Will I regret ordering a TH350/DB112 without hearing it first?

FarkusSWR

FarkusSWR

Sep 14, 2005
295
254
4,551
Treasure Coast, FL
#1
First, some situational info. My wife and I both will be going to be back in school starting next month (her full-time, me part-time, both at the age of 48:nailbiting:) , so we are currently living in a small apartment with very limited space for an amp.
I am not currently in a band, but I am looking to get a compact head/cabinet combo (pretty much set on a 12") to which I can add another cab if I end up wanting to gig again in a couple years when school is done.
After hours of reading reviews, and researching what seems like every bass head I could find, my eye was caught by Sweetwater and their 36-month no-interest promotion on Aguilar stuff. I am considering, specifically, a TH350 and a DB112.Nobody around here stocks it for me to go try out, but it seems like they are very well-liked and the reviews are good. I am looking for good, clean tone with just a touch of warmth, and most of what I am reading says that's pretty much what this combo does.
Now, I know I can order it, and send it back if I don't like it, but frankly that is a PITA. If you have any experience you can offer with this combo I would appreciate your input. I am in no hurry; the promo runs for another week or so.

TL;DR version : I need a small amp. If you have a TH350/DB112 combo please tell me how you like it.
 
#3
I've owned both - had a TH 500 for a while, and a pair of DB112s. Ultimately didn't care for either - the TH has a very vintagey sound (a bit too dark for my tastes) and the Aggies sounded good as a pair but one didnt cut it for most of what I did. Mostly rock/blues, not real loud. In today's market, with alot of choices out there for 112 cabs, I personally think that they're overpriced. Others I am sure will have had a different experience and opinion.

Not sure how much of your decision is based on the need for financing, but if not, there are better options to be had for less money. Especially if you look at used for the amp head. After much searching (and buying and selling multiple cabs) I landed on RevSound. You can get a 112 or 115 for around $500. Amazing cabs, light and powerful. I use a 210 and can't imagine needing a second cab for just about any gig. But alas, none of this would happen through Sweetwater.

My suggestion is to try and find a place to try the Aggie stuff first, even if you have to drive a ways - Sam Ash, Bass Central, surely someone has them within a few hours of you? You may love them, but if not you'll have a big shipping bill to return them.

As always, your mileage may vary. Good luck with the search!
 
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#4
The DB cabs are not what I'd call "compact". I like the tone, but it is pretty mid focused. The TH heads tend towards the thick/vintage vibe, so that pair would be great for a more old school tone, but not the most flexible IME.

There are a ton of small/loud heads these days. Cabs are a bit more of a pita if you're looking for small but giggable - there are ones out there, but usually more by boutique builders.

If you're living in a small apartment, I'd go for a headphone amp, or maybe a small combo (Rumble?). Maybe this Fender Rumble 100 1x12" 100-Watt Bass Combo
 
#5
bherman said:
I've owned both - had a TH 500 for a while, and a pair of DB112s. Ultimately didn't care for either - the TH has a very vintagey sound (a bit too dark for my tastes) and the Aggies sounded good as a pair but one didnt cut it for most of what I did. Mostly rock/blues, not real loud. In today's market, with alot of choices out there for 112 cabs, I personally think that they're overpriced. Others I am sure will have had a different experience and opinion.

Not sure how much of your decision is based on the need for financing, but if not, there are better options to be had for less money. Especially if you look at used for the amp head. After much searching (and buying and selling multiple cabs) I landed on RevSound. You can get a 112 or 115 for around $500. Amazing cabs, light and powerful. I use a 210 and can't imagine needing a second cab for just about any gig. But alas, none of this would happen through Sweetwater.

My suggestion is to try and find a place to try the Aggie stuff first, even if you have to drive a ways - Sam Ash, Bass Central, surely someone has them within a few hours of you? You may love them, but if not you'll have a big shipping bill to return them.

As always, your mileage may vary. Good luck with the search!
Click to expand...
Remember, everyone has their own sound in their head which they like. I like the vintage sound. YVMV
 
#6
Thanks for the input, gentlemen. Turns out I was searching for TH 350 (with a space) instead of TH350. Once I figured that out, it returned way more results, most of which mention the vintage, tubey and dark as you have mentioned here.
As far as the financing part, that was just a matter of convenience that would allow me to get a rig a few months ahead of schedule without any interest. Still might just wait a bit.
I think I may be better served by a GK MB 500 or maybe the Fusion version. More research!
 
#7
Once you get the hang of the Tone Hammer's eq..and DRIVE &GAIN controls. . I'm sure you will be very pleased with this rig.
With the drive off and gain very low. ..it's a very clean tone. The drive control is pretty much a high pass and low pass filter combined. Adding in gain will give you grit or overdrive. .. but keeping them off yields a nice clean tone. ..albeit with a strong vintage, tubey character.
The GK is pretty much the opposite. . Horses for courses
 
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#8
FarkusSWR said:
Thanks for the input, gentlemen. Turns out I was searching for TH 350 (with a space) instead of TH350. Once I figured that out, it returned way more results, most of which mention the vintage, tubey and dark as you have mentioned here.
As far as the financing part, that was just a matter of convenience that would allow me to get a rig a few months ahead of schedule without any interest. Still might just wait a bit.
I think I may be better served by a GK MB 500 or maybe the Fusion version. More research!
Click to expand...
Waiting and researching is always a good idea. I had a MB Fusion 800 as part of my search for the holy grail amp, and it sounded good but was almost too hot to handle. The Fusion 500 might be better. With its od channel it was definitely more versatile than the TH - clean or dirty (or blended) your choice.
 
#9
The TH amps really aren't as dark/vintage one-dimensional as people make them out to be. I mean, they do that kind of tone really well. But it isn't like you can't get a more modern clean sound out of them. IMO a lot of the complaints about the TH amps come from people who never really understood how the Drive & Gain controls work. They can definitely be a little confusing.
 
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#12
Have you considered anything from the Traynor small block series? Great sounding clean amps and built solid.

I have an sb106 and it’s perfect for bedroom playing. 50W with a 6 inch speaker. Surprisingly, it handles a low B without trouble. At bedroom volume.
 
#13
Will you regret it?
The answer is 'maybe'

But I've bought MANY things without hearing them in person first. Most used - If you get a good deal you can usually get your money back out of it if it's not for you. Or the GC/Amazon type return policies. Ask around (Like you did here) and get an idea what it sounds like from YouTube and you'll probably make a good decision. It's worked for me.. Mostly... :unsure:

Just reread your OP, and I just told you what you already know. So... There ya go! :thumbsup:;)

Stoopid night shifts....
 
#14
Agree with most of what's been written here.

The 350/db112 will get you the vintage old school round tone in spades. It's versatile enough to do the slap thing of course, but i find that this combination excels in old school tone. The Aguilar sound.

As you said, you could always add another 112 for louder gigs; so you certainly have some options open for you.

The Aguilar stuff is very well made and has a reputation for reliability. Customer service is excellent.

But all of this said: what type of bass are you playing and what sort of tone are you after? That will determine most of all whether you are happy with this setup.
 
#15
If you're in the Treasure Coast area (I'm in Boynton Beach) you're even closer than I am to BassCentral. Maybe a bit over a 2 hour drive. It would definitely be worth it. They carry just about every major brand of bass amp, it just depends what they have in stock at the time. They're a dealer for Aguilar.
 
#16
I drive 2 DB112s, one with a tweeter and one without but with an Acoustic Image Clarus SL R, a very clean, Hi-Fi type amp and the cabinets which really shine as a stack, reveal more of the character of the bass than anything else. The G&L Jazz has a ton a of low end and it's there. With that one I have to dial down the bass and low mids and dial up the integral HPF or it's a window rattler. On the G&L LB100, their version of the P Bass, I have to dial up low mids and bass to get that kind of response. Even playing a few CD's through the cabinets through the return of the Clarus and the cabinets at least through that amplifier are not what I'd call woolly or definitely old school tone. They can be, but not exclusively. I have never used a Tonehammer though. Maybe someone else can chime in using DB's with a Hi-Fi type amp.
 
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#18
I played through DB12’s for many years. Great sound - though mid-focused, they could EQ nice and thick if you wanted. They did sound better with two than one on any good-sized stage. That’s true of 112’s in general, IME - with the exception of some boutique items. I ran GK MB’s through them mostly and was quite happy with that combo. My biggest complaint was the weight - 42 lbs, but it does reflect the quality of their construction - real tanks!
 
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#19
I've gigged a TH500 (same preamp and eq section as the TH350) for about 200+ gigs, going from jazz, rock, electronica and all in between. I had two DB112's but swapped them for a more powerful DB410.

The TH amps have "by nature" a non-hifi sound, but they can reproduce that perfectly. Personally I really don't like amps with a mid scoop. In all Aguilar heads, the mids are more pronounced, but you can easily alter that by using the onboard eq. I think it's better to "cut" frequencies than to "boost", but that's a personal preference.

The DB112's are great cabs that can handle most genres of music and types of basses, fx, fingers or pick. One cab is great, a pair of them is a very powerful "mini stack". On bigger stages, you'll always have PA support and monitors.

I'd also consider the SL112: a bit more modern sounding and they don't need a lot of volume to "work" good in the lows. The DB cabs like to be pushed a bit more (especially the DB410).

I've never had any issues with the TH amp or the Aggie cabs: 100% reliable. I find myself using my DB751 and DB410 a lot more these days, since I play bigger stages more often. It's a bit heavy, but the tone coming from that combo is heaven to my ears. ;-)

Good luck with your search!
 
#20
I have never been as disappointed by an amp as I was the Tone Hammer 500. I got a great deal on one when Bass Northwest went under. I got it with out hearing it. The amp totally lacks high end. Depending on the sound you are into this could be good or bad. It does have a thick tube like tone. There are a bunch of really good small bass amps out there. Don't be in a rush to get an amp. Take the time to find what is right for you.

The DB112's are great cabs though.
 
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