Which rig...?

[nonohmic]

I have been GASing for basses for a long time, but everyone I've tried I pass on and I keep my one and only (Squier Matt Freeman Sig with EMG Geezers), so it's time to stop chasing that dragon and look at the amp. I have a Rumble 100 which is great but plugging in and playing doesn't spark the love, if that makes sense, it feels formulaic. It's a great amp and I will always keep it for its convenience, but I'm looking for a little more soul.

I'm looking for a rig that I can own for life, love the tone, and step up to play farmer's markets or small bars (with FOH) at the most.

Here are my thoughts;

Audiokinesis Hathor 1203 $650
Aguilar TH 350 $499

= 1149.....audiokinesis read to be the best and the 350 gives me enough headroom to add another cab if needed.

Ampeg PF-50t $899
Ampeg PF 112 $399

= 1299.. love the idea of tube, but the 112 is so cheap, what am I giving up there?

Aguilar SL 112 $749
TH 350 $499

= 1249..these are matched, but why is the cab so expensive? Why wouldn't I go for the AK cab??

What would you choose?

 

[nonohmic]

Or any other options in the $1200 price range??!

 

[Al Kraft]

If I were going for an AK cab and an Aguilar TH head, I'd pick the 500. While Duke's cabs are outstanding, they are slightly less efficient at using power than some of the mainstream offerings. I find my C112T to be happy with a GK MB800 or Mesa D-800 and don't have to push the amps to their limits.

To be sure you have all the low end you might want for a lifetime, I'd go for a Hathor Tall and seriously consider at least upgrading to a TH500. If you have a chance to try an AG700 (which is admittedly quite different from the TH series) it would be worth a listen. It still has the Aggie vibe, but with a slightly more modern sound and a solid powerful feel. Duke's cab has switches and a sealed operation option that can get you pretty old school sounding even with a more modern voiced head.

 

[nonohmic]

If I were going for an AK cab and an Aguilar TH head, I'd pick the 500. While Duke's cabs are outstanding, they are slightly less efficient at using power than some of the mainstream offerings. I find my C112T to be happy with a GK MB800 or Mesa D-800 and don't have to push the amps to their limits.

To be sure you have all the low end you might want for a lifetime, I'd go for a Hathor Tall and seriously consider at least upgrading to a TH500. If you have a chance to try an AG700 (which is admittedly quite different from the TH series) it would be worth a listen. It still has the Aggie vibe, but with a slightly more modern sound and a solid powerful feel. Duke's cab has switches and a sealed operation option that can get you pretty old school sounding even with a more modern voiced head.

Is the C112T the Thunderchild? I don't see a C112T on their website. But wiht the Thunderchild seems like with the switchable 4-8 ohm itself would be worth the upgrade. Going to the TH500 wouldn't be too far of a stretch either, with Sweetwaters finance deals. AG700 I've seen looks great, but def prefer a more vintage tone.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Al Kraft]

Is the C112T the Thunderchild? I don't see a C112T on their website. But wiht the Thunderchild seems like with the switchable 4-8 ohm itself would be worth the upgrade. Going to the TH500 wouldn't be too far of a stretch either, with Sweetwaters finance deals. AG700 I've seen looks great, but def prefer a more vintage tone.

Thanks for the info.

Actually I don't think it's on the website yet and is a shorthand for the Changeling cabs. They are essentially (please excuse me Duke for oversimplifying) Hathor cabs with an additional mid range driver and associated compartment (set of holes) on the back. They really tend to give some additional 3-D sound to the cab and allow the band to hear your bass with much greater definition.

The "T" or tall versions only add like 3 or 4 inches, but give you a couple more dB at around 60Hz. This gives the cab some nice additional depth IMO. The Hathor and Changeling 112 are not super deeply voiced, but more than sufficient in the low end to rattle some windows...even in the house nextdoor.

I own a TH500 specifically for when I want that old-school, tube kind of touch and the Aggie does a great job delivering it - so I hear you on that one! Just remember that Duke's cabs have switches to roll off the top end and smooth out the mids, and can be operated sealed. You might be surprised at the old-school voicing that cab can give you with a thoughtfully EQ'ed hi-fi head.

 

[nonohmic]

TH500 Hathor Tall Sounding like a pretty sweet rig!

 

[Real Soon]

Curious if you picked one up; I just fired off an email to Duke about a 1203 a few minutes ago. I think I'm going to stick with the base configuration, as I'm moving from a 2x10 stack and am very okay with the slightly tighter low end of a smaller cab.

Since these guys really hug the ground, I may think about solutions to angle or raise it a bit...since my ankles don't really need to hear what's coming out, y'know?

 

[Al Kraft]

Curious if you picked one up; I just fired off an email to Duke about a 1203 a few minutes ago. I think I'm going to stick with the base configuration, as I'm moving from a 2x10 stack and am very okay with the slightly tighter low end of a smaller cab.

Since these guys really hug the ground, I may think about solutions to angle or raise it a bit...since my ankles don't really need to hear what's coming out, y'know?

You might be shocked at how well you hear yourself with that "Swiss cheese" mid chamber allowing sound to come up to where your ears are. Your low bass tones should be fairly easy to hear as they are omni-directional. I do not find a need to raise my cab up to clearly hear my bass. YMMV!