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

[jumblemind]

Doesn't compete with the matching SLs, but it's a significant little upgrade for me. Sounds great just in my unfinished basement, can't wait to hear it onstage. Technically, these cabs are only rated at 200w each. I'm pretty sure they could handle the full load, but I'm wondering if a HPF like fdeck's or the microthumpinator might be a necessary investment. Since I bumped up that bass knob to 1 o'clock, this thing is rattling the ductwork, and I can feel the air push with the volume still fairly low.

[Ewo]

I'm liking a Series 3 HPF in front of the TH500. (Pushing a pair of Baer ML112s.)

Tightens up the low end, but still plenty of whomp on the B string. And with that config I can add more on the bass eq without the tone getting too subby for the room.

[jumblemind]

Nice, I was leaning that way based on earlier suggestions on a "boomy room" thread. Do you put it first in your effect chain? I was contemplating using one in the TH effects loop since there's currently no room on my PT Nano layout, and fdeck's series 3 seems to have the capability to go between the the preamp and power section (though that might be a PITA to have something else to plug into an outlet).

[ceerod]

Loving my new aggie rig! Got the TH500 a couple of months ago and just this weekend, picked up a GS210 + GS212 stack. Big thanks to fellow TB'er jastacey for the smooth trade.

[rodl2005]

Sweet rigs guys.

Am interested too in where you're placing the HPF exactly.

[Ewo]

Originally Posted by jumblemind

Nice, I was leaning that way based on earlier suggestions on a "boomy room" thread. Do you put it first in your effect chain? I was contemplating using one in the TH effects loop since there's currently no room on my PT Nano layout, and fdeck's series 3 seems to have the capability to go between the the preamp and power section (though that might be a PITA to have something else to plug into an outlet).

Actually, I don't use any effects. I just do bass --> Series 3 --> input of the TH.

If I did have a pedalboard I'd prolly put the Series 3 at the start of the chain; take the subby stuff out of the bass's signal so that none of the boxes (especially compressor) had to deal with it. That's just me thinking; not based on practical experience.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Sweet rigs guys.

Am interested too in where you're placing the HPF exactly.

I use mine at the beginning of the signal chain also (between bass and amp) with a few combinations of amp and cab that have sub bass issues. Works great. Typically set it around 9 o'clock (in general... i.e., the highest setting prior to actually hearing any tonal effect), to match heads with the typical 45-50hz roll off of most high quality bass cabs. Reduces speaker pistoning a bit without losing any real low end.

Even though I find the FDeck III very high quality and very transparent, I would not put it in the effects loop myself. I rarely find a 'pedal type' unit that works well with that relatively hot loop signal, and in general, would rather have the preamp/power amp link direct as the designer voiced it and set the gain structure, etc. IMO there.

[DaveDeVille]

hmmm ...
for my blues rock gig , i dig the sound of my old Aggie DB659 ,
and was wondering if the TH500 would be a good match with my
8 ohm LDS 15/6 cabs loaded with 3015LF speakers ...

any thoughts ?

[LowBSix]

Originally Posted by DaveDeVille

hmmm ...
for my blues rock gig , i dig the sound of my old Aggie DB659 ,
and was wondering if the TH500 would be a good match with my
8 ohm LDS 15/6 cabs loaded with 3015LF speakers ...

any thoughts ?

Yes! If you like th "Aggy" tonality, I've heard nothing but great things about that combo

[Jim C]

Is 250 watts into 8 ohms enough to drive a 15/6?
I was told no by others on this board.

[astack]

Ok, I'm sold! Just used the TH500 for a jazz trio rehearsal (bass, vibes, keys) and it sounded great!

'52 Kay M1 -> K&K Bass Max (on the fritz, next thing to update)-> fdeck pre set to max vol and noon on the freq dial -> Aggie set flat, no drive OR through fx return -> Ampeg Portabass 212 with Deltalite 2512 II's, tweeter off or very low.

Adding drive wasn't terrible, but it was too much at that 2.5k mark, which the Deltalites already exaggerate. Very clean and controlled sound. I think replacing the cab with a 1x12 will be the jazz gigging rig. Not sure if I want to go the ported route just for the extra lowend sensitivity. I do like the tight sealed bottom - the cab models like an SVT in the lows, including the little 180Hz bump. But with just one driver, it may sound a bit flat. Might also look for smaller drivers that model/scope like the Deltalites and do a 2x with them.

Mainly just impressed how well this rig doubles. It's like it just cut its price in half!

[astack]

Oh and back to the rock thing, it compares favorably with my V4B when I slam the TH's preamp input.

Edit: Settings for those interested: Dime each of the three bands of the preamp on my bass (Fender AmDlx Jazz of my avatar fame, stock preamp), pad off, gain around 9:00, drive almost dimed, eq pretty flat slight mods to taste, master low. The master low thing is pretty key, as I think when the whole thing starts to get pushed too much, it gets fizzy/farty. Oh yeah, and the fdeck Pre set to about 25% up from 35Hz.

But this totally cops all the fantastic gritty tone of the Ampeg but slightly more even. For some reason when doing chords the sound went pretty flat, but for, you know, normal bass lines, it's REALLY close.

[LowBSix]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Is 250 watts into 8 ohms enough to drive a 15/6?
I was told no by others on this board.

That depends on required stage volume, venue siza and if there's PA support including on stage monitoring.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by LowBSix

That depends on required stage volume, venue siza and if there's PA support including on stage monitoring.

True dat.
My assumption being a cabinet with an amp, no PA or bass in monitors, in a bar with a loud rock band; the standard amp reference in my mind!

[LowBSix]

Originally Posted by Jim C

True dat.
My assumption being a cabinet with an amp, no PA or bass in monitors, in a bar with a loud rock band; the standard amp reference in my mind!

IMHO & IME: I like a lot of headroom. A 4 ohm cab or of course adding another 8 ohm would open that option for you.

On the other hand, I've played a lot of "loud" gigs with an 8 ohm 2x10.

Keep in mind I'm more of n RnB/Rock kinda guy no screamo/metal/thrash/head-banger/punk/grunge for me...

Enjoy!!!

[rodl2005]

Originally Posted by Jim C

True dat.
My assumption being a cabinet with an amp, no PA or bass in monitors, in a bar with a loud rock band; the standard amp reference in my mind!

I've used mine in a LOUD rock band, at 8 ohms thru a GK410 & it kept up fine, & with my 3015 loaded pf115 it did fine also. Thru a single 12... Dunno?? It is plenty loud at 8 ohms tho.
&, yes it is amazing how "SVT" like it sounds thru a sealed cab. Imo etc

[Mulebagger]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Is 250 watts into 8 ohms enough to drive a 15/6?
I was told no by others on this board.

I use mine with a single BagEnd S15X-D for small venues and a pair for BagEnds for larger ones. With one 8ohm box is can compete with the drummer no problem. Of course the BagEnds seem to be super efficient.

I wouldn't hesitate to use just one for a gig though if I had PA w me.

[gustobassman]

After a few jams i was on the fence about keeping my TH500 until i went back and read pretty much all of part 2 of this thread (well, the stuff by Kjung and Dave B anyway ). From that, I did some knob twiddling and i think i've found a great fat tone with not so much "crunchiness" in the mids. Along with learning the clip light is just a "cool red light".. hahaha

Tonight I set the Gain at noon, Drive mostly off, rolled the treble down to 11:00 and boosted the bass to 1:00. This is where it got really interesting.. Based on something i read earlier I set the Mid freq to about 5:00 and the mid level to 9:00. I got a much smoother tone to my ears. I was previously only fudging with the low mids. My lady actually said "hey, that sounds more like you" when i made this adjustment. I thought it was waaaay too mid heavy before this. I'm used to a tone dominated by a BDDI based on the SVT setting. Cutting the high mids on the TH500 got me closer to that tone i'm used to using.

The amp stays. For now.

EDIT: This was using my passive Jazz 5'er through my Schroeder rig

[SpinyNorman]

Originally Posted by gustobassman

Tonight I set the Gain at noon, Drive mostly off, rolled the treble down to 11:00 and boosted the bass to 1:00. This is where it got really interesting.. Based on something i read earlier I set the Mid freq to about 5:00 and the mid level to 9:00. I got a much smoother tone to my ears. I was previously only fudging with the low mids. My lady actually said "hey, that sounds more like you" when i made this adjustment. I thought it was waaaay too mid heavy before this. I'm used to a tone dominated by a BDDI based on the SVT setting. Cutting the high mids on the TH500 got me closer to that tone i'm used to using.

That's funny, I basically discovered the same thing today while playing around with my new Aguilar DB112. I had primarily been farting around with the low mids vs. bass, but it was just too damn middy for me. Today, I set the bass at 1:00, and cut the mids to around 10:00 with the mid frequency at 7:00. I then started to sweep the mids, and lo and behold, once I got the mid frequency past noon the low mids and came to life, while the high mids started to sound good.

I really like this amp, but I'm thinking it could use a 4 band EQ like the GK's. It would be nice to be able to cut the high mids while still having the capability to adjust the low mids to suit the room.

One other thing I discovered. This amp likes flat wounds. I had been using a P-bass with rounds up to this point, but I finally got a chance to grab my P with flats. I haven't played it that much because I couldn't find a good tone with my other two amps. However, the flats sounded great on the TH.

[Kazoo_Legend]

This is my first post in TB after a couple years and molding my rig by reading everyone's thoughtful insight/opinions/research/experience.

I however finally have an important enough question that merits my thread cherry to be popped.

The combination of price/weight/power/sound has me ready for the TH500, without question. Since there is so much talk about cabs in this thread with the TH, I'm curious if anyone has had any dealings with the DB412.

I've noticed a lot of talk of the SL112 and DB212, but the portability of the 412 isn't an issue for me, and my band is extremely reliant on my tone AND my volume breaking the concrete. I realistically can't put up for a DB751, because for that price I can get both the TH500 and DB412.

This "sounds" like the perfect combination for me, and aside from the cab being slightly overkill, I'm wondering if I'm letting my ego get in the way for wanting that much speaker surface. Is there such thing as underpowering a cab of that size? We play offensively loud, I frequently use the Octamizer and I desperately want this TH/412 combination to work, but I guess I'm asking for my specific agenda, which I usually conclude after reading multiple threads (written by all of you) to combine into my own "original" thoughts.

Also for the fellow effects hoarders, how's the send/return on the hammer? Are you finding better FX push or draw pre or post EQ? I too, am buying this solely on research and sound clips and wanted your guys' help.