EBS Micro Bass II vs. Aguilar Tone Hammer

[CTC564]

Looking for pros and cons of each from anyone with experience with either or both of these pedals...

I've seen a few YouTube videos of each and while I think I like the sound of the Aguilar better, it seems as if the EBS unit has more to offer as a studio/practice tool

Any thoughts?

[pedulla1]

I briefly tried the MicroBass (with the tube). If you like a clear tone then it's for you. I found the tone too thin for my taste (I like thick low end, like Ampeg). I thought having a tube in the signal it would be nicer but it sounded solid state. Never tried the Aggie.

[CTC564]

Thanks for that info...but if it had a tube, it was the EBS Valve Drive and not the Micro Bass II

Almost seems like the features are "too good to be real"

[Pickebass]

I don't own the tone hammer pedal but I do own the micro bass II and a tone hammer amp. The micro bass is VERY useful. Many useful features. It could be a little warmer. Using it as a practice pre and it is great. It also records very well. I actually use it in a band situation where I'm only using in-ear monitors.

That being said, I don't like it in front of the amp alone. It can sound a little thin on some basses. Thought it was harsh sounding on a couple of modern sounding basses

[CTC564]

Originally Posted by Pickebass

I don't own the tone hammer pedal but I do own the micro bass II and a tone hammer amp. The micro bass is VERY useful. Many useful features. It could be a little warmer. Using it as a practice pre and it is great. It also records very well. I actually use it in a band situation where I'm only using in-ear monitors.

That being said, I don't like it in front of the amp alone. It can sound a little thin on some basses. Thought it was harsh sounding on a couple of modern sounding basses

Thanks...is it fair to imagine that the TH500 sounds very similar to the pedal?

Do you favor the DI over your TH500?

If you don't like running it in front of the amp, how do you use it in a live setting and if it sounds too thin, why use it at all when playing live?

I'm just trying to wrap my head around the advantage of a preamp pedal...heck , with all the choices it seems as if you could buy an Eden, an Aguilar an EBS and a Tech21 VT and run them through a power amp and "essentially" have four different amps at any given moment...

[Pickebass]

Originally Posted by CTC564

Thanks...is it fair to imagine that the TH500 sounds very similar to the pedal?

Do you favor the DI over your TH500?

If you don't like running it in front of the amp, how do you use it in a live setting and if it sounds too thin, why use it at all when playing live?

I'm just trying to wrap my head around the advantage of a preamp pedal...heck , with all the choices it seems as if you could buy an Eden, an Aguilar an EBS and a Tech21 VT and run them through a power amp and "essentially" have four different amps at any given moment...

The amp and TH sound similar (to my ears).
I use it in a live situation, where I can control the key features and don't have to take anything else. Everything is going to the PA. In this band, there are no amps on stage and everything is controlled via the mixer. It is thinner sounding on SOME basses. I liked it on basses that I own with bartolini preamps (I think they can be dark) and Aguilar preamps. Did not like it with a glockenklang preamp. In all honestly, I'm really splitting hairs. Aguilar has a more "old school" sound and feel to it. While the EBS is definitely more Hi-Fi

Having multiple preamps is not a bad idea. You could get a good DI box or switcher and choose between multiple.

Something else to consider is the load coming from the output being fed into the amp. Each poweramp has a different sensitivity level and each pedal's output is different.

With the EBS, I run it into the system via the DI output. I have run it into an amp via the 1/4 input. Haven't checked throughly to compare the difference in sound

[stflbn]

The Microbass with the Tub Sim engaged has a Tube Vibe, but not IMHO any real tube essence. But I think it's warmer than the Tone Hammer box is.

If you're looking for Tube... the Valve Drive would be much more of an asset as well as other tube type preamps or emulators. The Tone Hammer is essentially an Aguilar 3-band preamp in a box with the addition of the AGS Agro type circuit.

I've had both, liked both, and could happily use either again. The Microbass has more tonal control and options IMHO.

[RickenBoogie]

If the DI option is important, the MXR M-80 is cheaper than either, and a solid little box. Very neutral sounding, but not thin. Just a thought.

[CTC564]

Thanks Rickenboogie...actually tried that a few weeks back through a Mesa M9

Wasn't really my cup of tea...

[pedulla1]

Originally Posted by CTC564

Thanks for that info...but if it had a tube, it was the EBS Valve Drive and not the Micro Bass II

Almost seems like the features are "too good to be real"

My bad you are right. Serves me for being half asleep when posting on the web lol.

[Son of Bovril]

I haven't used the Aguilar but I have owned and used the EBS for many years in many situations. I've used it to drive a poweramp, as a DI, as a Pre for IEM and in front of the amp

The EBS tone is very modern hi-fi sounding. I notice it has a slight mid cut and doesn't have a very deep extended low end (30-60hz kinda deep).

it has plenty of Gain for driving a poweramp and is very nice and clean as a DI or in Studio, although it has never been a go to piece for me in studio.

I love it's size, clean tone and that it can run on phantom power and use the mute switch and unaffected out to run a tuner too

[marijn van gils]

I can only comment on the EBS.

I have one on my pedalboard, last in the chain. I use it live to switch between two EQ-settings (channel B with some drive and mid bump for most songs, channel A clean and scooped for the occasional slap passage or song that requires a modern sound). I also use it as a mute.

I also use it for home practice with headphones. I just put my pedalboard in front of me, plug an Ipod in the FX return and balance the volume with my bass with the FX mix knob. Headphones go directly into the microbass. This way, I don't need an amp for practice and can use all my effects. Works great!

[CTC564]

Thanks to all...I ordered the EBS Micro Bass II today...I'll follow up soon with a review