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Suggestions? Tone Hammer 500 vs Rumble 800

UNIII

UNIII

Jan 9, 2020
4
3
Wisconsin
#1
Hey everyone.

I'm in the middle of being torn on which direction to head for new gear. I'm moving on from my previous rig and have a break for a while before we start gigging again. I don't need anything super crazy, so i'm keeping my options tamed at around the $700-$1000 range. I play in a cover band with 2 other guitars that covers a variety, but mostly rock based, so i like being able to poke through/at times stand out in the mix(occasional bass leads). The remaining piece from my last setup is a rumble 210 cab.

I go back and forth while playing between a relatively clean sound, and dirtier sounds. That's why the Rumble 800 head caught my attention with the drive channel. But the TH500 has a pretty nice sound on it's own as well, but obviously the one channel. I'd like to not have to add a drive pedal if i don't have to. Wondering if any owners of one of these two, or users of both have any insight/experience with the gear and how it sounded at gigs? Or if there's a different head that would cover this more, i'm open to suggestions!

Thanks for the time!
 
#2
IMO…the Fender plays like many other SS amps. A strong attack, an EQ that can go from deep to sizzling and a drive circuit cut from a Boss DS-1.
The Aguilar has a much softer attack and is voiced much more towards the vintage side of things. Lots of mids and an EQ that uses the gain, drive and mid controls to dial in what flavour of vintage you like.
Both will give you lots of overdrive or stay clean all the way up.
The TH500 has a narrower range in its EQ but offers more tones due to the nature of its gain, drive and mid options. It can get you in the ballpark of a cranked SVT without the weight or volume.
There’s a massive thread here on the TH500 that’s well worth exploring for a better description of its features.
 
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#5
UNIII said:
Hey everyone. ... .... I don't need anything super crazy, so i'm keeping my options tamed at around the $700-$1000 range. ... .... The remaining piece from my last setup is a rumble 210 cab. ... .... the Rumble 800 HD head caught my attention with the drive channel circuit in a single channel. But the TH500 has a pretty nice sound on it's own as well, but obviously the one channel. ... ... if there's a different head that would cover this more, i'm open to suggestions! ... Thanks for the time!
Click to expand...


Sorry, UN, but I just had to correct your sometimes mistaken as "channels" description. The one channel has an optional Overdrive circuit that can be turned on or off. Not a separate channel. The 3 voicing buttons, Bright, Contour & Vintage, are also the coupling effect, but they're also just optional circuits in the single channel, too!!! These 4 optional circuits can each be on or off independently, but the OD is the only one footswitchable. The other EQ & Gain settings remain unchanged when switching OD, Bright, Contour or Vintage, on & off, unlike dual normal/drive channels. The HD head with your Rumble 210 cab can only give you 400w right now. But, the HD is 2 ohm stable, so it can put 800w into up to four 8 ohm cabs, if that's what you're looking for. ;)

HOWEVER, for just $100 more than the Rumble 800 HD head alone (same as the Tone Hammer) you can get a 2.67 ohm, 800w amp AND a 210 NEO cab with the new Fender Rumble Club! That's a bargain at twice the price! The Combo & your cab give you the full 800w right away, in addition to the coupling effect! And you can still add one more 8 ohm cab, for even more SPL, if you wish. :thumbsup:

Oh, and BTW, your Rumble 210 qualifies you right now for membership in the TB Fender Rumble Club. You should, at least, say hello there and ask your question(s) of current Rumble users. :smug:
.
 
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#6
Nebadon2000 said:
Tone Hammer has drive but users warn you need to read manual carefully maybe check out some youtube videos on how to work Tone Hammer

Also may want to look at new Ampeg Venture Series
I use Mesa WD 800 can get some nice tube OD also Mesa TT 800 but different price categorie
Click to expand...

yup, should consider the new Ampeg venture series if you are considering built-in drive circuit.
 
#8
Used 'em both. Rumble 800 head. Less baked in tone IME. Decent drive channel. It's my second amp(other is a Genzler 800), I use it with 1 or 2 GK 115s.
 
#10
Nebadon2000 said:
Tone Hammer has drive but users warn you need to read manual carefully maybe check out some youtube videos on how to work Tone Hammer

Also may want to look at new Ampeg Venture Series
I use Mesa WD 800 can get some nice tube OD also Mesa TT 800 but different price categorie
Click to expand...

+1 on WD-800 which I own. While it can provide drive or clean for days, it needs to be dialed in which is awkward to do mid song for a solo or for effect. Does the TT come with a foot pedal to switch channels?

Also, +1 on having a manual for the Tone Hammer. I had one of those on a backline gig once with only about two minutes to dial it in prior to downbeat. I understand that these are great sounding amps, but let’s politely say getting it dialed in is not intuitive. But I also understand with the manual it’s not that difficult to dial it in.
 
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#11
Personally I like the rumble, had the 500 for a long time. I moved on to a Darkglass MT900 v1 and eventually a v2 when it was released.
I have other heads as well.
To be totally honest, those voicing switches are stupid easy and the get you in the ballpark of a lot of different amps. Vintage and bright engaged with a little drive gets you right to where a MT900 does with the VMT circuit engaged. Contour gets you into scooped territory with bright and you’re in the neighborhood of GK.
The Aguilar captures the vintage mojo, but the Rumble has quite a few different vibes it can cop just by pushing in those 3 buttons in different configurations.
 
#12
For a portable amp for small venues, the new Ampeg Rocket Bass amps (not to be confused with the pre Yamaha versions) with Class D and Emience drivers have a ‘grit’ circuit that emulates my SVT quite well! Check ‘em out if you get a chance - affordable & portable, best bass amp deal I’ve seen since the ole’ Peavy TKO & TNT of the ‘80’s!
 
#14
I've used a couple of Fender's Rumble amps in back lines and I've always been happy with the sound, but in 10 years the only amp that came close to replacing my Aguilar TH500 was an AG700.
 
#15
I had a DG MT500 V2 , and a TH350,
Got rid of both, and settled on AG700. It was a toss up between the Fender 800 hd, or the AG700. I was really impressed with the Fender, it had "stand alone", 3 very usable
( Good to my ears) sounds , plenty of power, 2ohm min , and also seemed well built. I ended up with the AG700, mainly because realistically, I would (&do), use it as a "pedal platform".
If I were to use only an amp, with no pedals, I would definitely go the Rumble, especially over the TH500, which to me limited in its single voicing, and SPL capabilitie (wattage & ohmage)
 
#16
I had been a Tone Hammer user for years. Most recently with two SL112 cabs. Great sound, but as my gigging needs changed I wanted to simplify and go with a combo. I purchased the Rumble 800 and love it. The Tone Hammer is an excellent amp, but as others mentioned it is very much its own sound where the Rumble is much more versatile.

In a comparison with the combo vs the TH500 & SL112s, the Aguilar sounded slightly fuller but I could get the Fender to sound very close using the Vintage mode.

The Fender is really light - 30lbs and I love being able to make one trip carrying the amp and my bass in a bag on my shoulders. The DI on the 800 with the pre/post is great, the low power mode is useful, the three voicing modes (which can be used in combination with each other) and the usable drive (esp compared to the Aguilar) make this an incredibly versatile amp. Much cheaper too.
 
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#18
You'll find differing opinions on both amps, a lot of it can come down to the context of your particular band mix or needs. The Rumbles can, well...rumble pretty good. They can be had for low prices new or used if you want to try that end of the market.

Having owned combos and cabs of the new Rumble series, I personally didn't care for how baked-in the tone and EQ stack were on the heads. I also found the cabs to be rather mid-shy as well. If you're up against a soft drummer and acoustic guitars, probably not going to be a big deal. In a loud band mix, you may be loud and woofy, but have trouble cutting through...I'd rather have mids on tap that I can cut out, as opposed to fighting the rig to get any.

I can't say much about the Aguilar other than I've heard it's a great tone, but a finicky EQ (a tweak to one knob can affect everything).

Whichever you grab, I'd buy new and make sure you give it a try with your band at full volume. See how it reacts and if it'll work for you. I'd suggest a cab and amp with less mid scoop, but that's my $0.02. I'd go Mesa if you have the $$, otherwise I'd take a look at some GK rigs, Ampeg, Markbass, or even some older Peavey gear. Adding options to try out is never a bad idea :thumbsup:
 
#19
Gervais Cote said:
I tried both in a music store and ended up buying a Mesa Subway head…………
Both the Fender and Aguilar were great (although I would personally pay less for the Fender !) but versatility was my thing so Mesa won.
To me, the Fender was sweet but the Aguilar was a wilder beast if I may say.
Click to expand...

You have chosen wisely.
 
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