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

[rodl2005]

I'll try & remember to take a pic of my TH500 settings next time.
From what I recall, Drive-between 8-12, gain- 9-1

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Dephect

just browsed through the thread and a lot of great posts, especially about the eq settings and drive control. the one thing i definitely agree is that the EQ settings are definitely intuitive and requires a learning curve. out of curiosity, where do most of keep your gain/drive settings at?

FYI, gain settings are very much dependent on your technique, the output level of your particular instrument, and how much 'hair' you want in your tone. Drive has much to do with the nature of the tone you want (wide frequency range versus tighter frequency range) and the nature of distortion/hair when you crank the gain.

That being said, the best starting point IMO for this amp with most instruments and players is drive off and gain around 9 o'clock. That gives you a relatively clean, full range starting point.

My gain and drive control setting range from gain at 9 and drive off to gain at 11 o'clock and drive at noon, depending the bass, the gig, and the cab I'm using. With my technique and my P Bass output, that gain at 11/drive at noon sounds like a sealed muli10 cab pushed to break up a bit, as an example. With the gain at 9 and drive off, my 212 with tweeter cab sounds like a 212 with tweeter cab... reasonably clean, deep bass, a touch of snap up top, and a warm but relatively clean tone (especially if I slightly cut upper mids).

[husky123]

I just snagged one of these bad boys out of the classifieds. I'll be pairing at 4 ohms with my Dually 215 and at 8 ohms with my Bassic 115. Can't wait to give it a whirl. Thanks Ken and everyone for all the GAS the past couple of weeks!

[Jim C]

I noticed that 2 TH 500s were for sale on the classifieds and both sold very quickly.

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?
I want to be able to control the Q on the mid's.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Jim C

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?

The only thing that comes to mind for me is less bright LEDs!

[Art Araya]

Originally Posted by Jim C

I noticed that 2 TH 500s were for sale on the classifieds and both sold very quickly.

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?
I want to be able to control the Q on the mid's.

They sell within minutes and the price is always $550. You can get a new on from MF today for $595 using their 15% President's Sale coupon.

[Fred312b]

Originally Posted by Art Araya

They sell within minutes and the price is always $550. You can get a new on from MF today for $595 using their 15% President's Sale coupon.

That's a great resale... but new you get the stickers!

Fwiw, I love mine. Just finished submitting my review to MF on it (and the SL 112's). Only improvement I might ask for is center detents on the eq pots. And make the mute footswitchable.

[cjp3044]

I saw one today sell in 9 minutes for that. I got mine new from Music Attic for $572 less than three weeks ago. I do not know if there is still stock or if they are still at that price. I was ready to buy one anyway, but when I saw that I snagged as fast as I could.

Originally Posted by Art Araya

They sell within minutes and the price is always $550. You can get a new on from MF today for $595 using their 15% President's Sale coupon.

[speyer]

I got mine used... AND scored the stickers

[speyer]

Originally Posted by Jim C

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?

Move the FX loop to the rear... and replace with Mid Q and DI level knobs.

[999Brent]

Originally Posted by Jim C

I noticed that 2 TH 500s were for sale on the classifieds and both sold very quickly.

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?
I want to be able to control the Q on the mid's.

I would like a headphone jack in the front and effects loop to the rear

[gillento]

Originally Posted by Jim C

...

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?...

2 mid bands

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Jim C

I noticed that 2 TH 500s were for sale on the classifieds and both sold very quickly.

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?
I want to be able to control the Q on the mid's.

When I first got the amp, I would have said a second semi-parametric midrange control. Now, after a lot of gigs, I would say 'nothing'.

Of course, it sounds like it sounds, and that fat, chewy Aguilar tone isn't for everyone, but if you dig that sort of tone, it is a solid performer for me!

[speyer]

Yes.. This amp does plug and play VERY well. It does what it does in spades, which IMO why it has kind of become the new gold standard in the micro world.

[SpinyNorman]

Originally Posted by gillento

2 mid bands

+1,000,000

[Mulebagger]

I'd put a control for the send/ return on the effects loop.

Maybe 2 bands of eq.

But ideally if it could have a 750 watt or 900 watt power section, I could leave my DB750 at home.

[GRoberts]

Taller feet to clear strap handles on top of some cabs. Or how about a kick stand to angle the front of the amp up at an angle? that would be cool.

[Fran Diaz]

Originally Posted by GRoberts

Taller feet to clear strap handles on top of some cabs. Or how about a kick stand to angle the front of the amp up at an angle? that would be cool.

+1 on both.

[kai_ski]

Originally Posted by Jim C
...

If you could have 1 reasonable change made on the existing TH500 what would it be?...

1. I know I might be in the minority in this, but I really like the "rehearsal" function of many micro amps with the aux in/headphone out. It's really nice when you're on the road or an apartment dweller to noodle/shed/practice without having another piece of gear or a mess of cables. I've made due with a 4 channel mixer I keep around for impromptu jams and recording ideas, but I'm not going to take it along with power source/cables/etc along with me when I leave home. The micro is always with me (assuming my bass is.)
2. Center detents on the eq section would be cool.
3. I'm not sure I would make use of dual parametric eq because I really like the voice of this little guy, but I wouldn't complain to see it happen.

Originally Posted by Dephect

just browsed through the thread and a lot of great posts, especially about the eq settings and drive control. the one thing i definitely agree is that the EQ settings are definitely intuitive and requires a learning curve. out of curiosity, where do most of keep your gain/drive settings at?

This is how I had it set last night. Playing rootsy/americana with 1 db112. Nice punch and a little grind, with a tad of low dialed back in with only the 1 cabinet. I'm very happy with this rig right now.

[DrumsAndBass]

Aye.
The Tone Hammer 500 could be updated to 1000 watts @ 4 ohms (keep it Class D), front panel LED's that are easier on the eyes, a higher range of treble (maybe 5k or 6k instead of 4k), power switch on the front panel (please!), a second band of sweepable mids and 2 rack size! All of the people that are so concerned about light weight be assured that Aguilar could keep the weight of this enlarged TH amp under 10 pounds.

I gig with my TH 500 and I really like it. I'll go so far as to say it is one of the best compact bass heads available. It's plug and play with great power and tone - few compact heads can offer that.
The AG 500sc is out of production. I owned one and liked it very much. Keep the TH 350 exactly as it is. Update the TH 500 to a Tone Hammer 1000 as above.