• 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 Pedal

CTC564

CTC564

Supporting Member
Mar 7, 2011
2,431
503
Toms River,NJ
#1
Just received this pedal yesterday...and while it's a pain in the *** to install the 2 9v batteries, I have to admit it's come the closest to capturing a nice even "meaty" tone as well as a crystal clear hi fi tone and as much or little "dirty overdrive" thanks to the gain section using the AGS circuit...

All told...it's an awesome unit for my needs

Wondered if any other Tone Hammer users could shed some more light on their experiences with this pedal...

Thanks TB
 
#3
Eublet had a great and in depth review here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/sansamp-para-driver-vs-aguilar-tone-hammer-755083/#post10678938

As for my personal experience - I love mine. I run all of my pedals into it (so it is last in my pedal chain), but I do actually run a VT bass right behind it. I've found (personally) that I liked this tone combo the best. Just seems to sound the best to me.

Beyond that, it's just fiddling with knobs to find a sound that works best for you and your setup.
 
#4
I love mine, not alot of color, which I like. I'm running a 2010 Fender MIA P5 and a cheap MIC EBMM SR5 copy both into a Korg Pitchblack+ and then to the Tone Hammer, the TH's XLR goes into a Crown XLS2000 poweramp and then to a Carvin LS1503 PA cab and an 18" sub X'd at 65hz. 4-way HiFi bass reproduction! The TH keeps subdued settings usually.. Treble 11:00-12:30, Bass 12:00-1:00, Gain 8:00-10:00, I like the Middle Freq at about 1:00-2:00 I like the Middle Level boosted to 2:00 for the P and cut to about 11:00 for the hot output of the FauxRay, Rehearsals see the volume at about 9:00-10:00, and full shows is adjusted acordingly (about 12:00-1:00) with these settings I sometimes use the AGS as a solo type boost. Handles all I need, great product, wish the batteries sat well in it. I just use an ISO PUMP to push my one spot to 18V. I give the 1/4" out to the house when they ask for something. Never a problem.
 
#5
P-oddz said:
Eublet had a great and in depth review here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/sansamp-para-driver-vs-aguilar-tone-hammer-755083/#post10678938

As for my personal experience - I love mine. I run all of my pedals into it (so it is last in my pedal chain), but I do actually run a VT bass right behind it. I've found (personally) that I liked this tone combo the best. Just seems to sound the best to me.

Beyond that, it's just fiddling with knobs to find a sound that works best for you and your setup.
Click to expand...

+1 - eublet's review is a terrific insight into how this pedal works.
BTW, I run a VT before mine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: organworthyplayer337
#8
Lowbrow - did you ever get around to trying the VT behind it (I know we discussed in another thread)? Your thoughts?

For CTC, the AGS is a nice warm overdrive, but as Fuzzy says does not really do grind. I use mine as such - TH with AGS on (gain dialed about 10-11 o'clock) and then VT after with more of a FAT TUBE Setting on (but with mids scooped more and some of the lows and highs taken out).

I use the TH to shape the low end and the high, and throw the VT drive after. To me, it seemed to compress the VT tone more when I was running it through the TH and I seem to like its tonality after the TH in pedal sequence (IMO).
 
#9
I love mine too. I have a very simple set up: bass -> tuner -> Tone Hammer -> Ampeg SVT 4 Pro or Ampeg BA300, depending on the gig. That's it. I play either a Fender Jazz or Squire '51 P and in either case I get the warm but clearly defined tone I like, and it's dead easy to adjust my sound to the stage/room I'm in with minimal tweaks. It's pretty much essential for me.
 
#10
Wow!! Nice!!
I tried one 2-3 years ago but now I am GASing one....
Because I want to use it to plug into power section of my swr combo at home for practise aftering using the heavily mid voiced TC rig at my rehersal room...

Let me know if anyone willing to sell yours!!
 
#11
I've had mine for a year or so and I like it mostly for the mid-freq sweep. I've had to down size to an Ampeg BA115HP combo that does pretty good, but has a very limited 3-band eq on it. The Tone Hammer lets me put my mids where I want them instead of just up or down. Plus the freqs the Treble and Bass controls are at are a little more attractive than where the controls on the amp are. They sound more "pretty" :)
It's also a nice DI box for going into my PresSonus firebox when I record stuff I noodle on my computer.
I can't say that I've had a lot of luck using the AGS channel, I might try some of EuBlet's suggestions though.
 
#12
I love mine. Use it for recording. Simple to use, super clean DI, and you can get a lot of great tone out of it as a pre.

For studio, I run the XLR DI out pre-EQ for my dry signal, and run the 1/4 out effected as my wet "drive" signal. I can mix the level and combination of the two signals as required.
 
#13
johnpbass said:
I love mine. Use it for recording. Simple to use, super clean DI, and you can get a lot of great tone out of it as a pre.

For studio, I run the XLR DI out pre-EQ for my dry signal, and run the 1/4 out effected as my wet "drive" signal. I can mix the level and combination of the two signals as required.
Click to expand...

Nice, I've been wondering if it would work well in that application.
 
#14
I'm a new Tone Hammer user myself, and have enjoyed it for the couple of gigs I've used it in the theatre. My fretless really has a great, throaty sound by itself but with the EQ on I was able to dial in a dryer, more "Jaco" like tone. And with the AGS engaged, it really thickens it up nicely. The soundguy likes the DI out as well.

All in all, a pretty nice pedal. I'm impressed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#17
Big fan of the TH. I recently downsized my gear and switched from an Aguilar AG-500 & Schroeder 410R to Markbass CMD121p and New York 12. While I love the portability and power of Markbass gear I missed the warm Aguilar tone. This was solved by adding the Tone Hammer and running the Markbass amp flat. I really love the flexibility of the sweepable mids.
For my "always on" tone, I run a Way Huge Pork Loin with a very mild OD setting before the TH with the AGS set to about 9 o'clock. Works great to give me a nice vintage styled sound in my classic rock power trio.

401083775.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#20
kokoshmusun said:
Do you really have to use straight jacks, can L shaped jacks fit?
Click to expand...

L-shaped will work if you have clearance directly below the pedal, like if it's mounted on a Pedaltrain style board (so the jack can go straight down).

As well built and designed as they are, I am pretty surprised at how poorly thought out the cases are on the Aguilar pedals in relation to fitting them on a pedal board. This is one of the only pedal companies I've heard of that you need adaptors to put velcro on the bottom of the pedals to have them attach to the boards; I didn't have any luck with velcro staying on the foam adaptors. Thankfully I work at a sign shop so I fashioned some ramps made of 3mm sintra that raise the bottom part of the pedal over the lip of the top enclosure.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back