Tonehammer vs AG = Eden vs SWR?

[Nuisance]

Yes. Same bones, different muscle mass - definitely different attitude.

The AG is clean, fast, no cushion - tells the truth whether you like it or not.

The TH has a little give - mids forward, slight hair when you lean in.

I’m in the TH camp. Could still gig the AG and have a good night.

Most pick a side and stay there. .

Winner winner, chicken dinner!!!!!!

Ahem.....I mean, this is the answer you are looking for.

 

[Sparkl]

My main gig these days is a Stones tribute band.

Tonehammer is your choice. I've had both (TH500 and AG 500 DC) and the AG will not get you there without some extra preamps.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Which is exactly the gist of the thread.

They're relatively dissimilar sounding amps-

Are the AG and TH relatively dissimilar sounding?

Based on the other posters, I'd guess yes. Like I said, I haven't tried a Tonehammer, but the AG500 sounded like any average solid state bass amp to me. It amplifies your bass and that is pretty much it.

 

[Al Kraft]

Are the AG and TH relatively dissimilar sounding?

100% yes! The TH is trying to cop a tube amp feeling and sounding vibe...and I think they hit the mark. The AG was seemingly introduced to give Aguilar something to compete with more SS rock-voiced heads like Mesa SWs and GK MBs.

I own a TH and have played an AG. They anchor opposite ends of the voicing spectrum. Both are excellent heads, but the difference is like comparing a big highway cruiser to tight suspension sports car.

Staying with the car analogy, YMMV!

 

[The Golden Boy]

Sorry, this not the answer you want, all sound like good amps, I have owned a few SWR’s. But all of these cabs are getting old. Plus could be heavy. If you play out be sure to have a backup.

The real purpose of the thread is my rack weighs around 40 pounds- with janky latches that come undone, my cabinets weigh 89, 93 and 115 pounds.

Meaning- on a "light" night I'm rolling in with somewhere in the neighborhood of 130 pounds of amp.

It's time to rectify that.

 

[Al Kraft]

I assure you that any of the newer light-weight gear will easily cut that in half and in many cases double your sound power and the quality of your sound.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Thanks to everyone for their replies and relating their experience here-

For giggles and reference- (and because "pix or it didn't happen")

The main rig is the rack and the cab on the left- this was an outdoor theatre stage with minimal PA support:

Same head with the 2 x 15 cab.

And just to enforce that whole "weight is great" thing- I do have a Bass 400+ that I've played out exactly twice- that's around 45 pounds and the Seymour Duncan 600w head is around 35 pounds.

G&L + Boogie + 2x15 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

 

[Al Kraft]

If you get a chance to try a Mesa Bass 800D and one or two Mesa Subway cabs or a Mesa Subway 215 I think you'll see why so many of us (myself included) have moved on from that admittedly great legacy gear. Not only is the size and weight a back and knee saver, but you may find the sound is not just as good but in some cases better, and many of the new amp features would have been unheard of "back in the day".