First Impressions - Aguilar DB751

[willsellout]

Are you heavy-handed? I am wondering if it is the light touch that makes the "Ds" work for so many. I don't have an opinion, but just speculation. I had trouble getting low-end "slam" from even my Mesa 400+ . Now the ABM 500, that thing kicks like a mule! My 800RB and even the Reeves 225 respond well to my clunky playing. I admire those who have a lighter technique.

I’m not particularly heavy handed but I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I lose my control when we really get going and my attacks are a bit more aggressive. I think the lightweight heads work for a ton of people and they are a great option and I really love the Bergantino. They just don’t seem to work for my particular situation, which seems to be somewhat unique.

 

[daddymactx]

I've read numerous class D vs. everything else threads enough to think these would be pretty similar in feel and volume but wanted to see for myself. The Bergantino held its own, and is an incredible amp, but the Aguilar just had huge presence, punch, and this seemingly limitless volume - well above what I expected given the wattage. I mean that sucker packs a wallop. It filled the room and sounded so incredibly sweet. I wish it wasn't as heavy as it is, but man oh man I think it's worth it for what it brings to the table.
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As someone who owns & a/b, d the Aguilar DB 750 & Berg Forte HP, I totally get it. To my ears, the Aguilar has a thing. IMHO It has a larger, deeper, thicker, presence than the Forte to my ears. That said, the forte sounds THE CLOSEST TO THE AGUILAR THAN ANY other class D amp or pre/power amp combo I've ever played.
Now Let's hit the other side. I'm not on the level where a 750/751 is set up for me at my gig!! What is or isn't practical for me to gig with, may or may not be practical for somebody else!! I'm one of probably a hand full of folks in my audience who'll notice the tonal difference between a 8lb Forte HP and a 50lb DB 750/751!! But I'm gonna for sure notice the 40lb xtra schlep in and out of a gigs.!! Which is why I haven't carried the Aguilar to a gig since 2 years B4 COVID. It stays in my practice space whereas the Forte HP sees regular action!!

 

[Lammchop93]

Are you heavy-handed? I am wondering if it is the light touch that makes the "Ds" work for so many. I don't have an opinion, but just speculation. I had trouble getting low-end "slam" from even my Mesa 400+ . Now the ABM 500, that thing kicks like a mule! My 800RB and even the Reeves 225 respond well to my clunky playing. I admire those who have a lighter technique.

I am with you. I would say I have a pretty heavy hand. My GK RB's, Ashdown ABMs, and my beloved Reeves 225 compliment that style quite nicely. Now I want to try the DB751.

 

[willsellout]

I can certainly see why you wouldn't want to bring the amp out to gigs. Not only is it huge and heavy, it's a bit awkward. I'm not sure if I will be keeping it, as much as I'd like to. But I do think I will be switching from Class D to the old lead sleds. I think Lammchop and I have similar tastes and might pick up a 1001RB or an Ashdown depending on how things go.

 

[Lammchop93]

I can certainly see why you wouldn't want to bring the amp out to gigs. Not only is it huge and heavy, it's a bit awkward. I'm not sure if I will be keeping it, as much as I'd like to. But I do think I will be switching from Class D to the old lead sleds. I think Lammchop and I have similar tastes and might pick up a 1001RB or an Ashdown depending on how things go.

I have a 700rb-II for sale in the classifieds. I’m in new Albany, IN. Happy to meet you on the south side of Indy.

 

[pepj]

I had a Thunderfunk and would agree its in TH territory.
Funnily enough I sold both quickly enough but really wish I'd kept the DB. Best best amp.
FWIW, I think I do better with a Demeter than the Thunderfunk or TH's

 

[daddymactx]

I can certainly see why you wouldn't want to bring the amp out to gigs. Not only is it huge and heavy, it's a bit awkward. I'm not sure if I will be keeping it, as much as I'd like to. But I do think I will be switching from Class D to the old lead sleds. I think Lammchop and I have similar tastes and might pick up a 1001RB or an Ashdown depending on how things go.

Awkward is an excellent description, but the real key is I'm not getting any younger!!! 15 years ago I used to travel with a Crown K2 38lbs and Demeter pre with Berg 322 and or 310!!!! Done wit that also..Sold the Crown, kept the Demeter!!!

 

[willsellout]

Awkward is an excellent description, but the real key is I'm not getting any younger!!! 15 years ago I used to travel with a Crown K2 38lbs and Demeter pre with Berg 322 and or 310!!!! Done wit that also..Sold the Crown, kept the Demeter!!!

Well luckily, I'm not a real musician like yourself and don't play out too often. The drummer and I have been trying to get this band up and running for the last 3 years and keep running into guitarists who just can't get their stuff together. We think we actually found a guitarist who is reliable now and things are going really good. We probably won't play out much, if at all. Our plan is to play for friends in the practice space and do some recording in his studio. So, If I keep it, I won't be moving it often.

 

[willsellout]

I have a 700rb-II for sale in the classifieds. I’m in new Albany, IN. Happy to meet you on the south side of Indy.

I saw that but unfortunately the barefaced cabs are 2.67 ohms. So that rules out a lot of amps that aren't class D, which is unfortunate.

 

[daddymactx]

Well luckily, I'm not a real musician like yourself and don't play out too often. The drummer and I have been trying to get this band up and running for the last 3 years and keep running into guitarists who just can't get their stuff together. We think we actually found a guitarist who is reliable now and things are going really good. We probably won't play out much, if at all. Our plan is to play for friends in the practice space and do some recording in his studio. So, If I keep it, I won't be moving it often.

If your not transporting it often and can afford to keep it, IMHO that's a no brain-er!!! 2.67 ohms when you need it!! One of the best big boy bass amps ever made; Can't tell you how many national/international acts Ive seen where the bassist is playing through a 750/751!! Somebody in this thread used the word coveted as it relates to these amps!! I've considered selling mine numerous times.... But then I turn it on, plug it in, and .... well; you see where it is...!!! LOL!!! GLW getting the band going!!

 

[agedhorse]

The DB-751 is a heavily voiced amp, specifically in the low mids. This is independent of the class of the power amp.

 

[Brich]

Gotta say I love this thing too. Heavy...yes, but manageable, killer DI and FX loop, volume for days, love playing through this when I get the chance

 

[Grahams Groove]

Old thread I know but I was able to do an A/b with my Bergantino Forte HP and a Aguilar DB751 that I picked up from Sweetwater today. I wasn't exactly getting what I thought I should be getting out of the Berg and my Barefaced cabinets - volume wise. Everyone keeps telling me that rig would be unbearably loud, but I wasn't happy with what I heard during practice.

I've read numerous class D vs. everything else threads enough to think these would be pretty similar in feel and volume but wanted to see for myself. The Bergantino held its own, and is an incredible amp, but the Aguilar just had huge presence, punch, and this seemingly limitless volume - well above what I expected given the wattage. I mean that sucker packs a wallop. It filled the room and sounded so incredibly sweet. I wish it wasn't as heavy as it is, but man oh man I think it's worth it for what it brings to the table.
View attachment 4925545

I know I've seen you on TB a ton and probably interacted in more than a few posts with you. Curious how attached you are to the BF cabs?

I've got the Forte HP and a Mesa D-800+, and I've traditionally been a lead sled/solid state guy from when I started playing bass. Since getting the Forte and D-800+ I've even revisited the Ampeg V4B and GK 800rb, which I subsequently sold again. I've played some class D heads I thought were thin and flimsy sounding, but I attribute that more to lack of power (500 watt offerings) and the preamp voicings of particular amps, which weren't for me.

I use the Forte HP as my primary amp for rehearsals/gigs, and I found it hit hardest of all the class D stuff I've tried (the D-800+ being super close/comparable even at 400 watts less power). That said, the Forte HP slams largely because I use it in conjunction with Subway cabs (15/12 primarily and just got a 2x10 to swap in and out for kicks). I went to the more hi-fi Berg NXT cabs for a few months to give them a run, and they were tight/clear but they didn't hit me in the chest the way the Subway cabs do with all else in the equation being equal. I even tried the NXT 212 + 112, and the Subway 1x15 + 1x12 hit noticeably harder. I'm talking a difference that even my band mates commented on - they asked me if I would be down to go back to the Mesa cabs right around the time I was realizing the Bergs were not giving me what I got and loved in the Subway cabs.

All that is to say, a more FRFR cab (like the bergs or especially the BF cabs you have) may be working against you with the Berg head. They just sound more open and airy to my ears, and that, IMO, is the opposite of what I need when I want the bass to punch really hard. The Mesa are pretty balanced and full range in terms of what they can reproduce, but the different Subway cabs have some different flavors/voicings. In particular, the 15s give you a nice fat bottom end that is punchy, and the 12 has hump/texture in the low mids that really hits and sits in the mix. I play a jazz bass with a pretty heavy right hand, and our style is riffy, proggy rock. So my tone is far from polite and my touch is anything but light. I have no motive for selling you on new cabs, but it's just a suggestion since swapping the BF for Subway cabs keeps you very comparable in weight/transport specs, while switching to a led sled amp will undoubtedly up the burden of loading in/out - even if you aren't doing it often. Just a thought...

 

[willsellout]

I'm actually not attached to the Barefaced cabs at all and I will likely be selling them at some point here in the near future, and going back to the Megoliath. The Barefaced cabs are impressive but I think I just prefer big traditional enclosures. And the Forte really sounded great with the Megoliath.

 

[pepj]

Interesting thoughts of the Berg v DB amps.
To my mind, the DB750/1 are the best amps out there.
I sold the Aguilar but I'm not liking or using the ForteHP much. I have better amps, imv which work with all my cabs thankfully.

 

[Jugghaid]

Old thread I know but I was able to do an A/b with my Bergantino Forte HP and a Aguilar DB751 that I picked up from Sweetwater today. I wasn't exactly getting what I thought I should be getting out of the Berg and my Barefaced cabinets - volume wise. Everyone keeps telling me that rig would be unbearably loud, but I wasn't happy with what I heard during practice.

I've read numerous class D vs. everything else threads enough to think these would be pretty similar in feel and volume but wanted to see for myself. The Bergantino held its own, and is an incredible amp, but the Aguilar just had huge presence, punch, and this seemingly limitless volume - well above what I expected given the wattage. I mean that sucker packs a wallop. It filled the room and sounded so incredibly sweet. I wish it wasn't as heavy as it is, but man oh man I think it's worth it for what it brings to the table.
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Happy new rig day, Dan.

 

[5StringPocket]

I know I've seen you on TB a ton and probably interacted in more than a few posts with you. Curious how attached you are to the BF cabs?

I've got the Forte HP and a Mesa D-800+, and I've traditionally been a lead sled/solid state guy from when I started playing bass. Since getting the Forte and D-800+ I've even revisited the Ampeg V4B and GK 800rb, which I subsequently sold again. I've played some class D heads I thought were thin and flimsy sounding, but I attribute that more to lack of power (500 watt offerings) and the preamp voicings of particular amps, which weren't for me.

I use the Forte HP as my primary amp for rehearsals/gigs, and I found it hit hardest of all the class D stuff I've tried (the D-800+ being super close/comparable even at 400 watts less power). That said, the Forte HP slams largely because I use it in conjunction with Subway cabs (15/12 primarily and just got a 2x10 to swap in and out for kicks). I went to the more hi-fi Berg NXT cabs for a few months to give them a run, and they were tight/clear but they didn't hit me in the chest the way the Subway cabs do with all else in the equation being equal. I even tried the NXT 212 + 112, and the Subway 1x15 + 1x12 hit noticeably harder. I'm talking a difference that even my band mates commented on - they asked me if I would be down to go back to the Mesa cabs right around the time I was realizing the Bergs were not giving me what I got and loved in the Subway cabs.

All that is to say, a more FRFR cab (like the bergs or especially the BF cabs you have) may be working against you with the Berg head. They just sound more open and airy to my ears, and that, IMO, is the opposite of what I need when I want the bass to punch really hard. The Mesa are pretty balanced and full range in terms of what they can reproduce, but the different Subway cabs have some different flavors/voicings. In particular, the 15s give you a nice fat bottom end that is punchy, and the 12 has hump/texture in the low mids that really hits and sits in the mix. I play a jazz bass with a pretty heavy right hand, and our style is riffy, proggy rock. So my tone is far from polite and my touch is anything but light. I have no motive for selling you on new cabs, but it's just a suggestion since swapping the BF for Subway cabs keeps you very comparable in weight/transport specs, while switching to a led sled amp will undoubtedly up the burden of loading in/out - even if you aren't doing it often. Just a thought...

Interesting thread with good discussion and observations. I like the DB751 but it’s more weight than I want to take to gigs. I also ended up with the Forte HP and D800+ and have been quite satisfied with them. I had a similar experience checking out a Berg NXT112 and went with a different 212 that comes in at 48 lbs and sounds good with both amps. It’s solid, focused, and punchy but I’d like a bit more round and supportive low end. I’m working with EQ but think at some point the compact enclosure size may be a factor. I was considering a BF Super Twin but think now that perhaps a modular Subway 15/12 stack might be a more effective solution with these amps to get that fat, punchy sound that hits hard and sits right in the mix.

 

[willsellout]

Happy new rig day, Dan.

Might be premature as I have no idea how this will all shake out in the end, LOL. Do I keep the BF cabs and sell the Bergantino? Do I sell the BF cabs and repair and use the Megoliath with the Berg? Do I sell the Bergantino (and probably a lot of other gear) to pay for the Aguilar and use it with the BF cabs? Do I keep the Aguilar and sell the BF cabs and repair and use the Megaliath? Who knows but I hope I'll be able to sort this all out at practice this next week and decide.

 

[Jugghaid]

Might be premature as I have no idea how this will all shake out in the end, LOL. Do I keep the BF cabs and sell the Bergantino? Do I sell the BF cabs and repair and use the Megoliath with the Berg? Do I sell the Bergantino (and probably a lot of other gear) to pay for the Aguilar and use it with the BF cabs? Do I keep the Aguilar and sell the BF cabs and repair and use the Megaliath? Who knows but I hope I'll be able to sort this all out at practice this next week and decide.

You'll get it sorted. And I'm one of the few that agrees with you on the class D stuff. I keep a darkglass element 500 in my bag as a backup, but I gig with my Trace V6/NV610 rig or Mesa Prodigy/NV212 rig for smaller gigs. You just can't replace that punch with class D. The 751 will do it, and so would my old SM900 and Glockenklang Heart Core and a few others. But none of the class D stuff has yet.

 

[Geri O]

@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.

That’s a lot to quote, but it bears repeating, no doubt.

Drifting off-topic here, sorry about that. But I’ve been part of the Mike Lull Guitars and Basses family for a few years now. I keep coming across these accounts of how Mike worked on various basses and bringing the best out of them. What a legacy!

And each story is as special as the last. Proud to be a Lull owner.