I have the tone hammer 500 and I agree it’s a really good amp, very clear and warm tone with some punch. You don’t need a compressor, it evens things out naturally. The drive sounds great, its adds some vintage warmth. Another good thing is you can safely use it without a cabinet just as a DI.
Nice descriptions of the amp tone you gave here. My only experience with Aguilar amp (and cab) was as house backline on a gig in NYC and it was one of the best sounding live rigs I've used, deep, warm, and punchy. Good amp.
Super helpful honest review. I have always been more in the Mesa and Genz Benz camp but I played an AG 700 once at a music store. I really liked it. Never tried the Tonehammer but this video makes me want to try one. Just like you, I'm always unhappy with the sound *I* get personally out of a Jazz bass even though I in general love the sound of a Jazz bass.
Hi, adding Bass works better by turning low mids down, it definitely gives a more usable bass boost range. Also depend on the cab you use, I think. Beast of a head, TH500 user for 8 years! Thanks for the channel, keep it that way!
Wow seriously fantastic review! I've had this and the AG700 for a couple years and I appreciate the TH all the more after listening to your review. Thanks 👍
So you put your WD 800 out to pasture🙂 I just bought one and your Videos helped me make that decision. The Tone Hammer sounds excellent but many have been frustrated understanding Drive, Gain and EQ interaction. This Video should help
I have the amp, and I totally agree about the drive and break up being farty. I like the break-up of my Fender SB 300 a lot better. But it's a great amp. I've been using it for over a year w/o any problems. And it's very light!
Thanks for your great descriptions. Very helpful. I have an active fender p + bass. Any idea how this amp would perform? Some of the ampeg amp have a -15 db control on the amp when using active basses. May i would just not need to turn up the volume up as loud with the 700? Thanks
Awesome video my friend. I currently gig at local clubs with this exact amp. I play a G&L Kiloton with a Darkglass Hyper Luminal compressor always on a high ratio (5:1) Cali76 (FET) setting and it sounds killer. Aguilar's cabinets are incredible as well. Highly recommend anyone to snag one of these.
Hey bro. Thanks for the review and also explaining how the drive knob actually works. I’ve a question about the gain knob. Does it work exactly like any other gain knob, control’s the amount of input from your bass? I’m used to a clipping light. I normally set my gain until I see the clipping light flash then back off. Is the approach different in the tone hammer? Lastly does the gain knob and drive knob have an effect on each other? Cheers
The gain, drive and EQ work interactively. The more drive you add, the more bass and top end roll off you are going to get. The manual has a good description of this.
@@IvanBassist cheers for the response. This explanation makes sense. I’ll check out the manual. The v2 has the exact circuitry. They just added an extra di and headphone in at the back which allows for cab IR’s. They removed the clip light. In the process of looking for new amp so your video and link to talkbass thread is very helpful. Hope all is well your side bud
accurate description, but my opinion is that the DI alters the result in a decisive way, it would have been better to go directly from the bass into the amp.just my 2 cents
Very interested in the TH700 or TH500. I play in a rock band, mostly clubs. Usually go through PA but sometimes not. Looking for reasonable cab weight. Any recommendations on cab? SL 212 or two SL 112's im leaning towards but open to your thoughts...thanks
I prefer the DB cabs, but they’re much heavier. I prefer having a modular setup, so two 1x12s would be better for me personally. How big are the venues where you are playing? How much capacity? If they room is too big, you might need more speakers
Hi Frank! Yes. I'm aware that it rolls off some bass, but it also does other things EQ-wise and it, of course, adds saturation. What I meant is to have a dedicated HPF to clean things up in case things are boomy on stage
Thanks, Jeff! I no longer have the WD-800, but that one has a much more aggressive midrange than the Tone Hammer. Sort of like around 2.5 kHz The Tone Hammer is much more vintage voiced and warmer. Both are great amps, but sound very different
If i remember correctly, the only other difference is that the TH700 can be plugged in to cabinets resulting in a 2.67 Ohm load. For example a 4x10 4ohm cab an a 1x15 8ohm cab
Loudness is also very dependent on speaker size/amount. What kind of cabinet(s) do you have and what kind of music do you play? With that being said, my 700 is loud enough and I haven’t needed to go higher than noon on the master volume.
Hey Ivan, aside from fan noise have you heard any hissing or white noise sounds coming from the speakers when you’re not playing but the amp is still powered on or is it dead quiet? I’ve heard some people claim there’s a subtle hiss, but I didn’t notice that when I tried it at the store. I was in a louder environment though. I’d like to make sure there isn’t any noise from the amp before I buy one. Anyone else who owns one of the 500s or 700s I’d love to hear from you as well. Thanks!
I have the tone hammer 500 and I agree it’s a really good amp, very clear and warm tone with some punch. You don’t need a compressor, it evens things out naturally. The drive sounds great, its adds some vintage warmth. Another good thing is you can safely use it without a cabinet just as a DI.
Yeah. The DI is great!!
@@IvanBassist also, the cooling fan is very quiet. Rare for a powerful class-D amp.
in what cabinet do you conect it?
Best review yet. Honest and informed. I wish every RUclips reviewer was this informative! Thank you😊
Thanks for watching! Glad to hear the video was helpful
You are right about the Fender Jazz Bass sound with AG700, which I have it for the last 4 years.
Nice descriptions of the amp tone you gave here. My only experience with Aguilar amp (and cab) was as house backline on a gig in NYC and it was one of the best sounding live rigs I've used, deep, warm, and punchy. Good amp.
That’s how I ended up buying the amp. I had the TH500 + DB410 as backline for a gig and it really blew me away
Super helpful honest review. I have always been more in the Mesa and Genz Benz camp but I played an AG 700 once at a music store. I really liked it. Never tried the Tonehammer but this video makes me want to try one. Just like you, I'm always unhappy with the sound *I* get personally out of a Jazz bass even though I in general love the sound of a Jazz bass.
I would like to hear this back to back with the EBS Reidmar 750
Hi, adding Bass works better by turning low mids down, it definitely gives a more usable bass boost range. Also depend on the cab you use, I think. Beast of a head, TH500 user for 8 years!
Thanks for the channel, keep it that way!
Thanks for the input! :) Which cab(s) do you use?
Wow seriously fantastic review!
I've had this and the AG700 for a couple years and I appreciate the TH all the more after listening to your review.
Thanks 👍
Glad I could help! 🙌🏽
Great review!!!
So you put your WD 800 out to pasture🙂 I just bought one and your Videos helped me make that decision. The Tone Hammer sounds excellent but many have been frustrated understanding Drive, Gain and EQ interaction. This Video should help
Glad to hear you are enjoying your new amp :)
I have the amp, and I totally agree about the drive and break up being farty. I like the break-up of my Fender SB 300 a lot better. But it's a great amp. I've been using it for over a year w/o any problems. And it's very light!
Yep. Great amp!
Thanks to this video, I bought this great amp. Thank you!
Felicitaciones!
Thanks for your great descriptions. Very helpful. I have an active fender p + bass. Any idea how this amp would perform? Some of the ampeg amp have a -15 db control on the amp when using active basses. May i would just not need to turn up the volume up as loud with the 700? Thanks
This one has a -10 db pad in the front in case your input is too hot. You should be fine :)
Awesome video my friend. I currently gig at local clubs with this exact amp. I play a G&L Kiloton with a Darkglass Hyper Luminal compressor always on a high ratio (5:1) Cali76 (FET) setting and it sounds killer. Aguilar's cabinets are incredible as well. Highly recommend anyone to snag one of these.
Thanks for watching :) it’s a great amp!
Hey bro. Thanks for the review and also explaining how the drive knob actually works.
I’ve a question about the gain knob. Does it work exactly like any other gain knob, control’s the amount of input from your bass?
I’m used to a clipping light. I normally set my gain until I see the clipping light flash then back off. Is the approach different in the tone hammer?
Lastly does the gain knob and drive knob have an effect on each other?
Cheers
The gain, drive and EQ work interactively. The more drive you add, the more bass and top end roll off you are going to get.
The manual has a good description of this.
@@IvanBassist cheers for the response.
This explanation makes sense. I’ll check out the manual. The v2 has the exact circuitry. They just added an extra di and headphone in at the back which allows for cab IR’s. They removed the clip light.
In the process of looking for new amp so your video and link to talkbass thread is very helpful.
Hope all is well your side bud
accurate description, but my opinion is that the DI alters the result in a decisive way, it would have been better to go directly from the bass into the amp.just my 2 cents
Very interested in the TH700 or TH500. I play in a rock band, mostly clubs. Usually go through PA but sometimes not. Looking for reasonable cab weight. Any recommendations on cab? SL 212 or two SL 112's im leaning towards but open to your thoughts...thanks
I prefer the DB cabs, but they’re much heavier. I prefer having a modular setup, so two 1x12s would be better for me personally.
How big are the venues where you are playing? How much capacity? If they room is too big, you might need more speakers
Thank you for the insight.
Glad it was helpful!
this might warm up my Ibanez EHB-1505
excellent demo
my local GC has this and a Mark Bass Vintage head - checking out both today!
Cool! Hope you find the best amp for your needs :)
Ivan I really appreciate your videos, we have similar taste in amps. Did you know that the drive knob acts as a sort of HPF as you turn it up?
Hi Frank! Yes. I'm aware that it rolls off some bass, but it also does other things EQ-wise and it, of course, adds saturation. What I meant is to have a dedicated HPF to clean things up in case things are boomy on stage
Hey Ivan, how would you compare this to your Mesa WD800? I’m on the fence with these two. Thanks and nice playing?
Thanks, Jeff!
I no longer have the WD-800, but that one has a much more aggressive midrange than the Tone Hammer. Sort of like around 2.5 kHz
The Tone Hammer is much more vintage voiced and warmer.
Both are great amps, but sound very different
@@IvanBassist Thanks I was curious about that too. You seemed pretty happy with the MESA. I bought the D800+ and so far so good.
Hi Ivan. A part from the volume, is any more difference between the TH 500 and the TH 700?
If i remember correctly, the only other difference is that the TH700 can be plugged in to cabinets resulting in a 2.67 Ohm load. For example a 4x10 4ohm cab an a 1x15 8ohm cab
All amps have a HPF built in. Do you mean an adjustable HPF?
Yes.
Should I get the 700 or is 500 enough? I'm planning to go through my sansamp pedal.
Loudness is also very dependent on speaker size/amount. What kind of cabinet(s) do you have and what kind of music do you play?
With that being said, my 700 is loud enough and I haven’t needed to go higher than noon on the master volume.
@@IvanBassist I'm playing through the Aguilar SL 410x 800W cab.
@@Mattgreenhausdrums Do you have PA support when you play live? If so, the 500 should be fine.
You could get a separate hpf from Broughton Audio for example.
I use the HPF on my Quad Cortex.
@@IvanBassist do you placve the QC in front of the amp or in the send/return?
@@hodshonf in front without a cab or amp block
Amigo todo el sonido está saliendo por line out vdd ???
Si me acuerdo bien, mezclé la señal del DI out y la de un microfono Shure SM7b
Hey Ivan, aside from fan noise have you heard any hissing or white noise sounds coming from the speakers when you’re not playing but the amp is still powered on or is it dead quiet? I’ve heard some people claim there’s a subtle hiss, but I didn’t notice that when I tried it at the store. I was in a louder environment though. I’d like to make sure there isn’t any noise from the amp before I buy one. Anyone else who owns one of the 500s or 700s I’d love to hear from you as well. Thanks!
Hey Kyle, I havent noticed anything like that
what bass is that ? thanks
My Dingwall Super PJ :)
Where are these made? Asia?
NYC, if I’m not mistaken
@@IvanBassist Amazing! Must pick one up!
all tone hammer demos are done with guitars nobody has