Double Bass Aguilar amp/ cab for upright and electric? Which one?

[krfoss]

I recently posted about upgrading my ampeg micro vr with 2 210 cabs to something else. Our church sound guy is an aguilar die-hard (and we have a tonehammer 500 and db112 at church) and it got me thinking about potentially getting that or similar rig. Asking my good friend Chat GPT, he/ it suggests the SL 115 is the best for upright bass, with DB112 as a second place, but I see a lot of posts around TB saying the DB series is the way to go. Every suggestion from the robot is about the Tonehammer head (no AG) and it doesnt say anything about the GS line.

For those with Aguilar amp/ cab experience, which would you recommend for a good, natural, warm sound that can also be used for electric bass? Im mainly playing in a bluegrass adjacent band (some americana, some jazz, about 50/50 fingers/arco).

 

[oliebrice]

I recently posted about upgrading my ampeg micro vr with 2 210 cabs to something else. Our church sound guy is an aguilar die-hard (and we have a tonehammer 500 and db112 at church) and it got me thinking about potentially getting that or similar rig. Asking my good friend Chat GPT, he/ it suggests the SL 115 is the best for upright bass, with DB112 as a second place, but I see a lot of posts around TB saying the DB series is the way to go. Every suggestion from the robot is about the Tonehammer head (no AG) and it doesnt say anything about the GS line.

For those with Aguilar amp/ cab experience, which would you recommend for a good, natural, warm sound that can also be used for electric bass? Im mainly playing in a bluegrass adjacent band (some americana, some jazz, about 50/50 fingers/arco).

I have no experience of Aguilar cabs, but in my opinion the Tonehammer 350 is a fantastic amp for double bass, as good as anything I've used (and as a touring musician I've used most of them!)

 

[krfoss]

I have no experience of Aguilar cabs, but in my opinion the Tonehammer 350 is a fantastic amp for double bass, as good as anything I've used (and as a touring musician I've used most of them!)

Have you tried the th500? Any thoughts on whether that would be similar just more power?

Also, I hear the tone hammer can be fussy for some. How do you approach EQing that head for upright, and do you use any other effects or tone shapers?

 

[Ric Vice]

I tried the Tonehammer 500 with a Realist Pickup and the Mesa Boggie2x10 The upper midrange EQ was too bright for my bass and you couldn't dial that completely out. Just my take of course The Traynor SB heads, GR Bass, Acoustic Image, WalterWoods, Euphonic Audio, and Mesa Bobbie Subway. Just my take of course.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I own and toured with a TH350 and a SL112 cabinet, occasionally two. I found them to be very transparent with upright and quite good for electric bass as well.

 

[oliebrice]

Have you tried the th500? Any thoughts on whether that would be similar just more power?

Yes, exactly that. I've never needed more power than the TH350 offers, in venues that size there's always a PA

Also, I hear the tone hammer can be fussy for some. How do you approach EQing that head for upright, and do you use any other effects or tone shapers?

I never use other effects - just use the built in EQ. Obviously varies by room but very simple to use and to my ears consistently clean, transparent and accurate

 

[krfoss]

I own and toured with a TH350 and a SL112 cabinet, occasionally two. I found them to be very transparent with upright and quite good for electric bass as well.

How was the 350 on two 112s? Did you find any power issues? Also, any experience with the 115?

 

[Ryan in PDX]

How was the 350 on two 112s? Did you find any power issues? Also, any experience with the 115?

My electric rig has been TH350 + (1-2x)DB112 for at least a decade now. No volume issues with various rock bands.

Never tried it with double bass, but not for fear of the power rating... I prefer the form factor of a powered speaker.

 

[Jason Sypher]

How was the 350 on two 112s? Did you find any power issues? Also, any experience with the 115?

I never had any power issues. I did have a 115 and it sounded great as well.

 

[robert_stuart]

Anyone ever compare to the AG amps which seem to be more transparent?

 

[SJan3]

Have you tried the th500? Any thoughts on whether that would be similar just more power?

Also, I hear the tone hammer can be fussy for some. How do you approach EQing that head for upright, and do you use any other effects or tone shapers?

I've owned both Tonehammer 350 and 500. I prefer the 350 for its compact size but the biggest reason is the FANS. The 350 is much quieter than the 500. I couldn't live with the excessive noise from the 500 fans but the 350 is no problem. There is a fan kit that negates the excessive noise from the 500. A buddy of mine did the fan conversion on the 500 and is very happy with the results.
So, do you need the extra power of the 500? YMMV, and the 350 has been discontinued for some unknown reason so you'd have to go used unless you can find an old stock unit.
FWIW, I only play electric and the 350 has plenty of power for my needs.
For upright I can't imagine needing more power.

 

[bass player 53]

I watched this nice concert featuring
Julian Lage. The double bassist, Jorge Roeder, used an Aguilar cabinet; not sure about the amp.
Really excellent ensemble playing.

Same group:

 

[Ryan in PDX]

I watched this nice concert featuring
Julian Lage. The double bassist, Jorge Roeder, used an Aguilar cabinet; not sure about the amp.
Really excellent ensemble playing.

Same group:

Looks like Tone Hammer 500 and DB410 sitting on a road case.