NYC Adam Nitti Master Class/New Super Light Amp And Cabinet Preview

adamnitti · #1 12-16-2010, 04:40 PM

From the Aguilar press release issued yesterday:

Aguilar Amplification, maker of high-quality bass amplifiers, speaker cabinets, pedals, pickups and preamps for bassists is pleased to announce the continuation of their Artist Series Master Classes on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 with endorsing artist, Adam Nitti. The event will also mark the unveiling of Aguilar’s new super lightweight amplifier, the Tone Hammer 500.

An in-demand clinician and educator, Nitti is co-founder of the first interactive online music school, musicdojo.com, in addition to being a staff instructor at both Victor Wooten’s Bass and Nature Camp and Gerald Veasley's Bass Boot Camp.

As a bandleader, Nitti has released four albums, the most recent being 2009’s critically-acclaimed, Liminal. He has recorded and/or performed with fusion legends Mike Stern, Scott Henderson and The Dave Weckl Band, blues singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi and Christian artists Phil Keaggy and Stephen Curtis Chapman.

This event is free to the public and will be held at Aguilar’s New York City showroom. Attendees will tour the Aguilar factory and be able try out soon-to-be-released products such as the Tone Hammer 500 super lightweight amplifier and the recently announced super lightweight SL 112 cabinet.

RSVP to info@aguilaramp.com by January 3rd, 2011. Space is limited!

Adam Nitti Master Class and Aguilar Factory Tour
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
599 Broadway 7th Floor NYC, NY 10012
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Clinic at 7 pm – Free!

bottomzone · #2 12-16-2010, 06:02 PM

With no facetiousness or sarcasm intended, what is the big deal with the new rig, Adam? How does it compare with your previous rig?

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

chanson · #3 12-17-2010, 06:49 PM

I wish this was on the West Coast. I hope someone films this though

adamnitti · #4 12-29-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottomzone

With no facetiousness or sarcasm intended, what is the big deal with the new rig, Adam? How does it compare with your previous rig?

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

do you mean aguilar vs. swr?

IntrepidCellist · #5 01-04-2011, 08:30 PM

It was a great time. I definitely picked up some useful things to think about in terms of note choice. Thanks to Adam and Aguilar for setting this up!

adamnitti · #6 01-05-2011, 02:06 PM

thanks so much for coming out, intrepid! it was a really fun time. i'm so glad you were able to pick up some material to think about. see ya next time!

Snarf · #7 01-05-2011, 03:17 PM

I RSVP's and everything, but the day of the clinic I woke up with a 102 degree fever.

Were any vids taken?

bottomzone · #8 01-05-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamnitti

do you mean aguilar vs. swr?

Yes sir!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

adamnitti · #9 01-06-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

I RSVP's and everything, but the day of the clinic I woke up with a 102 degree fever.

Were any vids taken?

oh man, so sorry to hear that! hope you are feeling better. yes, there were a few shooting video, although i have no idea who. in fact, i'd like to find out so i can get a copy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottomzone

Yes sir!

bottomzone, the aguilar stuff has a little different character to it. for example, with the db750 and db751 rigs i use the most, i'd say they are more 'tonally colored' than than my swr rigs and less hi-fi, so to speak. for me personally, it's sort of like blending some of the more colored and dynamic characteristics of an svt rig with a more modern clean/hi-fi tone such as an ebs or swr, etc...

[SNIP/EDIT... i figured i'd elaborate some more on the tonal stuff as my original post was somewhat brief.]

the first thing i noticed when i plugged into the db750 was that i felt more of a sense of control over dynamics. there is a sensitivity to the amp that i hadn't really experienced before with past rigs. it reproduces the most subtle nuances and gives you right back what you put into it. it also has MASSIVE punch. i play with a pretty light touch, and the headroom that the rig provides allows me to stay within a particular dynamic threshold so that when i do make a heavier move it really cuts. one thing that i felt my past swr rigs lacked was dynamic headroom, especially at high stage volumes. i have to say with the db heads i'm never wanting for more power or punch. they pretty much do what i ask of them. all in all, i feel like the new rigs are ultimately more 'musical,' if that makes any sense. it's as if they almost have an interactive nature to them, and i find that inspiring on the gig. there is nothing worse than feeling like your gear is holding you back or distracting you from having complete freedom of expression.

blueacid4l · #10 01-06-2011, 08:19 AM

Looks like someone got a video up already!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4QTlJtC3dA&hd=1

Adam, were you using the SL112s at this clinic? How would you compare the tone of the Tone Hammer head to the AG500? Also, do you usually just run the rig flat and eq from your bass?

Walshs13 · #11 01-06-2011, 08:34 AM

Adam, thank you so much for the time you took to explain your approach to making lines over chords. Very cool. And many thanks to Aguilar for bringing you to town.

adamnitti · #12 01-06-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueacid4l

Looks like someone got a video up already!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4QTlJtC3dA&hd=1

Adam, were you using the SL112s at this clinic? How would you compare the tone of the Tone Hammer head to the AG500? Also, do you usually just run the rig flat and eq from your bass?

during my clinic, i was playing through an SL410, but i did have an opportunity to play through the 112's, too. the 112's to my ears had a little flatter response. had some more mids and low mids information coming through as compared to the 410. both cabs surprised me, as i didn't expect for the superlight versions to sound so full; my experience in the past with the neo magnet technology left me underwhelmed... but these cabs had a distinct tonal footprint, if you will. i elected to use the 410 during my clinic as it seemed to complement the approach i was taking with several of my tunes, but honestly it was a tossup. the 410 just had a slight bit more 'scoop' to it.

the tone hammer 500 and ag500 have a different sound, but i wouldn't say one sounds 'better' than the other... i use the tone hammer pedal on every session i do now, so i'm really familiar with its controls and tonal variations... for me, plugging into the tone hammer 500 was a scenario of familiarity. it was like connecting my tone hammer pedal to a power amp. you have so many options with the eq and ags gain section that you learn quickly the tone hammer 500 has its own thing going. i haven't a/b'ed the ag500 and tone hammer 500 back to back yet, but i hope to have a chance to do so soon.

blueacid4l · #13 01-06-2011, 09:19 AM

Whoa.. an SL410!?! Sweet! Are these cabs voiced like the GS series or more like the DB series? Also, any idea when these cabs may become available?

bottomzone · #14 01-06-2011, 01:34 PM

Thanks, Adam!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

adamnitti · #15 01-06-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueacid4l

Whoa.. an SL410!?! Sweet! Are these cabs voiced like the GS series or more like the DB series? Also, any idea when these cabs may become available?

to my ears, they are somewhere in between. the SL410 kind of had a more 'modern' sound to it than my DB410's, but that was probably most attributable to the slight 'scoop' i described perceiving earlier. i use the DB410s and DB112s regularly, and the DB410s really have a presence that you can feel in the low mids/lows. almost a 'pointy-ness' to them, if you know what i mean, which i love for fingerstyle playing. the SL410 was a little more subdued, which gave me the impression it was flatter in its response. of course, your results may vary, but that's just how they hit me in comparison. hope that helps!

blueacid4l · #16 01-06-2011, 02:59 PM

Very cool Adam! Are the boxes smaller than the GS410s, sort of the way the SL112s are?

adamnitti · #17 01-06-2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueacid4l

Very cool Adam! Are the boxes smaller than the GS410s, sort of the way the SL112s are?

yup. when i first saw the SL410, i had no idea there were 4 drivers in there! it is definitely a _compact_ footprint for a 4x10. i need to get me one. or two.. or three...

MrLenny1 · #18 01-06-2011, 06:03 PM

Hey Adam

I just bought Liminal last week and I'm digging it.
Great playing and also great writing.

adamnitti · #19 01-07-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLenny1

Hey Adam

I just bought Liminal last week and I'm digging it.
Great playing and also great writing.

thanks so much mrlenny! i really appreciate it!

Eublet · #20 01-08-2011, 03:56 PM

Adam, are engineers usually receptive at these sessions about you bringing the Tone Hammer in the studio? I have a TH myself and it has quickly become my favorite DI. Also, can you tell me what your typical setup is in these sessions where you are brought in, as in what basses do you mostly use, and how do you have the TH setup Eq-wise? Do you mic q cab also? Etc.

Thanks!