choice' versus some slick marketing and lots of hard work by the amp manufacturer (probably a bit of both!).

[Fran Diaz]

I just got this:



Can't wait to gig it

[kobass]

Originally Posted by Fran Diaz

I just got this:



Can't wait to gig it

Very cool Fran!

Looking forward the hearing your impressions vs. the DB Series.

Hmmm. Twenty five pound cab...

Are you sure you are not an old fart?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Fran Diaz

I just got this:



Can't wait to gig it

Nice. Don't forget to turn that drive control off at the start, and then dial in to tighten the lows and highs. Set at noon, that results in a pretty extreme low end and treble roll-off. It actually sounds REALLY good that way, but to some, it would be a bit too mid present.

I just picked up a TH350 to use as my 'out all the time' head in my practice space (with my Berg AE210).

[Fran Diaz]

Originally Posted by kobass

Very cool Fran!

Looking forward the hearing your impressions vs. the DB Series.

Hmmm. Twenty five pound cab...

Are you sure you are not an old fart?

Thanks. You should've seen my face when I picked up the box. I don't think I'll ever be back to anything heavier than this. I'm on my way to be a healthy back, happy old fart. By the way, your Sadowsky has to sound killer through this rig.

Originally Posted by KJung

Nice. Don't forget to turn that drive control off at the start, and then dial in to tighten the lows and highs. Set at noon, that results in a pretty extreme low end and treble roll-off. It actually sounds REALLY good that way, but to some, it would be a bit too mid present.

I just picked up a TH350 to use as my 'out all the time' head in my practice space (with my Berg AE210).

Ken, thanks for the advice, I've been reading your posts about how to properly work the eq on the TH500.

I just plugged my DB and with the amp set flat I could get just a little more volume with a natural DB tone. I'm going to love this rig.

[cjp3044]

Been working on dialing in the eq per Ken's pointers (Ken should work for Aguilar!) and my Glasstone Lil-G arrived yesterday. Less than one-third volume and I was shaking things off the walls - seriously - my girlfriend was starting to get PO'd at me! This amp/cab combination is off-the-hook! Again took it to rehearsal last night and I kept having to turn down - I guarantee my actual volume was lower than it normally is playing with this group (classic country and oldies) - I've been keeping a Fender Bassman Pro 400 2x10 at the rehearsal room for the past three years or so but had to pull it a couple of weeks ago cause it kept cutting out (cold solder joints, just need to spend a little time on the bench with it), but the thing is this setup just really puts itself in the mix so well and the cab just fills the room with sound. And the electric upright - oh so sweet - woody, deep and resonant. I am a VERY happy camper. I'd put this rig up against pretty much any 500ish watt amp with a 4x10 any day!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by cjp3044

Been working on dialing in the eq per Ken's pointers (Ken should work for Aguilar!) and my Glasstone Lil-G arrived yesterday. Less than one-third volume and I was shaking things off the walls - seriously - my girlfriend was starting to get PO'd at me! This amp/cab combination is off-the-hook! Again took it to rehearsal last night and I kept having to turn down - I guarantee my actual volume was lower than it normally is playing with this group (classic country and oldies) - I've been keeping a Fender Bassman Pro 400 2x10 at the rehearsal room for the past three years or so but had to pull it a couple of weeks ago cause it kept cutting out (cold solder joints, just need to spend a little time on the bench with it), but the thing is this setup just really puts itself in the mix so well and the cab just fills the room with sound. And the electric upright - oh so sweet - woody, deep and resonant. I am a VERY happy camper. I'd put this rig up against pretty much any 500ish watt amp with a 4x10 any day!

Sharp looking little rig. I'm glad it is starting to come together for you. That is an amazingly small rig to be able to do what it does. Nice!

[cjp3044]

Originally Posted by KJung

Sharp looking little rig. I'm glad it is starting to come together for you. That is an amazingly small rig to be able to do what it does. Nice!

I can't tell you enough how much I have appreciated your information. The interesting thing about the Lil-G cab is that it's actually a 2x12, the second driver is 90 degrees from the front driver facing straight down, plus it has a switch on the back so you can turn off the bottom driver and change the impedence from 4ohms to 8ohms.

I'm hoping to play the rig at a rock gig tomorrow night with a band I fill in with pretty often, although most of the time the regular bass player's rig gets taken out of the trailer and set up before I arrive. Nothing wrong with that - it's a Mesa M600, AND all I have to do is show up with a bass, plug in, play and get paid with no setup or teardown, but I'd really like to run this thing through it's paces. I won't know until late tomorrow afternoon whether I'll get to bring it or not. If I do, I'll post a review of the sound with a 4 piece heavy rock band.

[blowinblue]

While many of you are enjoying pairing your TH500 with the latest flavor of the month, I seem to be firmly stuck in the past as of this posting. This is a great combination for the tone that I prefer. I know many on this forum whose opinions I value (including Mr. Jung) have little love for this cab. I dig the synergy between these two products. I never lose myself in the mix with this cab, nor do audiences lose me. My TH500 further improves on that. However, it is kind of crazy to schlep a 70 lb cab with a 4 lb head.



M. M.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by blowinblue

While many of you are enjoying pairing your TH500 with the latest flavor of the month, I seem to be firmly stuck in the past as of this posting. This is a great combination for the tone that I prefer. I know many on this forum whose opinions I value (including Mr. Jung) have little love for this cab. I dig the synergy between these two products. I never lose myself in the mix with this cab, nor do audiences lose me. My TH500 further improves on that. However, it is kind of crazy to schlep a 70 lb cab with a 4 lb head.



M. M.

You know what is kind of funny. Neither Tom Bowlus nor I are big fans of the GS112 (if I remember a long past discussion with Tom correctly). We were both at Don Oatman's old LDS Bass shop a number of years ago and he had a GS212 there. We plugged into it and both really dug it with a number of different heads. Seemed a bit fatter and punchier than the 2 x GS112. That is a nice looking rig!

[Lublin]

I'm a moron.

How do you turn AGS on or off?

[kai_ski]

Originally Posted by Lublin

How do you turn AGS on or off?

AGS on the th350 and th500 is a variable control i.e. the drive knob. on the tone hammer pedal it's a switch that is basically all or nothing.

I have a few gigs under my belt now with the new Aguilar rig, and I'm really digging it. I've only been using 1 cabinet for most of my gigs, but man does the db112/th500 combo sound fantastic. My gig last night had a great house PA with nice EV mains and JBL subs, and the DI signal sounded very fat and punchy. Every time I turned around to fiddle with the controls the drummer would just grin and laugh at how great it sounded. We were having a good time.

My current band is all originals doing rootsy folk-rock a la Wilco, Calexico, Josh Ritter, Neil Young, Dr. Dog, etc. The tweed cabs really look the part as well.

I had a good run with my Genz amps and GK 212 Neo's but I'm happy as a clam with this Aguilar gear so far. The cabinets are slightly on the heavy side, but for most of my gigs these days the 112 will easily carry the room and/or stage volume. And it's nice to be able to do the load in in 1 trip with the mono m80 on my back, the cab in one hand and the amp case in the other.



I bought a sheet of 2" foam from the fabric store and built a carry case for it out of an old suitcase.

Ah... safe and sound.