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

[ceerod]

Originally Posted by SpinyNorman

I hear you. I got a TH500 a few weeks back, and my SVT-CL and 610HLF are probably going to go up on Craigslist in a week or so.

Ha yeah mine Ampeg gear will be going up for sale/trade too, SVT-CL, 410HLF and 810E. I've read tons of threads on here and am almost to the point of information overload.

Having a tough time deciding on (1) 4ohm cab or (2) 8ohm cabs and also 10's or 12's. My main band has 3 guitars and plays friggin loud so right now I use my 810. My cover band plays much quieter and my 410 is plenty.

[rizzo9247]

So I've been debating between the TH500 and LMIII for a few weeks now...

I owned a TH500 over the summer with a 4ohm Aguilar DB212 and really liked what I heard, but didn't spend as much time with it as I would have liked as I had to sell that rig for some much needed cash. I did not gig with it, but enjoyed the grunt, presence, and fingerstyle authority using it at practice.

Prior to that, I owned a LMII for a long while, and it was my favorite of the micro heads (this was before the TH500 came on the market). It worked in just about every situation imagineable.

In NYC, I rarely have to bring a cab to a gig, so I am now looking for a one amp solution to cover all my gigs (if possible!). Nowadays I'm playing with two original rock bands (two guitars, bass, drums, keys, vox) and a rock/pop cover band (top 40 stuff).

We will be moving out of our practice space at the end of the month and the bass player of the other band we shared it with will be keeping the Hartke LH500 that was there, but he is giving me the 4 ohm Dr. Bass 212 w/ tweeter it was hooked up to (we all know the story behind this brand, but the cab actually sounds fantastic). So I'll be using that at home and the rare time I have to bring a cab to a gig, so again, I'm wondering what will pair better...

Enough of my rant...I wonder if I just have to buy both and go from there...any experience with Dr. Bass 212 with either of these amps? I don't know what speakers are loaded in it (does not indicate it on the panel), it's about 60lbs if that helps. I use a Carvin SB5000 JJ 90% of the time.

[SpinyNorman]

Originally Posted by ceerod

Having a tough time deciding on (1) 4ohm cab or (2) 8ohm cabs and also 10's or 12's. My main band has 3 guitars and plays friggin loud so right now I use my 810. My cover band plays much quieter and my 410 is plenty.

I'd say go with the two 8 ohm cabinets. Face it, with a loud band you're probably going to be using two cabinets most of the time anyway.

When you're in a situation where one cabinet will be sufficient, I don't think the volume difference between the 4 and 8 ohm will be that great with the TH500.

[SpinyNorman]

Originally Posted by KJung

IMO, you will LOVE that DB112/nt stack with that head The HD112 is killer also. Don't like the HT112ER matchup as much due to that very hi fi, crystal clean, extended top end, which the TH500 is NOT about IMO and IME.

Yes, I'm afraid that I'll love the DB112/DB112NT stack so much I won't want to try the other cabinets. Heck, the old school looks alone are to die for.

Heck, who am I kidding. I won't be satisfied until I've tried every 12 inch cabinet available. 'Still looking for the Holy Grail, but I can't seem to get across the Bridge of Death. 'Anyone happen to know the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

[Tommy Hagen]

Anyone here use a DB410 with their TH500??

Tommy

[IntrepidCellist]

Originally Posted by rizzo9247

So I've been debating between the TH500 and LMIII for a few weeks now...

I owned a TH500 over the summer with a 4ohm Aguilar DB212 and really liked what I heard, but didn't spend as much time with it as I would have liked as I had to sell that rig for some much needed cash. I did not gig with it, but enjoyed the grunt, presence, and fingerstyle authority using it at practice.

Prior to that, I owned a LMII for a long while, and it was my favorite of the micro heads (this was before the TH500 came on the market). It worked in just about every situation imagineable.

In NYC, I rarely have to bring a cab to a gig, so I am now looking for a one amp solution to cover all my gigs (if possible!). Nowadays I'm playing with two original rock bands (two guitars, bass, drums, keys, vox) and a rock/pop cover band (top 40 stuff).

We will be moving out of our practice space at the end of the month and the bass player of the other band we shared it with will be keeping the Hartke LH500 that was there, but he is giving me the 4 ohm Dr. Bass 212 w/ tweeter it was hooked up to (we all know the story behind this brand, but the cab actually sounds fantastic). So I'll be using that at home and the rare time I have to bring a cab to a gig, so again, I'm wondering what will pair better...

Enough of my rant...I wonder if I just have to buy both and go from there...any experience with Dr. Bass 212 with either of these amps? I don't know what speakers are loaded in it (does not indicate it on the panel), it's about 60lbs if that helps. I use a Carvin SB5000 JJ 90% of the time.

I always found the Markbass heads to be a bit "boring" in terms of voicing, so take what I have to say with a grain of salt. I do really like the TH500, and for rock and general bass playing it's hard to beat.

[Andy Will]

Originally Posted by Tommy Hagen

Anyone here use a DB410 with their TH500??

Tommy

Yep, it's fantastic.
Pairs up really nicely with the DB410.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

I always found the Markbass heads to be a bit "boring" in terms of voicing, so take what I have to say with a grain of salt. I do really like the TH500, and for rock and general bass playing it's hard to beat.

The LMII/III is definitely 'warm but clean and relatively neutral', so I understand the 'boring' sort of thing. Kind of like playing through a clean tube mic preamp into a mixing board to my ear, which of course is wonderful if that is your thing. The TH500 has lots more midrange complexity/distortion baked into its voicing, even when run 'clean', which is also wonderful if THAT is your thing. Quite different sounding heads that no amount of knob twisting will change.

[LowBSix]

The Aguilar 750/751 tone is unmistakable

The TH500 and th TH Pedal get closer to that tonality without tubes at a fraction of the price and weight.

I'm looking for a backup. Considering Eden WTX500 or WT405 or something on the lighter side of the scale... 2 ohms would be a plus...

[Lublin]

Originally Posted by Andy Will

Yep, it's fantastic.
Pairs up really nicely with the DB410.

In all honesty, it pairs wonderfully with ANY of the Aguilar cabs. Loving my TH500 and two DB 112 NT's!

[rodl2005]

It's one "micro" that pairs up sweetly with almost any cab I've used it with, unlike some amps.
I've used a TH500 with the following cabs & liked it:
Berg NV412,610 Ampeg 810 -all sweet.
GK RBX(?)410 great-again
Berg AE112
AMPEG PF115HE & same cab modded with 3015's
Mark Bass HF410

Sounded great with all. My faves - Berg NV412 & Ampeg 810

[Andy Will]

Originally Posted by Lublin

In all honesty, it pairs wonderfully with ANY of the Aguilar cabs. Loving my TH500 and two DB 112 NT's!

For sure! Meant to say that, but kept it simple! Haha!

[LowBSix]

My LDS 1010/6 is on it's way and I'm really looking forward to hearing my TH500 through those!!!

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by rizzo9247

So I've been debating between the TH500 and LMIII for a few weeks now...

I owned a TH500 over the summer with a 4ohm Aguilar DB212 and really liked what I heard, but didn't spend as much time with it as I would have liked as I had to sell that rig for some much needed cash. I did not gig with it, but enjoyed the grunt, presence, and fingerstyle authority using it at practice.

Prior to that, I owned a LMII for a long while, and it was my favorite of the micro heads (this was before the TH500 came on the market). It worked in just about every situation imagineable.

In NYC, I rarely have to bring a cab to a gig, so I am now looking for a one amp solution to cover all my gigs (if possible!). Nowadays I'm playing with two original rock bands (two guitars, bass, drums, keys, vox) and a rock/pop cover band (top 40 stuff).

We will be moving out of our practice space at the end of the month and the bass player of the other band we shared it with will be keeping the Hartke LH500 that was there, but he is giving me the 4 ohm Dr. Bass 212 w/ tweeter it was hooked up to (we all know the story behind this brand, but the cab actually sounds fantastic). So I'll be using that at home and the rare time I have to bring a cab to a gig, so again, I'm wondering what will pair better...

Enough of my rant...I wonder if I just have to buy both and go from there...any experience with Dr. Bass 212 with either of these amps? I don't know what speakers are loaded in it (does not indicate it on the panel), it's about 60lbs if that helps. I use a Carvin SB5000 JJ 90% of the time.

I own both the Tone hammer 500 and the LM3. Honestly, even though they're different, its a tough call and I fully intend on keeping both. I can see preferring one over the other based upon my mood as I think both are appropriate for just about anything. I may prefer the LM3 with my Jazz and the Tone hammer with the Precision. That's not to say that both don't perform well with either bass. This is a preference thing.

[tbone0813]

So I just bought a TH500 here on TB a little while ago. I am curious as to what might be some good cabs to pair it with. I will be feeding it my MTD 535 and playing mostly at Church. I will probably start off with a single 112 cab and then buy a matching cab later down the road.

[pauliebass]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

So I just bought a TH500 here on TB a little while ago. I am curious as to what might be some good cabs to pair it with. I will be feeding it my MTD 535 and playing mostly at Church. I will probably start off with a single 112 cab and then buy a matching cab later down the road.

I love my MTD through the TH500. The drive knob keeps the broad frequency response in check I think. Roughs up an extremely clean wide bass in a great way. I have zero need for glass cutting highs. I know this is something that MTDs excel at, but I'm always pulling the treble back... not on this head! Treble boosts make me smile on this one. I used to hate soloing the bridge pup as it was way too thin on this bass in the higher registers and strings. It sounds more punchy, full, and usable with the TH. The notes have more "life" to them. And putting that reverse P at the neck on is magic. Have fun! As for cabs... I use a Berg HT/EX stack that I think sounds great running the tweet about half way up.

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

So I just bought a TH500 here on TB a little while ago. I am curious as to what might be some good cabs to pair it with. I will be feeding it my MTD 535 and playing mostly at Church. I will probably start off with a single 112 cab and then buy a matching cab later down the road.

I just got 2 DB112s today. This is a great combo with the Tonehammer. Am I surprised?

[ceerod]

Originally Posted by SpinyNorman

I'd say go with the two 8 ohm cabinets. Face it, with a loud band you're probably going to be using two cabinets most of the time anyway.

When you're in a situation where one cabinet will be sufficient, I don't think the volume difference between the 4 and 8 ohm will be that great with the TH500.

I totally agree and appreciate the advice. So...I just ordered (2) 8ohm DB212's. The chocolate thunder I wanted wasn't in stock so may take a bit longer but I don't mind waiting. Can't wait...but now I gotta sell all my Ampeg gear to recoup some $$$!

[IntrepidCellist]

Originally Posted by KJung

The LMII/III is definitely 'warm but clean and relatively neutral', so I understand the 'boring' sort of thing. Kind of like playing through a clean tube mic preamp into a mixing board to my ear, which of course is wonderful if that is your thing. The TH500 has lots more midrange complexity/distortion baked into its voicing, even when run 'clean', which is also wonderful if THAT is your thing. Quite different sounding heads that no amount of knob twisting will change.

Part of it is that I come from a guitar background, where good amps are not just "something that makes my instrument louder" but are a tone-shaping, touch-sensitive instrument you "play" in addition to your guitar.

This colors my perception of bass rigs; I like something with a little inherent drive and compression that changes in tone (but less in volume) when I dig in.

[999Brent]

My Christmas present to myself.
Love everything about this set up.
Great combination of tone, volume and portability.
This will be my rig for a long time to come...