AG700 - Clipping like crazy!

[CatDaddyOTB]

Very typical to use a hpf and then boost the bass freq's you want. The idea is to cut the sub lows you don't want and boost the lows you do. Sound techs have been doing this for years.

That said, the Broughton hpf/lpf can produce alot of gain by itself. My thought would be to trim that (if that is the Broughton you are using), disengage the deep switch and engage the input pad.

Thank you, this was my exact thinking! The first HPF (micro thumpinator) is a fixed cutoff and only cuts everything below 25-40hz-ish that you wouldn't want hitting a compressor, which is why I place it at the beginning before my compressor.

The second is the Broughton, which is variable and I usually have set to 40hz just to trim off anything re-introduced by drive/envelope filter/etc.

I'll double check but I'm quite sure the Broughton isn't really adding any gain. This is the one knob HPF smaller pedal.

 

[CatDaddyOTB]

Have you tried running you bass directly into the amp? If that solves the problem, re-introduce one pedal at a time until you find the culprit. Process of elimination.

Oops! someone beat me to it.

The truth is that the pedal chain is the only reason I'm even able to turn the gain up to 9-11 oclock... Before that it was even worse! The introduction of the HPF's was actually inspired by this issue, and it's definitely helped a lot.

 

[Thumpin6string]

The truth is that the pedal chain is the only reason I'm even able to turn the gain up to 9-11 oclock... Before that it was even worse! The introduction of the HPF's was actually inspired by this issue, and it's definitely helped a lot.

If that's the case, something is not right. Sounds like you might need to have a tech check it out.

 

[CatDaddyOTB]

CatDaddy plays their butt off...so it's probably just that the amp can't handle the extreme funk.....

Hey my friend! Those Aggie cabs sound amazing, but they don't generally push a lot of volume, and I would agree that you need more cones to get the job done....but I would also say to try eliminating the pedals and start from there. That amp slays. Definitely a favorite of mine.

Took me a sec to figure out who this was... Hey there buddy, I hope you are well!!! I think that's the biggest takeaway, I really just need more speakers to push the volume I need here.

For the past few years I've been using a Fender Rumble 210 (700W 8ohm) cab with my TH500 and I felt like I very seldom ran out of gas... Which is why I was so surprised that I was constantly hitting the upper limits when I upgraded to the AG700 and DB210.

 

[emjazz]

Took me a sec to figure out who this was... Hey there buddy, I hope you are well!!! I think that's the biggest takeaway, I really just need more speakers to push the volume I need here.

For the past few years I've been using a Fender Rumble 210 (700W 8ohm) cab with my TH500 and I felt like I very seldom ran out of gas... Which is why I was so surprised that I was constantly hitting the upper limits when I upgraded to the AG700 and DB210.

Have had this conversation with other Aguilar users...great sounding cabs, but not a lot of power.

 

[Al Kraft]

Took me a sec to figure out who this was... Hey there buddy, I hope you are well!!! I think that's the biggest takeaway, I really just need more speakers to push the volume I need here.

For the past few years I've been using a Fender Rumble 210 (700W 8ohm) cab with my TH500 and I felt like I very seldom ran out of gas... Which is why I was so surprised that I was constantly hitting the upper limits when I upgraded to the AG700 and DB210.

I am not a fan of the DB cabs, but would agree that they are top notch in build and performance...just not my preferred voicing. If this cab is new to you, check to be sure the two drivers are wired with the same polarity. Unless there is a problem with the head, I can't imagine that cab being a disappointment at the level you're describing in comparison to the Fender 210 (also a nice cab).

 

[musicman556]

I think there's something wrong with the amp if you are experiencing this issue consistently with the pad engaged and gain set low.

I run a TH500 with gain at noon to 2 o'clock frequently with some ridiculously hot basses pushing a fair amount of low boost for maximum booty and have never run into clipping of a nature I am not intending, like the popping and stuff you are describing.

I also agree that mo cab is mo betta, but I don't know that drivers are your primary concern here. But yes... buy more cabs is always a good answer, hahaha! I have settled on Mesa cabs as my go-to. Subways 115 (500w 8ohm and 210 (600w @8ohm.) You just about can't overpower these things with most of the popular amps out there.

I originally bought an Aggie SL212 thinking it would be the perfect TH500 mate. On paper it is! 500w@ 4 ohms, good frequency response, light weight. In reality it just didn't work out. Kinda dull sounding, and had a tendency get into chuff/toot territory (not quite "farting" but dang close) when I started to feed it some juice/volume. Plug into just the Subway 115 and all that disappears. That thing begs to be punished like some perverted deviant, haha!

Best of luck in your search!

 

[CatDaddyOTB]

I am not a fan of the DB cabs, but would agree that they are top notch in build and performance...just not my preferred voicing. If this cab is new to you, check to be sure the two drivers are wired with the same polarity. Unless there is a problem with the head, I can't imagine that cab being a disappointment at the level you're describing in comparison to the Fender 210 (also a nice cab).

The DB clearly is a more refined and higher-quality sound, but the Fender was just much louder, even with the TH500. And still sounded pretty darn good!!!

 

[Al Kraft]

The DB clearly is a more refined and higher-quality sound, but the Fender was just much louder, even with the TH500. And still sounded pretty darn good!!!

No argument from me on Fender cabs...although I don't own any I think they're good quality and good performers. The DB is a very different voicing to my ear. It's more mid centered/focused. It will take EQ, but does require a touch more from a head to have big full bass and that can eat into headroom.

 

[denton57]

I don’t know how you could expect much from a single 2x10 and 350 watts. I have a TH700 and TH500 that I run through two DB 210’s. It sounds great with no pedals - Jazz or Precision straight in

But get that 700 watt head running at 4 ohms and it won’t have to work as hard.

 

[mdalamond]

I have an AG700, 210 with a 410. Loaded pedal board. Played an outdoor gig. Had no trouble burying 2 guitar players and a loud drummer. Gain at about 10 and master about 11. Noon was way to much. No clipping , no lights. I was very surprised at how loud this amp was.

 

[CatDaddyOTB]

I have an AG700, 210 with a 410. Loaded pedal board. Played an outdoor gig. Had no trouble burying 2 guitar players and a loud drummer. Gain at about 10 and master about 11. Noon was way to much. No clipping , no lights. I was very surprised at how loud this amp was.

Did you find it was clipping at noon or just too loud?

An update, I was able to plug it into a 4ohm 410 the other day at a rehearsal space, and it's loud baby. More speakers/less resistance is definitely the answer here. I was still getting the occasional clipping up past noon but I play a hot bass, and I play hard. The HPFs definitely make a world of difference and let the amp do its thing. Thank you everybody!!!

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Sorry if this has been discussed - I was able to find it mentioned in a few threads about something else, but no threads specifically about this topic.

I really want to be in love with my AG700. I used to have an AG500SC that I regret selling. In between I used a TH500 which has served me very well.

I love the tone of the AG700 but I feel like it's so difficult to keep it from clipping excessively. I mostly play an 18V bass, but it happens even with my passive P bass. EQ is mostly flat, with a bump in low mids - Deep and bright switches are usually in.

I have not one but TWO HPFs in my signal chain, a micro thumpinator in front and a Broughton after all the pedals to tame any boomy low end re-introduced by drive pedals, envelope filter, etc.

Anyone else having this experience? I feel like my old AG500 and even the Tone Hammer 500 had to be hit really hard before they started clipping.

Interesting. I have been reviewing, debating, researching, etc., my next bass amp and it has come down to 3, Aguilar AG 700 being the top contender. I went to my local guitar shop recently and tried both the TH 700 and AG 700, by FAR the AG 700 was the best bass amp I ever heard. HOWEVER, the "clipping" consistently made me very leery about this amp. I tried the TH 700 and there was no clipping, but it had no where near the quality of sound the AG 700 had. I am very interested in what others have to say about this AG 700 as well. I mean, I don't want to have to adjust my tone once I find it to the extent that it's not my tone anymore just because the amp clips out frequently. Do you still have this amp? What are your thoughts on it since this post? Thanks! Bill

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Did you find it was clipping at noon or just too loud?

An update, I was able to plug it into a 4ohm 410 the other day at a rehearsal space, and it's loud baby. More speakers/less resistance is definitely the answer here. I was still getting the occasional clipping up past noon but I play a hot bass, and I play hard. The HPFs definitely make a world of difference and let the amp do its thing. Thank you everybody!!!

So, if I hear you correctly, as long as you have the AG 700 hooked up to 2 cabs/playing through 2 cabs there is no clipping?

 

[VICROCKBASS]

I use the AG700 with the SL410, SL410+SL210 and an Eden 410xlt...all sound fantastic!

 

[VICROCKBASS]

The SL410 and Eden 410xlt are both 4 ohm and the SL210 is 8 ohms

 

[CatDaddyOTB]

Interesting. I have been reviewing, debating, researching, etc., my next bass amp and it has come down to 3, Aguilar AG 700 being the top contender. I went to my local guitar shop recently and tried both the TH 700 and AG 700, by FAR the AG 700 was the best bass amp I ever heard. HOWEVER, the "clipping" consistently made me very leery about this amp. I tried the TH 700 and there was no clipping, but it had no where near the quality of sound the AG 700 had. I am very interested in what others have to say about this AG 700 as well. I mean, I don't want to have to adjust my tone once I find it to the extent that it's not my tone anymore just because the amp clips out frequently. Do you still have this amp? What are your thoughts on it since this post? Thanks! Bill

I eventually made peace with it - I took it on gigs, short tours, etc. where I didn't feel like lugging my AG500SC around. One strength is the ability to go down to 2.67ohm, so if you use a 4ohm 410 and 8ohm 210 you are running 6 speakers, all receiving the same power.

I think it's a great amp for certain situations, and I just recently sold it to a fellow TB member who is really digging it. I will hang onto my good ol' AG500SC : )

I am starting to think there is something intrinsic to the nature of these smaller amps when it comes to the interactivity between the gain and master volume. I was recently on the road and a venue in New Haven, CT had a Mesa D800 as their house rig - so I was curious to compare. I set my gain appropriately and then went to adjust the master volume, and I noticed that as I pushed the master volume the clip light began to flash. That being said, it was not nearly as bad as the AG700. The Mesa was not my cup of tea soundwise, but when it comes to power and design I would say it blows the AG700 out of the water.

Have a great week!

 

[agedhorse]

I eventually made peace with it - I took it on gigs, short tours, etc. where I didn't feel like lugging my AG500SC around. One strength is the ability to go down to 2.67ohm, so if you use a 4ohm 410 and 8ohm 210 you are running 6 speakers, all receiving the same power.

I think it's a great amp for certain situations, and I just recently sold it to a fellow TB member who is really digging it. I will hang onto my good ol' AG500SC : )

I am starting to think there is something intrinsic to the nature of these smaller amps when it comes to the interactivity between the gain and master volume. I was recently on the road and a venue in New Haven, CT had a Mesa D800 as their house rig - so I was curious to compare. I set my gain appropriately and then went to adjust the master volume, and I noticed that as I pushed the master volume the clip light began to flash. That being said, it was not nearly as bad as the AG700. The Mesa was not my cup of tea soundwise, but when it comes to power and design I would say it blows the AG700 out of the water.

Have a great week!

Hold on a minute, based on your comments I think you may be confusing clipping with something else.

On the Subway amps, the input clip LED is completely independent of the master volume control, turning the master up has no effect on input clipping.

The yellow LED in the master section is not a clip LED, it’s an indication that the output is being driven hard enough to cross the threshold into the output tube overdrive emulation limiter. This is not clipping, and can flash on ~25% of the time and be perfectly fine.

I don’t know why you think either amp is clipping (or clipping like crazy), perhaps let us know what makes you think this is the case?

 

[WG Plum]

I was wondering when you'd peek into this thread.

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Hold on a minute, based on your comments I think you may be confusing clipping with something else.

On the Subway amps, the input clip LED is completely independent of the master volume control, turning the master up has no effect on input clipping.

The yellow LED in the master section is not a clip LED, it’s an indication that the output is being driven hard enough to cross the threshold into the output tube overdrive emulation limiter. This is not clipping, and can flash on ~25% of the time and be perfectly fine.

I don’t know why you think either amp is clipping (or clipping like crazy), perhaps let us know what makes you think this is the case?

Thanks Agedhorse! First, let me define my terms..."Clipping" for me meant "cutting out". I tried the Aguilar AG 700 in a store and it would briefly "cut out" (I said "clipping" but I meant cut out). Again, I used the store's bass, cable and cabs (Aguilar cabs were use). Although the amp head did sound really good, I walked away very leery and almost paranoid about the "what if..." (what if I was on stage and this happened!). That's where I am coming from. I know it could have been the instrument cable, the bass itself, etc. What came out of that experience was my fear and made me even more leery to purchase any bass amp at this point without being 110% sure of it's functioning. I had tried an Orange Little Bass Thing (I purchased it, hooked it up at home with my own cables, my own bass) and no "cutting out" what so ever, I just found it wasn't my tone. I know the Orange wasn't made in the USA, but the USA one I did try (Aguilar) did "cut out" and it just made me leery. The bottom line is I don't want to have to tweek the knobs on the bass amp so much that I loose my tone either. So, this was another fear. I use 2x15 Ampeg cabs (love the cabs) but I am looking for the blues-rock sound with a little bite that is super reliable when the musician takes care of it and the company backs it if something were to happen. I want to go solid state because I don't want to have to change tubes. Again, I am on the verge of buying but then this experience happened and I became very leery again. Believe me, the "Deep" switch is a game changer for me in my tone. I just don't want the thing cutting out all the time. Well, I am long-winded but I hope this clarifies where I am at and where I am coming from. I do appreciate you being on here Agedhorse and sharing your wisdom. -Bill