What's wrong with the Tone Hammer 500?

[RDUB]

Very interesting and surprising at the same time.
I've never worked in amp rentals/equipment management, I've just gigged Aguilar amps for a bit more than 7 years now and cannot share the experience you describe.
I've never had any problems whatsoever with my DB 750 or TH 500 and to be honest (no disrespect towards that guy), "weak" is not the adjective I'd use to describe the Aggie amps, quite the opposite.
To me, they slam very hard and sit in the mix almost perfectly (live and studio). I've had reliability issues with Markbass, Ampeg, Trace Elliot and especially Gallien Krueger in the past. In fact, my GK experience was so bad that I'd never pay more than 10 bucks for any of their amps.
I'm sure though that the guy you mentioned knows what he's talking about and, obviously, he's had issues with the Aggies.

Btw, that is quite a sight....

Agreed on all points. My db750 and TH500 worked like slaves for all the while I had them. Great amps, kicked serious butt, never a hint of a problem, and this is the first time I've ever even heard of anyone having any kind of problem with an Aguilar. Weird.

In any case, downsizing was my reason for getting a TH in the first place. I used it all time, from theatre to heavy rock. In the long run, it just made more sense for me to go with a combo for so many smaller gigs that I do., so the TH was phased out. (And before I got the Demeter, I would have said that the db750 was the best bass amp I've ever used, and I've used pretty much all of them at one time or another.)

 

[chris_b]

IMO there's absolutely nothing wrong with any of the Tone Hammer products. I have 2 TH500's and they work perfectly with my cabs and in the bands I play in.

I bought mine from guys who are interested in buying and trying the latest gear.

Their approach is my gain.

 

[bluesdogblues]

I've listened to a bunch of TH500 demos in YouTube, etc. and I find it very appealing. On my short list of wants...

But I'm constantly seeing them pop up on the TB classifieds, and on almost every ad it says something like "almost new", "3 months old", "just bought this year", etc, etc.

What is it that people don't like about this amp that they are turning around and selling them so quick?

different strokes, by different folks

 

[CL400Peavey]

What is wrong in my view just takes a look under the hood.

Well, that's because you're a tubaholic!

No, it is because someone suggest something outside of "hiwatt and reeves".

My only wish is for Aguilar to make a stereo version, basically two of these amps in a 2-space rack size. (Dave B., are you listening?)

I want them to make a 1000 or 1500 watt version.

I've just had too many issues with PCB & solid state gear in the past.
Tubes, hand wired, zero proprietary components for me.

As someone living in Ohio, you should at least try out a Reeves since they are built in your state.

If you were serious about reliability, and USA construction, you would be playing Peavey gear.

 

[FFTT]

I have made it quite clear why I do not like consumer grade electronics being passed off as supposedly professional gear.
I will never buy or recommend anyone buy an amp with PCB mounted power tubes, or ribbon cables, or any of the cheap cost cutting measures used in mass production, consumer grade musical equipment.

That's my preference, based on decades of experience and from the opinions of my fellow band mates who depended on me.

I still own a Peavy Mark III. It sounds awful, but covered me as an emergency back-up.

I own vintage amps that are hand wired and still purring 50 years later and sound like a dream.
I also have other very fine modern hand wired all tube amps other than my Reeves amps.
My band mates played original hand wired Fender amps that never failed through more than 900 shows.

 

[Rockin Mike]

It just means they're not rare.
If you look at other popular amps, there are a lot of them in the classifieds too.

I got mine in the classifieds and i'm keeping it.

 

[leroy diamond]

Been using a TH500 and it has been stellar. Markbass was the first 'micro' amp manufacturer whose equipment I used. Used them for 7 years and they never let me down (playing high volume gigs 2-3 times per week).
In the past year I have been using the TH500 and Tecamp puma. These amps sound very different but are fantastic pieces of kit and not an issue in terms of reliability.

 

[hdracer]

At least you do not see a new thread every week about a TH500 dying .

 

[jnewmark]

IMHO, the TH500 is a love it or hate bass head, much like the GB Streamliner. Either you like the inherent built in tone, or , it's not for you. I tried it and moved on.

 

[R&B]

Reading all the comments with interest. I had the same observation as the OP. TH500s pop up a few times a week and then are snatched up just as fast. A lot of turnover, or so it seems. I also wondered why.

I am soooo happy with the deep, soulful tone from my Eden WT-550 (via a pair of Aguilar DB112NT cabs) that I'm not too tempted. Yet the Eden is a bit of a lead sled by current standards, better for a practice room or an installed location than lugging around. This signature Aggie tone though...I'm interested to hear what 5 pounds of it sounds like!

 

[Fuzzbass]

if product x is really popular, there are more people using them, buying them, and also selling them.

This is the biggest reason.

I don't mean this in a negative way, but the TH amps have become a fad (heck, I own a TH500). Any piece of gear that becomes popular quickly will wind up appearing in large numbers in the classifieds. That's because plenty of us understand that the best way to learn about a piece of gear is to own it, rather than play it in a music store. That's why folks buy, try, and then sell if it doesn't work out. It probably doesn't indicate a problem with the gear: there is no "best", no piece of gear will please everyone.

Beyond all the other reasons for flipping amps, sometimes you're at a gig or jam or concert and you hear another rig and compare that tone to the best tone's you've been getting and you decide to go for a different rig.

Heh. This is another reason, but it's a bad one. I learned way back that copying someone's gear will rarely if ever copy their tone. As this guy explains:

Super rapid turnover makes me suspect buyer's remorse...when a product is "it" for a while, I think many players try it hoping they'll sound better but find out they still sound like themselves. Ask me how I know about this....

From my reading every thread on the TH-500 or TH-350 very few have mentioned either not enough power (they want 700w or more), or not HI-FI (sparkle and ultra lows of say a GK) enough for their tonal goals as a reason of moving on. That's about it...
Personally I use a TH-350 for small to medium gigs and love it, bigger gigs get PA support or I use my shuttle 9.2 for more volume requirements and also as an alternative voicing choice.

I love my TH500 too, but you make excellent points. I can use my TH500 with one or two neo 1x12 cabs for many of my gigs. Talk about an easy schlep! And the TH tone is great for classic rock, Motown, rockabilly, country, blues, etc.

On the other hand: I play with a loud hard rock band where 500W is (sadly) not enough, so with them I use a high-power rack rig and more speakers. Also: to be honest, the TH500 does not have my favorite tone for hard rock. The other reason I use my rack rigs with my rock band is because they have more sparkle -- in particular, the Presence knob on the SansAmp RBI can go from sparkle to ice-pick-into-the-ear.

But overall: for great classic tone and super easy schlep, my TH500+neo rig can't be beat. So, it's not going anywhere.

 

[bongostealth]

IMHO, the TH500 is a love it or hate bass head, much like the GB Streamliner. Either you like the inherent built in tone, or , it's not for you. I tried it and moved on.

This is what I seem to see happening a lot. I personally, am GASing for a TH500. It just happens that I love that warm Aguilar tone. But if you are a tone purist, it might not be the way to go.

 

[phillybass101]

I'd say that nothing is wrong with them and believe that Aguilar makes great products. I would add that while I really like their Pups, I shun away from their amps as everyone and their little brother has one, and there are good reasons for this. In my quest for my own tone and I like modern Hi-Fi with a little sizzle on top so I decided to go with Tecamp. Their stuff is not cheap but I like the Tone I get from the combo of basses I play with their amps. I like them so much I signed an Artist Agreement with them. I'm not an A List Cat so my Agreement is not full blown but I'm satisfied with my contract for now.

 

[FFTT]

If your budget is tight, have Nik at Ceritone build you a Marshall Super Bass or a Big Twin Head, or a Hiwatt Clone,
all hand wired and with seriously better workmanship
and materials than anything Marshall or Fender are offering today.

Invalid Link Removed

His web site says he now has an AU service center too.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[dmrogers]

I think the above posts have pretty much covered the OP question. A few things to add:

I've been on this board since 2005 and gear gas and flipping has been going on constantly since then (most likely longer).

It's like a hobby for some people. They have got to try out the latest and greatest. Nothing wrong with that. How will you know if you don't try it. They see the loss of selling the gear they are trying out as part of the cost for such actions. Not a bad deal.

For most gear in general, it has a certain tone or leans in a certain direction. Like many have said, for a lot of the gear, it is a love it or leave it deal.

For some gear, doesn't sound like they thought it would, it is not as reliable or doesn't have the feature set that the purchaser was expecting. It happens.

I actually think for a small number of people, they succumb to peer pressure. They might play in a certain genre of music and the gear just doesn't "fit" that bands personality.

Personally, I think a lot of people don't really give the gear in question long enough to understand how it works or to become acclimated to a new piece of gear. I remember when I got my first Thunderfunk head. I could not get a good tone out of it using a P bass. Sounded great with the Jazz. When I got serious about playing a P again, I worked with the head, and tried different settings. I had to start with a clean slate as far as the Thunderfunk EQ setting. It was a lot different from the Jazz settings. After a while, I had it figured out and got a great tone.

I have even found, more than once or twice when trying out new gear, that my tone goals change just due to the different gear. This is something I have become very open-minded about lately. Since purchasing the TH500, my tone is different from the other heads I currently use in rotation. AND I like it!

Nothing at all wrong with the Aguilar TH500 head. I love it and if it were stolen today, I would be ordering another one tonight. Well built, great warranty, great Aguilar service, and good tone & feature set. Plus at under 5 pounds, it was a no-brainer for me!

 

[TonyP-]

I have a friend who manages equipment and amp rentals for professional bands performing locally. He did some work on my bass recently and I got to see this wall o' bass amps while I was there. It was like heaven. This is a person who gigs himself, and plays and sets up rigs every day with every amp and speaker cabinet combo you can imagine. ALL THE TIME. When I saw this wall, I asked him what both his favorite and least favorite amps were. Aguilar were his least favorite - they were weak and broke down the most and whatever else. Genz Benz were his favorite. Now we are not all professionals and don't need to use multiple 1000 watt heads at a time, but to address the OP, I'm sharing an "industry insiders" opinion, so to speak. FWIW. I was surprised too.

Awesome photo
BTW is it this place http://www.thisisdna.com/backline.html
I believe I will be using them for my GK needs for a couple of shows coming up.

 

[groooooove]

This is the biggest reason.

I don't mean this in a negative way, but the TH amps have become a fad (heck, I own a TH500). Any piece of gear that becomes popular quickly will wind up appearing in large numbers in the classifieds. That's because plenty of us understand that the best way to learn about a piece of gear is to own it, rather than play it in a music store. That's why folks buy, try, and then sell if it doesn't work out. It probably doesn't indicate a problem with the gear: there is no "best", no piece of gear will please everyone.

so true. just like when markbass hit the scene, everyone had 2 or 3 of their amps. theres always a few of them for sale in the classifieds here; who knows why they sell them. to move up to the newest models. to switch to aguilar (hah). they need the money. ext.

number of them for sale doesn't reflect quality. seriously- search the classifieds right now for fodera. a lot of results pop up.

 

[Worldeeeter]

Interestingly, there is a large amount of Mesa and Glockenklang gear in the classifieds as well. I agree with previous posts, in that just because you see a high rate of flipping, trading, etc., it certainly doesn't mean the equipment is bad. Everyone has that special tone, and a lot of us cycle through a lot of equipment before we find it. Then, it changes again!!! I can tell you that, among Spector bass players, the Aggie amps are a big favorite, and I have heard nothing but positive things from those who own them. Plus, Alex Webster recently adapted Aguilar as his amp supplier, so they must be beefy and reliable!

 

[FFTT]

Amp flipping is also caused when folks buy gear online without having a chance to try it in their own situation.
If they don't return the item within the dealer's no questions return period, they have no choice but to hang onto it till they can re-sell it.
The more common problem is simply letting what little money you have saved, burn a hole in your pocket, rather than saving up for something better.

 

[Roland GR 88]

It's understandable that a rental company would shy away from Aguilar. Their rack-mountable gear is full of tubes and the TH500 is not built for the road. I own a small rental company for out-board gear and we serve theatres and studios. Sound safe ? ....... You would not believe the abuse some of the gear goes through. However that's the nature of all rental businesses and why GK, and other tank-like stuff is usually found there. Mr. Fuzz is right when he mentions how the TH was/is a bit of a fad. It is that good, just not for everyone however and the re-sale price is decent enough that you don't get hosed if you flip it.