Replacement for Aguilar DB751

[Hi-End Basses]

Years ago I was really into SWR and their amps had some of those qualities but the tone you describe is exactly what I get out of the Avalon. Nice deep low end with great hi fi treble. Amazing clarity all around. Been playing through various rigs for more than 20 years. I didn't know this level of clarity was possible outside of the studio. I don't know if I'd recommend it to someone who uses no pedals and passive basses. Because it doesn't have a huge variety of settings. There's a eq preset dial with a few different eq curves, I actually prefer the tone of it with the eq turned off. Bass flat so everything is set as flat as it can for my clean tone and I really only add eq for my dirty sound which I do on the Darkglass alpha omega. The setup is surprisingly affordable. I picked up the Avalon used off eBay for $390, crown was in the $300-400 range. Gator rack bag was $99. So way under a grand. View attachment 2746082

Like your two 410 HE's.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Like your two 410 HE's.

Top one is a 410he loaded with eminence bp102 200w tens. Bottom is actually a 15. They sound great. I thought they were decent but with the new rack setup I realized they are a lot better cabs than I thought they were.

 

[pickles]

What eq settings have you tried on the 751, and have you tried lower gain with higher master? I can get basically and sound I'd ever want from the 751. I do have a telefunken NOS in v1.

 

[Shishka Bob]

Something is wrong with your amp. Have Aguilar fix it.

 

[Chiefbass]

Something is wrong with your amp. Have Aguilar fix it.

I live in Finland so that is not an option. I do have a great tech here that could take a look.

This is sort of the sound I'm looking for. I can get it from that EBS Proline 610 with TD650 or HD350.

 

[Chiefbass]

What eq settings have you tried on the 751, and have you tried lower gain with higher master? I can get basically and sound I'd ever want from the 751. I do have a telefunken NOS in v1.

I think that the problem is that the Treble and Bright controls in DB751 are around 4kHz which is too low for my taste. EBS bright control is around 10kHz and I it suits my taste better.

 

[pickles]

I can dial in sounds like that on a 751. You'd need bright sounding strings and maybe an active bass. The NOS tube helps a lot up there too.

One thing you could try is an ampeg svt4-pro. Tons of eq flexibility including super high highs, but it also has plenty of grunt and authority on tap.

 

[pickles]

Also, lower gain settings have more extended highs on the 751. Most tube preamps are like that.

 

[Shishka Bob]

I live in Finland so that is not an option. I do have a great tech here that could take a look.

This is sort of the sound I'm looking for. I can get it from that EBS Proline 610 with TD650 or HD350.

I'm sorry that I didn't see where you are from. Sorry about that.

 

[chadds]

I'm sorry that I didn't see where you are from. Sorry about that.

But we aren't sorry you live in Finland. You all have a lot going for you there! I like where I live as well.

 

[caligula]

Hi!

I've had the big Aguilar DB751 for five years now, and I think it's time to say goodbye. I like the massive low end and the endless power, but I feel like there's not enough high end, and the eq is somewhat limited.

I have been playing EBS HD350 & TD650 heads now, and I like the "hifi" sound of them. They dont have similar massive bottom that the 751 has.

Is there some amps that would have both? Big low end, and very nice hifi treble. I've tried these and didn't find what I was looking for: Aguilar ag500sc, Tonehammer 500, Thunderfunk 420, Markbass TTE-501.

I gigged the DB 750 for seven years and sold it 'cause of its weight and size. I'm still looking for an adequate replacement but, unlike you, I don't need those sparkly highs, I'm more looking or something with a similar punch and oomph.
If I were in your shoes, I'd try the Trickfish Bullhead 1K (if you have a dealer in your area of course). I tried it a few months ago and it has hi-fi highs (very warm highs) if wanted and massive punch in the lows. I'm not sure if as massive as the Aggie DB amps, but the Bullhead can punch really hard.
Another opition that I personally have on my list is the Eich TR 900. Knowing other Eich amps, I can tell you that there are highs in spades in needed, whether the TR 900 has the massive low end the DBs have, I don't know. Other than that I don't know of any amp that really has the insane oomph of the DBs and hi-fi highs at the same time.
As others have mentioned, you might want to give the new Aguilar AG 700 a go.

Try some tube rolling to see if that helps you. My personal favorite was to install a Tung Sol.
However, I ultimately sold both my 750 and 751 in favor of the Mesa D800. Fat mids, big low end, crisp highs that aren't harsh, and only 5lbs.

Interesting, could you elaborate a bit on that? Is the Subway 800 really an adequate replacement for the DB 750/751? ... especially in the low end/mid departement?
Have you ever used the DI-out live or in a studio? What results?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I gigged the DB 750 for seven years and sold it 'cause of its weight and size. I'm still looking for an adequate replacement but, unlike you, I don't need those sparkly highs, I'm more looking or something with a similar punch and oomph.
If I were in your shoes, I'd try the Trickfish Bullhead 1K (if you have a dealer in your area of course). I tried it a few months ago and it has hi-fi highs (very warm highs) if wanted and massive punch in the lows. I'm not sure if as massive as the Aggie DB amps, but the Bullhead can punch really hard.
Another opition that I personally have on my list is the Eich TR 900. Knowing other Eich amps, I can tell you that there are highs in spades in needed, whether the TR 900 has the massive low end the DBs have, I don't know. Other than that I don't know of any amp that really has the insane oomph of the DBs and hi-fi highs at the same time.
As others have mentioned, you might want to give the new Aguilar AG 700 a go.




Interesting, could you elaborate a bit on that? Is the Subway 800 really an adequate replacement for the DB 750/751? ... especially in the low end/mid departement?
Have you ever used the DI-out live or in a studio? What results?

IMHO, it is an adequate replacement.

What I loved about my 750 was that it sounded like a "matured" SVT on steroids. Very thicks low mids that have punch and oomph, a low end that is wide but controlled, and a high end that is crisp without being harsh.

The Mesa D800 captures this same tonal footprint and idea in a much lighter package. The low mids punch, the lows are wide but focused, and the highs are crisp and not harsh. But what is also surprising about the Subway is that it's a very 3D sounding head. The notes have a liveliness to them that I haven't experienced in another micro amp. It actually captures the spirit of an amp like the 750.

That said, I still consider the 750 in a class of its own. It is, IMO, the best bass head ever made due to its simplicity, ruggedness, and balls with its tone. But, I immediately put the D800 after it. The weight savings coupled with a very similar tonal footprint to the 750 make it a strong replacement. The 751 actually comes third for me due to the change in its mids.

Ultimately, both my 750 and 751 got cut due to weight, size, and me not gigging enough to justify having them.

A used D800 can be found for around $550 IIRC. It's definitely worth trying out. I haven't tried the DI yet, but I've heard good things. If it sounds anything like the it does when you use it as a headphone amp then it is very good.

 

[caligula]

IMHO, it is an adequate replacement.

What I loved about my 750 was that it sounded like a "matured" SVT on steroids. Very thicks low mids that have punch and oomph, a low end that is wide but controlled, and a high end that is crisp without being harsh.

The Mesa D800 captures this same tonal footprint and idea in a much lighter package. The low mids punch, the lows are wide but focused, and the highs are crisp and not harsh. But what is also surprising about the Subway is that it's a very 3D sounding head. The notes have a liveliness to them that I haven't experienced in another micro amp. It actually captures the spirit of an amp like the 750.

That said, I still consider the 750 in a class of its own. It is, IMO, the best bass head ever made due to its simplicity, ruggedness, and balls with its tone. But, I immediately put the D800 after it. The weight savings coupled with a very similar tonal footprint to the 750 make it a strong replacement. The 751 actually comes third for me due to the change in its mids.

Ultimately, both my 750 and 751 got cut due to weight, size, and me not gigging enough to justify having them.

A used D800 can be found for around $550 IIRC. It's definitely worth trying out. I haven't tried the DI yet, but I've heard good things. If it sounds anything like the it does when you use it as a headphone amp then it is very good.

Very interesting indeed. I tested the little Subway a few months ago in my local store and thought it sounded really good, I have no a/b experience with the DB 750 though and haven't played the Subway in a band setting (which is always the best real life test IMO).
The Subways are not that common in the old world and 550,- would be a no brainer for me but that's unlikely to happen over here. I think I'd give the Subway+ a go, it looks more interesting with its extra EQ options and low cut function. I seriously hate amp shopping, I just wanna set and forget.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Very interesting indeed. I tested the little Subway a few months ago in my local store and thought it sounded really good, I have no a/b experience with the DB 750 though and haven't played the Subway in a band setting (which is always the best real life test IMO).
The Subways are not that common in the old world and 550,- would be a no brainer for me but that's unlikely to happen over here. I think I'd give the Subway+ a go, it looks more interesting with its extra EQ options and low cut function. I seriously hate amp shopping, I just wanna set and forget.

I thought about upgrading to the D800+, but I think it adds unnecessary complexity. Just like the 750, part of the appeal of the Subway is that it's a set and forget amp. Once I have my lows and low mids set I basically don't touch the amp.

 

[svtb15]

I could never get what i liked from a 751 or 750... People have already made a lot of good suggestions .. Anyone try the Peavey Mini Mega 1000... I have one.. it slams pretty well. Its wide with a good bottom....
Im going to try the new Ashdown ABM 600 this week.. there is something about that ashdown that i always liked

 

[Haske Hoefz]

Im gonna check for a db 750 later this week, does anybody know to check how old it is?

 

[chris_b]

I tested the little Subway a few months ago in my local store and thought it sounded really good, . . . . . I seriously hate amp shopping, I just wanna set and forget.

Me too.

I briefly used a D800 and several bands liked the sound but I preferred, and kept, my TH500. I don't think I've changed the EQ on the TH500 in several years of gigging and that's with 6 different basses and several different cabs.

 

[Chiefbass]

I changed the first preamp tube for a Tung Sol and it improved the tone. Now it works fine, but there is a loud hiss in the DI-output. It is louder when the DI is pre eq, and is a lot quieter with DI post eq. I think I have to take it to a tech. Otherwise it works fine and sounds great!

 

[jkoeth]

Just got a used DB751 and a SL410.

What brand tubes do they usually come with?

Which NOS Telefunken 12AX7 in V1 have you guys used? With what V2 & V3 tubes?

Thanks!