Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 vs. Markbass F500

Kwesi · #1 06-09-2011, 11:28 PM

Could anyone who's played both describe how they compare? I've tried them both (through the same cab model, no less) but they were both in different locations under different circumstances.

rust_preacher · #2 06-10-2011, 01:18 AM

I sold my LittleMark II when I got the TH500. I don't know about the F500.

The LittleMark was good but I could set the TH500 knobs all flat with my P for a great tone. Tweaking just brings a little nuance.

The LittleMark II EQ settings were a bit more complicated and I could not get it to sound quite as "vintagey".

Spencer! · #3 06-10-2011, 01:31 AM

I owned both until I traded the F500 today for another tube amp. I like the preamp on the Tone Hammer better, I like the power section of the F500 better. The best sounding solution would be to run a nice preamp in front of the F500. You can't really go wrong (or right) with any of these class D amps. For what it's worth, I've never played a super light amp that I really liked.....I need tubes.

rodl2005 · #4 06-10-2011, 02:41 AM

I'm pretty much the same, only I found the Mesa Walkabout better than any amp, bar an all tube amp-& nicer than many of those too! But Genz Benz's D class hybrids are getting Very very good.
Mesa's W.A. is superb & the GB Shuttle & Streamliner are the best non all tube amps I've ever played.
Sorry to go ot.

loopee · #5 06-10-2011, 02:51 AM

enricogaletta · #6 06-11-2011, 01:16 AM

I think all the product of both Aguilar and MarkBass are always the same "sound idea". Aguilar is pretty neutral as signal already in flat way, MarkBass is more vintage and old school sound in flat way. Personally I prefer 100:1 Aguilar, in flat mode their preamps are neutral and they sound great, plus you can work on it to obtain a rich and versatile sounds, not the same with Mark Bass, all the basses I tried, everyone play in the same way more or less, pretty disappointing.
Cheers. Enrico
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Kwesi · #7 06-11-2011, 01:28 AM

For you guys that have actually played both would you mind describing some of the more apparent tonal differences? What are some of the first things that strike you as different between the two amps? Soundwise, of course.

I'm not looking for a super-objective tonal breakdown, just a few "key points", so to speak. I currently own a F500 and dig it but I'm curious.

Spencer! · #8 06-11-2011, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

For you guys that have actually played both would you mind describing some of the more apparent tonal differences? What are some of the first things that strike you as different between the two amps? Soundwise, of course.

I'm not looking for a super-objective tonal breakdown, just a few "key points", so to speak. I currently own a F500 and dig it but I'm curious.

The problem I had with the Markbass is that I didn't find the eq section very musical or useful. The amp sounded good set flat, but when I wanted something from the eq I couldn't seem to get it. With the Aguilar, the eq section is more powerful but the tone isn't quite as good with the amp set flat. Those Markbass amps have really nice power sections.

As far as light amps go, I played the new Epifani 501 last week and I was really impressed. It's pricey though.

Kwesi · #9 06-11-2011, 10:23 AM

That makes a lot of sense! Messing with the knobs on the F500 doesn't seem to have a huge effect on the overall tone. The LMII and three seem to have stronger EQs but it's still not huge. When I tried the TH500 it definitely seemed more powerful with the exception of the treble control but I'm guessing it's because it was set to a lower frequency (4 kHz)than Markbass' amps (10 kHz).

Sparky Mark · #10 07-21-2011, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

That makes a lot of sense! Messing with the knobs on the F500 doesn't seem to have a huge effect on the overall tone. The LMII and three seem to have stronger EQs but it's still not huge.

I don't uderstand this comment at all?

I have a LM3 and have just bought an F500 and IME the EQ of the F500 is just as powerful (+/-16dB in four bands plus VLE and VPF filters) with much more flexibility due to the semi para hi and low mids.

Depending how far you adjust them, messing with any of the EQ knobs can have a massive effect on the tone.

dave_bass5 · #11 07-21-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky Mark

I have a LM3 and have just bought an F500

Did you get the F500 off phsycoandy?

Ewo · #12 07-21-2011, 10:19 AM

Kwesi--

I did some comparisons of my F1 and my TH500 (through the same cabs) on this thread. Search it for my posts (the thread is loooooooooong...) and maybe some of that will be helpful.

Ken Jung told me, a while ago, that the F1 and F500 sound the same with the EQ set flat. So a comparison of the F1 and TH500 has some relevance to your question, I figure.

RS · #13 07-21-2011, 10:58 AM

Comparing the LMII and TH500, I'd agree they are in the same tonal ballpark. Set flat, the top end is a little more present or clean on the Aggie, while the low end of Markbass is a little more "tubey" or round sounding. I prefer the EQ points on the Aggie and it looks cooler but these benefits weren't powerful enough for me to drop $700 on the TH500. I am still satisfied with the LMII.

Kwesi · #14 07-21-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky Mark

I don't uderstand this comment at all?

I have a LM3 and have just bought an F500 and IME the EQ of the F500 is just as powerful (+/-16dB in four bands plus VLE and VPF filters) with much more flexibility due to the semi para hi and low mids.

Depending how far you adjust them, messing with any of the EQ knobs can have a massive effect on the tone.

I'm definitely with Spencer on this. Trust me, I'm not afraid to turn some knobs to get a tone that I like but in comparison to many of the other amps I've tried, the EQ section of the F500 doesn't seem as powerful. Not that it lacks the ability to effectively shape tone but it takes a bit more for it to make a noticeable change. When I was using the TH500, 1/8th of a turn of the bass knob would yield some significant results whereas, to get the same effect with the F500 I might need 1/4th of a turn.

Again, not bashing on the F500 at all because I own one and love it. just putting my opinion out there. All in all, while I am still interested in the TH500 I think the F500 fits my needs better.

Sparky Mark · #15 07-21-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'm definitely with Spencer on this. Trust me, I'm not afraid to turn some knobs to get a tone that I like but in comparison to many of the other amps I've tried, the EQ section of the F500 doesn't seem as powerful. Not that it lacks the ability to effectively shape tone but it takes a bit more for it to make a noticeable change. When I was using the TH500, 1/8th of a turn of the bass knob would yield some significant results whereas, to get the same effect with the F500 I might need 1/4th of a turn.

Again, not bashing on the F500 at all because I own one and love it. just putting my opinion out there. All in all, while I am still interested in the TH500 I think the F500 fits my needs better.

Hi Kwesi,

I realise you're not bashing the F500, but I tend to use very little EQ adjustment with MB heads as I like their intrinsic punchy presentation. If I found myself needing to use extreme EQ settings (other than for a special effect) I would tend to suspect either my bass or cabs were the issue. I've had amps with multiband graphic sections, but they end up returning to a flatline before eventually being bypassed.

Maybe some amp knobs get to their max/min eq for less adjustment, much like some reach max output earlier, but in the end the result should be the same(ish).

Kwesi · #16 12-05-2011, 12:24 PM

A bump for this because, again, I've passed up an opportunity to A/B them but totally loved the TH500. More thoughts would be appreciated.

RS · #17 12-05-2011, 12:35 PM

I ended up buying one as my LMII was on the fritz and I recently bought 2 Aggie 112DBs. The fan noise can be a little louder than normal but I dig it. I like the sweepable mid EQ and the separate drive knob. It's hard to say that it is better than the LM stuff, but I've come to slightly prefer it for most of my basses (jazzes).

Kwesi · #18 12-05-2011, 12:45 PM

Yeah, I get that the whole idea of better is completely subjective but what about it do you prefer about it over the LMII?

Hollow Man · #19 12-05-2011, 02:47 PM

Hey Kwesi, if you ever want to spend some time with the TH500, just come on over... I picked one up a few months ago.

I really like it... it's not as even as the LMII; it's a bit heavier in the bass and low-mids, and maybe slightly rounded off in the treble. To my ears, the LMII is clearer, while the TH500 is warmer (not so much warmer as to become wooly, but just starting to move that direction a bit). Both amps are really punchy, although I might give the edge to the TH500, just for the slightly goosed low-mids.

The TH500 gives me the best tone I've ever heard with my AE212; it totally jacks up the booty even with the EQ flat, and my tone is crazy punchy and fat while still being clear. I haven't tried it with my AE410 yet; I'm a bit afraid that the mids may be a bit much in that combination.

The TH500 definitely won't be as clean as the F500, but I'd wager it's got 95% of the punch while having a ton more inherent bass and low-mids. IIRC, you tend to boost both of those bands on your F500, so I think you'd really like the TH500.

If you've got a gig coming up, I could probably loan it to you for one... shoot me a PM if you wanna check it out in any capacity.

Jeff Scott · #20 12-05-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS

I ended up buying one as my LMII was on the fritz and I recently bought 2 Aggie 112DBs. The fan noise can be a little louder than normal but I dig it.

You're just not playing loud enough!