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New Aguilar AG 700!

#241
shoot-r said:
"I think" the thread title was "Recommendations For New Amp Head To Replace Mesa...."

My question (I thought) was for any recommendations for another amp (Mesa or otherwise) that had the characteristics of a Mesa M-6 Carbine....that I'd already had one of my M-6's rebuilt/updated by the Calif. Mesa Service Dept. and was aware of the costs and I wasn't sure "if" I wanted to put more money into the M-6 that was giving me problems at this time.

Sorry for the confusion....
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I'll agree that the Carbines, GK RB's and Aguilar DB lead sleds all have some SS/hybrid mojo that's hard to find in anything else, but the D-800/800+ honestly does have a lot of Carbine feel to it (and this is from a guy who owns 3 Carbines).

The GK MB doesn't quite hit the GK RB feel across the board (especially if you like that hitting/riding the rails tonality), but it would be convincing to an audience in a busy mix. The newer Aguilar class D offerings don't seem to have the "hit in the chest with a bag of wet cement" slam that their 40 pound siblings do, but once again, to an audience, in a mix they're probably really close.

All of these newer heads seem to be even more convincing when you get them paired up with the right cab(s). Just like all tube vs SS will typically sound a touch different when pushed, I imagine the class D heads may not sound identical to every class AB SS or tube (or even other class D) head at extreme settings to every player. I hear a lot of difference between SS/hybrid amps independent of class, so at the end of the day I just focus on the voicing I like and deal with the benefits or extra baggage that come with the total package.
 
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#242
agedhorse said:
Yes, I am confused because I have tried to help you several times... obviously with little success. I believe I tried to put you in touch with the service dept. as well as suggested where some of these are available used as well as new. Sorry I tried so hard to find a solution for you.

The M-6 has a unique and heavy voicing, it's not for everybody. This is why you are getting the same answers from many folks here, there really isn't a direct replacement as such. Not much different than the advice I would give for somebody looking to replicate the sound of their SWR SM series heads, another fairly unique product IMO.
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You have helped me with success...because of your input a year or so ago, I sent my newer Carbine back to Mesa for needed up-grades/repairs.
That amp is going strong.
I thanked you then and I thank you again for the time you spent.

You are absolutely right...."there really isn't a direct replacement", for my Fathom/Carbine.
Been researching old M-6 threads here at T.B. and there was a difference noted in sound of the Fathom/Carbine and later Carbines.
(Guess it wasn't my imagination after all!)
It was noted years back that the Fathom pre-amps had a "glassy high sheen" where later models we're rounder.
I guess that's why I've not heard a even close replacement yet from the amp heads I've auditioned thus far.

I'm working on a solution/experiment to resurrect the Fathom/Carbine pre-amp, Carbine power amp, 'fraid to tell you now cause you might send out the Mesa Swat Team for me!....:)
 
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#244
Shoot-r, you already know we hear things pretty close to the same way. As a happy Carbine user for years I can assure you that the D-800 series (and in your case I would recommend the 800+) can give you a lot of what there is to like about the Carbines.

The big difference to me in getting a Carbine-like experience is that you can't be afraid to twist those knobs on the D-800 heads. Andy gave us much more usable pots on the Subways, as opposed to the Carbines where if you breath too hard on a knob you can go from easy listening to sonic warfare. I know you haven't been able to audition a D-800 yet, but I think you'll be surprised at how good it sounds when you do. Once again the 800+ will give you a lot more opportunity to dial in some of the sonic signatures of the Carbine series.

If you are willing to go GK, I purchased an MB800 years ago that I typically take with me as a back-up for my Carbine. While it's not a perfect "Carbine copy" (sorry for the play on words), it has many of the Carbine characteristics you and I like and is a high quality, reliable class D design. The Mesa and Aguilar heads are perhaps my favorites, but the GK is far from being an "also ran" - you just need to get used to its tone stack.

I hope some of that is helpful.
 
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#245
I'm about to pick up a Bergantino NV212T. I'm thinking this AG700 could be a great match. TH500 is too mid focused and lacks the headroom IMO to effectively push a sealed cabinet. From what I've heard in demos the AG700 has a bit of the vintage vibe to it but warmer and more transparent, as well as a more immediate attack and the headroom I need. Sounds like the best of Vintage and Modern tones to me. Anyone hooked one up through the Berg cabs? Thoughts?
 
#246
I looked seriously at waiting for the AG700 to start turning up downunder before I bought my Mesa 800+ recently, as I have a feeling it is the only other class D amp which could have tempted me. What really swung me to the Mesa was the 2 ohms capability, I know the AG700 has 2.67 but I wanted to be able to use two 4 ohm cabs in parallel should the need arise. Tonewise I may well have been happy with either but the tonal versatility of the 800+ really has astounded me, plus I have been really surprised at how useful the high pass filter is proving. I do not know whether the Aggie can match the Mesa in this regard, but will certainly have a listen when they turn up here. I will be especially interested in comparing the two when they are cranked a bit, and to hear how similar the AG700 is to the DB750 I played in a backline at a festival many years ago. Regardless, the 800+ is definitely a keeper, but I am open to discovering that the AG700 is very special too.
 
#247
uwrossl said:
I'm about to pick up a Bergantino NV212T. I'm thinking this AG700 could be a great match. TH500 is too mid focused and lacks the headroom IMO to effectively push a sealed cabinet. From what I've heard in demos the AG700 has a bit of the vintage vibe to it but warmer and more transparent, as well as a more immediate attack and the headroom I need. Sounds like the best of Vintage and Modern tones to me. Anyone hooked one up through the Berg cabs? Thoughts?
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More headroom and faster attack- yes.
I wouldn't call it "warm and vintage" though, especially compared to the TH, unless you consider 80's hifi "vintage".
 
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#249
RoeyHaviv said:
More headroom and faster attack- yes.
I wouldn't call it "warm and vintage" though, especially compared to the TH, unless you consider 80's hifi "vintage".
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So you would compare the tone of the AG700 to an 80s Trace Elliot head? Just gobs more power and significantly lighter? Back in the day I had a TE AH250SM that was replaced with an Eden WT400. I found the TE lacked thickness/weight to the notes (low mids?) and had a treble that could sterilize a herd of elephants at 200 yards. A great slap head, but not so much fingerstyle rock. I've been very happy with my WT400, but would love to find a lighter and higher powered replacement. Maybe the Mesa 800+ is a better option?
 
#250
DrPieZon said:
So you would compare the tone of the AG700 to an 80s Trace Elliot head? Just gobs more power and significantly lighter? Back in the day I had a TE AH250SM that was replaced with an Eden WT400. I found the TE lacked thickness/weight to the notes (low mids?) and had a treble that could sterilize a herd of elephants at 200 yards. A great slap head, but not so much fingerstyle rock. I've been very happy with my WT400, but would love to find a lighter and higher powered replacement. Maybe the Mesa 800+ is a better option?
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I don't think it sounds like any specific head but the spirit of 80's HiFi is there, like pre-Fender SWR or GK 800RB, doesn't sound just like them but still reminds me of that approach.

I still use my TH500 for a lot of gigs, bought the AG for my RHCP tribute band to get that tone without too much eq and it delivers perfectly, the highs are not as pokey and brittle as the GK but the bright switch gets me as close as pleasently possible.
 
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#251
RoeyHaviv said:
More headroom and faster attack- yes.
I wouldn't call it "warm and vintage" though, especially compared to the TH, unless you consider 80's hifi "vintage".
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I didn't/wouldn't say it was Warm or Vintage overall...rather a "bit of that vintage vibe(that Aguilar is known for and I like)" and a "bit warmer(better low end response)" and "more transparent(not such a baked in mid forward tone)". All were stated as their relation to the TH of which I'm not much of an overall fan of. From everything I've heard on demos of the AG that's the impression I get. It has a touch of the things that I would like from the TH without overcooking it the way the TH does and has all the things the TH can't do for me. To be fair I've only ever played a TH through AG's DB cabinets which only add to exaggerate the mid grind of the TH.

It doesn't sound like modern hifi heads to me in the way of Berg's B|B amp and upcoming Forte(I've used both) or say Form Factor amps(again only going off demos for this one). AG sounds IME to be somewhere right in the middle of the two schools which is what I'm looking for. You own one so I may be completely wrong. Maybe I'll hate it.

Going to test drive one at my local dealer down the street later this week to form an opinion based on my gear and my settings.
 
#252
uwrossl said:
I didn't/wouldn't say it was Warm or Vintage overall...rather a "bit of that vintage vibe(that Aguilar is known for and I like)" and a "bit warmer(better low end response)" and "more transparent(not such a baked in mid forward tone)". All were stated as their relation to the TH of which I'm not much of an overall fan of. From everything I've heard on demos of the AG that's the impression I get. It has a touch of the things that I would like from the TH without overcooking it the way the TH does and has all the things the TH can't do for me. To be fair I've only ever played a TH through AG's DB cabinets which only add to exaggerate the mid grind of the TH.

It doesn't sound like modern hifi heads to me in the way of Berg's B|B amp and upcoming Forte(I've used both) or say Form Factor amps(again only going off demos for this one). AG sounds IME to be somewhere right in the middle of the two schools which is what I'm looking for. You own one so I may be completely wrong. Maybe I'll hate it.

Going to test drive one at my local dealer down the street later this week to form an opinion based on my gear and my settings.
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Got it, I really think you would love it.
 
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#259
pickles said:
I thought it was class AB with a switch mode power supply... but, could be super wrong.
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http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/aguilar-ag-500-dual-channel-bass-head
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