Aguilar Tone Hammer AGS vs. Fulltone Bass Drive

Poon · #1 01-20-2009, 01:37 PM

I'd like to hear how people can compare the two

Chronicle · #2 01-20-2009, 02:51 PM

Two totally different things, so this will be a little unfair. I wasn't a big fan of the Fulltone as it looses a little low end. Plus, I have an overdrive that sounds better at 1/4 the size. The Tone Hammer is a very nice sounding PREAMP with some good grit.

katri · #3 01-20-2009, 03:01 PM

I have the Tone Hammer and it only really gets into overdrive when the gain is cranked.
I really want to try a Bass-Drive still.

afroman · #4 01-21-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

Two totally different things, so this will be a little unfair. I wasn't a big fan of the Fulltone as it looses a little low end. Plus, I have an overdrive that sounds better at 1/4 the size. The Tone Hammer is a very nice sounding PREAMP with some good grit.

Just curious, what small pedal do you have that sounds better than the Bassdrive? I have a Bassdrive and the only thing I dislike is it's size.

Thanks

Poon · #5 01-21-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroman

Just curious, what small pedal do you have that sounds better than the Bassdrive? I have a Bassdrive and the only thing I dislike is it's size.

Thanks

The Xotic Bass BB Preamp sounds different and to some would sound "better". But..."better" is always a subjective thing.

RCCollins · #6 01-21-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poon

The Xotic Bass BB Preamp sounds different and to some would sound "better". But..."better" is always a subjective thing.

It's very good for sure. Works better as a preamp-preamp than the bassdrive.

Chronicle · #7 01-21-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroman

Just curious, what small pedal do you have that sounds better than the Bassdrive? I have a Bassdrive and the only thing I dislike is it's size.

Thanks

Well I like my Polish Love pedal but I have it for grit. The overdrive is nice but I like it more for just that tiny spice.

Depends what you're looking for.

afroman · #8 01-21-2009, 09:39 PM

I have the RC Booster which I love.
From what I've read and heard the BB can get clean to dirty but the vids on their web just show out-there-distortion. I'd like to know how it does subtle, Bassdrive-like grit.

Poon · #9 01-22-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroman

I have the RC Booster which I love.
From what I've read and heard the BB can get clean to dirty but the vids on their web just show out-there-distortion. I'd like to know how it does subtle, Bassdrive-like grit.

It can do subtle bassdrive-like grit, but you have to keep the gain pretty low on the pedal. How do you like the RC Booster?

Poon · #10 01-22-2009, 03:39 PM

Oh and I have a tone hammer on my way to me...I decided to just take the jump and trade away my bass drive for the Tone Hammer to see how I like it.

afroman · #11 01-22-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poon

Oh and I have a tone hammer on my way to me...I decided to just take the jump and trade away my bass drive for the Tone Hammer to see how I like it.

Well Poon since I trust your tastes and judgement, please give us some feedback when u get the Tone Hammer. I've been thinking of getting one, and if does the Bassdrive tone plus a DI, EQ, etc then I'm sold.

The Bassdrive is big, but I like it more everytime I use it.

About the RC Bass Booster, well I love it. I mean I adore it.
It has not been turned off since I got it (well, when I'm not playing of course it's off

).

Since I only use passive basses now the RC has given me MY sound, the same sound as my basses but with more power, punch and a little clean grit. The sound is just overall better. I leave it all flat but bump the GAIN knob to 2 o'clock. That gives me a boosted clean signal which get's a little grindy when you dig in. It has taken my AG500 to new heights; haven't used the DB750 since.

Getting back to the issue at hand, I think a 3-way shootout of:
Tone Hammer, BassDrive and BB Preamp would be an awesome thing.

Any volunteers?????

Poon · #12 01-22-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroman

Getting back to the issue at hand, I think a 3-way shootout of:
Tone Hammer, BassDrive and BB Preamp would be an awesome thing.

Any volunteers?????

I could have before I traded my bassdrive off. We'll see. I'm pretty picky when it comes to grit.

RCCollins · #13 01-22-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroman

About the RC Bass Booster, well I love it. I mean I adore it.
It has not been turned off since I got it (well, when I'm not playing of course it's off

).

Since I only use passive basses now the RC has given me MY sound, the same sound as my basses but with more power, punch and a little clean grit. The sound is just overall better. I leave it all flat but bump the GAIN knob to 2 o'clock. That gives me a boosted clean signal which get's a little grindy when you dig in. It has taken my AG500 to new heights; haven't used the DB750 since.

Dude, you would LOVE the BB

afroman · #14 01-23-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Dude, you would LOVE the BB

Oh God, don't tempt me.
I mostly use my Bassdrive for songs I play pickstyle to give me a subtle "tube-like" overdriven sound and more attack.

I'll probably go nuts someday and buy the Tone Hammer and BB and do the comparo myself, then sell the rest.

Poon · #15 01-23-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroman

Oh God, don't tempt me.
I mostly use my Bassdrive for songs I play pickstyle to give me a subtle "tube-like" overdriven sound and more attack.

I'll probably go nuts someday and buy the Tone Hammer and BB and do the comparo myself, then sell the rest.

Dude...especially for pickstyle...I actually prefer the BB. I'd say it's a different tastes thing for fingerstyle, but for pick, i just think the BB sounds better.

Andy Will · #16 01-23-2009, 11:25 AM

Here's a rare occassion where I can help out a little (I hope!)

I've owned and gigged all three originally using a DB750 and for the past year or so, the AG500, with my main aim being low/medium gain drive/grit and a little boost for certain lines or complete tunes. I'm not really a fan of 'Fuzzy' Bass tones at all unless jamming an old grunge tune or the like. Here is a quick overview of how I used them etc.:

Fulltone Bass Driver:
Only used the Comp Cut setting as the other settings where too muffled for my taste. Only was stepping a little out of the clean boost type of sound which was nice, but didn't need all the other setting so went for something smaller.

BB Bass Pre-amp:
Normally set the gain between 0 and 1/4, sounds were great but would have loved more 'range' for the lower settings (am sure it could be modded). Was very similar to the Fulltone settings I used but more tunable due to the Bass and Treble knobs and I could get more drive and warmth before it started getting into distortion territory. Loved it but couldn't resist picking up a Tone Hammer.

Tone Hammer:
Could get very similar tones to the BB though it took me a lot longer to dial in due to the extensive e.q. possibilities. Though when comparing the two directly, I found the BB to be more open and transparent with the kind of drive I use which gave it a slight edge over the Tonehammer.

So, the overall winner was the BB for me in all ways for my needs and tone. Unfortunately, I sold it!

The Tonehammer will be for sale next since I managed to score the last DB900 produced (not even a serial number on it!) covering my D.I. needs, plus, the e.q. isn't necessary due to OBP pre-amps in all my basses.

Current Drive:
Did the infamous 'Ruetz' mod on my Turbo Rat that I couldn't sell in the classifieds and guess what........it sounds GREAT, just from cutting one leg of a resistor and has replaced all three becoming my #1 Overdrive! This gives increased Bass response (no Bass drop) and decreased gain allowing clean boost into some serious fuzzy drive with the cheapest pedal of them all.
Now awaiting a Vodka-Modded RAT2 which should be perfect to my specs (less fuzz at higher settings and smoother clipping), so will report on that at a later date.

Soooooooooooo, Out of the 3 pedals being discussed I would wholeheartedly recommend the BB preamp. Though definately give the RAT2 or Turbo Rat a whirl if you get the chance though. Give me a shout if you have any other questions and hope this helps!

afroman · #17 01-23-2009, 11:34 AM

Oh you guys are killing me.

Andy Will · #18 01-23-2009, 11:39 AM

Sorry!

katri · #19 01-23-2009, 11:43 AM

You are making me want a BB, I wish I could afford to try one out.

Poon · #20 02-21-2009, 11:35 AM

So I did the comparison of the three. Although I couldn't do it at the same time.

The Fulltone Bassdrive Mosfet: Great sounding pedal for subtle drive. A volume adjustment is needed to keep some of the low end if you are using anything but the comp-cut mode. If you are using the comp-cut mode, the volume has to be adjusted somewhat again. I always used the FM or the Vintage Mode though and just bumped up the volume a bit to match the bypassed. I never heard much difference between the Mosfet and classic versions of the bassdrive if that helps anyone in their decision making. I guess more options is better sometimes, but overall...this is a great sounding pedal and it is very well constructed.
I like the Simple design, but I don't like the sound of the all out distortion (aka the boost pedal feature)

The Tonehammer: I'll echo what everyone else says. It's a great and really versatile pedal. I like having the variable semi parametric eq on the pedal. It helps in the tone shaping of clean signal as well as with the AGS too. My big gripe, like everyone else is that the AGS has such an extreme volume bump that it makes it hard to use as a three function pedal on a gig. If you like the clean sound or EQ shaping of the pedal and like to turn it off with the engage feature. Awesome. If you like to use the AGS as a subtle drive and like to turn it off with the engage feature, great. However...clicking the AGS button mid song can be a bit extreme. This pedal again, is all about subtlety. I haven't had a huge amount of time to play around with the extensive options of the EQ in both modes, but I'm looking forward to it. The subtler drive sounds like the Fulltone, so i didn't lose anything in the trade. However I should emphasize that the AGS is not the AGRO drive Sounds like it in the more subtle areas, but the AGRO is still king when it comes to any kind of drive. IMHO. Right now I'm using this at the beginning of my signal train, leaving it on most of the time for a subtle svt esk warmth with the AGS engaged.

The BB: In pedal format, this thing is king. This has been my favorite pedal OD. It's easy to dial in the sound you like. You keep it at 9am or below on the gain and you have a subtle drive. You push it anywhere above that and you'll get roaring aggressive svt to distortion to fuzz if you'd like. Well constructed, compact, relatively simplistic but still versatile, True bypass. I use this one for those harder choruses or bridges that need more grind. I had one recording engineer & producer say that this is their favorite overdrive pedal that they've heard for bass. They said it's the closest thing you can get to SVT grit in pedal format. I have to agree to some extent.

Sansamp BDDI: I love this pedal. Most people scoff off this pedal, relegating it to newbies and non-botique snobs, but the bottom line is that it sounds great IMHO. I love the notch it does to the high mids that makes everything sound sort of smooth and modern. I don't use this for a drive pedal really at all, because I don't think the drive portion sounds all that great, but I love the pre-amp value it brings. This is the pedal that I have on all the time at the end of my pedalboard