- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
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Aguilar Tone Hammer
- Thread starter anyonefortennis
- Start date
TB,
I just played thru one of these extensively at the Bass Exchange in LA. I A/Bed it against a SansAmp, Hematoma, Tech 21 Overdrive, and a B:ASSMASTERS Fuzz.
The ToneHammer is awesome. It smoked all the other pedals. I like the EQ section, which allows you to dial up a huge range of tones, from Modern to Vintage. The sweepable mids are very responsive and the AGS gain circuit is totally controllable.
I'm always into having gear that immediately upon pluggin in, it sounds cool. This pedal flat really enhanced the sound of my DJ4. Thick, clean, and warm right away. Then I blended the AGS in ever so slightly and it gave me a great warm growl and presence on the note. When I cranked the AGS knob, I was in some serious overdrive.
There are several great things about this pedal, and the one thing I liked the most was how you can EQ the gain stage to give you plenty of bottom and warmth and grit! It's cool to have a pedal/DI/preamp/overdrive pedal that sounds top-notch in all it's applications.
As soon as I can buy one, it'll become that pedal that goes with me everywhere! Way to go Aguilar! You struck gold!
I just played thru one of these extensively at the Bass Exchange in LA. I A/Bed it against a SansAmp, Hematoma, Tech 21 Overdrive, and a B:ASSMASTERS Fuzz.
The ToneHammer is awesome. It smoked all the other pedals. I like the EQ section, which allows you to dial up a huge range of tones, from Modern to Vintage. The sweepable mids are very responsive and the AGS gain circuit is totally controllable.
I'm always into having gear that immediately upon pluggin in, it sounds cool. This pedal flat really enhanced the sound of my DJ4. Thick, clean, and warm right away. Then I blended the AGS in ever so slightly and it gave me a great warm growl and presence on the note. When I cranked the AGS knob, I was in some serious overdrive.
There are several great things about this pedal, and the one thing I liked the most was how you can EQ the gain stage to give you plenty of bottom and warmth and grit! It's cool to have a pedal/DI/preamp/overdrive pedal that sounds top-notch in all it's applications.
As soon as I can buy one, it'll become that pedal that goes with me everywhere! Way to go Aguilar! You struck gold!
1kinal
Supporting Member
- Jan 18, 2006
- 1,068
- 445
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- Endorsing Artist: SIT strings
So they started shipping? Dave B. can you confirm this?
Congrats to Aguilar for such a great product!
They have NOT started to ship yet. Maybe the end of May.
I also checked one out today at the LA Bass Exchange.
Its pretty much what I expected.
The lows are a little wider than the Sansamp Para DI. The
lows are also eq'd lower than the Para DI, so this makes
sense. The Para DI lows are just a tad punchier but not
bigger.
The mids are sweepable on both pedals. The Hammer is a bit
more subtle when adding or subtracting mids. Very musical.
The highs on the Hammer are eq'd higher than the Para DI,
and are a bit more airy. The Para DI highs are more in your
face.
I was expecting the Hammer to simply sound like an OBP-3
in a box instead of a bass, but I think its sounds a little more
complex. I like it. AND...... I really like the overdrive feature!
It rocks big time in my opinion. (not a distortion expert)
Its very user friendly. Simple to use and sounds great from
mild grit to nasty ass.
Bottom line: I like both pedals about the same but for slightly
different applications. I think Aguilar is going to sell a lot of these pedals.
I also checked one out today at the LA Bass Exchange.
Its pretty much what I expected.
The lows are a little wider than the Sansamp Para DI. The
lows are also eq'd lower than the Para DI, so this makes
sense. The Para DI lows are just a tad punchier but not
bigger.
The mids are sweepable on both pedals. The Hammer is a bit
more subtle when adding or subtracting mids. Very musical.
The highs on the Hammer are eq'd higher than the Para DI,
and are a bit more airy. The Para DI highs are more in your
face.
I was expecting the Hammer to simply sound like an OBP-3
in a box instead of a bass, but I think its sounds a little more
complex. I like it. AND...... I really like the overdrive feature!
It rocks big time in my opinion. (not a distortion expert)
Its very user friendly. Simple to use and sounds great from
mild grit to nasty ass.
Bottom line: I like both pedals about the same but for slightly
different applications. I think Aguilar is going to sell a lot of these pedals.
...the unit isn't shipping yet....There's a prototype at the Bass Exchange, and that's what I played. I can't wait to try out the "final" version! End of May is when the first batch goes out!
Hi!
It seems you are lucky enough to try this nice stuff.
You are talking about cranking the AGS knob. Where is that? I cannot see any dedicated knob for the level of AGS, so it makes me curious, where, and how.
Thanx!
Hey, for you guys lucky enough to try one out, anyone able to comment on sounds / usuability compared to an EBS Microbass II? I'm looking for a preamp to put in front of a power amp, so thoughts in that context would be appreciated!
Cheers....
Cheers....
sorry...The gain knob is what i cranked with the AGS circuit engaged. lots of overdrive and real flexible!
Actually, it would have made a sense, if there would be a kind of level adjustment for the overdrive...
How the knob affects the overall volume?
Hey, soon, it will be available in shops! (at least in U.S.
)
How the knob affects the overall volume?
Hey, soon, it will be available in shops! (at least in U.S.
)
Does this mean the gain stage is bypassed when you hit the AGS button, or is it just boosted? Does the overall volume stay the same in both regular and AGS mode?
thanks for sharing your info...
Mine too!
Got an email from Ed at Bass Central with an update. He said they will start shipping at the end of May. The first 300 are sold out!
Got an email from Ed at Bass Central with an update. He said they will start shipping at the end of May. The first 300 are sold out!
Mine too!
So I've been messing around with the ToneHammer. Dave let me borrow the prototype before it goes to Chris Chaney. Man this thing is cool. For the money, you're getting a di, a preamp, and a really cool overdrive pedal. Why wouldn't u add this to your gear. I have been using the pedal with the gain at 9oclock, and it gives the perfect amount of hair to the note. An if you crank it, it has a synthy, fuzz sound that is real tasty. We will all enjoy this pedal together.
I was thinking of buying an AGRO, but right now I think this could be a better investment... I'm really interested on reading some stuff from you guys.
Same here.
I was pretty dead set on wanting an Agro, but this now seems to make more sense.
Well I just received an email that it won't ship out until late July instead of late May/early June. I may just cancel my order. Haven't decided yet though.
When I ordered mine, I assumed it would be a couple months late. Manufacturers very typically undershoot the runway on release date estimates. Hang in there.
I just go the below email today from bestbassgear.com:
Greetings...we are all awaiting the arrival of the Aguilar Tone Hammer..but just got word from Aguilar that these will most likely be out in late July. We are sad about the delay, but wanted to keep you in the loop.
--
Best,
Brian
Best Bass Gear, LLC
Is anyone hearing different things?
Greetings...we are all awaiting the arrival of the Aguilar Tone Hammer..but just got word from Aguilar that these will most likely be out in late July. We are sad about the delay, but wanted to keep you in the loop.
--
Best,
Brian
Best Bass Gear, LLC
Is anyone hearing different things?
