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Tone Hammer, TC Electronic RH450, or Mesa Subway?

S

Snypler

Guest
Apr 17, 2016
4
0
34
Delaware
#1
I've done a decent amount of research for a new head, and I've come up with three that I'm interested in: Aguilar Tone Hammer, TC Electronic RH450, or Mesa Subway D800+. Right now I'm playing a GK Backline 600 into a 4ohm Ampeg 4x10. I've had the same setup for almost ten years and I'm no longer happy with it.

I play a lot of different styles, so versatility is a must.

Which head do you recommend and why?

Thanks.
 
#6
I've owned the TC 450 head and now the Mesa D-800+ and there is no comparison between the 2. The TC is a good head with usable features but he Mesa blows it out of the water in term s of quality of tone and headroom. Another amp I would give a look at would be the Genzler Magellan 800. The Genzler and the Mesa 800+ are the best Class D amps out there IMO. Both sound amazing ina full band setting with any Bass Cabinet I've tried them with.
 
#9
Green Lantern said:
Aguilar sounds like a tube solid state amp while the Boogie sounds like a solid state amp with a little more flexibility with the EQ. Both are great, I choose Aguilar
Click to expand...

Disagreed. The Mesa has a lot of tube heft to its notes. It's very 3D with its tone.

The TH has a chewiness to its tone that works but can get old. It isn't super versatile in my opinion.
 
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#11
Well I never gave the TC a tryout but I tried both the Aguilar and the Mesa. In a lot of ways I liked the Tone Hammer more. The grind is awesome but the overall clean and feel of the boogie really won me out. I ordered an 8oo+ today. I also put a few sessions in with the mark lb3. I don't think I would be disappointed with either the Aguilar or Mesa, the mark was also good but the other two suited my ear better. There are a lot of other choices I didn't play either. I personally am a big fan of the terror bass I was able to cut really well with that head. I play orange for guitar so I am biased though with that.
 
#12
Snypler said:
I've done a decent amount of research for a new head, and I've come up with three that I'm interested in: Aguilar Tone Hammer, TC Electronic RH450, or Mesa Subway D800+. Right now I'm playing a GK Backline 600 into a 4ohm Ampeg 4x10. I've had the same setup for almost ten years and I'm no longer happy with it.

I play a lot of different styles, so versatility is a must.

Which head do you recommend and why?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Why after 10 years are you no longer happy with your rig?
I would think the mesa is closer to the rig you have right now and the rh450 and tone hammer are both a lot different then what you're playing.
I have both the the rh450 and the the tone hammer and they both share a common sound. Dirty, warm, old school and compressed.
Neither have the baked in mid scoop that gk have and if you want that the mesa can get you there easier then those other two
 
#13
I have played the TC stuff a bunch at a jam I frequent and hate the compressed sound. I played GK for years and tired of it. TH is not my thing. I think the Subway is a great amp and if I bought one it would be the + model, but that's just me. I moved to Glock for years but now have used a Genz Shuttlemax for several years and now play a Minimega and the GB SM. So of your choices the Mesa is the only one I like. I'd look at the Genzler too. I'm pretty sure I'd like that as well.
 
#14
It seems to me that the OP's list has been plucked out of the air. These amps are all over the place in terms of tone, facilities and volume.

I've had several TC amps (both sold) and a Mesa D800 (selling) but the one amp that has been my go-to for several years is the Aguilar TH500.

I recognise that the TH500 isn't the most flexible but IMO that doesn't matter if it gets the sound you want. Fantastic through my Bergs and now Barefaced cabs.

But . . . . . if the OP is looking for a better sound I'd start with a different cab.
 
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#16
I've owned/gigged all 3 of those (as well as a bunch of others). Depends on what tone you're going for but imho the TC is not in the same league. Nice feature set, but it just doesn't really have "it", at least in my hands. I also prefer that both the TH and Mesa are built in the US.

Between the TH and the Mesa, I always found the TH to be pretty much a one-trick-pony. It really shines if you want to get a vintage amp vibe with a warm/wolly tone. If you want something edgy/articulate, you have to fight the eq and I never could end up with a convincing tone in that area. But if you like the baked-in tone, the TH is frankly hard to beat.

The Mesa has some degree of baked-in tone (all amps do), but it is easier to push the tone around. Plus it has a bunch of headroom - more on the input and output stage than the TH does. That said, the TH will get plenty loud, but within it's signature tone.
 
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#17
arai said:
Why after 10 years are you no longer happy with your rig?
I would think the mesa is closer to the rig you have right now and the rh450 and tone hammer are both a lot different then what you're playing.
I have both the the rh450 and the the tone hammer and they both share a common sound. Dirty, warm, old school and compressed.
Neither have the baked in mid scoop that gk have and if you want that the mesa can get you there easier then those other two
Click to expand...

I guess I shouldnt say "I'm no longer happy with it.". What I meant to say was "I was never happy with it."
It got the job done, but wasn't my ideal tone. I'm in a better spot, financially, to upgrade.
 
#18
chris_b said:
It seems to me that the OP's list has been plucked out of the air. These amps are all over the place in terms of tone, facilities and volume.

I've had several TC amps (both sold) and a Mesa D800 (selling) but the one amp that has been my go-to for several years is the Aguilar TH500.

I recognise that the TH500 isn't the most flexible but IMO that doesn't matter if it gets the sound you want. Fantastic through my Bergs and now Barefaced cabs.

But . . . . . if the OP is looking for a better sound I'd start with a different cab.
Click to expand...

It wasn't plucked. What am I not allowed to like the sounds of three different amps? Volume doesn't matter, I have 300 watts right now and I have never needed to crank it.

Cab will be upgraded soon. I'm thinking the 1x12 Mesa Subway. A Barefaced would be nice but it's much more expensive and I hate waiting.
 
#19
Snypler said:
Cab will be upgraded soon. I'm thinking the 1x12 Mesa Subway. A Barefaced would be nice but it's much more expensive and I hate waiting.
Click to expand...


If this helps:



And this gig was with just that setup and no bass in the FOH. Recorder was in front of the stage:

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