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TH heads are not the most flexible, so it depends what kind of sound you're after and whether flexibility matters to you.
In that power range, my choice would be a Genzler 10-2 array combo-much more flexible tonally IMHO and MUCH lighter and has phones out/aux in for practice......can add another 10" or 12" cab and it'll cover a lot. I know you said 12", but that 10-2 array will surprise you, and the form factor would even allow it to be kept on a shelf/desk. It's an amazing piece of gear.
In that power range, my choice would be a Genzler 10-2 array combo-much more flexible tonally IMHO and MUCH lighter and has phones out/aux in for practice......can add another 10" or 12" cab and it'll cover a lot. I know you said 12", but that 10-2 array will surprise you, and the form factor would even allow it to be kept on a shelf/desk. It's an amazing piece of gear.
I have the TH500, not the 350 and currently own the DB210. From the DB series I've also owned the 212, 810, and 115 and played through the 112.
The Tonehammer amps are fun. They can get a good variety of tones aside from "dark and vintage." I was actually put off by this amp when I first started using it because the real trick to getting different sounds are the highly interactive gain and drive controls. They are not one sound amps and once you dial in that perfect sound, it sounds great and I've gotten nothing but compliments on my tone and the signal I feed the board. It also takes pedals pretty well too! Almost surprisingly, I've never been happy with it.
The amp that got me into Aguilar was the AG500 which I still have and play as my main amplifier. If it says anything, this is my third one! They are very interactive heads that uniquely responds to your picking hand dynamics and this is something that TH never could compete with. The transient response on the AG is almost unreal, so its not necessarily a knock on the TH. Its also easier for me to dial in my sound with the very straight forward controls on the AG500. Its an amp you have to work to get bad sound out of. I want to give the new AG700 a spin to see if its a true worthy successor to my much beloved AG500s. Mostly since I'm getting to a point where running multiple heads at once isn't out of the question and the original 500s aren't that easy to come by these days.
My gripes about the TH head, without comparing it to the AG500:
-Speakon only connectors
-Not so intuitive EQ section
-Carry case is a tight fit
-Never feel like there is enough headroom
As for the cabinet, I've owned a bunch of the DB series cabinets. They are very well made, but very low mid heavy. I've been trying to love my DB210 since I got it, but I don't always feel like I'm able to get my sound with it. I prefer the GS series. They are a much more modern sounding cabinet and sound great when played aggressively!
Everyone's mileage varies. I like a super thick punchy bass sound and this is what helped me get there from the Aguilar lineup.
The Tonehammer amps are fun. They can get a good variety of tones aside from "dark and vintage." I was actually put off by this amp when I first started using it because the real trick to getting different sounds are the highly interactive gain and drive controls. They are not one sound amps and once you dial in that perfect sound, it sounds great and I've gotten nothing but compliments on my tone and the signal I feed the board. It also takes pedals pretty well too! Almost surprisingly, I've never been happy with it.
The amp that got me into Aguilar was the AG500 which I still have and play as my main amplifier. If it says anything, this is my third one! They are very interactive heads that uniquely responds to your picking hand dynamics and this is something that TH never could compete with. The transient response on the AG is almost unreal, so its not necessarily a knock on the TH. Its also easier for me to dial in my sound with the very straight forward controls on the AG500. Its an amp you have to work to get bad sound out of. I want to give the new AG700 a spin to see if its a true worthy successor to my much beloved AG500s. Mostly since I'm getting to a point where running multiple heads at once isn't out of the question and the original 500s aren't that easy to come by these days.
My gripes about the TH head, without comparing it to the AG500:
-Speakon only connectors
-Not so intuitive EQ section
-Carry case is a tight fit
-Never feel like there is enough headroom
As for the cabinet, I've owned a bunch of the DB series cabinets. They are very well made, but very low mid heavy. I've been trying to love my DB210 since I got it, but I don't always feel like I'm able to get my sound with it. I prefer the GS series. They are a much more modern sounding cabinet and sound great when played aggressively!
Everyone's mileage varies. I like a super thick punchy bass sound and this is what helped me get there from the Aguilar lineup.
I might respectfully suggest that you check out Bass Central in Fern Park, on the east side of Orlando... Not too far and they carry Aguilar products, as well as a lot of other upper tier brands. A small store but way cool! Hopper is very knowledgeable and friendly.
Btw, I have the Fusion mb800 and the Mesa D-800+. They are both awesome little amps in their own ways, with plenty of power. Each with their distinct advantages.
Btw, I have the Fusion mb800 and the Mesa D-800+. They are both awesome little amps in their own ways, with plenty of power. Each with their distinct advantages.
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I can't you'll regret owning that combination of bass rig. I own the same amp and I'm very impressed by the sound. I also own a TC Classic 450 which I quite like also. I do wish the 350 had an effects loop, because I prefer to use my Radia Bassbone direct into the amp section when using my upright. ... You may getting tired of making monthly payments before tiring of an Aguilar amp.
I've used a Tone Hammer 350 with two DB112's (no tweeter) for a few years. I love the sound but not the weight of the DB112's. If I were purchasing Aguilar equipment today, I'd still use the TH 350 but would probably consider a set of SL112's to save a bunch of weight.
I disagree. If properly set, the TH500 can be clean. No drive and no gain makes it as clean as a whistle. I own all the Aguilar heads. To me, the AG500 is the cleanest. YVMV
After listening to a few clips on gwizdala's youtube channel, I would not say it "totally lacks high end". Test driving tone hammers, to get into seriously lacking high end territory, I have to purposefully work the settings rather extremely to do so.
But, yeah, it does sound somewhat lacking on the treble side at times, but I think it's easy to get that confused with the tubeness sound it tries to emulate. I think we often think of tubeness sound with a rolling off of the highs due to the vintage days of tube Ampegs and flatwounds.
It's a good amp, no doubt. We tend to act like smokers with brand identity and a dislike for others that are not our brand.
If clean and clear is a flavor you'd like on tap and/or if you want eq that's intuitive and easy to dial in without a lot of experimentation, there are better choices than the TH IME.
Try a Quilter BB 800 it will knock out the Tone Hammers by a long shot. Also Genzler has 350 definitely worth looking into.
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I'd put in a mention of the Mesa Subway D-800. They're showing up used in good condition, at attractive prices. The Mesa warranty is transferable.
I've gone through a bunch of microamps: MarkBass F500 and F1, GK MB 800 and MB fusion 800, Aggie TH500, and Quilter BB800. IME the Mesa D-800 is the most versatile and intuitive to dial up the tone I want.
As always, that's IME and YMMV.
I've gone through a bunch of microamps: MarkBass F500 and F1, GK MB 800 and MB fusion 800, Aggie TH500, and Quilter BB800. IME the Mesa D-800 is the most versatile and intuitive to dial up the tone I want.
As always, that's IME and YMMV.
Yea, I had a DB210 and loved it with a Markbass LM3. I put feet on the side and placed it vertically. I only sold it as it was very heavy for me to lift. Also had DB112s. Again, heavy.I have the TH500, not the 350 and currently own the DB210. From the DB series I've also owned the 212, 810, and 115 and played through the 112.
The Tonehammer amps are fun. They can get a good variety of tones aside from "dark and vintage." I was actually put off by this amp when I first started using it because the real trick to getting different sounds are the highly interactive gain and drive controls. They are not one sound amps and once you dial in that perfect sound, it sounds great and I've gotten nothing but compliments on my tone and the signal I feed the board. It also takes pedals pretty well too! Almost surprisingly, I've never been happy with it.
The amp that got me into Aguilar was the AG500 which I still have and play as my main amplifier. If it says anything, this is my third one! They are very interactive heads that uniquely responds to your picking hand dynamics and this is something that TH never could compete with. The transient response on the AG is almost unreal, so its not necessarily a knock on the TH. Its also easier for me to dial in my sound with the very straight forward controls on the AG500. Its an amp you have to work to get bad sound out of. I want to give the new AG700 a spin to see if its a true worthy successor to my much beloved AG500s. Mostly since I'm getting to a point where running multiple heads at once isn't out of the question and the original 500s aren't that easy to come by these days.
My gripes about the TH head, without comparing it to the AG500:
-Speakon only connectors
-Not so intuitive EQ section
-Carry case is a tight fit
-Never feel like there is enough headroom
As for the cabinet, I've owned a bunch of the DB series cabinets. They are very well made, but very low mid heavy. I've been trying to love my DB210 since I got it, but I don't always feel like I'm able to get my sound with it. I prefer the GS series. They are a much more modern sounding cabinet and sound great when played aggressively!
Everyone's mileage varies. I like a super thick punchy bass sound and this is what helped me get there from the Aguilar lineup.
But, I still have my 1st Aguilar cabs of choice; GS112/GS112nt.
I use a tonehammer 500 with them and am very pleased with their performance. And, I find the GS series lighter and easier to move with better handle placement.
I didn't say you could not get a clean tone. I said the amp lacks high end. Even with extreme settings I can not get the brightness and snap I am looking for.
If you use flat wound strings, this may be a great amp for you. If you are after a more modern tone, there are other amps out there that may give you your tone, without extreme settings.
If you use flat wound strings, this may be a great amp for you. If you are after a more modern tone, there are other amps out there that may give you your tone, without extreme settings.
I always find it funny when people say that the Aguilar is flexible because of the gain and drive knobs, but then they turn around and say not to use the drive, lol.
With that said, I agree that you may or may not like it. It is dark and vintage sounding although I don't think it is tuby at all. That word gets thrown around a lot on things that really are not.
I like vintage and enjoyed the TH500 at home, but not on the gig. This is one of those amps that you really need to here for yourself to know if you will like it or not. And YouTube is of no help whatsoever with this particular amp.
Good luck.
With that said, I agree that you may or may not like it. It is dark and vintage sounding although I don't think it is tuby at all. That word gets thrown around a lot on things that really are not.
I like vintage and enjoyed the TH500 at home, but not on the gig. This is one of those amps that you really need to here for yourself to know if you will like it or not. And YouTube is of no help whatsoever with this particular amp.
Good luck.
^^^ this
Sure, I could get a clean sound out of the TH500 - but then it was missing something - to me. That is given my technique, other gear, etc so YMMV.
The strength of the amp is more towards the vintage vibe with some hair on the mids and compression. In fact for that kind of sound it would probably be my first choice. Put that with a Barefaced two10 cab (or a pair) and you could Motown/classic rock yourself all the way back to 1967.
Mesa D800 is a more "open" sounding head (set flat) compared to the TH, but is more compressed than my Forte, which is much more towards the hi fi side of thing (though not as pristine as a Glockenklang iirc). The AG500s that I've played in the past were more towards the neutral side of things, though they had a bit of solid state edge to them (as opposed to the 751).
All heads are voiced in some manner, as are cabs. That's why some combinations work better than others, particularly when you know what you're looking (hearing?) for. But in the end there is no right or wrong answer - just what works. Also, playing technique makes a huge difference, and many people ignore or don't take that into account. The same amp will sound different with different players - even leaving settings the same. When steubig and I have done amp/cab shootouts in the past, they always sound/behave differently depending on who's playing through them.
Thanks for all the replies, everybody. As usual, this place is a great spot for knowledge and perspective.
The Genzler stuff is on my short list. There is a new dealer for them about 20 minutes away and I think I will go check them out tomorrow.
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