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First Impressions - Aguilar DB751

#22
jmattbassplaya said:
Glad you’re liking the 751. To me, I’m still a believer that Aguilar got it right the first time with the DB750. The mids in that amp are beyond sublime and the gain structure worked incredibly well with the power section. The 751 is more focused and tilts towards the high mids. I found it much more difficult to tame and to do what I wanted but I know many people like it just fine.
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I can see that - I tried bumping the mids and didn’t like it, which is ok since it sounds so good flat. Maybe in a mix it would be all right. God only knows when I’ll have the chance to try it out with the band, though. Never tried the 750.
 
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#23
Alexander said:
I can see that - I tried bumping the mids and didn’t like it, which is ok since it sounds so good flat. Maybe in a mix it would be all right. God only knows when I’ll have the chance to try it out with the band, though. Never tried the 750.
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I find that the bass boost is really useful in some rooms, just makes it more smooth and creamy. I like the eq section, but it is one of those where a small tweak goes a long way - doesn't make it less useful, just needs bearing in mind. I tend to use mine close to flat too with my barefaced Four 10, a slight bass and treble boost then if the room can take it I will punch the bass boost. I have yet to find a cab which does not match nicely with this head, but the Barefaced 10 is my current favourite combo as it seems to perfectly complement the intentional baked-in character of that speaker.
 
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#25
Alexander said:
@murphy @TheDirtyLowDown

Short story... it’s a 1967 Jazz Bass

Long story... I’m a long time, self proclaimed PBass guy. But one night I’d been drinking...

I always loved the look of Jazz basses, especially those with blocks and binding. And I loved the idea of Jazz basses - more ergonomic and more versatile than a Precision. But I never got along with them. I’d had three before and sold all of them. The tone just wasn’t there.

As I mentioned, one night I had a few and figured what the heck, I’d try again. I knew I wanted a refin 66/67 because I didn’t care for the 3 tone burst and surely didn’t want to pay big bucks for a custom color.

I picked this one off Reverb because the neck looked perfectly broken in and it was frankly the cheapest 66/67 I could find. Turns out it was a real dog, though. The neck was twisted, frets shot, wiring was a mess and the bridge/tuners had been replaced. But the pickups were original - it felt perfect and I was seriously floored by how good it sounded.

Mike Lull was a friend of mine. I took it to him and had it restored. Mike straightened the neck, did a re-fret, installed all new wiring. The bass was a disgusting sticky black and had it re-finished in a sweet surf green nitro. I found a period correct bridge and had that installed. He replaced the (already replaced) tort pickguard with a vintage white one.

When I went to pick it up, Mike wasn’t there but his GM Paul was. Told me Mike came into his office the day before just beaming about how great it turned out and that it “sounded like a vintage Fender, but played like a Lull”.

I still love my old Precisions, but that Jazz Bass is my prized possession. Not only is it the best playing and best sounding bass I’ve ever heard, but it has sentimental value as well because Mike built it. The last time I saw him alive was when I swung by the shop on my way to a Saturday gig. I needed a tweak to a Les Paul I was loaning to our guitar player. He told me to bring my bass in too and he’d take a look to make sure it was okay. I happened to have that Jazz with me that day...

Ironically, that bass also led me to Aguilar. The test amp they had in the shop was a Tonehammer 500 into (IIRC) an SL212. I’d never played an Aguilar before that. Look at me now...

Thanks for listening.
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Awesome story and very interesting info in this thread! I loved the tone of Mike's rig when I played a V5 though it, Mike said it was a TH500 with an SL410. I've been looking for a used 410 for awhile but no luck. After reading about your preference, I'm going to look for an SL112 and SL115. Thanks!
 
#27
Alexander said:
it certainly felt much bigger - almost like it had limitless power and headroom.
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I recall a similar lasting first impression with the iconic Aggie and most folks who play one usually say something very similar even if they didn't completely dig the voicing. :)
 
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#29
armybass said:
I had one and it was the best amp I’d ever owned and I loved it. But it was beyond too heavy for me and my back and spinal cord injuries.
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I think most folks would agree with you that size and weight on that beast leave a bit to be desired especially compared with some of the pretty good sounding class D offerings.
 
#30
Al Kraft said:
I think most folks would agree with you that size and weight on that beast leave a bit to be desired especially compared with some of the pretty good sounding class D offerings.
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Very true but I do think the Aggie is an awesome alternative for someone coming from something like an SVT and doesn’t mind schlepping some weight. That said, those days are behind me and I now play a Mesa D800 :)
 
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#31
jmattbassplaya said:
Very true but I do think the Aggie is an awesome alternative for someone coming from something like an SVT and doesn’t mind schlepping some weight. That said, those days are behind me and I now play a Mesa D800 :)
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Indeed - my main rig for the past several years has been an SVT/810. It’s a real **** ** ** ************* *** to move around, but been worth it. I don’t mind hauling the DB751 for a while :)
 
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#32
Why do I keep thinking it's only twice the weight of the SWR SM400 and half the weight of the SVT that never leaves the house....
Said the guy whose new rig is waiting on a 2U rack bag for an old MBF800 for power and Ampeg SVT II Pre.
Yeah, I'm all set on gear right now; unless the Aggie sounds way better....
 
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#33
Jim C said:
Why do I keep thinking it's only twice the weight of the SWR SM400 and half the weight of the SVT that never leaves the house....
Said the guy whose new rig is waiting on a 2U rack bag for an old MBF800 for power and Ampeg SVT II Pre.
Yeah, I'm all set on gear right now; unless the Aggie sounds way better....
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We all know where this is going, don’t fight it. Buy it, that’s the only way you’ll be able to appreciate it.
 
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#34
Killer amp. Bass at 3 o clock and bright switch on ... sounds a LOT like a flat heritage SVT. But back off the bass behind noon and keep the switches off and you’ve got a perfect midrange punch stage sound without boom. Bass and treble boosted a bit gives a killer scoop. Gets furry when you push it but gets as clean and loud as anything if thats what you want. Not sure what else that amp could do that would be real-life useful.

DB359 and SA200 sound good too ;) But I use the 751 most of the time. Either that or a mesa d800+.

Ive used a lot of gear and this is the best of the best IMHO.
 

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#39
Great amps, had one a few years back. At the time I was looking for a HIFI sound for a progressive Indy band so I didn’t keep it long. Now I’m in a band it would be great for. Watch out for the power, just received a DB410 in trade from a guy who paired it with a 751. I had to replace 2 speakers d/t damage of pushing the cab too hard! ($280) he split the cost with me but I still got the poop side of the stick on that one! Live and learn...
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