Review of the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and DB212

[KJung]

Originally Posted by GRoberts

Man, Ken! The way you describe things in terms of tone and performance is almost always DEAD-ON for me as a general rule! I totally get your description; 'fat and a little blurry'. Yet I still think you can hear the 'windings' with the TH500 and other amps. Just not quite as much as the more solid state sounding MB heads and others.

I spent years gravitating to "clean and clear/bordering on modern" only to discover that once I got there, it was a bit too pristine for rock, blues, top40 dance/hip Hop etc. I was missing 'fat, grindy, a bit blurry' Old school magic. LOL As much as my tonal center has always been toward a mix of Marcus' slap tone and Jaco's "burpy growl", the music I play doesn't call for that at all.

So now I'm really digging the fat, punchy, grindy old school 'kick-you-in-the-chest' bump that I get from amps like the TH500 and my current Orange TB500h. (even from my Nordy VJ5 basses!)

The Orange Terror TB500h has a bit of built-in distortion in the mids. (Hence the blurry description fitting quite well) Yet the mids are still nicely complex, harmonically rich, chewy, yet focused and articulate at the same time. ..and I heard that articulate, well voiced midrange complexity from the Aguilar Tonehammer TH500 as well. I thought the Tonehammer TH500 was a bit more midrangey than the Orange Terror TB500h actually. Yet the Tonehammer 500 mids could be dialed up or down with more flexibility. But more low end bump, punch in a focused way from the Orange. (Sorry for all the Orange references). But having compared it directly to the Tonehammer TH500, they are somewhat similar. Yet dare I say, the Orange feels more like it has an iron transformer. There was just a touch more 'authority' in its delivery. I should start an Orange Terror TB500h versus Aguilar Tonehammer TH500 thread come to think of it!

+1 The older I get, the less I'm interested in 'tonal bling' (e.g., the uber sizzle of the M6 or GK amps, etc.)

I have heard the Orange Terror amps are VERY solid down low. The Glockenklang Blue Soul is the same way. 650 watts, so a bit more power than most of the micro lightweights, but something about the power delivery down low and the deep, open nature of the low end really makes a difference (especially if you have a cab or cabs that can handle that big wump of power down in the true bass region). The Glock uses a 1000 watt power module (forgot the manufacturer, but pretty high end stuff), and I guess (similar to the Aguilar TH500 and I believe the Orange) limits the power output down a bit.

That is one of the coolest things about the TH500 (pardon the pun)... it runs cool, even when you are stupid hammering it! It seems (like the Glock, and seemingly like the Orange Terror heads) to be 'overdesigned and spec'd', versus other micro's that seem to run on the edge of their power module capabilities. IMO, and just musing there, since I don't understand the technical issues at that level.

[Green Lantern]

Just received the cover for the DB212 cabinet; it looks great and well padded. Much more padding then my Fender Twin or Boogie Express cab cover.

[Musicman20]

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

Just received the cover for the DB212 cabinet; it looks great and well padded. Much more padding then my Fender Twin or Boogie Express cab cover.

The Aguilar cover? Yeah they are nice!

[twiz]

I got mine last night. Sounds good, small (although not as small as I'd like).

...yeah fan noise is annoying. Almost a deal breaker, but probably not.

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 The older I get, the less I'm interested in 'tonal bling' (e.g., the uber sizzle of the M6 or GK amps, etc.)

I have heard the Orange Terror amps are VERY solid down low. The Glockenklang Blue Soul is the same way. 650 watts, so a bit more power than most of the micro lightweights, but something about the power delivery down low and the deep, open nature of the low end really makes a difference (especially if you have a cab or cabs that can handle that big wump of power down in the true bass region). The Glock uses a 1000 watt power module (forgot the manufacturer, but pretty high end stuff), and I guess (similar to the Aguilar TH500 and I believe the Orange) limits the power output down a bit.

That is one of the coolest things about the TH500 (pardon the pun)... it runs cool, even when you are stupid hammering it! It seems (like the Glock, and seemingly like the Orange Terror heads) to be 'overdesigned and spec'd', versus other micro's that seem to run on the edge of their power module capabilities. IMO, and just musing there, since I don't understand the technical issues at that level.

So, I got to spend some time with my new Tone hammer 500 tonight. There's something to be said for " meat and potatoes". It's hearty; it's satisfying. The Tone hammer "tastes" like meat and potatoes. Warm and comfy. My P Bass is at home with this unit. Has a certain give that fattens up the P Bass. Jamerson, here I come. Still, when I plugged in the Jazz Bass, I was wanting for a bit more edge or bite. I found myself bumping up the treble control.
So, preliminary I would say that I will keep my LM3 as it's more HiFi yet still warm. Also, I don't understand how some feel the LM3 has limited headroom. I think it spanks hard!
I can easily see my mood changing for either the Tonehammer or the LM3. Both are wonderful and I'm glad I now have both.
Tomorrow I'll spend more time with them.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by SJan3

So, I got to spend some time with my new Tone hammer 500 tonight. There's something to be said for " meat and potatoes". It's hearty; it's satisfying. The Tone hammer "tastes" like meat and potatoes. Warm and comfy. My P Bass is at home with this unit. Has a certain give that fattens up the P Bass. Jamerson, here I come. Still, when I plugged in the Jazz Bass, I was wanting for a bit more edge or bite. I found myself bumping up the treble control.
So, preliminary I would say that I will keep my LM3 as it's more HiFi yet still warm. Also, I don't understand how some feel the LM3 has limited headroom. I think it spanks hard!
I can easily see my mood changing for either the Tonehammer or the LM3. Both are wonderful and I'm glad I now have both.
Tomorrow I'll spend more time with them.

+1 I love having the two flavors to choose from.

[B String]

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 I love having the two flavors to choose from.

Yes. For now I like the idea of having the MB F500 or the TH500. Different flavors.

[SJan3]

Definitely different textures but I think I'd be able to use either head for most applications, and that's a good thing.
Yup, chocolate and dark chocolate.
Both yummy!

[Green Lantern]

Just had my first practice at church with using the TH500 and DB212. First off, I found carrying the cabinet with its cover on a lot easier than my prior 95 pound Boogie amp. Since the cab is not so deep I could slide it on the back seat of my car pretty easily. Going through the DI in the house system, I adjusted the EQ to get the sound I wanted to hear through the house system. Then I adjusted the volume of my bass so it would a good monitor though still loud enough to be heard a little in the 450 seat church.

I have to say we had a great rehearsal and everyone on the praise team like the sound I was getting out of my jazz bass. The TH 500 and TH DB 212 is a great match though I am not surprised. Playing 3 services tomorrow....I can't wait to worship he Lord with this amp!