Aguilar TH500 Overkill for a Practice Amp?

[KJung]

Since your plan is to do some gigging, I'd suggest the 500, definitely. The price increment is modest, and the increase in power will at the minimum give you some headroom. IOW, the 500 buys you some room to grow in your requirements.

If I pay attention to it I can hear the fan in my practice room when I'm not playing. It's never been troublesome when I'm actually practicing! And that's at modest levels--like 80 dB.

And there's no more fan noise than other amps I've owned. Of course, it's a total non-issue when rehearsing or playing out.

+1 The 350 and 500 sound identical at low volumes, while the 500 has noticeably more headroom (stays cleaner, a bit louder, more open low end when cranked). No downside to the 500 other than a bit larger footprint and a bit higher cost. That being said, the 350 cranks pretty nicely, but if you are considering that 8ohm sealed NV15, the 500 would be a must.

I too don't notice any noticeable fan noise with my 350 in my rehearsal space (over other units anyway).

 

[mutebutton]

+1 The 350 and 500 sound identical at low volumes, while the 500 has noticeably more headroom (stays cleaner, a bit louder, more open low end when cranked). No downside to the 500 other than a bit larger footprint and a bit higher cost.

I think the higher cost is my only hangup. I can afford to get my first cab sooner if I get the 350. I usually prefer to buy something that has more application in the future, but unfortunately that means a month or two delay in getting a cab to go with the amp head. Probably be worth it in the long run with what everyone has been saying in this thread.

I too don't notice any noticeable fan noise with my 350 in my rehearsal space (over other units anyway).

I figure most amp heads must have fans so like you said I'm sure it's not any worse than if I bought something else that has a fan.

That being said, the 350 cranks pretty nicely, but if you are considering that 8ohm sealed NV15, the 500 would be a must.

Thanks for answering this, I think this answer might have made my decision. I haven't decided between running a couple 12s or a 15 and I want to make sure I have enough watts to drive one power hungry speaker.

 

[AMJBASS]

I have played high volume blues gigs with the TH350 and it performed perfectly. I have had both and agree with Ken. They sound identical at lower volumes. Absolutely killer amps if you are looking for that warm fat supportive tone.

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

There is a $200 difference between the two amps. Depending on your budget, it can be significant. The only other difference would be the footprint, which might be a turn-off at times, but both amps are very light so I am not sure if the size is a crucial parameter here.

Theoretically, one can say that the power output difference between the two amps is less than 3dB and you can compensate for this with a more efficient speaker; but that is a dead end discussion as the reported speaker efficiency figures are all over the place and cannot be that reliable.

Both of the amps can be used at home or at a gig, but having the extra headroom from TH500 is definitely a plus.

I would simply follow Ken's (kjung) suggestions as he is the "dude" when it comes to amps and speakersé

Best,

Alper

 

[KJung]

I have played high volume blues gigs with the TH350 and it performed perfectly. I have had both and agree with Ken. They sound identical at lower volumes. Absolutely killer amps if you are looking for that warm fat supportive tone.

+1 Both amps perform beyond what you would expect for their wattage ratings. If the OP was not considering that moderately low sensitivity sealed 8ohm Bergantino NV115, I would be TOTALLY comfortable with him saving a bit of size and money and going with the TH350. Impressive little (and I mean little!) box. With a 4ohm Bergantino CN212 (or a couple of Aguilar DB112's), the 350 kicks just about as hard as I would ever need, although the TH500 will result in a bit more open, wider, cleaner tone when you get into the 'stupid loud' situations.

 

[mutebutton]

If the OP was not considering that moderately low sensitivity sealed 8ohm Bergantino NV115, I would be TOTALLY comfortable with him saving a bit of size and money and going with the TH350.

This cab is me dreaming a little bit. I like the idea of a single cab solution for some old school meets new school sound so I found it intriguing. But not sure how realistic it is for me to be purchasing one. (I found one thread that said $900 bucks shipped, which would put me out about 5-6 months from getting a cab if I go with the TH500)

Impressive little (and I mean little!) box. With a 4ohm Bergantino CN212 (or a couple of Aguilar DB112's), the 350 kicks just about as hard as I would ever need, although the TH500 will result in a bit more open, wider, cleaner tone when you get into the 'stupid loud' situations.

Probably won't be in any 'stupid loud' situations for quite some time, main concerns are practicing, recording, jamming with others. Potentially small gigs in the distant future. The thing I hate about my combo now is it doesn't have any low end once you turn it up to even moderate volumes, sounds like all mids to me. Something I want to avoid at all costs.

 

[mutebutton]

I would simply follow Ken's (kjung) suggestions as he is the "dude" when it comes to amps and speakersé

Agreed! He seems to pop up in almost every thread I've read in the amp forums so far with great advice!

 

[KJung]

Agreed! He seems to pop up in almost every thread I've read in the amp forums so far with great advice!

I do love trying all this stuff, and hopefully helping some fellow players out who can't 'try before buy' (which is most of us these days!).

Regarding your earlier post above, the TH amps will 'old school meets modern' up pretty much any cab you decide on. They have a very fat, warm, big tone.

While I'm a Bergantino fanatic, I'm also 56 years old with a good day job, so I understand that many are not in that position. A TH350 with a nice reasonably priced 210 cab ( or 115) like Avatar makes would most likely make you quite happy and won't break the bank, and would definitely be 'giggable' in a normal situation (typical wedding gig or small club playing 'not metal').

Here is a quick clip of my TH350 with a passive P Bass and the little 8ohm Bergantino AE210. Plenty of real low end, and I've done some surprisingly large gigs with this rig. It won't put a massive pillow of low end under the band, but it will slot the bass nicely in a mix and sound great at reasonable volume

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Vo66BE8Eutk


Edit: While being into amps is cool and fun, if you want to check out what is really important, check out Alper's website (the link is in his profile). He is a world class player.

 

[mutebutton]

I do love trying all this stuff, and hopefully helping some fellow players out who can't 'try before buy' (which is most of us these days!).

Regarding your earlier post above, the TH amps will 'old school meets modern' up pretty much any cab you decide on. They have a very fat, warm, big tone.

While I'm a Bergantino fanatic, I'm also 56 years old with a good day job, so I understand that many are not in that position. A TH350 with a nice reasonably priced 210 cab ( or 115) like Avatar makes would most likely make you quite happy and won't break the bank, and would definitely be 'giggable' in a normal situation (typical wedding gig or small club playing 'not metal').

Here is a quick clip of my TH350 with a passive P Bass and the little 8ohm Bergantino AE210. Plenty of real low end, and I've done some surprisingly large gigs with this rig. It won't put a massive pillow of low end under the band, but it will slot the bass nicely in a mix and sound great at reasonable volume

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Vo66BE8Eutk

Ken do you think the TH350 could power the Bergantino CN212? The CN212 sounds pretty sweet with the TH500 you have in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgOxfZzbaUg

Also the AE210 sounds pretty great as well, but doesn't look like they make them anymore.

Probably getting a little off topic, but how do the new CN series compare to the AE or even the HD speakers?

I'm kinda leaning toward the TH350 at the moment given my priorities and the fact that I can get a cab sooner rather than later. Might just go with the TH500 though.

Edit: While being into amps is cool and fun, if you want to check out what is really important, check out Alper's website (the link is in his profile). He is a world class player.

Found some songs on Spotify great stuff!

 

[KJung]

Also the AE210 sounds pretty great as well, but doesn't look like they make them anymore.

Probably getting a little off topic, but how do the new CN series compare to the AE or even the HD speakers?

I'm kinda leaning toward the TH350 at the moment given my priorities and the fact that I can get a cab sooner rather than later. Might just go with the TH500 though.



Found some songs on Spotify great stuff!

I was just using the AE210, which is discontinued, as an example of how a small cab with the TH350 has plenty of low end, and surprising volume. The current HD210 is pretty similar to this final version of the AE210. A bit more low mid meat, a bit less upper midrange, and a bit heavier (ceramic, not neo). Nice matchup with the Aguilar heads!

 

[mutebutton]

I was just using the AE210, which is discontinued, as an example of how a small cab with the TH350 has plenty of low end, and surprising volume. The current HD210 is pretty similar to this final version of the AE210. A bit more low mid meat, a bit less upper midrange, and a bit heavier (ceramic, not neo). Nice matchup with the Aguilar heads!

Final question Ken Have you ever tried hooking two 12in cabs like the HD112s to the 350? The 210 is pretty temping due to the price, but I'm thinking one 112 now and one 112 later might give me a little more low end. Sorry for all the questions! You've been super helpful. Although I must say everyone in this thread has been a huge help! Thanks!

 

[KJung]

Final question Ken Have you ever tried hooking two 12in cabs like the HD112s to the 350? The 210 is pretty temping due to the price, but I'm thinking one 112 now and one 112 later might give me a little more low end. Sorry for all the questions! You've been super helpful. Although I must say everyone in this thread has been a huge help! Thanks!

Yeah, works great. There is only one speakon output on the 350, but most all cabs (and all Berg cabs) have 'in and out' speakons for daisy chaining, which results in the same performance.

The HD112's are killer... big sound for a small, if not particularly lightweight 112. And yes, a bit more low end extension and softer mids in that 112 versus the 210 version. Very nice!

 

[jumblemind]

Final question Ken Have you ever tried hooking two 12in cabs like the HD112s to the 350? The 210 is pretty temping due to the price, but I'm thinking one 112 now and one 112 later might give me a little more low end. Sorry for all the questions! You've been super helpful. Although I must say everyone in this thread has been a huge help! Thanks!

I had a TH500 for a brief stint and didn't like it through 12s...of course, they were definitely not Bergantino's. Loved it through 10s, sounded great through both an Avatar B210 neo and a pair of Ampeg 210AVs. The Avatar has tons of low end, and the horn can be dialed in for some of the hifi sound. Great value if you wanted to get up and running quickly.

 

[wolffire99]

I have to put my ear right next to my th350 to hear the fan. Shouldn't be an issue. I chose the 350 over the 500 for the following reasons... 1, It nicely doubles as a DI "pedal" and fits in most gig bags 2. I don't need an effects loop 3. If 350 (conservative) watts into 4ohm 410 isn't enough I'm playing somewhere with PA support.

 

[mutebutton]

I have to put my ear right next to my th350 to hear the fan. Shouldn't be an issue. I chose the 350 over the 500 for the following reasons... 1, It nicely doubles as a DI "pedal" and fits in most gig bags 2. I don't need an effects loop 3. If 350 (conservative) watts into 4ohm 410 isn't enough I'm playing somewhere with PA support.

Using it as a DI "pedal" is pretty much how I intend on using it with my current combo until I can pick up a cab to go with it. I don't really need an effects loop either. Only thing I worry about is wattage, but I have a feeling by the time I'm worrying about volume I'll be able to easily justify buying a louder amp (e.g. I'll be playing enough gigs where it would make sense for me to invest in more gear)

 

[wolffire99]

Exactly, and my thought was, it would be hard justifying keeping the th500 if I seriously upgraded however the th350 is so portable it would still fill a need either way.

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

I have tried the TH350 with a pair of Bergantino AE112's. Great result! Going modular the way you describe makes a lot of sense. While you are at it, try to buy a decent 1x12 now and then buy another of the same when you have additional dough...

Best,

Alper

Final question Ken Have you ever tried hooking two 12in cabs like the HD112s to the 350? The 210 is pretty temping due to the price, but I'm thinking one 112 now and one 112 later might give me a little more low end. Sorry for all the questions! You've been super helpful. Although I must say everyone in this thread has been a huge help! Thanks!

 

[ursus]

I drive an Aggie Sl 112 and a Aggie db 112 with a TH 350...had a TH 500 before for about one year ...can´t say I miss it very much versus the TH 350...

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

Last night I played a gig with the TH350 with two Bergie AE112's. Boy, was it loud or what? With my '73 Jazz Bass, it sounded great and in a band of drums, guitar, piano and tenor sax, I kept on turning it down, as I felt I was a bit too loud for the stage.

So, at 4 ohms, TH350 creates miracles to me, in terms of both tone and volume! I keep a Markbass F1 in my speaker boxes which my roadie keeps most of the time, and I love that combination; but I think I will bring my TH350 to most of the gigs from now on!

Cheers,

Alper

 

[Russell L]

Personally, I'd get a Markbass Big Bang instead. Headphone jack, aux. input with volume control, DI out with volume control, pre/post eq, and more.