• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Aguilar Tone Hammer 350

#183
Even without trying this micro, I think I'd suggest the 500 if any of your gigs will be large spaces without backline. If that's not the case, then I imagine the little one will do fine. As most TB'ers know, watts ain't everything.
 
#184
TomB said:
Even without trying this micro, I think I'd suggest the 500 if any of your gigs will be large spaces without backline. If that's not the case, then I imagine the little one will do fine. As most TB'ers know, watts ain't everything.
Click to expand...

By "backline" you mean "p.a."? Confused...
 
#186
bassboysam said:
how much more volume and headroom will the extra 150 watts provide? for me the smaller form factor of the 350 is the advantage especially since it is being used as a backup. if it were 350 vs 1000 watts then there could be a worthwhile discussion.
Click to expand...

Depends on the cab you are using (efficiency), your tonal profile (deep bass versus more burpy midrange), your playing style (do you dig in or slap, pumping transient peaks into your rig) and, of course, the absolute volume you need talking all the previous stuff into consideration.

If you have a low efficiency 8ohm cab, the difference could be huge (a bit more volume, but a LOT less hitting the power amp limiting, etc.), especially if you are cranking a bit and digging in. For me, the difference between 350 and 500, in general, is quite a bit more than the difference between 500 and 1000, since the vast majority of cabs can't use much more power than a good 500 watts. Of course, if you have a large 8ohm cab, then a 1000 watt head is actually a 600 watt head.... so round and round it goes. Just depends.

Unless you are EXTREMELY sensitive to the slightly smaller size of the 350, I don't see much sense to that model unless you always play quite softly or are really on a budget (which, of course, describes many players).
 
#187
KJung said:
Depends on the cab you are using (efficiency), your tonal profile (deep bass versus more burpy midrange), your playing style (do you dig in or slap, pumping transient peaks into your rig) and, of course, the absolute volume you need talking all the previous stuff into consideration.

If you have a low efficiency 8ohm cab, the difference could be huge (a bit more volume, but a LOT less hitting the power amp limiting, etc.), especially if you are cranking a bit and digging in. For me, the difference between 350 and 500, in general, is quite a bit more than the difference between 500 and 1000, since the vast majority of cabs can't use much more power than a good 500 watts. Of course, if you have a large 8ohm cab, then a 1000 watt head is actually a 600 watt head.... so round and round it goes. Just depends.

Unless you are EXTREMELY sensitive to the slightly smaller size of the 350, I don't see much sense to that model unless you always play quite softly or are really on a budget (which, of course, describes many players).
Click to expand...

all valid points, but Scotch specifically said that he uses a 4ohm 215 which should be able to get you the volume you need with 350 or 500 watts. it is a backup head, if it were to give you the ideal tone then it would just be your main head.
 
#188
bassboysam said:
all valid points, but Scotch specifically said that he uses a 4ohm 215 which should be able to get you the volume you need with 350 or 500 watts. it is a backup head, if it were to give you the ideal tone then it would just be your main head.
Click to expand...

+1 Just talking in general that it is hard to determine 'how much wattage is enough' without taking into account a lot of other things.

If he runs the Buster clean, the TH500 will bury it. Of course, like most relatively low power all tube amps, if you push it to the grind and snarl, it can get stupid loud. So, again, lots of variance in all this stuff across players, rigs, contexts.

Great head in general, and the 350 seems to be voiced identically to the 500, so it would be a GREAT back-up head. Reliable, small, and for an all tube guy, nice and fat so that it wouldn't be a total shock to use it on a gig.
 
#189
KJung said:
+1 Just talking in general that it is hard to determine 'how much wattage is enough' without taking into account a lot of other things.

If he runs the Buster clean, the TH500 will bury it. Of course, like most relatively low power all tube amps, if you push it to the grind and snarl, it can get stupid loud. So, again, lots of variance in all this stuff across players, rigs, contexts.

Great head in general, and the 350 seems to be voiced identically to the 500, so it would be a GREAT back-up head. Reliable, small, and for an all tube guy, nice and fat so that it wouldn't be a total shock to use it on a gig.
Click to expand...

I run the Buster a little "pushed" but not a lot of power clipping.

Yeah, Aguilar ss-amps have surprised at how quickly I get a sound I like! Fat & chewy & never goofily "hi-fi"!
 
#190
Well, trigger pulled!

20120924_142805_zpsf4dda43e.jpg


Wow! I was impressed in the store, but even more impressed A/B'ing at home with my 200watt tube Mesa combo! Even running at 8 ohms, it held up equally well!

It's super-quiet, too! The drive control really imparts a musical, saturated "tube-like" tone as well! Perfect.

Cannot wait to try it at a full-volume rehearsal tonight through a 'fridge. Very happy!

If anyone from Aguilar is bored Thursday, October 4th, I'm playing City Winery in NYC... perhaps my new "backup head" will displace it's bigger, heavier brother? Hit me up if anyone is interested... ;)

Very happy with how this thing sounds. FOH is already getting fed by my Tone Hammer di. Aggie knows what they're doing!

...I can't believe I just bought a solid state amp... :p
 
#192
scotch said:
Well, trigger pulled!

Wow! I was impressed in the store, but even more impressed A/B'ing at home with my 200watt tube Mesa combo! Even running at 8 ohms, it held up equally well!

It's super-quiet, too! The drive control really imparts a musical, saturated "tube-like" tone as well! Perfect.

Cannot wait to try it at a full-volume rehearsal tonight through a 'fridge. Very happy!

If anyone from Aguilar is bored Thursday, October 4th, I'm playing City Winery in NYC... perhaps my new "backup head" will displace it's bigger, heavier brother? Hit me up if anyone is interested... ;)

Very happy with how this thing sounds. FOH is already getting fed by my Tone Hammer di. Aggie knows what they're doing!

...I can't believe I just bought a solid state amp... :p
Click to expand...

I used this little fella at a couple of gigs...one of them was a fairly large, loud room w/out PA support for the bass/guitars. I had no problem getting loud enough. But that was at 4 ohms with two fairly efficient 15s. I don't think there's endless headroom at 8ohms, but probably enough for small/medium gigs. Anywho, I've been impressed and happy so far!
 
#194
Chiefbass said:
Hi Guys!

Here's a small sound sample of the TH350 & DB751.

Invalid Link Removed

Cabinet is Aguilar GS412. Bass is a Fender Jazz -75 with Seymour Duncan Vintage Pu's. Recorded with a Zoom Q3HD.
Click to expand...

Which amp was 1st? DB750 or TH350? There was a discernible difference between the two amps, but more similar than different. Don't speak German, so I have no clue which amp was what.
 
#200
pauliebass said:
Where did you have the volume set at for this rehearsal. Which cab?
Click to expand...

Had to go look... Gain was at 1:00, Volume at about noon. Still had more to give!

Cabinet was a Hartke vx 115. Not my cab- was available at the rehearsal space, so tried it out. Paper cone (no aluminum) w/tweeter. Not a cab I'd normally choose, but it sounded pretty good!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back