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Aguilar TH500 or PUMA 500

phillybass101

phillybass101

Jan 12, 2011
4,578
2,460
Disclosures
Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
#1
These are my final two choices for a new head. I'd like to hear from the TB commuity on what you think. I know gear is subjective but I'd like to make the best decision.
 
#2
Both great, but VERY different.

Quality.... both excellent (I own a TH500 and gigged a Puma500 for a couple of years).

Size/weight.... Puma500 is stupid small, TH500 is stupid light!

Tone:

Puma500... TOTALLY clean, even, with a crystal clear upper treble and very even response. Very 'through a mixing board' sort of vibe. Closest other head to it is the Markbass F1/F500.

TH500.... bigger low end, a bit bloomy, some 'vintage' distortion always present in the mids, nice ability to increase distortion from mild growl to all out grind with the 'drive' control, more vintage up top. Closest other head to it IMO is the TC RH750, but the low end is much deeper/more open than the TC. Similar warm, wooly, midrange punch.


Both are A1 pieces of gear. PBass playing classic rock... TH500. Jazz/Fusion/Pop with a modern bass or J bass... Puma500 (oversimplification, but you hopefully 'get the drift').

Max volume of both seems similar.

In the US, the TH500, with one of the 10% off Musician's Friend discounts, is quite a bit less expensive than the Puma500 (around $400 less).
 
#3
KJung said:
Both great, but VERY different.

Quality.... both excellent (I own a TH500 and gigged a Puma500 for a couple of years).

Size/weight.... Puma500 is stupid small, TH500 is stupid light!

Tone:

Puma500... TOTALLY clean, even, with a crystal clear upper treble and very even response. Very 'through a mixing board' sort of vibe. Closest other head to it is the Markbass F1/F500.

TH500.... bigger low end, a bit bloomy, some 'vintage' distortion always present in the mids, nice ability to increase distortion from mild growl to all out grind with the 'drive' control, more vintage up top. Closest other head to it IMO is the TC RH750, but the low end is much deeper/more open than the TC. Similar warm, wooly, midrange punch.


Both are A1 pieces of gear. PBass playing classic rock... TH500. Jazz/Fusion/Pop with a modern bass or J bass... Puma500 (oversimplification, but you hopefully 'get the drift').

Max volume of both seems similar.

In the US, the TH500, with one of the 10% off Musician's Friend discounts, is quite a bit less expensive than the Puma500 (around $400 less).
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Thanks. I am a slapper and I love that hi-fi, piano tone with clean and crisp higs but not harsh.I want my bass to cut like a knife. I have been given an Excellent offer on the PUMA 500. I like that modern tone and not so much the boomy. bloomy, or wooley tone. I like it cold, and clinical and I think the PUMA might be what the Dr ordered. Still would like to hear more feedback
 
#4
phillybass101 said:
Thanks. I am a slapper and I love that hi-fi, piano tone with clean and crisp higs but not harsh.I want my bass to cut like a knife. I have been given an Excellent offer on the PUMA 500. I like that modern tone and not so much the boomy. bloomy, or wooley tone. I like it cold, and clinical and I think the PUMA might be what the Dr ordered. Still would like to hear more feedback
Click to expand...

IMO, you will love the new Puma500. The new one (single space) is very punchy also. If you are considering the original (two rack space), that is also a killer head that is a bit more fat down low... less punch, more deep bass, same sweet, clean top end.

I wouldn't call the Puma 'cold and clinical' (i.e., like the iAmp stuff IMO), but it is super clean.

I would definitely take the Aguilar off your list for your stated tone goal.

Markbass is coming out with a new class D amp, called the Big Bang that might be interesting to you... kind of a smaller, louder LMIII. Also, you might like the GK MB500 or 800. Super deep, super sizzly.... a bit of grind in the tone, but more up top than down low. Very aggressive top end and deep, wide low end.
 
#5
KJung said:
IMO, you will love the new Puma500. The new one (single space) is very punchy also. If you are considering the original (two rack space), that is also a killer head that is a bit more fat down low... less punch, more deep bass, same sweet, clean top end.

I wouldn't call the Puma 'cold and clinical' (i.e., like the iAmp stuff IMO), but it is super clean.

I would definitely take the Aguilar off your list for your stated tone goal.

Markbass is coming out with a new class D amp, called the Big Bang that might be interesting to you... kind of a smaller, louder LMIII. Also, you might like the GK MB500 or 800. Super deep, super sizzly.... a bit of grind in the tone, but more up top than down low. Very aggressive top end and deep, wide low end.
Click to expand...

I do like the GK sound. I just locked the deal on the PUMA and will be confirming (paying for it) some time next week. I can't wait. No one in my area that I know is playing through a PUMA. They are still on the MB bandwagon, Eden etc. My dream set up will be the PUMA head, Brubaker KXB-5, and some kind of 6x10 or a full range cab of some sort.
 
#7
ursus said:
Kjung are right on. I had a Tonehammer but sold it to get a Puma 500. I'm glad I did, much more the sound I like. Right now I play a Lull M5V most of the time. Speakers are two Aggie 1x12SL's.
Click to expand...

Good to have a second opinion. I believe that I have made the right choice with the PUMA. I'm playing on a Brubaker Brute MJX-5 which has an aggressive tone, and a Geddly Lee Signature JB. These should sound great through the PUMA 500.
 
#8
Let me know how you like the Puma 500. I have a Epifani UL-502 that I would like to replace with a cleaner mids and treble. The tone of the 502 is a bit darker, sounds like a bit muffled. I'm looking for clean piano lows and sparkle highs. I'm leaning more towards the Puma than the Aguilar TH.

Let us know how you like the Puma.
 
#10
melodiaopus said:
Let me know how you like the Puma 500. I have a Epifani UL-502 that I would like to replace with a cleaner mids and treble. The tone of the 502 is a bit darker, sounds like a bit muffled. I'm looking for clean piano lows and sparkle highs. I'm leaning more towards the Puma than the Aguilar TH.

Let us know how you like the Puma.
Click to expand...

I'm also interested in looking for clear mids, piano like lows and rich sparkly highs. The Pumas were one of the amps I was thinking too but, got to try the new Glockenklang Blue Soul and this amp has that tone down perfectly. Definitely another good option for that tone goal!
 
#12
melodiaopus said:
Let me know how you like the Puma 500. I have a Epifani UL-502 that I would like to replace with a cleaner mids and treble. The tone of the 502 is a bit darker, sounds like a bit muffled. I'm looking for clean piano lows and sparkle highs. I'm leaning more towards the Puma than the Aguilar TH.

Let us know how you like the Puma.
Click to expand...

I certainly will. I believe I have made the right investment in my sound.
 
#14
caaraa said:
Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest.
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seems like for the clear modern tone German amps are the way to go. The PUMA was most accessible to me as far as price goes and I got a great deall. I'm not even looking back at the TH 500
 
#15
I got my head today. Now to take it home and check things out. One or two more posts from me and I'll be able to close this thread.
 
#19

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