Mesa vs Aguilar?

[Al Kraft]

Thanks for the input! You’re right, I remember the 15s from 20-25 years ago (and older for some of the older cabs) that were so muddy that it went with “bass should be felt not heard” mentality. I play a 5 string (Fender American Ultra) and I will frequently use the low B-Db, but I still want clarity in it. I’ll see if there are any 15’s local to me to try out.

Nice bass!! I think you'll enjoy how rich and full it will sound through the SW115. And while that is one of my most favorite cabs, I would encourage you to play anything else they have in the store as you may find something you like better for your uses.

 

[chris_b]

The best cab for me (and my tone goals) with the TH500 has been the Berg CN212. In all fairness though, I can't name a head that hasn't sounded good to me through that Berg cab.

During the break on the first gig I did with a TH500 and Berg CN212, the guitarist was missing during the break. I found him standing in front of my rig just staring at it!! He couldn't believe how good it sounded.

These days I use Barefaced 112 cabs with my Aguilar amps. Another perfect match.

 

[MtManiac]

I have zero experience with Aguilar heads, though two years ago I was debating between a TH, a D800/800+ or a Darkglass M500v2. Went with the Darkglass, but continued to be curious about the Tone Hammers and Mesa Subway products.

I had a pair of Aguilar DB210s which I loved with every amp I’ve had them with, so continued using them with the M500. Recently bought a pair of used GS112’s, and then about a week later a used D800+.

Played them Saturday night in our jam space, full drum kit with a loud drummer, and a guitar player using a Vox combo that was also capable of getting pretty loud.

There was a comment in this thread about the Mesa not being punchy, and other comments about it being too dark, or not a rock amp.

Saturday my D800+ was delivering truckloads of punch and a delightful rock tone. Gain was set so the light would come on about 20-25% of the time, HPF set around 9:00, and all the EQ knobs were set right around 12:00, so pretty flat.

There was definitely a solid and authoritative bottom end, without question, but the EQ on this head is pretty powerful and flexible, I can dial in pretty much anything. I have some more experimenting to do, but just set flat like that was really very enjoyable to hear! It’s hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with this head.

We’re a cover band, so I prefer to use pedals to get a variety of different overdrive or fuzz tones, versus using my amp. The Darkglass makes it easy to access a few others, and the cabsims come in handy in IEM or FOH applications, so I’ll probably keep it also, but the D800+ I will never give up, it’s a keeper for life.

I also realized this morning that I had the impedance set at 2 Ohms Saturday night, as I’d previously had it connected to an Avatar 212 as well as the two GS112s. That explains why I had my volume set at around 10:00-11:00, as I was getting about half the wattage from the 4 Ohm set up - but again, the drummer and the guitar player were very loud.