Tone comparison Question: Aguilar TH500 vs. AG500

Limeman · #1 05-05-2011, 04:40 PM

Hi everyone,

I am a died-in-the-wool Mesa user, with my current go-to amp being a WB. I am currently looking for a more powerful alternative to that amps killer tone, but possibly one with a slightly different voice for some versatility to the arsenal. Smaller form factor is part of the equation.

I am considering the Aguilar TH500, but am wondering if it might have that same sonic signature as the AG500? The speed and articulation of notes through the AG was addicting, but were ultimately a bit too "forward", mid-heavy and "nasal" for my taste. I haven't found any good demos online of the TH500, so does anyone have enough experience with the TH500 and the AG500 to provide a sonic comparison between the two? Are they similar, or do they have a distinct voice between them? If you can provide opinion of the TH500 vs. a Mesa WB, that would be even better.

I am also considering the GB Streamliner 600 or 900 (there are some amazing video demos and reviews online that are sonically pushing me in that direction) but as I'm a dedicated Aguilar GS cab guy, thought I'd ask about the TH500 first.

Thanks for any insight.

babaseen · #2 07-20-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limeman

Hi everyone,
The speed and articulation of notes through the AG was addicting, but were ultimately a bit too "forward", mid-heavy and "nasal" for my taste.
Thanks for any insight.

I'm interested in the same but I am looking for what you found the AG to be...maybe the AG is more my cup of tea...but I just ordered the TH500

Jeff Scott · #3 07-20-2011, 07:18 PM

I have read on the "official" TH500 thread that the amp leans much more towards the DB750/1 tonality, being much warmer and not nearly as aggressive as the AG500 is. I recently got a TH500 (last Friday) and have gigged with it and also compared it (yesterday) with a Markbass LM II. I think you may find the TH500 very much to your liking, JMOH.

vin*tone · #4 07-20-2011, 07:50 PM

It depends what it is you like so much in the WA. I haven't tried the TH500 but recently tried to emulate my WA with an RH450. No matter how hard I tried - the TC always had a more defined tone - even with a stack of tubetone dialled in (which I find has tonal similarities to the AG500 saturation cannel). There's a certain organic bloom to the WA you're not going to find in a SS amp.

jesso · #5 12-12-2011, 07:26 AM

Anyone else? I'm interested in this comparison too.

DrumsAndBass · #6 12-12-2011, 09:35 AM

I've used the AG 500SC for 5 years with 2 x GS 210 cabs. It's a good stack and tone. I use it for classic R&B. I don't know about the TH500 except that it has a little bit more eq. I've always thought that the eq section of the AG 500SC was really dumbed down and I find it's simplicity limiting. But, that company does whatever it wants and we either buy it or not - at a very high price. I sometimes get the feeling that they are stuck up about their products. But, their gear does sound very good.

Pickebass · #7 12-12-2011, 10:18 AM

I own or have owned all the aguilar amps. The AG500 can be a little nasal to my ears. Very mid forward as stated earlier. The TH500 is closer in tone to the DBs (359,750, etc.). Not super warm old school, but also not as upfront as the AG. Might seem somewhat bland to some because it doesn't have a hi-fi "tint" to the sound.

The TH500 like many Aguilar amps don't always wow you when you play it alone, but in a band setting it kills. What's interesting about the TH500 to me is that it works great with many cabs and very usable eq. Somewhere in here, I did a comparison between the TH500, and the DBs