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Would you say the AG700 has more low end than a TH 500? I wish my TH had a little more around 80hz.
The TH500's low EQ is set around 40 HZ, if you boost that and then select the lowest mid frequency (around 180 HZ IIRC) and boost again you should have a very thick low end. At least for me the TH500 is pretty beefy. My Mesa D-800 also has a beefy low end, but has a bit more focus/clarity to the notes.
Obviously not the case with the 800+ with its variable mid controls.
When I tried out an AG700 a few weeks ago, comparing it to a Tone Hammer 500, I found the Deep switch to be voiced too high, more like a mid bass boost than a true Deep switch. I also felt the Q on the mid controls to be too narrow and somewhat unmusical.
I am seriously considering an AG700 in addition to my 800+ but I would have to say the above is not my experience with the 800+, quite the opposite in fact. With my Barefaced 10s the deep and high switches are very useable and natural sounding. I much prefer the Mesa over the AG500 for its versatility if nothing else, but from what I have read here the AG 700 could be tempting -although I have yet to try one.
The fan on the TH500 was a deal breaker for me, just too loud. Have you used the TH500? Is the AG700 quiter?
I briefly owned a TH500 -- it had appealing qualities but, in the end, wasn't for me. The only other Aguilar amp I can recall playing is an AG500 -- this was in a recording studio, next to an old B-15 (my first time playing through one of those, too). Two very different amps in many repects (the old Ampeg and the AG), but especially in feel. The AG was hard, square-edged -- maybe a bit stiff -- but had a clarity and solidity that I felt the TH500 lacked (not trying to bag on the TH, only speaking relatively and to my taste). I thought I could like it in certain contexts (hard-hitting funk tunes, stuff with aggressive percussive techniques) but would need to explore it further. In my brief time with it, though, the high-midrange control seemed to me narrow and a little peaky -- this through an Aguilar 410 (I think a DB by the voicing -- and it was Tweed -- but I'm not sure). I was able to get a useable sound, but wasn't sure how easily I'd be able to dial it in for different sounds with different cabs.When I tried out an AG700 a few weeks ago, comparing it to a Tone Hammer 500, I found the Deep switch to be voiced too high, more like a mid bass boost than a true Deep switch. I also felt the Q on the mid controls to be too narrow and somewhat unmusical.
I'll stick with my Tone Hammer 500.
Yep.
I sometimes practice late at night through the same pre+power rig (maybe minus one cab) I'll use at a loud club. Fan can be kind of annoying in that case (I know about headphones but don't like practicing through them if I can help it). Same if I practice through the little Kustom KXB500 I have (which has a loud fan -- at least as loud as the TH500's).
For those who find the fan too loud in these amps, do not ever try out an old Hartke HA3500; it will sound like a jet engine at take off.
Sounds neat-o.
