Mesa M6 vs Aguilar AG500SC for rock

[christoph h.]

Hi!

I currently have two rigs:

Markbass LMII and Read Purity into QSC PLX2402.

I'm thinking about adding something with more character to this, something that can hold it's own and works very well with distorted guitars through Marshall amps.

Currently I use FX for overdrive/distortion (Aguilar Agro, Xotic BB), so I'd like to use something that works well with these.

I'm also considering to go for a "dirty" amp sound. The Aguilar CANNOT do this, but the Mesa can, I think. To be honest, I'm a bit unsure about the AG500SC. It's an amp I've always loved the sound of. But I've never played hardrock with it.

Also, what about cabinets? I'm currently running a Whappo Jr. 2x12 - for distorted stuff I just turn down the tweeter to avoid the harshness. Would I gain alot of "rock-tone" if I went to something like a Bergantino NV610, NV412 (or similar Mesa).

To open a totally different can of worms with the last sentence of this post sentence: Do you think I'm going into the right direction with these two choices?

Thanks,
-Christoph

[babebambi]

Mesa can do "dirty" but not the M6/9.
Their 750 OD easier than the 600.

The AG500 has an OD channel if that's what you are after.

[christoph h.]

I always thought that the M6/M9 have a preamp tube that could be overdriven.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by christoph h.

I always thought that the M6/M9 have a preamp tube that could be overdriven.

It does have a preamp tube, and you can push it into a bit of grit/growl, but the M3/6/9 series was designed to be more open/quick/clear sounding than the M-Pulse family (which includes WalkAbout, BB750, Titan, etc). The M-Pulse amps (which also have a tube driver stage, versus the solid-state driver stage in the M3/6/9) are more warm/round, and can be pushed to a more aggressive overdrive.

I have a Fathom (M6) and I used to own an AG500. Both can do a great job on rock, but their tones do vary a good bit. The Aguilar is going to be more mid-focused and punchy, and the M6 has deeper lows, more "exciting" highs, a definite scoop to the mids, and more harmonic richness. Either of them with the overdrive of your choice should be great, though. The M6 will likely sound a good bit "bigger" than the AG500SC.

Tom.

[vin*tone]

You already have the dirty channel of the AG500 - the Agro - so the AG500SC will get you there.

[Matt Dean]

I use a Fathom/M6 for rock and think it sounds great. I also use my OD of choice to get an overdriven tone and think the M6 takes to an OD like a fish to water.