Aguilar Tone Hammer 350

[gastric]

Initial thoughts at a low bedroom volume:

* Damn, Speak-On only. I only have 1/4" cabs. Thought it was a combo jack, will have to use an adapter which I own. But is slightly annoying.
* OUCH IT BURNS MY EYEEEEESSSSS!!!! All I can see are two, horribly evil blue dots staring back at me from Hades every time I blink or close my eyes now.
* Definitely does NOT sound thin and wimpy and hi-fi, which was my review of a Shuttle I tried a couple years ago.
* Has seemingly rolled off top end with flat settings. And I say that as a player that doesn't like a ton of high end in his tone. If I boost hi-mids and treble to around 3 O'clock it opens it up just fine, so a plus for the EQ.
* So much low end on tap.
* Just heard the fan kick on when typing this. It sounds like a computer fan on max RPM and is fairly annoying. I swear I heard a little "bup" noise come though the speaker when the fan engaged. But I have way too much gear and electronics run off the 15A circuit for this room.
* The master volume kicks in quickly so it's actually kind of touchy to get a really low, bedroom volume out of.

More in a few days after I get to try it out on some other cabs and at a daylight-but-in-the-house volume. Unfortunately I'm band-less at the moment, so won't get to try it in that environment anytime soon.

 

[gastric]

Ran it through my Ampeg 8x10 and A-B'ed against my 80's MTI SVT and got to turn it up fairly loud. Some additional thoughts:

* The Drive knob seems to work as others have described. But I guess I don't personally care for it. It seems to roll off too much of the tone. Perhaps it's because I already am using "vintagey" cabinets and not a hi-fi 3-way with horns/tweeers?
* Once I stop using the Drive I don't seem to have to push the high mid/treble as much.
* The amp is really good sounding, though definitely not as authoritative or clear in the low end as the SVT, and not as sweet sounding up top.
* I'm not sure what it is about the SVT, but the thing is just punchy as all get go at the same volume as the 350. Must be tube compression or it's ability to nail transients or something. I'm just a regular Joe. But it really slams, even at the same overall output volume.
* But I nearly busted my spleen hoisting the SVT on top of the 8x10, where the 350 could've floated up there on butterfly wings.
* I did manage to hit the clip light a couple of times. Master was at noon, not sure where the other settings were but nothing outlandish.

Conclusion: Best micro-sized amp I've personally tried to date. Has that warmth I enjoy, no piercing hi-fi way-too-much high end. No massively boosted subharmonic bass to rumble everything just because I turn up the lows a little. Light and cheap and good sounding.

Seems like a keeper.

 

[KJung]

Ran it through my Ampeg 8x10 and A-B'ed against my 80's MTI SVT and got to turn it up fairly loud. Some additional thoughts:

* The Drive knob seems to work as others have described. But I guess I don't personally care for it. It seems to roll off too much of the tone. Perhaps it's because I already am using "vintagey" cabinets and not a hi-fi 3-way with horns/tweeers?
* Once I stop using the Drive I don't seem to have to push the high mid/treble as much.
* The amp is really good sounding, though definitely not as authoritative or clear in the low end as the SVT, and not as sweet sounding up top.
* I'm not sure what it is about the SVT, but the thing is just punchy as all get go at the same volume as the 350. Must be tube compression or it's ability to nail transients or something. I'm just a regular Joe. But it really slams, even at the same overall output volume.
* But I nearly busted my spleen hoisting the SVT on top of the 8x10, where the 350 could've floated up there on butterfly wings.
* I did manage to hit the clip light a couple of times. Master was at noon, not sure where the other settings were but nothing outlandish.

Conclusion: Best micro-sized amp I've personally tried to date. Has that warmth I enjoy, no piercing hi-fi way-too-much high end. No massively boosted subharmonic bass to rumble everything just because I turn up the lows a little. Light and cheap and good sounding.

Seems like a keeper.

Yeah, no reason to use the drive if you are already playing out of a fridge!

 

[Gintaras]

I have been running my TH350 through a Schroeder 15L. Thou I like the cab with other heads it was not what I was looking for. I just picked up a Hartke HX112 and this has been a noticeable improvement. It has been stated in this post that the knobs do a lot and was able to get what I was looking for with the Hartke. Interesting that I got what I wanted with a less expensive cab .

One of the things that drew me to the cab was the 4/8 ohm switch which would allow me to run it at 4 and eventually add another cab. I probably will try another cab in the future but the head is staying. I have lots of gear getting ready to put up for sale so i will have gas money. Hmm...Baer, Thunderchild, Berg or maybe a Glasstone. Probably need to reread this thread and see what else sound good with this head.

 

[scotch]

Just for fun... I A/B'ed my beloved Mesa Buster 200 (200 watts: all tube pre and power) against my Aguilar ToneHammer 350 today. (I just finished almost 5 weeks of playing nothing but acoustic upright & needed to make some rock sounds!)

You'd think that the 4lb Aggie would have no chance in hell against the 52lb Mesa in terms of "tube like" tone, right? Ha! The eq profile of the Aguilar is actually warmer than the Mesa. The Aguilar crunches up much earlier too with some drive and gain dialed in (in a good way!). Granted, these Buster heads are known for being 'cleaner' sounding than most all-tube amps, but the tone of the Aguilar (with zero tubes - pre or power) really sounds great!

Volume-wise, the 200watt Mesa sounded just as loud as the 350watt Aguilar (although I was only running the Aguilar at 8ohms, so it should be a little closer in terms of power). That little SL112 cab really has bottom! Wow!

I still consider myself a "tube snob", but man do I love the ToneHammer sound!

 

[KJung]

Just picked up my first Roscoe bass (used... beautiful Century Standard 5 with Bart electronics). Did a quick clip with the TH350 and the Berg AE210.

This very modern sounding bass sounds GREAT with the Aguilar, which warms it up (IMO) and takes the edge off a bit. I'll be gigging the TH350 for the first time (usually use my TH500, the TH350 stays in my practice room), but have a nice small gig this weekend, so giving it a run for its money with the AE210.

Just FYI... unique combination of modern, articulate, active bass with warm, vintage, organic head. I dig it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yQ8e2QbU2ek

 

[scotch]

Just picked up my first Roscoe bass (used... beautiful Century Standard 5 with Bart electronics). Did a quick clip with the TH350 and the Berg AE210.

This very modern sounding bass sounds GREAT with the Aguilar, which warms it up (IMO) and takes the edge off a bit. I'll be gigging the TH350 for the first time (usually use my TH500, the TH350 stays in my practice room), but have a nice small gig this weekend, so giving it a run for its money with the AE210.

Just FYI... unique combination of modern, articulate, active bass with warm, vintage, organic head. I dig it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yQ8e2QbU2ek

Sounds great! Extra points awarded for back-to-back Huey Lewis and Bruno Mars licks!

 

[gastric]

And the Mesa Walkabout won, at least for me. It's very dynamic and rich sounding like a real tube amp, way more lively than the Tone Hammer to me. In comparison the Tone Hammer sounds like someone threw a giant bandpass filter and compressor on top of it. I keep trying to dial in a more open top end and a little more fatness, but it seems very mid-focused. Though definitely not thin like a Shuttle I had sounded to me.

Some things I really liked about the Tone Hammer 350. It's so damn tiny and light. It has nearly no noise floor, where every amp with tubes in it I've had, including the Walkabout, has that constant gainy noise floor, though you only notice it in the bedroom solo.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[KJung]

And the Mesa Walkabout won, at least for me. It's very dynamic and rich sounding like a real tube amp, way more lively than the Tone Hammer to me. In comparison the Tone Hammer sounds like someone threw a giant bandpass filter and compressor on top of it. I keep trying to dial in a more open top end and a little more fatness, but it seems very mid-focused. Though definitely not thin like a Shuttle I had sounded to me.

Some things I really liked about the Tone Hammer 350. It's so damn tiny and light. It has nearly no noise floor, where every amp with tubes in it I've had, including the Walkabout, has that constant gainy noise floor, though you only notice it in the bedroom solo.

Different strokes for different folks.

The Walkabout is a wonderful head, and definitely can get 'crisper' up top, and more bloomy down low. The TH500 is a bit more open when you are really cranking, but the tone is the same (i.e., if you didn't really dig the TH350, the TH500 would just give you more of what you did not dig).

Nothing wrong with that. The Walkabout is a classic. I prefer the Walkabout at home, but the TH500 is 'it and all that more' on the gig for me. I primarily use the TH350 in my practice space, but it would easily keep up with the Walkabout volume.

 

[scotch]

...

Different strokes for different folks.

Absolutely! There are no shortage of amazing bass amps on the market these days!

 

[CElton]

I prefer the Walkabout at home, but the TH500 is 'it and all that more' on the gig for me.

+1...I too found the TH500 to be underwhelming at home. Not bad, but not, OMG this will change my life. On the gig however, it's money. It just slots so nicely in the mix and rules the pocket.

 

[Ian774]

Is it an heresy to use a Sansamp BDDI with the TH350?
Well, for tears I've always played with it between my bass and my amp, and lately I tried to play without it, the bass directly in the head. I find the sound to be more opened, more focused, yet warm, and I prefer it like this.
I come to the conclusion that the TH350 is a great bass head that can deliver a warm sound without the help of a Sansamp.

After all the Tone Hammer is a great pedal itself...

 

[JOME77]

Well I finally pulled the trigger on a TH350, thanks mostly to scotch and KJung's comments and enthusiasm for the TH models. Thanks a lot guys!
I've wanted to try something new though and this seems like the hottest little amp out there at the moment.

I tried the AG500 several years ago and it just didn't like the preamps in my Roscoe basses. It seems that I recall the unit not having an input pad. I did like the overall sound/tone of the amp though. Hopefully since this model has an input pad that won't be an issue.

I've been gigging the last 7-8 years with a single Berg 112 using primarily a Thunderfunk 420 & 550, Eden 400, Genz Benz SM 9.2 and more recently a Mesa Walkabout.
I figure that if the TFunk 420, Eden 400 and Mesa WA had sufficient power for me then the TH350 should be fine for me.

I guess that the worst case scenario is I return it to MF and pay the extra for the TH500 (if I like the overall sound but it's under powered) or a Mark Bass Big Bang (if the sound of the TH just isn't my thing) . I'll never know if I don't give it a try.

 

[KJung]

Well I finally pulled the trigger on a TH350, thanks mostly to scotch and KJung's comments and enthusiasm for the TH models. Thanks a lot guys!
I've wanted to try something new thjough and this seems like the hottest little amp out there at the moment.

I tried the AG500 several years ago and it just didn't like the preamps in my Roscoe basses. It seems that I recall the unit not having an input pad. I did like the overall sound/tone of the amp though. Hopefully since this model has an input pad that won't be an issue.

I've been gigging the last 7-8 years with a single Berg 112 using primarily a Thunderfunk 420 & 550, Eden 400, Genz Benz SM 9.2 and more recently a Mesa Walkabout.
I figure that if the TFunk 420, Eden 400 and Mesa WA had sufficient power for me then the TH350 should be fine for me.

I guess that the worst case scenario is I return it to MF and pay the extra for the TH500 (if I like the overall sound but it's under powered) or a Mark Bass Big Bang (if the sound of the TH just isn't my thing) . I'll never know if I don't give it a try.

Let us know what you think. I dig the 'rounding and smoothing' the TH heads do with the super modern Roscoe tone profile (at least the 'classic' Bart loaded models). Might be 'too much smoothing' for some though, if you really want that 'Bartolini' upper treble ping to come through in a mix.

Also, I know you know this, but the nice output trim pot adjuster on the Roscoe (wonderful design in that you don't even have to open the control cavity) is a better way to optimize the input level to an amp than the 'all or nothing' extreme input level cut with the typical -10db or -15db input pad switch/button. The first thing I did when I got the Roscoe was to match the output to my other basses... perfect!

 

[denton57]

I haven't read through the entire thread yet (please forgive me), but I am curious to hear if anyone has used a couple 210AV cabs with this head? The tone descriptions, the vintage sealed type cabs, and my 70 P with flats all seem to be the recipe for a great sounding, light weight vintage tone rig. I'm seriously thinking about ordering one.

I have a micro VR, but the TH 350 is calling my name..

 

[JOME77]

Let us know what you think. I dig the 'rounding and smoothing' the TH heads do with the super modern Roscoe tone profile (at least the 'classic' Bart loaded models). Might be 'too much smoothing' for some though, if you really want that 'Bartolini' upper treble ping to come through in a mix.

Also, I know you know this, but the nice output trim pot adjuster on the Roscoe (wonderful design in that you don't even have to open the control cavity) is a better way to optimize the input level to an amp than the 'all or nothing' extreme input level cut with the typical -10db or -15db input pad switch/button. The first thing I did when I got the Roscoe was to match the output to my other basses... perfect!

"Round and smoothing" is just what I'm looking for. The Roscoe Barts are actually a bit more compressed sounding than the Bart classics so I'm hoping that the Aggie will open up the tone just a bit.
As for the "upper treble ping", I seem to be migrating more toward the "Less is more" attitude for that these days. Quite a departure from where I was 10-15 years ago.

Looking forward to hearing the TH350 through the Berg HT-112ER. It is my "cabinet of choice" so if it doesn't sound good through it I'll have to get a RA# for the Aggie.

..... got a good feeling though!

 

[scotch]

I generally don't get what I'm looking for without a tube power section & I was very reluctant to trust a micro on a large gig- but the Aguilar TH350 has made me a believer! Is it "just like" playing through a sextet of 6550 tubes? Nope. But it has a pleasing grunt and swell all its own that makes me WANT to play it (and not 'settle' for it).

 

[KJung]

"Round and smoothing" is just what I'm looking for. The Roscoe Barts are actually a bit more compressed sounding than the Bart classics so I'm hoping that the Aggie will open up the tone just a bit.
As for the "upper treble ping", I seem to be migrating more toward the "Less is more" attitude for that these days. Quite a departure from where I was 10-15 years ago.

Looking forward to hearing the TH350 through the Berg HT-112ER. It is my "cabinet of choice" so if it doesn't sound good through it I'll have to get a RA# for the Aggie.

..... got a good feeling though!

I'm with you on 'de-emphasizing' the upper treble at this point.

I guess the only comment I have is that the HT112ER is, to my ear, the definition of a hi fi cab as we use that term on TB.... big low end, smooth mids, a dip in the upper mids, and a sparkly, upper treble extended, pure top end. That is pretty much the opposite of the TH heads, so it will be interesting how that match-up works. Also, the HT112 ER's are lower sensitivity than the other Berg cabs, and like a bit of power to pump and even out in the mids.

The good news is, you can send the head back if it doesn't work for you. With those cabs, I'd probably strongly think about the new GKMBfusion800. However, the 'mix and match' is an interesting thing, and it might be killer. I have not heard the TH350/500 with an HT series cab, so just guessing. Let us know how it goes!

 

[gkbass13]

I'm with you on 'de-emphasizing' the upper treble at this point.

I guess the only comment I have is that the HT112ER is, to my ear, the definition of a hi fi cab as we use that term on TB.... big low end, smooth mids, a dip in the upper mids, and a sparkly, upper treble extended, pure top end. That is pretty much the opposite of the TH heads, so it will be interesting how that match-up works. Also, the HT112 ER's are lower sensitivity than the other Berg cabs, and like a bit of power to pump and even out in the mids.

The good news is, you can send the head back if it doesn't work for you. With those cabs, I'd probably strongly think about the new GKMBfusion800. However, the 'mix and match' is an interesting thing, and it might be killer. I have not heard the TH350/500 with an HT series cab, so just guessing. Let us know how it goes!

I used this combo at a rehearsal last week and loved it. The Aggie heads do a great job or pairing nicely/taming slightly the high end of the older Berg HT cabs, IMO.

 

[JOME77]

I used this combo at a rehearsal last week and loved it. The Aggie heads do a great job or pairing nicely/taming slightly the high end of the older Berg HT cabs, IMO.

That's good to hear! Honestly, I don't think that I've ever played a head through the Berg HT-112 that didn't sound great (to my ears). By far my favorite cabinet.

The Mesa WA pushed it nicely so hopefully the 350 watts of the TH350 will push it comparably.

If I have to upgrade to the TH500 I certainly will but hopefully the TH350 will open up the Berg just fine.