Aguilar tonehammer 500 bass cabs?

[Cam Buchanan]

I see lots of videos of people running tonehammer 500's with two SL112 cabs.

is there a big reason for two $900 cabs? Over the SL212 $1350 cab? Other than the versatility of being able to run the 112 only as an option?

 

[abarson]

Versatility and easier to carry, that's about it.

 

[musicman556]

Happy to jump in with my experience here. I bought a 4ohm SL212 to go with my TH500. It looked like the perfect match by the specs. I then played it for awhile and sold the SL212. I loved the recessed handles of the SL212 vs the idiotic straps of the SL112, but that's about it.

I did some digging before I bought the 212 and I chose to disregard all the folks who were saying things like "I love SL112s, but for some reason this SL212 doesn't sound like two SL112s in a single box." I don't know what is happening technically, but the SL212 just does not have the same punch and definition of the SL112 cabs. It's just a deep, woofy, undefined, bassy blob of sound that comes out of that thing. It sounded its best when paired with my GK Legacy 800 amp and a really sharp, cutting bass. Even then, it sounded like there was just a lot missing in the upper midrange. Plenty of tweeter, etc going on, but not much in that 1-2khz range.

To be able to hear myself with the band at church I really had to push a lot of volume. Then it was overbearing and exhausting. I gave that cab two weekends there, then brought it back home and sold it. I took my Mesa Subway 115 in its place and it was just awesome! However, I like my Mesa stuff a lot and play it at home regularly... didn't want to leave it at church or schlep it back and forth every Sunday.

I soon replaced the SL212 with 2x GK Neo 112 II cabs and have been very happy with them. Gallien-Krueger Neo 112-II 1x12" 400-watt Neo Cabinet with Horn 8-Ohm | Sweetwater That was about 6 months ago and I am still impressed with how effortlessly great and powerful they sound. And they're light! Under 30 lbs each. I got a good deal on them from my SW dude. Just over $800 for the pair, brand new. I am just as happy with this stack as I am with the single Subway 115, and I actually got both of these GKs for less than the single Subway cab. Now, I still prefer the Subway 115/210 stack over the GK 2x112 stack, but for leaving-at-church-duty, I am absolutely happy with the GKs.

The GK stuff is definitely more open/livelier than the Aggie SL cabs. I personally think the Aggie stuff is pretty overpriced now. They took a huge price increase towards the end of last year. They were just a touch less than the Mesa stuff at that point. I bought mine when the SL212 was $1149, I think, and my TH700 when it was selling for around $700. Now the TH500 is $900! They've leapfrogged past Mesa in price and the GK stuff is a bargain, comparatively. I blame the Korg buyout for trying to "cash in" with no real new innovation to justify the hike. I do NOT feel like Aggie is putting out a higher quality or more innovative product than Mesa to warrant their prices these days. I wonder if we'll see a price drop on Aggie in a few months, like Ashdown seems to be doing now. Ashdown went berserk on their amp prices last fall, and then last week I started see "price drop" notifications coming through on some of their Evo heads.

The tonal goals of each brand are vastly different from each other, but I'm not trying to nail anyone else's sound specifically... just find what works for me. Aside from the SL212 cab, I'm able to twist a few knobs and get sounds I like from all three bands pretty easily. I also really like to mix 'n match the stuff as well.

Sorry for the book. I hope you find a good deal on cabs that will make you happy!

 

[SJan3]

I see lots of videos of people running tonehammer 500's with two SL112 cabs.

is there a big reason for two $900 cabs? Over the SL212 $1350 cab? Other than the versatility of being able to run the 112 only as an option?

I think you've answered you own question!
But also easier to transport/carry.
Musicman556 has personal experience with the SL212. I'd consider what he says.

 

[Cam Buchanan]

Happy to jump in with my experience here. I bought a 4ohm SL212 to go with my TH500. It looked like the perfect match by the specs. I then played it for awhile and sold the SL212. I loved the recessed handles of the SL212 vs the idiotic straps of the SL112, but that's about it.

I did some digging before I bought the 212 and I chose to disregard all the folks who were saying things like "I love SL112s, but for some reason this SL212 doesn't sound like two SL112s in a single box." I don't know what is happening technically, but the SL212 just does not have the same punch and definition of the SL112 cabs. It's just a deep, woofy, undefined, bassy blob of sound that comes out of that thing. It sounded its best when paired with my GK Legacy 800 amp and a really sharp, cutting bass. Even then, it sounded like there was just a lot missing in the upper midrange. Plenty of tweeter, etc going on, but not much in that 1-2khz range.

To be able to hear myself with the band at church I really had to push a lot of volume. Then it was overbearing and exhausting. I gave that cab two weekends there, then brought it back home and sold it. I took my Mesa Subway 115 in its place and it was just awesome! However, I like my Mesa stuff a lot and play it at home regularly... didn't want to leave it at church or schlep it back and forth every Sunday.

I soon replaced the SL212 with 2x GK Neo 112 II cabs and have been very happy with them. Gallien-Krueger Neo 112-II 1x12" 400-watt Neo Cabinet with Horn 8-Ohm | Sweetwater That was about 6 months ago and I am still impressed with how effortlessly great and powerful they sound. And they're light! Under 30 lbs each. I got a good deal on them from my SW dude. Just over $800 for the pair, brand new. I am just as happy with this stack as I am with the single Subway 115, and I actually got both of these GKs for less than the single Subway cab. Now, I still prefer the Subway 115/210 stack over the GK 2x112 stack, but for leaving-at-church-duty, I am absolutely happy with the GKs.

The GK stuff is definitely more open/livelier than the Aggie SL cabs. I personally think the Aggie stuff is pretty overpriced now. They took a huge price increase towards the end of last year. They were just a touch less than the Mesa stuff at that point. I bought mine when the SL212 was $1149, I think, and my TH700 when it was selling for around $700. Now the TH500 is $900! They've leapfrogged past Mesa in price and the GK stuff is a bargain, comparatively. I blame the Korg buyout for trying to "cash in" with no real new innovation to justify the hike. I do NOT feel like Aggie is putting out a higher quality or more innovative product than Mesa to warrant their prices these days. I wonder if we'll see a price drop on Aggie in a few months, like Ashdown seems to be doing now. Ashdown went berserk on their amp prices last fall, and then last week I started see "price drop" notifications coming through on some of their Evo heads.

The tonal goals of each brand are vastly different from each other, but I'm not trying to nail anyone else's sound specifically... just find what works for me. Aside from the SL212 cab, I'm able to twist a few knobs and get sounds I like from all three bands pretty easily. I also really like to mix 'n match the stuff as well.

Sorry for the book. I hope you find a good deal on cabs that will make you happy!

now there's a reply that tells me everything I was wondering about. Luckily I'm still figuring out which amp I want to buy so hopefully by the time I make up my mind the Aguilar stuff drops in price. Been talking to a local music store in town that sells mesa so I'll have to go check those out.

Right now it's between the tone hammer, possibly mesa, or ampeg v4b

 

[lexington125]

me personally, I can fit two 1-12 cabs in my car, but not a 2-12 cab

 

[pepj]

I generally prefer 212 rather than 2x112.
I'm not a fan of the SL112 but that is likely because I've not found a nice Neo, for my ears.

However, the main advantage of singles is portability.
I don't think 1x112 is the answer so your decision is do you compromise on weight or price.

I run 2x112 for the portability and have a larger cab alternative for bigger gigs and sound.

 

[musicman556]

now there's a reply that tells me everything I was wondering about. Luckily I'm still figuring out which amp I want to buy so hopefully by the time I make up my mind the Aguilar stuff drops in price. Been talking to a local music store in town that sells mesa so I'll have to go check those out.

Right now it's between the tone hammer, possibly mesa, or ampeg v4b

I have a Mesa TT800 but if I had it to do over again I'd probably choose the D800+. I also still really love my TH500. With the recent price bumps, I believe the 500 and 700 are only $100 apart. That makes the TH700 a no-brainer in that contest, imho. It can also operate at 2.7 ohms vs the 4 ohms of the TH500, so you could run 3x 8ohm cabs, or an 8/4 ohm combo if the need arises.

All of the Mesa heads are 2 ohm stable and ridiculously robust. I actually like that they all (I assume) have essentially the same 800w output section, and the different models really have unique flavors and tone controls. Simplify production by just using the best power section, then provide different sounds that buyers want. That makes more sense to me than small/medium/large of the same amp when the weight penalty of each step is literally just about 1 pound. When used with care, thought, and quality cabs, "too much" power really isn't an issue, imho. Don't take an 800w amp and Trace 110 as your only cab to an outdoor metal performance and expect good things, haha! However, I absolutely have taken my Trace 110 and Legacy 800 to a friend's house for low-volume practice. Worked out BEAUTIFULLY!

Also, take everything I say, especially regarding potential price drops from Aggie, with a grain of salt. They very may well sell like hotcakes at the higher price and they could have read the market perfectly to maximize their production/profit matrix.

Personally, at their new pricing I am not a buyer given the quality alternatives available today. But I am just one man, haha! Also, if a dealer would give me a 15% or so price break, I would absolutely reconsider. At this point I'm just thankful for the price breaks I had from the previous levels!

 

[Cam Buchanan]

Wh

I have a Mesa TT800 but if I had it to do over again I'd probably choose the D800+. I also really love my TH500. With the recent price bumps, I believe the 500 and 700 are only $100 apart. That makes the TH700 a no-brainer in that contest, imho. It can also operate at 2.7 ohms vs the 4 ohms of the TH500, so you could run 3x 8ohm cabs, or an 8/4 ohm combo if the need arises.

All of the Mesa heads are 2 ohm stable and ridiculously robust. I actually like that they all (I assume) have essentially the same 800w output section, and the different models really have unique flavors and tone controls. Simplify production by just using the best power section, then provide different sounds that buyers want. That makes more sense to me than small/medium/large of the same amp when the weight penalty of each step is literally just about 1 pound. When used with care, thought, and quality cabs, "too much" power really isn't an issue, imho. Don't take an 800w amp and Trace 110 as your only cab to an outdoor metal performance and expect good things, haha! However, I absolutely have taken my Trace 110 and Legacy 800 to a friend's house for low-volume practice. Worked out BEAUTIFULLY!

Also, take everything I say, especially regarding potential price drops from Aggie, with a grain of salt. They very may well sell like hotcakes at the higher price and they could have read the market perfectly to maximize their production/profit matrix.

Personally, at their new pricing I am not a buyer given the quality alternatives available today. But I am just one man, haha! Also, if a dealer would give me a 15% or so price break, I would absolutely reconsider. At this point I'm just thankful for the price breaks I had from the previous levels!

what about the WD-800?

 

[musicman556]

I don't have personal experience with the WD800. It has some more precise tone-shaping options that I think are cool. Sorry I don't have anything concrete to share with you there.

 

[Ryan in PDX]

I see lots of videos of people running tonehammer 500's with two SL112 cabs.

is there a big reason for two $900 cabs? Over the SL212 $1350 cab? Other than the versatility of being able to run the 112 only as an option?

I have a TH350 and two DB112 cabs. I rarely "need" the second cab, and have gigged with one cab more often than two. Even at low volume, though, the two cabs together sound better to me in a way I won't pretend I can quantify. It could just be a case of "more is more."

I believe the SL series was limited to the 112 and 410 models for several years (someone please correct me if I'm wrong!), which might explain the ubiquity of the stacked SL112s.

I would feel comfortable buying a used tone hammer, if price is an issue. They're solid. The Aguilar cabs sound great, but if I had to buy new stuff today, I would be looking at Barefaced cabs. I have been absolutely floored by them several times, from both up on stage and out in the audience.

 

[bassinflorida]

now there's a reply that tells me everything I was wondering about. Luckily I'm still figuring out which amp I want to buy so hopefully by the time I make up my mind the Aguilar stuff drops in price. Been talking to a local music store in town that sells mesa so I'll have to go check those out.

Right now it's between the tone hammer, possibly mesa, or ampeg v4b

Continue your search but do not expect ANYTHING to drop in price anytime soon.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I see lots of videos of people running tonehammer 500's with two SL112 cabs.

is there a big reason for two $900 cabs? Over the SL212 $1350 cab? Other than the versatility of being able to run the 112 only as an option?

The best option is to always get one 112, and one 212. It's far easier, in every way, to bring the 212 than it is two 112s. But, also having the single for small stuff, is where it's at.

Then, if your amp is capable, you can run all three for an even powered 312.

 

[57pbass]

The SL410 is $1600. and the SL210 is $1100.
Their pricing doesn't make sense.

I had the SL212 and I had no complaints about the way it sounded..
I sold the 212 and purchased a new SL410 and a used SL210.

I do have 2 Bag End single 12" cabinets and they're great.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

now there's a reply that tells me everything I was wondering about. Luckily I'm still figuring out which amp I want to buy so hopefully by the time I make up my mind the Aguilar stuff drops in price. Been talking to a local music store in town that sells mesa so I'll have to go check those out.

Right now it's between the tone hammer, possibly mesa, or ampeg v4b

Ampeg V4b if you can IMO ..

 

[chris_b]

I initially used my TH500 with a Berg CN212 and then with Barefaced 112's. So far it seems that the TH500 works well with most cabs.

 

[Barticus]

I started with the SL112 (super portable sounds great) then when the SL212 became available, I added it and run both with either my AG700 or TH500 depending on what's needed and my mood.

I had the chance several years ago to compare the GK, Aguilar and Mesa head/cabinet combos side-by-side at Sweetwater GearFest. And after about an hour in the room with my son helping me swap things out, we decided the Aguilar paired with the SL 112 was the best option for me. It seemed to have a cleaner tone and a bit more versatile for my playing style with nice clarity when playing chords, soloing, etc. Of course this is completely subjective and what sounds good to me may not sound good to you or others. If you have a chance to play them side-by-side, I would highly recommend doing that to determine what works for you.

For guitar, I love my Mesa Mark V, and have the head with 2x12 and a combo 1x12… but for bass, I've always got along better with the Aguilar gear for done reason.

I don't think prices are coming down anytime soon IMHO so used may also be an option.

 

[ric4682]

I'll echo what others said about not holding your breath on lower prices. The TH500/700 and 2 SL112s does seem to be a safe bet. If you're looking for something cheaper though I would keep an eye on the Guitar Center used site, along with the talk bass classifieds section. There's usually a decent selection of cabs and you can often pick up some Neo GK, Genz Benz, or MarkBass cabs for much cheaper than new. And with the return policy you have a chance to test it out with the head you pick and see if it will work out for you.

 

[NKBassman]

I've used my TH500 with a single or pair of Ampeg SVT210AV cabs for many years now. It's definitely not going to give you anything remotely close to a "hifi" sound, but it's a great combination that I'm into for about $450 CAD total for both (used) cabs. I definitely love the versatility of having two matching cabs. For small gigs where volume is a concern I only bring one. For bigger stages I bring both, and with the two 210s stacked vertically, having the speakers up closer to your ears lets you hear yourself on stage so much better at lower overall volume.

I most recently picked up a Bergantino NXT212 on Black Friday, and that's a whole different ball of wax from the 210AV cabs. Everything I know about EQing the Tonehammer is out the window with that cab and I'm starting over from scratch. It's super light, super loud, and has a metric tonne of bottom end on tap. I've never used any Aguilar cabs, but I'd recommend at least having a look at Bergantino if anyone sells them in your area.

 

[Lo-E]

Right now it's between the tone hammer, possibly mesa, or ampeg v4b

The V4b sounds absolutely glorious. It's also pretty heavy and, by nature, tube amps require a little more care and feeding than solid state units. If you don't mind the weight, it's a great head, especially paired with their 210AV cabs.

I've never owned a Mesa head and I've only played through a few of them but, FWIW, I've never heard one that sounded bad to me. Ever.

I've had a TH-500 and an SL-112 for quite a few years. I bought them together, used, and they do play very nicely together. I use the TH-500 far more often than I use the cab because most of my gigs are in clubs with backline. What I've found with the TH-500 is that the 'drive' control doesn't really work intuitively but, once you get the hang of how it interacts with the mid control, it makes this head very, very versatile. I've been able to get great sounds through a very wide variety of cabs, from very expensive stuff to absolute crap. It's a great, little unit and I bring it to almost every gig as back-up to the house backline.

As for the SL-112, I love how light it is. I think it's a nice sounding cabinet but I never thought it was anything special; just a good, solid, slightly old-school sounding cab. It's great for classic R&B. For rock gigs I'm a lot more likely to use my LDS 112.