Advice on a new rig

[Pabre]

Hey what's up everyone. I'm new here.

I just got back into playing bass after a long haitus and I've been saving up some money for a new rig. I already bought a Fender original 50's P Bass, a cable and a pack of flatwounds for the occasional mellow tones.

I'm currently looking into the Aguilar Tonehammer 500 with a 4 ohm DB212 cabinet. I used to be an Ampeg guy but see many of my favourite players play the aguilars and I like what I've been hearing.

Is this a good combo for bar gigs and small clubs? Or would I easily fall short playing stax & motown type of stuff? Or perhaps some Thundercat style neo sounds.
I'm aware of the Tonehammer 700 but wonder if it's still a good match with the db212.

I was going to go for it's bigger brother, the db751, but somehow don't feel like I really need it and don't want to carry around any extra cabs either. And if I don't need the amp, it would save me lots of money and weight to carry around.

It's probably something that has been discussed before but hey, I'm new

 

[Balog]

It should be loud enough for what you’re using it for. The Tonehammer family has EQ and gain sections that interact with each other in non-intuitive ways. It’s a good amp by all accounts but read up on how the knobs all work together.

 

[The Bass Clef]

The DB751 is one of the best amps known to man, but I would never gig bars and small clubs with one. Just too big and heavy for that kind of gigging. The TH500 will do you just fine for what you want to do. I recommend going with 2 1x12s as opposed to 1 2x12. Easier to carry one in each hand, and you can choose to bring just a single one for small rooms. I have a TH500 and 2 SL112s and I consider it the best rig I’ve ever owned, pound for pound (and I’ve had many many rigs over the years including Ampegs, Mesas, Markbass, and lots more).

 

[Pabre]

It should be loud enough for what you’re using it for. The Tonehammer family has EQ and gain sections that interact with each other in non-intuitive ways. It’s a good amp by all accounts but read up on how the knobs all work together.

Thanks, I will look into this.

 

[Pabre]

The DB751 is one of the best amps known to man, but I would never gig bars and small clubs with one. Just too big and heavy for that kind of gigging. The TH500 will do you just fine for what you want to do. I recommend going with 2 1x12s as opposed to 1 2x12. Easier to carry one in each hand, and you can choose to bring just a single one for small rooms. I have a TH500 and 2 SL112s and I consider it the best rig I’ve ever owned, pound for pound (and I’ve had many many rigs over the years including Ampegs, Mesas, Markbass, and lots more).

Thanks. How would the low end, or the sound in general, of two single 12 cabs compare to a 212?

 

[Jim Carr]

Hey what's up everyone. I'm new here.

I just got back into playing bass after a long haitus and I've been saving up some money for a new rig. I already bought a Fender original 50's P Bass, a cable and a pack of flatwounds...

...would I easily fall short playing stax & motown type of stuff?...

Welcome to Talkbass.

Can you tell me, does your P-bass a single coil pickup and an uncontoured body? AFAIK, the instruments used in the classic Stax/Volt and Motown recordings of the 1960s, mostly used the newer style split coil pickup/contour body P-bass.

 

[The Bass Clef]

Thanks. How would the low end, or the sound in general, of two single 12 cabs compare to a 212?

If you’re talking about the same series - like 2 (8 ohm) SL112s vs. 1 (4 ohm) SL212... or 2 (8 ohm) DB112s vs. 1 (4 ohm) DB212, then I don’t think there will be any discernible difference to your ear at all. The ohm load on the amp and the wattage the speakers will each get from the amp will be the same in the end. The speakers are the same and push the same amount air too, so the only difference could be slightly different dimensions inside the cabs. Likely not nearly enough to actually hear in the context of a band.

 

[Jim Carr]

Thanks. How would the low end, or the sound in general, of two single 12 cabs compare to a 212?

With the same drivers and equivalent cabinet geometry, it would be difficult to hear a difference.

I might add it is much easier to transport 2 smaller cabinets in a small vehicle, than it is to transport one large cabinet. However, moving a larger cabinet that has wheels integrated is generally much easier than lifting and carrying two separate cabinets. Also, it is likely that the weight of two 112s will exceed that of a 212 having the same drivers and similar cab space/materials.

 

[Pabre]

Welcome to Talkbass.

Can you tell me, does your P-bass a single coil pickup and an uncontoured body? AFAIK, the instruments used in the classic Stax/Volt and Motown recordings of the 1960s, mostly used the newer style split coil pickup/contour body P-bass.

Yes it's the contoured one with the hum canceling pickups. Maple fretboard. But it's not that I'm after replicating that exact sound. I did in the past when I played a lovely Palladino signature and an svt. Great set! But I grew fond of maple fretboards with old roundwound Roto's and amps with a bit more direct even sound.

 

[tshapiro]

Generally, I always like more speakers and a 212 is still pretty easy to transport. And, that 212 comes in either 8 or 4 ohms. Just so you have the most options for not much more money, I would get the 700 paired with the 8 ohm 212. Then, you could always stack another 8 ohm 212 if you have a larger gig or want to get a more vertical setup.

 

[Pabre]

Generally, I always like more speakers and a 212 is still pretty easy to transport. And, that 212 comes in either 8 or 4 ohms. Just so you have the most options for not much more money, I would get the 700 paired with the 8 ohm 212. Then, you could always stack another 8 ohm 212 if you have a larger gig or want to get a more vertical setup.

Unfortunately I drive a Toyota Aygo. (didn't think I would be playing again) I hope it fits a single 212 plus my bass. So that's why I was looking into the 4 ohm cab.

 

[buldog5151bass]

500 watts and 2 12s is more than enough for that.

 

[tshapiro]

Unfortunately I drive a Toyota Aygo. (didn't think I would be playing again) I hope it fits a single 212 plus my bass. So that's why I was looking into the 4 ohm cab.

Makes sense. One last thing just thinking about the future is if you get the 700 you could always swap out for the 410 in the future if circumstances change.

 

[Pabre]

Makes sense. One last thing just thinking about the future is if you get the 700 you could always swap out for the 410 in the future if circumstances change.

Yeah, the 700 does seems to have a few benefits. I believe it can also do 2 ohms but I'm not sure if it does it exactly.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Welcome aboard.

Some of the class D amps are great, but IMO my Ampeg PF50-T along with a good 212 cabinet will cover most needs, especially if you have PA support. I use mine all the time with a RevSound 212 cab. All the great tone of a V4B rig in a small package. Check them out. You won't be sorry, especially if you love that vintage Ampeg sound.

 

[hennessybass]

Welcome.

The TH500 / DB212 rig is top notch, and will do everything you need it to do.
I've owned both of those pieces of gear, although at different times, and did LOTS of gigs with both.

My only comments...
1. The DB212 is heavy, which you probably know. I went with a different 212 cab due in a large part to the form factor of the DB212 - It was tough getting it into the little back seat of my truck and I had lots of crazy load-ins, and the casters did not hold up well. I replaced them twice before I sold the cab. Otherwise a fantastic looking and sounding cab.
2. The TH500 can get dirty, and some guys struggle with making it work. My advice is start with the Master volume all the way up, and go from there. The "Drive" knob is not "drive" as in distortion, but more like an "old school" voice knob. It works interactively with the gain and the more you turn up the drive, the more the gain gets dirty. Like I said, start with plenty of master volume, and go from there... at least my experience.

Sounds like between the bass, amp, and cab, you've got a good thing going.

 

[Pabre]

Welcome aboard.

Some of the class D amps are great, but IMO my Ampeg PF50-T along with a good 212 cabinet will cover most needs, especially if you have PA support. I use mine all the time with a RevSound 212 cab. All the great tone of a V4B rig in a small package. Check them out. You won't be sorry, especially if you love that vintage Ampeg sound.

Things is, I also like to be able to play really dynamic, articulate parts and remember having some trouble with the V4B back when I played one at a small venue. It went overboard pretty quick. I did think it was the coolest sound I ever had for rocking out with a pick.

 

[Pabre]

Welcome.

The TH500 / DB212 rig is top notch, and will do everything you need it to do.
I've owned both of those pieces of gear, although at different times, and did LOTS of gigs with both.

My only comments...
1. The DB212 is heavy, which you probably know. I went with a different 212 cab due in a large part to the form factor of the DB212 - It was tough getting it into the little back seat of my truck and I had lots of crazy load-ins, and the casters did not hold up well. I replaced them twice before I sold the cab. Otherwise a fantastic looking and sounding cab.
2. The TH500 can get dirty, and some guys struggle with making it work. My advice is start with the Master volume all the way up, and go from there. The "Drive" knob is not "drive" as in distortion, but more like an "old school" voice knob. It works interactively with the gain and the more you turn up the drive, the more the gain gets dirty. Like I said, start with plenty of master volume, and go from there... at least my experience.

Sounds like between the bass, amp, and cab, you've got a good thing going.

Cool thanks, that's some useful info.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Things is, I also like to be able to play really dynamic, articulate parts and remember having some trouble with the V4B back when I played one at a small venue. It went overboard pretty quick. I did think it was the coolest sound I ever had for rocking out with a pick.

Yeah on the PF50-T if you set the gain above 11 o'clock it starts breaking up quickly. I usually set mine at around 10 o'clock and then adjust the volume with the master. Never needed to have the master past noon, maybe 1o'clock. And the transformer DI to the PA is amazing.

 

[InhumanResource]

Hey what's up everyone. I'm new here.

I just got back into playing bass after a long haitus and I've been saving up some money for a new rig. I already bought a Fender original 50's P Bass, a cable and a pack of flatwounds for the occasional mellow tones.

I'm currently looking into the Aguilar Tonehammer 500 with a 4 ohm DB212 cabinet. I used to be an Ampeg guy but see many of my favourite players play the aguilars and I like what I've been hearing.

Is this a good combo for bar gigs and small clubs? Or would I easily fall short playing stax & motown type of stuff? Or perhaps some Thundercat style neo sounds.
I'm aware of the Tonehammer 700 but wonder if it's still a good match with the db212.

I was going to go for it's bigger brother, the db751, but somehow don't feel like I really need it and don't want to carry around any extra cabs either. And if I don't need the amp, it would save me lots of money and weight to carry around.

It's probably something that has been discussed before but hey, I'm new

Sounds good to me, get the solid state and the 212 and you'll be good as long as it is either a small room or you have solid FOH support. Personally I'm done dragging around the big rig unless absolutely necessary. You can always throw down for an additional cab if necessary, but I doubt you'll need one unless you plan to play outdoors with a vocals only PA.