Bump for any more field reports with the TH500..Looks like I'll be doing an even swap with my Mesa MPulse 600...great and all, but dam i need that portability.....tell me people!!
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Aguilar comparison DB359, DB750, DB680 & TH500
- Thread starter Pickebass
- Start date
Those are some great sounding amps and some very nice playing. I honestly think the Tone Hammer is my favorite...but I've been in a solid-state mood as of late. The DB680 comes in at a very close second. It's probably the most balanced and three-dimensional of the four, at least to my ears. Does the DB359 take the DI signal off of the preamp or off of the transformer like Mesas do?
I'm also very impressed with how good all of these amps sound set completely flat. A lot of times, flat amps either A). Sound very thin and don't have enough bottom-end to set well in a real world live mix, or B). Bring out gobs of finger and fret noise. Neither of those were the case with any of the amps.
I'm also very impressed with how good all of these amps sound set completely flat. A lot of times, flat amps either A). Sound very thin and don't have enough bottom-end to set well in a real world live mix, or B). Bring out gobs of finger and fret noise. Neither of those were the case with any of the amps.
Checked out audio tracks, the TH500 sounds pretty good, but I like the fat bottom of the DB750 better. But, I know it's all about the tubes for that amp and weight is a no winner for me. So, the TH500 looks like what I may be purchasing.
I've had the DB359, AG500, and DB750. The 750 is the keeper, IMO. The 359 sounded great, but was too sensitive to noise from lights, didn't have much headroom, and was too problematic. The 750 has most of what I liked about the 359 but has more headroom, and is not as problematic. I'm sticking with that!
Just listened to the clips...while the 750 is a little muddy, I still liked it best. The tone also depends on your bass, strings, and cab. My basses are a bit bright, so I like being able to tame that.
Just listened to the clips...while the 750 is a little muddy, I still liked it best. The tone also depends on your bass, strings, and cab. My basses are a bit bright, so I like being able to tame that.
I thought the DB750 sounded the best. Much more aggressive than the rest, but I can agree with the wooly tone being slightly uncharming at times, too.
To be honest, the clip of the TH500 doesn't do it justice. On its own the amp sounds fine but nothing too special. It's when you get it in a band situation that it really shines. Very clean and clear and with a lot of note definition - something my LMIII lacked. Which reminds me, I have a review to write up
To be honest, the clip of the TH500 doesn't do it justice. On its own the amp sounds fine but nothing too special. It's when you get it in a band situation that it really shines. Very clean and clear and with a lot of note definition - something my LMIII lacked. Which reminds me, I have a review to write up
That was fascinating - thanks for providing those clips!
My favorites varied depending on whether passive or active.
Overall, for me, the 359 Active was the big winner - incredible speed and slam on that opening double-stop.
Passive, the 750 is near the top, pipped by the 680.
I ranked the TH just a shade behind the 680 active, and last on passive. It really did not sound gain-matched, but I guess that's ear-biz for you.
I didn't at all like the 750 active.
So no surprise that big transformers and tubes will sound better.
What is surprising is how well the TH stays in the game, especially on active. 5 pounds! The 359 weighs 50 pounds, the 750 is like 45.
The real comparison is to the other Class D amps, and I'm greatly preferring the TH500 to GB shuttle or GB Streamliner.
But back to that 359 active...wow!
My favorites varied depending on whether passive or active.
Overall, for me, the 359 Active was the big winner - incredible speed and slam on that opening double-stop.
Passive, the 750 is near the top, pipped by the 680.
I ranked the TH just a shade behind the 680 active, and last on passive. It really did not sound gain-matched, but I guess that's ear-biz for you.
I didn't at all like the 750 active.
So no surprise that big transformers and tubes will sound better.
What is surprising is how well the TH stays in the game, especially on active. 5 pounds! The 359 weighs 50 pounds, the 750 is like 45.
The real comparison is to the other Class D amps, and I'm greatly preferring the TH500 to GB shuttle or GB Streamliner.
But back to that 359 active...wow!
Great clips. Thanks for putting these up. I've potentially found a DB359 and strongly considering it as an upgrade from the TH500, which I've had for a few months now. The TH works great in the mix and is an amazingly easy schlep, but I'm just gassing big time for some all tube magic. 
I'm thinking between the DB359, Orange AD200B and new Fender Bassmann 100T, all can be had for similar scratch (used), power, weight and have much love and mojo. Just not so easy to try them all head-to-head...
I'm thinking between the DB359, Orange AD200B and new Fender Bassmann 100T, all can be had for similar scratch (used), power, weight and have much love and mojo. Just not so easy to try them all head-to-head...
Great clips. Thanks for putting these up. I've potentially found a DB359 and strongly considering it as an upgrade from the TH500, which I've had for a few months now. The TH works great in the mix and is an amazingly easy schlep, but I'm just gassing big time for some all tube magic.
I'm thinking between the DB359, Orange AD200B and new Fender Bassmann 100T, all can be had for similar scratch (used), power, weight and have much love and mojo. Just not so easy to try them all head-to-head...
Just a word of warning. I've spent a lot of time with the DB359. It sounds very good at low levels (VERY good), and I guess if you like the way it breaks up and distorts at moderate volume levels, that is cool. But for relatively clean output, the TH500 will BURY the 359.
It is a strangely designed beast also.... only two rack spaces, but about as deep as an old Buick. I think something like 25 inches or something like that.
The reliability record on these, if you do a search, is not very good either.
If I was playing in a studio, and wanted a 'clean all tube tone', this would be relatively high on my list. Gigging at even moderate volumes (assuming you don't want the grindy growly distortion of the power tubes breaking up)... not so much.
IMO and IME.
For me, the DB359 is the only amp I've owned that sounds just about perfect with the EQ flat. I also recently recorded it blasting through a Berg HT322. Amazing combination. It was so good. It stays in the "never sell" pile.
Great clips. Thanks for putting these up. I've potentially found a DB359 and strongly considering it as an upgrade from the TH500, which I've had for a few months now. The TH works great in the mix and is an amazingly easy schlep, but I'm just gassing big time for some all tube magic.
I'm thinking between the DB359, Orange AD200B and new Fender Bassmann 100T, all can be had for similar scratch (used), power, weight and have much love and mojo. Just not so easy to try them all head-to-head...
Thanks for the input guys. I know you both have different opinions of the Aggie big boys, but both valid.
Sounds like the DB359 is similar to the V4 in terms of break up and all that as expected and just a matter of wether or not that works for you.
Well I might not have a shot at a DB359 atm as it turns out, so maybe the bass gods are looking out for me.
On a different note, never realized how woolly the DB750 was. I do love me wool, so maybe I should look that way... The TH isn't bad in the mean time though
Sounds like the DB359 is similar to the V4 in terms of break up and all that as expected and just a matter of wether or not that works for you.
Well I might not have a shot at a DB359 atm as it turns out, so maybe the bass gods are looking out for me.
On a different note, never realized how woolly the DB750 was. I do love me wool, so maybe I should look that way... The TH isn't bad in the mean time though
I just plugged in my DB359 tonight as it has been sitting on the shelf for months. I wanted to see if I still liked it 
One thing I have noticed is that I love my Fender Jazz tone through the DB359 but not my P bass. I prefer the GK200 with the P bass. Isn't that just odd? I guess it proves that you just have to try different combos to find out what you like. Somebody on TB said that the SS amps give better low end tightness so maybe that is the technical reason.
One thing I have noticed is that I love my Fender Jazz tone through the DB359 but not my P bass. I prefer the GK200 with the P bass. Isn't that just odd? I guess it proves that you just have to try different combos to find out what you like. Somebody on TB said that the SS amps give better low end tightness so maybe that is the technical reason.
I liked my jazz through an AG500sc but not my P Bass. I sold the AG500. I see AG500 was not included in the comparison.matti777 said:I just plugged in my DB359 tonight as it has been sitting on the shelf for months. I wanted to see if I still liked it
That has always been among my least favorite heads. A little too much of the 'Aguilar chewiness' with that one for me... deep but kind of flubby, and LOTS of midrange distortion. I agree that it worked a bit better with a bass like a J that pushed more low end, less mid mids, and more upper treble into that amp. With the already midrangey P, it was WAY too much of a good thing for me anyway.
The TH500 is definitely an improvement IMO, and even the overdrive/drive function seems much more natural and less 'processed' than the 'distortion channel' of the two channel AG500.
I had an Aguilar DB359 when they first came out. I ran into it used on the internet for only $750/shipped so I thought what the heck? ... I'll give it a go. I thought it was a good, but not a great head. It wasn't nearly as powerful as I expected it to be ... the Sunn Model T (also an all tube 4 x 6550 output section) I had at the time had noticeably more headroom and better tone. Aguilar really should've made the DB359 a three space unit with the tubes mounted upright with WAY less depth. It didn't seem to "breath" as well as it should as the cramped, horizontally mounted power tube section in the rear seemed to run hotter than necessary plus the thing was VERY awkward to schlep with it being so deep. I also didn't care for the single 4 ohm output which forced me to daisy chain the pair of 8 ohm 1x15 cabs I was using with it. I now have what I call my "poor man's DB750" ... a DB659 preamp through the poweramp in jack of an Ampeg B2-RE 450 watt head. I like this setup considerably more than the DB359 I had ... it has a somewhat similar tone (as the DB659 is roughly the same preamp section as the DB359 head), but with more clarity & headroom and it goes with my flatwound strung P-Basses like "bread & buttah".
I know I'm the resident AG500 advocate but this is just the furthest thing from my experiences with it.
