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TC Electronic or Aguilar

#41
NimrodHunter, choose what pleases you, of course. I'll offer these few observations that you may consider:

- Local shop has something you like.
- Should something go wrong with the product, shop is convenient for warranty repairs etc.
- Supporting a local shop helps them stay in business and perhaps in return they may help you further down the road in one of your times of need/further purchase requirements.

FWIW, I like both options you are considering based on non-TB reviews/online demos. I haven't any personal experience with either choice.
 
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#42
Plenty of good advice. I'd love to have an Aguilar rig, but I went with TC Electronics due to the weight. I was unable to try any TC gear to test in advance so I based my decision on reviews. I ordered an RS212 to see if it would be portable enough and have a good sound, and I was pleased. Since then I've gotten 2 more RS212s, an RS210, and an RH750. My guitar player likes to practice loud, and the RH750 and 2 RS212s is plenty to keep up. I've also found that the amp sounds great flat with my active basses (I haven't tried it with a passive bass yet, my 5ers are active and what I use for band practice). That said my Boogie D180 has move "character" but the TC sounds fuller. I can't imagine anyone being dissatisfied with either brand unless they have a specific sound in mind or preconceptions that they are incapable of getting over.
 
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#43
srcTW said:
My only concern for you in this post is to attempt to give you some assurance that TC Electronics is good gear. I'm aware of pros that use it and love it. The RH450 is the one that I use. KJung's descriptions of its tone are spot on. To me, it's voiced perfectly. There are other reasons to consider TCE, by the way:
  • It has a built in tuner
  • It has a built in compressor that is very usable
  • It has built in dirt (subtle to very growly) in the tube tone (should you get the RH450)
  • The DI is dead quiet (note the TH500 is as well)
  • It has memories that store settings so the knobs moving in your gig bag matter not (should you get the RH450)
  • It also has a tweeter tone that emulates the pot on the back of your cab (should you get the RH750)
So to me, it's everything you need in one box with outstanding tone.

I will tell you that the opinions on this board that were so strongly against TC Electronics gear that they actually lead me to sell my first RH450 and venture down the rabbit hole of buying and selling amps (I figured people knew much better than me). I went to the Aguilar TH500, the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 and finally I came back to the RH450 and realized it was my ears that matter vs pleasing the TalkBass monster.

I will say that if you land on the Aguilar TH500, you can't go wrong there either - awesome amp.

Take it for what it's worth - I'm not a pro - I play in Church. I value convenience (integration) and I look for a supportive tone that cuts through. RH450 has it in spades.
Click to expand...

What can cab do you use it with? I also play in church and have a TH500 but I'm having issues getting the SL 112 to clearly project the low b and just thickness in general.
 
#46
I don't own either, but I've done lots of shopping around and thread reading. So take my comment with a grain salt. I say Aggie all the way. I've read lots and lots of threads about our quality control with TC. I've heard only great things about all things Aguilar
 
#47
BaileyMan said:
I don't own either, but I've done lots of shopping around and thread reading. So take my comment with a grain salt. I say Aggie all the way. I've read lots and lots of threads about our quality control with TC. I've heard only great things about all things Aguilar
Click to expand...
I own both the th350 and the Rh 450 and have gigged them both a lot over the years. The quality of the Tc is great the di is awesome and the features are second to none. I mainly gig the th though because it has a slightly clearer high end then the Tc and I've loned the Tc out long term to a friend who needs an amp. Other then that I think the Tc is a better and louder amp
 
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#48
JBassHead said:
What can cab do you use it with? I also play in church and have a TH500 but I'm having issues getting the SL 112 to clearly project the low b and just thickness in general.
Click to expand...

I use the SL112 (2) or the Phil Jones Compact 4 depending on the gig. I also happen to still use both the RH450 and the TH500. The RH450 at church and the Th500 with my jazz ensemble (I use my pedalboard there). Both cut well and both project my low B without issue. I truly love both amps.

If you are having trouble with thickness add the second SL112. Killer sound and plenty of pros use that stack.
 
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#50
I've owned and exclusively played through a TCE RH450 for over a year on both short scale and long scale basses, and I have been able to get great sounds out of all five basses. I bought it because it was semi-parametric on all four frequencies, and I could preset three different tones. This is pure sonic crack for tone junkies, and I spent the first month just diddling the knobs (and wasting a lot of good practice time). I can get clanky-clean tones (which I'm not partial to), and warm tones (which I am partial to). As has been said before, it tends toward warmth, rather than sterile and clean (which is why I chose it).

My only gripe is that the preset knobs cracked and I had to buy replacement buttons. The repair was easy, but still, the buttons were expensive, and Imshould not have had to make this repair.
 
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