Looking for insight on the Aguilar AG700 and Tone Hammer 700. What types of tones to expect with various playing styles from the two? Which of the two excel more with certain types of basses? I don't have a particular consistent playing style. Could be some funky slap or some tone knob all the way down stuff. Arsenal of basses hit just about every category when it comes to configurations. I'll probably end up with both eventually but this will be my 1st Aguilar purchase besides their pedals. Thanks in advance.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Aguilar AG vs Tone Hammer
- Thread starter WharfRat86
- Start date
Well, having used both and owning a Tonehammer, the AG is the cleaner, more modern sounding. Big low end and clear highs but a warm sounding amp.
The Tonehammer is more of what I refer to as a "science project". It's a great amp offering clean to heavily distorted tones but it never really approaches a neutral tone like the AG can. It's much more mid focused.
The AG is much easier to plug n play, easily understandable.
The Tonehammer takes some time and patience to learn. In fact, I sold my 1st Tonehammer and later repurchased because there is something unique about it. I personally love the way it fattens up my Jazz Bass. P bass sounds great as well. Much more vintage voiced as opposed to the more modern leanings of the AG.
There is a plethora of info on the Tonehammer and I'd venture to say it is the more popular of the two but I can see reasons to own both. Excellent amps!
The Tonehammer is more of what I refer to as a "science project". It's a great amp offering clean to heavily distorted tones but it never really approaches a neutral tone like the AG can. It's much more mid focused.
The AG is much easier to plug n play, easily understandable.
The Tonehammer takes some time and patience to learn. In fact, I sold my 1st Tonehammer and later repurchased because there is something unique about it. I personally love the way it fattens up my Jazz Bass. P bass sounds great as well. Much more vintage voiced as opposed to the more modern leanings of the AG.
There is a plethora of info on the Tonehammer and I'd venture to say it is the more popular of the two but I can see reasons to own both. Excellent amps!
Last edited:
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,771
- 40,450
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
In the simplest of terms, the TH is one end of the voicing spectrum (sort of more vintage tube style kind of vibe) and the AG is on the other (modern, punchy, SS kind of vibe). Both are very nice products, but not the least bit similar IMO in user interface or voicing.
I own a TH500 and have played the AG700. If I didn't also own Mesa Carbine and GK MB heads, the AG700 would fill their spot perfectly for me. If it's not obvious from what I wrote, I agree with SJan3's assessment directly above 100%.
I own a TH500 and have played the AG700. If I didn't also own Mesa Carbine and GK MB heads, the AG700 would fill their spot perfectly for me. If it's not obvious from what I wrote, I agree with SJan3's assessment directly above 100%.
I guess the real question here is which one am I going to purchase 1st. I do own the tone hammer preamp pedal and I love it. What cab configurations are you guys running?
My PJ5 rig is a TH500 through a Barefaced Super Compact. Old Skool, clean and warm with fat mids.
My J5 rig is an AG700 with Barefaced SC and Super Midget. Modern and clean with a full and big sound.
I love the sound of both of these amps.
When I play with stupidly loud guitarists I'll use either the P or J with the AG700 through a Barefaced BB2 and SM.
I played the TH500 for many years with both basses, but the AG700 became my #1 amp as soon as it was released.
My J5 rig is an AG700 with Barefaced SC and Super Midget. Modern and clean with a full and big sound.
I love the sound of both of these amps.
When I play with stupidly loud guitarists I'll use either the P or J with the AG700 through a Barefaced BB2 and SM.
I played the TH500 for many years with both basses, but the AG700 became my #1 amp as soon as it was released.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,771
- 40,450
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
The TH woks nicely with most cabs, but I like it a lot with the Berg CN212. That cab is not as inherently deep low voiced as some bass cabs and IME that helps the overall rig not get too low end focused. The cab also speaks well in the mds and upper register with that typical Berg seamless/smooth transition across the total frequency spectrum.
Last edited:
If you’ve already got the Tone Hammer preamp and you like it, I’d say to get the AG700. That way you can have both sounds at your fingertips.
that being said, if you’re pretty convinced that the TH is *almost* your tone, and the only thing missing is a little more flexibility with the drive control (as opposed to just the AGS button), then by all means grab the TH700.
Check out a post I made several years ago:
AG 700 vs TH 500 vs Mesa d800
It includes a link to an mp3 with some examples.
AG 700 vs TH 500 vs Mesa d800
It includes a link to an mp3 with some examples.
I’ve had the TH350,500, and now 700.
LOTS of gigs with the TH and a Berg CN212. I also have some Berg 210 cabs, but feel the TH doesn’t match up as well with them.
I had the AG for a little bit, and had the idea of having the TH pedal, and the AG amp - then I could plug the pedal into the FX return and basically have both amps.
I like the Drive control on the amp way more than the AGS on the pedal - I use the TH as a clean amp.
The AG is clean and loud. Nice tones and easy to dial in sounds.
My main impression is that the mids are very different.
Mids on the AG are very forward and almost jump off the speaker. Very immediate response. TH mids are more complex and much more relaxed.
AG to cut through the mix, and TH to sit in the mix.
All IMO.
LOTS of gigs with the TH and a Berg CN212. I also have some Berg 210 cabs, but feel the TH doesn’t match up as well with them.
I had the AG for a little bit, and had the idea of having the TH pedal, and the AG amp - then I could plug the pedal into the FX return and basically have both amps.
I like the Drive control on the amp way more than the AGS on the pedal - I use the TH as a clean amp.
The AG is clean and loud. Nice tones and easy to dial in sounds.
My main impression is that the mids are very different.
Mids on the AG are very forward and almost jump off the speaker. Very immediate response. TH mids are more complex and much more relaxed.
AG to cut through the mix, and TH to sit in the mix.
All IMO.
I’ve owned and gigged both amps and stuck with the AG.
@SJan3 really nailed it with his descriptive post above. I’ll add that the AG can get closer to the TH sound than the TH can get to the AG sound, which is partly why I stuck with the AG in the end. That is, the TH gets a great tube sound but can’t really go modern sounding, where the AG does modern well and can also get a decent mid-forward vintage tone (I happen to use an always-on Fairfield Barbershop for a very slight OD tube sound anyways, which helps).
The TH takes some getting used to in how the controls work, while the AG is straight forward/plug and play. That said, even after gaining experience and a good understanding of the TH controls, every so often I’d be in one of those tricky rooms where certain frequencies are boosted or missing. In those instances the TH could be tricky and take some extra time to dial in, where the AG is super quick and intuitive.
I love both amps and sometimes miss my TH as a niche faux tube amp, but the AG fills all my needs perfectly. For reference, I play a P bass and actually go for a tube amp sound most of the time. I chose the AG after A/Bing them at home and at gigs over 6 months. For cabs, I tried every combination of two Aguilar SL112’s, a SL210, and SL115. I settled on the 210 and 115 and am happy. I kinda want to get another 210 to see if that’s worth replacing the 115.
@SJan3 really nailed it with his descriptive post above. I’ll add that the AG can get closer to the TH sound than the TH can get to the AG sound, which is partly why I stuck with the AG in the end. That is, the TH gets a great tube sound but can’t really go modern sounding, where the AG does modern well and can also get a decent mid-forward vintage tone (I happen to use an always-on Fairfield Barbershop for a very slight OD tube sound anyways, which helps).
The TH takes some getting used to in how the controls work, while the AG is straight forward/plug and play. That said, even after gaining experience and a good understanding of the TH controls, every so often I’d be in one of those tricky rooms where certain frequencies are boosted or missing. In those instances the TH could be tricky and take some extra time to dial in, where the AG is super quick and intuitive.
I love both amps and sometimes miss my TH as a niche faux tube amp, but the AG fills all my needs perfectly. For reference, I play a P bass and actually go for a tube amp sound most of the time. I chose the AG after A/Bing them at home and at gigs over 6 months. For cabs, I tried every combination of two Aguilar SL112’s, a SL210, and SL115. I settled on the 210 and 115 and am happy. I kinda want to get another 210 to see if that’s worth replacing the 115.
I have owned and used both. Currently I own an AG 700; but a club that I play often in provides a TH so I'm still playing through both.
Main difference (to my ears): AG is a much cleaner and transparent amp, while TH colors your tone significantly. It is not a bad color by any means; but it is a matter of preference. AG lets you hear what you feed through it.
I'd go for the TH if I'm going for a vintage tube-y sound; possibly involving a P bass with flats or something. For all other cases, I'd go for the AG because I like hearing what I feed into the amp. Especially with a maple active jazz.
Some laid-back analogies:
Main difference (to my ears): AG is a much cleaner and transparent amp, while TH colors your tone significantly. It is not a bad color by any means; but it is a matter of preference. AG lets you hear what you feed through it.
I'd go for the TH if I'm going for a vintage tube-y sound; possibly involving a P bass with flats or something. For all other cases, I'd go for the AG because I like hearing what I feed into the amp. Especially with a maple active jazz.
Some laid-back analogies:
- AG ~= Empress Compressor, TH ~= Cali76
- AG ~= DarkGlass B3K, TH ~= Vintage MicroTubes
Those are perfect analogies for me. I have both of those compressors and a Darkglass Microtubes 900 v2 which has the B3K and Vintage Microtubes in the amp (I dont generally play heavy music but that Darkglass head sounds pretty bad ass clean) and totally understand what you're getting at. Thanks.
You can have both. Get the AG and run the Tone Hammer preamp into the effects return when you want that sound.
I don't know how much of the tone difference between the two owes to the preamp voicing versus the power amp section, but I assume most would be.
Thank you for your insights. I am consider one of these two amps actually and I appreciate your input. I play blues rock-classic hard rock and I am leaning towards the AG 700 because it sounds more "warm" and has a deep and bright switch; something the Tone hammer doesn't. Question 1: Can you get more low-end out of the AG 700 than the Tone Hammer? Question 2: Are both amps just as reliable as one another or is the AG more reliable and have more longevity than the Tone Hammer? Question 3: I can always add a pedal or two to the AG 700 to hone in on my tone; I like a like grit and little tube-like sound, can you dial in any grit or tube-like sound to the AG 700 as it is stock? Or like I aside, you would just add a pedal or two? Any other thoughts or comments are appreciated as well as the pros/cons of either! Like if they ever failed you on a gig or cut out. Thanks! Bill
Was there a reason the AG 700 became your #1 amp over the tone hammer outside of the 700 watts vs. 500? Any pros/cons you can give me on the AG 700? Has it ever failed you on a gig? Cut out? Thanks! Bill
Any pros/cons you can give me on the AG 700? Has it ever failed you on a gig? Cut out? Thanks! Bill
1. kinda. The AG has a more clear, defined, and less wooly low end than the TH but I’m not sure if the frequency range is actually any lower.
2. Both have been totally reliable. No issues at at all. My only issue is with Aguilar (Korg)’s customer service. Another bass player damaged a speaker in my Sl210 and the Korg company can’t (won’t or is too incompetent) help me get a replacement speaker. That’s a brand customer service issue, nothing unreliable with these bass amps themselves.
3. you can put the mids forward, and the AG amp does have a little bit of color on its own, but it definitely leans more toward clean/transparent. If you want a believable tube tone I think you’ll need to add some slight overdrive. I have great tube-tone success with the Fairfield Barbershop pedal.
If ALL you want is a straight up tube amp sound, the TH does it. If you ever want to utilize a more clean or modern sound, the TH doesn’t do it.
I think you'll find both amps very reliable. Both built in NYC by the same people. And, yes, the AG has more low end than the tonehammer. You can always add a pedal to taste.
