Aguilar TH 700

[Frankie Fender]

Just upgraded my TH500 to a newer TH700. In three years gigging in many different situations the 500 never let me down, but there were times when it seemed to need a little more, especially running outdoors at the beach with no PA support in an eight-piece horn band. Always wanted a little more power and now I have it.

Because of wanting a little more power I had a brief flirtation with the Mesa subway D-800+ and the WD-800, but they never floated my boat and were not a direct replacement. Too clean and accurate for me. I guess I like a little tube dirt and grit with a hint of overdrive. Funny how Aguilar has nailed that tone without even any tubes. The AG sound just does it for me, what can I say? It's funny, took it out to rehearsal last night where I usually play through my Mesa D-180 and was able to get that sound almost to a T. One of the guitarists, totally unsolicited said it sounded better and I agree. It has more low end than that old tube amp. The only trouble was I had to tame it down to protect the antique speaker cabs I was running it through.

Yes this amp is a keeper, all the tone of my beloved TH500 and more headroom. Looking forward to many more years of tonal bliss.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Anyone on here pairing a TH Head with Mesa Subway Cabs? I’m thinking about trying out a 500 or 700 and the only cabs I have are the Subways a 112 and 115, would like to know how they sound together?
Thanks

 

[pigpen1]

I got my new TH700 last week and gigged it twice so far. Love it! All the goodness of the 350, but double the power. Boo-Ya.
Several musicians in the audience, and my bandmates, commented on how they preferred the tone from the TH700 when I A/B'd them, and also how great the bass sounded wherever they were in the room. Credit the Bareface as well.
My D-800 just sold on Reverb.

In your opinion the 700 has a different tonality than the 350?

 

[PaperbackRyder]

In your opinion the 700 has a different tonality than the 350?

No. The 700 sounds like a much larger 350 to my ear. I should clarify...
I A/B'd the TH350 with the Mesa D-800. Just sat one atop t'other. Got them both sounding good during setup. First set with one then for the second set I just swapped cables. That is what made up my mind to order the TH700. Now the Barefaced cab can really BREATH.

 

[uwrossl]

Posted this over in Club Bergantino earlier because I was was so stoked at how my new Tone Hammer 700 brought my Berg NV212T to life....figured this would be a good thread for it as well. Also wanted to say thanks for the TB members that explained the the gain structure on this head. Once I figured that out with the backlined TH 500 it was a no brainer to pick up the TH700
...........................................................................................................................
I took the plunge on the Aguilar TH700 and bam! I'm now totally loving my NV212T.

This head brought out everything I've been missing and finally getting out of the cab what I thought I should be. I previously had not been stoked with my NV212 up to this point and my Mark Bass LMIII has always been the suspect since people rave about these cabs. Man did that thing come to life today when I paired it with the TH700. There is a tubey but still fast and punchy mid grunt/burp that just comes out of this thing so naturally. The funny thing is that it doesn't sound that great on it's own ie just playing through scales or modes etc. But the second you start playing along to something it just effortlessly cuts and sits perfectly in the mix. Felt like I was always over playing with the LMIII to try and make something exciting happen and just the round sound of the roots is so much more fun with this. Plenty of power and head room and the NV212 blends so nice with the TH for that vintage punch I've been after.

For perspective as well...I'm playing a Sadowsky M4 J bass with Thomastik Jazz Flats and play Soul Blues and roots vintage rock and it's a match made in heaven. Haven't tried it with my Serek or P bass yet but can only imagine it gets better. Should have ditched the LMIII a long time ago! I always thought it was a decent amp if maybe a little under powered for what I wanted but had no idea how much it was holding me back. Not a dig on Markbass...just a realization that amp was definitely not suited to my desires and purpose. I can def see why the TH might not be somebody else's thing because it's a pretty specific thing this does. It just so happens that what it does is my exact wheelhouse. So glad I stuck with the NV212 and didn't go back to 10's! LOL

One other thing to note that I've noticed so far is that engaging the drive a bit(About 10o'clock) ads this really nice warm and slightly compressed sound. I usually run an Empress compressor as always on and slightly engaged to add a bit of compression but this is better and more natural sounding. I've turned it off now because of it. If same thing happens at rehearsal on Sunday I'll be selling the Empress as there's no need for it for my purposes.

 

[uwrossl]

It's interesting how different people percieve things differently. I used TH500 and Mesa D800 for years. With bass and treble at noon and drive off, I found TH cleaner way and more defined than D800. Of course there was "some" Aquilar coloring but nothing even close to Mesa thud and bass ,low mid heaviness. Weird

I really think the Mesa thing is hard to pin down and like the Aguilar thing...you either love it. I got into an argument with somebody a while back about this and while I knew what I was saying based on what I heard it was hard to explain and get across. I had the M6 Carbine when it first came out. I too was explaining it as sterile but I think it's just that it lacks a roundness(again subjective as others will disagree...just my opinion). It feels very square and shelved into it's eq points and I could just never bond with it. I think you're pretty spot on though that the Aguilar is clean in the way that it's extremely articulate but the Aguilar "thing" keeps it from being anything but sterile. It's round and full and for me hits all the right eq points and with the different controls you can dial in a lot of sounds but it's easy at the same time to get a great sound right out of the box. The only other variable with my Mesa was that I only ever played it through Mesa Powerhouse cabs. I'd be curious to through the 800+ on top of my NV212 and see what happens.

 

[jake bassist]

Just upgraded my TH500 to a newer TH700. In three years gigging in many different situations the 500 never let me down, but there were times when it seemed to need a little more, especially running outdoors at the beach with no PA support in an eight-piece horn band. Always wanted a little more power and now I have it.

Because of wanting a little more power I had a brief flirtation with the Mesa subway D-800+ and the WD-800, but they never floated my boat and were not a direct replacement. Too clean and accurate for me. I guess I like a little tube dirt and grit with a hint of overdrive. Funny how Aguilar has nailed that tone without even any tubes. The AG sound just does it for me, what can I say? It's funny, took it out to rehearsal last night where I usually play through my Mesa D-180 and was able to get that sound almost to a T. One of the guitarists, totally unsolicited said it sounded better and I agree. It has more low end than that old tube amp. The only trouble was I had to tame it down to protect the antique speaker cabs I was running it through.

Yes this amp is a keeper, all the tone of my beloved TH500 and more headroom. Looking forward to many more years of tonal bliss.

It's interesting how different people percieve things differently. I used TH500 and Mesa D800 for years. With bass and treble at noon and drive off, I found TH cleaner and much more defined than D800. Of course there was "some" Aquilar coloring but nothing even close to Mesa coloring and engraved darkness. For me, Mesa is the least "clean" amp I ever had. Recently I bought Eich T900 that is widely considered as one of cleanest heads around. To me, even Eich has more low mids and treble that makes him not so flat compared to TH500

 

[jake bassist]

I really think the Mesa thing is hard to pin down and like the Aguilar thing...you either love it. I got into an argument with somebody a while back about this and while I knew what I was saying based on what I heard it was hard to explain and get across. I had the M6 Carbine when it first came out. I too was explaining it as sterile but I think it's just that it lacks a roundness(again subjective as others will disagree...just my opinion). It feels very square and shelved into it's eq points and I could just never bond with it. I think you're pretty spot on though that the Aguilar is clean in the way that it's extremely articulate but the Aguilar "thing" keeps it from being anything but sterile. It's round and full and for me hits all the right eq points and with the different controls you can dial in a lot of sounds but it's easy at the same time to get a great sound right out of the box. The only other variable with my Mesa was that I only ever played it through Mesa Powerhouse cabs. I'd be curious to through the 800+ on top of my NV212 and see what happens.

Yes I agree.
It's not that I don't like Mesa, I really do ...... it's just too much of that Mesa tone for me. Aquilar also has that 'Agi" tone but with much lighter touch which translates to "cleaner" as end result. Also the problem is..... it happens often that exact cabs configuration and model used are not mentioned which leads to gray zone in inividual opinions

 

[jake bassist]

Posted this over in Club Bergantino earlier because I was was so stoked at how my new Tone Hammer 700 brought my Berg NV212T to life....figured this would be a good thread for it as well. Also wanted to say thanks for the TB members that explained the the gain structure on this head. Once I figured that out with the backlined TH 500 it was a no brainer to pick up the TH700
...........................................................................................................................
I took the plunge on the Aguilar TH700 and bam! I'm now totally loving my NV212T.

This head brought out everything I've been missing and finally getting out of the cab what I thought I should be. I previously had not been stoked with my NV212 up to this point and my Mark Bass LMIII has always been the suspect since people rave about these cabs. Man did that thing come to life today when I paired it with the TH700. There is a tubey but still fast and punchy mid grunt/burp that just comes out of this thing so naturally. The funny thing is that it doesn't sound that great on it's own ie just playing through scales or modes etc. But the second you start playing along to something it just effortlessly cuts and sits perfectly in the mix. Felt like I was always over playing with the LMIII to try and make something exciting happen and just the round sound of the roots is so much more fun with this. Plenty of power and head room and the NV212 blends so nice with the TH for that vintage punch I've been after.

For perspective as well...I'm playing a Sadowsky M4 J bass with Thomastik Jazz Flats and play Soul Blues and roots vintage rock and it's a match made in heaven. Haven't tried it with my Serek or P bass yet but can only imagine it gets better. Should have ditched the LMIII a long time ago! I always thought it was a decent amp if maybe a little under powered for what I wanted but had no idea how much it was holding me back. Not a dig on Markbass...just a realization that amp was definitely not suited to my desires and purpose. I can def see why the TH might not be somebody else's thing because it's a pretty specific thing this does. It just so happens that what it does is my exact wheelhouse. So glad I stuck with the NV212 and didn't go back to 10's! LOL

One other thing to note that I've noticed so far is that engaging the drive a bit(About 10o'clock) ads this really nice warm and slightly compressed sound. I usually run an Empress compressor as always on and slightly engaged to add a bit of compression but this is better and more natural sounding. I've turned it off now because of it. If same thing happens at rehearsal on Sunday I'll be selling the Empress as there's no need for it for my purposes.

Did you get a chance to try AG700 with your cab? All videos and reviews are done with Aquilar SL cabs wich for me are not a good refference point.
Or if somebody else did?

 

[uwrossl]

Did you get a chance to try AG700 with your cab? All videos and reviews are done with Aquilar SL cabs wich for me are not a good refference point.
Or if somebody else did?

I didn't get get a chance to try the AG700 yet though I'd really like to. Came really close to buying one because I felt the TH500 was under powered for my needs and also didn't fully understand the gain structure of it at the time. Could never make the commitment though and then low and behold the TH 700 arrives! Being Aguilar I can't imagine the AG being "sterile" but from a guy I was direct messaging he found it to be less exciting and too clean for his tastes because it was lacking that greasiness that the TH has and was planning to switch.

Friend of mine just backlined the AG700 and SL410 for a couple of gigs and seemed to really like it. He plays more jazz and pop and a different style of music then me mostly. But he does own the TH500 and SL112. Personally I'm not sold on neo cabs yet. Just find them to always feel a little hollow compared to their ceramic counter parts.

I think some of my initial reaction to the TH500 when I first tried it and didn't really like it had as much to do with the fact that it was paired with a DB410 as it did with not understanding the controls. DB's are nice cabs but to me that just seemed to be too much of a good thing...ie the mid aggie push. Finding the right amp and right cab combination can be quite an excruciating journey. I've found my sweet spot. The only thing I'd like is Jim to make me an NV112 or maybe i'll buy a second NV212 to move a little more air and pull the full power out of it for larger gigs.

 

[jake bassist]

I didn't get get a chance to try the AG700 yet though I'd really like to. Came really close to buying one because I felt the TH500 was under powered for my needs and also didn't fully understand the gain structure of it at the time. Could never make the commitment though and then low and behold the TH 700 arrives! Being Aguilar I can't imagine the AG being "sterile" but from a guy I was direct messaging he found it to be less exciting and too clean for his tastes because it was lacking that greasiness that the TH has and was planning to switch.

Friend of mine just backlined the AG700 and SL410 for a couple of gigs and seemed to really like it. He plays more jazz and pop and a different style of music then me mostly. But he does own the TH500 and SL112. Personally I'm not sold on neo cabs yet. Just find them to always feel a little hollow compared to their ceramic counter parts.

I think some of my initial reaction to the TH500 when I first tried it and didn't really like it had as much to do with the fact that it was paired with a DB410 as it did with not understanding the controls. DB's are nice cabs but to me that just seemed to be too much of a good thing...ie the mid aggie push. Finding the right amp and right cab combination can be quite an excruciating journey. I've found my sweet spot. The only thing I'd like is Jim to make me an NV112 or maybe i'll buy a second NV212 to move a little more air and pull the full power out of it for larger gigs.

I've also read some divided opinions about AG700. Problem is, I am not in states now and in Europe TH700 is about 200-300€ more expensive than AG. And that is pissing me off, knowing it's nothing more than "new" product ripoff. Have no possibility to try our AG and I'm a bit wary of it being to dry and sterile. I like clean but not "clinical". And right now I am using FMC cabs and not Aquilar which complicates things. Recently I've got Eich T900. But it would be nice to have some Aquilar sound as second option. And in EU that wish is complicated logistically.
I like Neo for the weight and I use them for the last 8 years. And some are really good, but good models are rare and it's strenuous search. It's not about which brand or series but which particular model fits great with which head...... and that IS pain in the a....
I just made switch from one neo to another. Now it is two 210 cabinets.
Each one is 400W/Rms, 8 Ohm, 100dB...... 14kg

 

[phillipkregg]

I just learned about this new TH 700! Has anyone had a chance to compare it to the AG 700?

I love the AG 700s tone, but I also dig the TH 500. Now that they both match in power handling, I don't know which one to choose.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Not the Tone Hammer 700, but I have compared the AG700 to a Tone Hammer 500. Their EQ sections are nothing alike, therefore, to me, they sound quite different. I prefer the Tone Hammer's EQ.

 

[Al Kraft]

Not the Tone Hammer 700, but I have compared the AG700 to a Tone Hammer 500. Their EQ sections are nothing alike, therefore, to me, they sound quite different. I prefer the Tone Hammer's EQ.

I liked the AG700 when I played one. However, I liked it in more of a Mesa Subway/GK MB kind of way. It is a very nice Aguilar alternative to those heads for those who wanted something with a different voicing and little more clean power output than a TH500. As always, others may hear it differently.

Anyone on here pairing a TH Head with Mesa Subway Cabs? I’m thinking about trying out a 500 or 700 and the only cabs I have are the Subways a 112 and 115, would like to know how they sound together?
Thanks

I don't pair them regularly, but have tried my TH500 with my SW112/115. It sounds fine to me, but my favorite cab with that head is my Berg CN212. The SW cab combo has the 115 to complement those rich, full TH lows while the 112 presents the TH meaty mids with authority. Since the Berg is a single cab and I've used it ever since I bought the TH it's just my go to cab for that head.

The SW combo is will get you a bigger low end more easily. Either set-up allows the head to run at 4 Ohms and the Berg and SW cabs are all quite efficient so you can get serious volume and still remain in clean territory. I hope that's helpful, but remember YMMV!

 

[jjk2007]

 

[Jeff Scott]

I watched those two "demos". There are a few flaws in both of them that make a valid comparison between the amps futile, IMO.

 

[Low Class]

I have both the TH500 and the TH700. Although similar, the TH700 is a much different amp than the TH500. It is thick and articulate in a much better way than the TH500. So if you're looking for comparisons to the AG700 you need to take that into consideration.

 

[pigpen1]

I have both the TH500 and the TH700. Although similar, the TH700 is a much different amp than the TH500. It is thick and articulate in a much better way than the TH500. So if you're looking for comparisons to the AG700 you need to take that into consideration.

I thought it was an identically voiced preamp with the power section from the AG700 or something close to that. I'm ag AG guy all the way anway, but interesting to hear your take on it. You're saying the th700 is voiced differently than the 500?

 

[pigpen1]

I liked the AG700 when I played one. However, I liked it in more of a Mesa Subway/GK MB kind of way. It is a very nice Aguilar alternative to those heads for those who wanted something with a different voicing and little more clean power output than a TH500. As always, others may hear it differently.


I don't pair them regularly, but have tried my TH500 with my SW112/115. It sounds fine to me, but my favorite cab with that head is my Berg CN212. The SW cab combo has the 115 to complement those rich, full TH lows while the 112 presents the TH meaty mids with authority. Since the Berg is a single cab and I've used it ever since I bought the TH it's just my go to cab for that head.

The SW combo is will get you a bigger low end more easily. Either set-up allows the head to run at 4 Ohms and the Berg and SW cabs are all quite efficient so you can get serious volume and still remain in clean territory. I hope that's helpful, but remember YMMV!

I like the Ag way better than the TH amps. Always felt like the TH stuff needed the Ag's deep switch. To be perfectly honest I liked the deep switch voicing on the AG 500 more than the 700, as the 500 had a +6db boost under 100hz whereas the 700 is 6db boost under 250 hz. It's probably telling that the 3 amps I won are an AG700, a D800+, and Mb200.

 

[Al Kraft]

I like the Ag way better than the TH amps. Always felt like the TH stuff needed the Ag's deep switch. To be perfectly honest I liked the deep switch voicing on the AG 500 more than the 700, as the 500 had a +6db boost under 100hz whereas the 700 is 6db boost under 250 hz. It's probably telling that the 3 amps I won are an AG700, a D800+, and Mb200.

I'm a Mesa and GK guy with Aguilar being my favorite "other flavor" amp. As I alluded to above, the AG700 seemed to be much more oriented at capturing potential buyers for the kinds of heads you mentioned rather than satisfying old AG500 customers. I had the same impression as well when I flipped the AG700 deep switch as it felt like "low mid push" switch rather than a deep low enhancement feature. However, the bass EQ knob seemed to to be able to get some serious bottom end going on.

I also liked the simplicity of the AG700 controls and the more conventional interaction of the EQ and voicing functions. It also had that quicker, "more power in reserve" feel that I like, although when you want a more tube-like feel and tone, the TH is quite nice.