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New Aguilar AG 700!

#301
Jeff Scott said:
Why aren't they all synchronized?
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They are on my screen, though they weren't in the post preview. I actually prefer the asynchronous bugs -- NB: Dibs on band names Asynchronous Bugs, The Asynchronous Bugs, and any cool-sounding derivatives thereof -- their movement looks more natural to me.

In any case, it seems your bugs have phasing issues. Have you tried placing your computer in a different part of the room?

EDIT: The bugs within a given post are synchronized for me. Between posts and with the original critter in your avatar, they are not.
 
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#302
I’m also questioning myself if I should sell my TH500. By reading the comments and watching several demos I’m settled on getting the AG700. I’m gonna go try an AG700 in a music shop Thursday and I’ll bring my p with flats and my passive Lull pj5 which sounds a bit more modern... due to the 35 inch scale. Do guys have any « presets » I could try ?

If you could post a picture of your favorite settings that would be cool! :bassist:
 
#303
MAFbass1992 said:
I’m also questioning myself if I should sell my TH500. By reading the comments and watching several demos I’m settled on getting the AG700. I’m gonna go try an AG700 in a music shop Thursday and I’ll bring my p with flats and my passive Lull pj5 which sounds a bit more modern... due to the 35 inch scale. Do guys have any « presets » I could try ?

If you could post a picture of your favorite settings that would be cool! :bassist:
Click to expand...

That really depends on your cabinet and the room, for example, I LOVE the deep switch with my GK MBE410 (pre neo) but would never touch it with the GS412, that's too much rumble, unless i'm outdoors... maybe.

I usually start flat at each gig and slightly adjust to the room.
 
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#304
My DB751 weight is really becoming a problem for me. I think I want to keep it solely for recording either at home or to bring to the studio. I want to get something class D to be my workhorse and I'm well aware what I will be sacrificing. A lot of the info online is from 2013-2014 before the AG700 was released so I'm having a hard time getting information. Would the AG700 be the closest class D equivalent? TH500? Headroom really isn't a problem - most gigs have PA support. If I ever play large venues then I'll have no issue bringing my DB751.
 
#305
I have both the AG700 and TH500.
I kept the TH because the preamp sounds more like the DB, not as thick but it’s definitely more cushy than the AG.

The AG is sharp, quick and “HiFi” compared to the DB and TH.

I would suggest trying both before you buy, the AG is different but you might like it.
 
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#306
The AG700 has great tone options. I've run it with bass, and treble boost engaged for a very large, and deep studio quality tone (through SL410x). That setting is probably the closest to feeling similar to the dynamic head-room of the DB751. That said, it is not a DB751. At the studio, I usually run the DB751, or SVT VR (depending on the genre). It's been great a luxury to go through all the cabinet options, and settings with a drummer that is serious about his tone (Craviotto Drums - if you're familiar). The SVT still rules for that huge tube SVT growl - but at 85 lbs, its best left for companies that will set up and tear down your backline :thumbsup: The DB751 at 42lbs - is heavy compared to 6 lbs - but light compared to what you get.
The DB751 tube tone and distinct Aguilar growl provides a very wide dynamic range that, IMHO, is more musical that the class D amps. Sure depending on pick-ups, and pre amplifier settings much can be improved with class D amps, but they will never you the same cushy, power on demand at your finger tips. And a tone that sings while maintaining the quality of overall band-mix. I've heard is described a 3D tone (which makes sense to me).
My feeling is you need to have both. There are gigs where the AG700 is perfect (more than half), and when you break down, there an extra pep in your step. And the feeling of wow, modern technology!
However, having played back and forth between the DB751 and AG700 there are those gigs where I would prefer the DB751 (even if its 42lbs). Nice to have options.
 
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#307
Danny2454 said:
...My feeling is you need to have both...
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Well exactly this. I'm not selling the 751 - it literally I always knew I wanted but couldn't describe or find and I know what I need to give up to go class D. I'm using the basis that I love the 751 to help find a class D companion that will help me sound similar. I will definitely play the 751 live again - but I'd really like to have something that's class D to be my live workhorse.
 
#308
Anyone tried the AG700 with an external preamp in the effect loop? (Noble, Basswitch etc). I sometimes use my basswitch in the effect return of my TH500 but there's a volume difference between bypassing the preamp or going with Basswitch. I sometimes use this for smaller jazz trio gigs on upright because it's low volume, but I don't want to push the power section too much with the basswitch.

Simply wondering the AG700's behavior on this. ;)
 
#309
MAFbass1992 said:
Anyone tried the AG700 with an external preamp in the effect loop? (Noble, Basswitch etc). I sometimes use my basswitch in the effect return of my TH500 but there's a volume difference between bypassing the preamp or going with Basswitch. I sometimes use this for smaller jazz trio gigs on upright because it's low volume, but I don't want to push the power section too much with the basswitch.

Simply wondering the AG700's behavior on this. ;)
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Yes, both effect loops are +6db of gain.
I run my Two notes Lebass in front but only because I don’t want to run 4 cables.
 
#311
Ender_rpm said:
This may have been answered already, but has anyone compared the AG700 to the Little Mark series? I have an older LM2 with the A/B power, and really need to retire it, but I am so used to the clear sound and feel. Even a new LM3 didn't work out.
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A bit off topic, then, but you noticed a difference between the class AB LM2 and the most recent, class D LM3?
 
#313
Ender_rpm said:
This may have been answered already, but has anyone compared the AG700 to the Little Mark series? I have an older LM2 with the A/B power, and really need to retire it, but I am so used to the clear sound and feel. Even a new LM3 didn't work out.
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Why retire the LM2? I have an early LM3, class A/B. I'll not sell it. Run it till it chokes! Great amps IMHO.
 
#314
Ender_rpm said:
This may have been answered already, but has anyone compared the AG700 to the Little Mark series? I have an older LM2 with the A/B power, and really need to retire it, but I am so used to the clear sound and feel. Even a new LM3 didn't work out.
Click to expand...
Also, I had an AG500sc and, although I liked it, I replaced it with my MarkBass, if that tells you anything.
 
#315
So I bought the AG700! Here's a review with what I experienced so far:

1- Right after buying it I used it on a gig. Small/medium room for a cocktail where we played jazz and soul/funk tunes. A 4-piece band without rocking too much! ;) I used the AG700 with a pbass with flats. Yes, everything sounds good with a pbass with flats, but especially with the AG700, I was able to hear myself a bit better and felt like I stood out a bit more in the mix. As described by Aguilar, the sound is a bit more precise and I think I only needed to add a little low mid or bass boost. I felt that with the TH500 at this volume, the sound would feel a bit more boomy, but less precise. Usually with the tone hammer, I would put the mid freq knob all the way up or down to try to stand out a bit more in a live/band setup. I always use a Bergantino CN112 for smaller gigs and add the AE112 for bigger shows. Anyway, the AG stands out more, and I'm curious to see how it performs with an upright.

2- At home in the practice room TH500 always felt very sterile with my Bergantino cabs. I kinda gave up on the acoustic of the room blaming it on the head but maybe a little bit on the Bergs which are Neo cabs... With the AG, I usually practice with everything at noon and a small boost on the low mid and bass knobs. My berg stack sounds a lot better and I'm actually able to have more defined bass frequencies, which I never ''really'' got with the baked in sound of the TH500.

3- I also been able to practice with the TH500 and the AG700 side by side and I must admit that I'll miss the different voice of the TH500, but the AG can get very close to the TH500. I'm still trying to experiment with the master and the gain, but I can say for sure that pushing the gain after 3 on the AG doesn't sound as musical/good as the TH500. I never really used the drive on the TH500 for a specific effect, because I always have my effects on my pedalboard, but let's say that if you want to rock out and dig in with the AG, you might need an OD. There's no substitute.

Just my thoughts, two days since I bought it! In the next few days I'll be able to experiment with effects and upright bass! ;)
 
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#316
SJan3 said:
Also, I had an AG500sc and, although I liked it, I replaced it with my MarkBass, if that tells you anything.
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Right, I HAD a TH500, and didn't care for how muffled it sounded, even with the gain off, master up, etc for as clean and full range a sound as I could get. I spent some time trying to figure out if it was me (ie I was so used to my other heads and just needed to get used to the TH) but it really came back to one thing- I prefer an amp where "everything at noon" is the right sound at home, so I can tweak as needed on the gig. The TH I was forever twisting knobs, quite aggressively, to get the sound I wanted, where the LM2 is just it. I am just concerned that my old LM2 is gonna die on me, and while its a back up, we're talking about going on the road in the next year, so I am wanting a lighter weight alternative to my VB2 :)
 
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#319
shoot-r said:
"Sharp and Quick", that's what my ears like, and with the feeling of endless head-room.

I'm going to have to find a AG700 to A/B next to my sharp and quick but aging and VERY well used Mesa M-6 Carbines!
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FWIW, GK MB500 and 800 are very similarly voiced to the Carbines to my ears. I originally bought them as easy to carry along back-ups for my Carbines.
 
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#320
Ender_rpm said:
Right, I HAD a TH500, and didn't care for how muffled it sounded, even with the gain off, master up, etc for as clean and full range a sound as I could get. I spent some time trying to figure out if it was me (ie I was so used to my other heads and just needed to get used to the TH) but it really came back to one thing- I prefer an amp where "everything at noon" is the right sound at home, so I can tweak as needed on the gig. The TH I was forever twisting knobs, quite aggressively, to get the sound I wanted, where the LM2 is just it. I am just concerned that my old LM2 is gonna die on me, and while its a back up, we're talking about going on the road in the next year, so I am wanting a lighter weight alternative to my VB2 :)
Click to expand...
I also have a Tonehammer 500. I'm using it with GS112s, a more modern sounding cab. I dig this setup with my Jazz Bass. Gives more heft to the Jazz tone.
Not so much with my P Basses although many swear by the Tonehammer with a P bass.
I LOVE my P Basses through the Markbass. That is my favorite match and so easy to dial up great tone. Just a tad of the VLE and VPF and you're there!
 
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