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Aguilar Tone Hammer 500
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Aguilar Tone Hammer 500
3Dos 3Dos

«  Its the ultimate 2.2Kg »

Published on 01/31/13 at 02:49
Excellent amp Class D lightweight and portable (2.2Kg) Its features are limited to the minimum necessary (which is more than enough considering the quality of the preamp)

So we have a little monster 500W (@ 4Ohm) offering connectivity simple but effective:
- Rear: 2 Speakon outputs for (s) speaker (s), an output jack for the tuner
- Front: input jack (with a-10db switch instruments for high output level, eg assets) and return to send an effects loop (apparently intended for rack effects, the manual recommends connect the pedals so traditional series between the bass and the amp) and a DI of excellent quality with 2 switches (pre / post EQ and ground connection or not)

The controls on the front panel:

Gain - Drive - Bass - Mid level - Mid Frequency - Treble - Master

Brief simple in simple (over time I started to get tired of fighter that takes hours to set). This being said, the TH500 has settings very reactive and, despite its simplicity to explore a wide range of different sounds!

So why 8/10 while everything seems pretty cool? Well, simply because the send return should, I believe, be found to the rear. But mainly because the head is not rackable as natively MarkBass could be the same size. it does not eat bread predict what set ears racker 19 "but good. it's still anecdotal because with a little imagination, a drawer for pedals and velcro, it can be held in a rack!

UTILIZATION

The config is very simple but effective! Each knob used to something and does its job!

The manual provides some information on the use of the amp and especially on good practices to use on it (clipping, effects loop, etc.).

The preamp is so huge that it's almost hard not to have a good sound! You can go anywhere (crystalline, fat, round, dynamic, brutal ... This is awesome)

SOUNDS

Definitely a nice big 10/10. The preamp of the head is simply magical ...

The gain works hand in hand with the drive to push the preamp and do cruncher (then no, there is no lamp but YES saturation is extremely good and versatile) By working with these two controls you can get more saturations styles with semi-parametric Eq. If you set the EQ so as to have a round and mellow (like pushing the high mids, bass and cut the treble a bit) we'll get a fuzzy sound pretty deep. If you pass on a more metal / nag (bass boost / cut the mids and trebles) we will obtain a more typical overdrive and there, it really is the big mistake!

Personally, I use it for two styles that are relatively opposed metal and stoner rock. (The 2 types described above)

Lowering the drive for more clarity, you can get a huge sound from crystalline to slap at her very hot jazz.

Another point that really put me on the ground, it is the dynamics and precision of sound (the "mids" of Eq is huge) and regardless of the type of sound you search, we will hard to go unnoticed in the mix! It is quite impressive. This amp has even managed to sound fairly evenly all the strings of my Stingray without compressor before.

I tested on a Trace Elliot 1x15, 2x15 Fender Bassman, an Aguilar GS410 and a Ashdown MAG 414T sounds of hell on 4!

In short, this is for me one of the best amps I've owned (I prefer even my Aguilar DB750 is to say!)

OVERALL OPINION

I use this head for one short month and I think to keep it for a few long years! I really fell in love with the preamp versatile and effective all at great maneuverability and transportability (Class D, thank you!)

Before have I played a lot on the Trace Elliot (very clear and focused set) I also have tested the Ampeg, EBS, Markbass, Aguilar, etc.. and I must say it is really THE head I needed! So yes, it is a bit expensive given the size and that it's full transistor but do not forget that it's handmade in NY. It's exemplary work and support is pretty good at Aguilar. In addition it has nothing to envy to many amps at full lights sounds.