Tone Hammer 500 vs GB shuttle 9.0

Flaky Tuna · #1 12-18-2011, 09:17 PM

I'm wondering how the tonal characteristics compare in these two amps. I'm not really worried about power.

I have a Uber410 cab and a Warwick pj, and i plan on trading my Warwick towards a Sadowsky. I like heavy mids, but i like a sweetened edge to them. I'm not really a fan of the GK quickness, nor too dark of a tone. I really like Deftones, and Dillinger Escape plan tones. I also like early led zeppelin and STP tones.

jokerjkny · #2 12-18-2011, 11:24 PM

hmm,

have you tried the gb steamliner 900?

seems to sit right about btwn the two. has the thicker sound akin to the tone hammer, while also having that gb sheen up top, all goosed by a nice psuedo heft in the tone. does rock in spades.

dystopiate · #3 12-18-2011, 11:30 PM

Between the two, definitely the TH500 -- more usable tonal options, and way better low-end, IMO. I used and loved the Shuttle 9.0, but, for rock, the TH500 offers more options.

Flaky Tuna · #4 12-19-2011, 06:40 AM

I actually do have the Streamliner. I was thinking about keeping it, but I hear what others are complaining about it. It's too soft in some frequencies for my taste. It's still great sounding, though.

I will have to try the TH 500 then. I wonder what major stores have it in stock...

enricogaletta · #5 12-19-2011, 07:15 AM

The Tone Hammer is really a versatile head, you can get a lot of different tones, from the brightest to the darker.
I will keep it in mind..
Cheers. Enrico
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Hollow Man · #6 12-19-2011, 09:05 AM

I've owned the GB Shuttle 9.0 and Streamliner 900, and now own the TH500.

The TH500 (when flat) is much more full and fat than the 9.0, although not was warm and mushy as the SL900. It punches every bit as hard as the 9.0, but has more bass and low-mids, with a slightly rolled-off treble. It's not as clean and hi-fi as the Shuttle, and it doesn't have the enormous bass of the SL900, but it's a nice, punchy compromise between the two. I vastly prefer the TH500.

kaiser_sosea · #7 12-19-2011, 09:20 AM

I wonder why but my experience with the TH500 was totally different. Using a Lakland DJ-Sonic into TH500 into Avatar TB153 I felt the TH500 was thin feeling/sounding compared to the Streamliner I had previously and for the life of me I couldn't get a great tone on a gig, perhaps the room... Due to monetary issues I'm now rocking an MB500 which for the money is one of the best heads on the market IMO and I find the tone more enjoyable to the TH500 which really surprised me.

pan1k · #8 12-19-2011, 09:34 AM

You guys have me debating

I love all you guys feedback, just blah. I live in an area where i cant tryout any of these heads before buying them. I'm torn between the SL900 / TH500 / MB500.

I use a Marcus Miller Jazz ran mostly flat. So far it looks as though I'm going with the TH500. Seems most versatile? Theres a used Aguilar GS-2x12 at a store near me for $350. good price as well?

kaiser_sosea · #9 12-19-2011, 10:42 AM

That is a good price for the GS212 which I really dig as far as 2x12 cabs go.

RDUB · #10 12-19-2011, 12:21 PM

Been using a TH for a while now, with a Roscoe SKB 3005. Rock, theatre, jazz... punches through every mix. Full bodied low end if you want it too! Unfortunately I haven't tried the GB.

Hollow Man · #11 12-19-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiser_sosea

I wonder why but my experience with the TH500 was totally different. Using a Lakland DJ-Sonic into TH500 into Avatar TB153 I felt the TH500 was thin feeling/sounding compared to the Streamliner I had previously and for the life of me I couldn't get a great tone on a gig, perhaps the room... Due to monetary issues I'm now rocking an MB500 which for the money is one of the best heads on the market IMO and I find the tone more enjoyable to the TH500 which really surprised me.

If your reference tone is the SL900, then sure, the TH500 (and every other amp other than the DB750) is going to sound thin. It's just a huge, warm, wooly sound, and while the TH500 is much fatter than the Shuttle 9.0, MB F500, MB LMII, and tons of other amps, of course it pales in comparison to the fatness of the SL900.

DeadHeadSF · #12 12-19-2011, 12:40 PM

I'm curious how the TH500 and SL900 compare tone-wise to SVT... Haven't had a chance to try either one yet in a shop (nobody has either in stock around here - must be christmas).

Duke21 · #13 12-19-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadHeadSF

I'm curious how the TH500 and SL900 compare tone-wise to SVT... Haven't had a chance to try either one yet in a shop (nobody has either in stock around here - must be christmas).

Without even trying them all, if you are after a SVT you might want to consider adding the PF500 into the party.

Flaky Tuna · #14 12-19-2011, 02:23 PM

Thanks alot for the replies everyone.

When I listen to some TH 500 clips, it sounds kinda like a more elegant ampeg tone.

pan1k · #15 12-19-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadHeadSF

I'm curious how the TH500 and SL9[HTM[/html]00 compare tone-wise to SVT... Haven't had a chance to try either one yet in a shop (nobody has either in stock around here - must be christmas).

Ditto on that. I just saw my first micro head at gc in the flesh today. The gk mb 200. I tried out the gs cab with a crappy gk head and it didn't sound half bad. Look like illbe picking it up as sooon as I getmy extra scholarship money.

I'm wondering if I should charge the head to my MF account or just save up for it. But I'm very impatient lol.

NWB · #16 12-19-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke21

Without even trying them all, if you are after a SVT you might want to consider adding the PF500 into the party.

Or the 7 Pro.

DeadHeadSF · #17 12-19-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWB

Or the 7 Pro.

Yeah, pf500 or 7pro are definitely on my list, but due to Ampeg moving manufacturing overseas (and the rumors of lots of problems with these devices), I may want to put my money elsewhere.

BassBob1 · #18 12-19-2011, 03:13 PM

Overseas ampeg is just fine. There were issues with some of the first run of the 7 pro but that has been remedied. I've had a 7 pro for about a year and a half and its been great. I absolutely love the tone.

IntrepidCellist · #19 12-19-2011, 08:18 PM

The TH500 will do a VERY convincing B15 vibe, at a much higher volume. Can be very warm and "old-school" sounding, and doesn't have a huge amount of top end, but that drive circuit can really bring a lot of versatilty and warmth to the sound.

It's also EXTREMELY punchy. As in, Markbass F1/F500 punchy, especially when set clean. Very unique sound among the micro heads for me; the Streamliner has more deep lows and more sparkle, but lacks the punch of the TH for my taste (I ran them back to back for a while before deciding.) The Shuttle is too clean and modern for me.

TC.65 · #20 12-19-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadHeadSF

I'm curious how the TH500 and SL900 compare tone-wise to SVT... Haven't had a chance to try either one yet in a shop (nobody has either in stock around here - must be christmas).

Check out the Streamliner tone control primer thread pg 8 post#156 johnk did a clip comparing the Streamliner with an Ampeg svt.