Conan

Probably steer clear of the Aguilar TH500....

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1427364643' post='2729305'] as the owner of the F1 that will be up for test I'm interested in hearing the difference that the strings will make, all of my basses have flatwounds so I'm hoping that the flats+th500+midgets will sound the way I remember, [/quote] Well, after friday evening's test/microbash the results seem pretty clear... There was distortion from the TH500 through the midget as well as the Big One - with my Jazz (roundwounds) and Matt's Letts fiver (flats). Matt has a much lighter playing style than I do, and even then the break-up was apparent. The F1 sounds clear and clean through both cabs. So it would appear that my TH500 has a slight fault. Probably caused during shipping when I traded it Oh well, no use whinging about it - I need to get it tested and fixed! Once it is working properly and I get a chance to see what it is really capable of, I might even be convinced that it is worth keeping!

[quote name='tonewheels' timestamp='1427590489' post='2732165']...punchy, warm and well defined. Don't need stupid lows or stupid highs. And I want a minimum of controls. Just need a good sound and a volume control. It's not bloody hard! [/quote] Hartke LH500? Very simple, very loud, very clean and clear. Hard to get a bad sound out of IMO...

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1427389217' post='2729818'] Here's a nice video of the Tonehammer by our own (I assume) Walbassist. Anybody hear distortion or lack of clarity? [/quote] OK.... er, what's your point? It's fairly clear that very few other users have noticed what I have noticed, but it would appear to be a problem caused mainly by my use of the Barefaced Big One cabinet. Also, as we all know, video tests are largely useless as it is more of a test of the speakers that we listen to the video through...

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1427378035' post='2729605']I use an Aguilar TH500. I've only heard of with 1 amp with a problem.. [/quote] As I assume you are referring to mine... It is becoming increasingly clear that the amp is not the problem in itself, but using it with a Barefaced Big One is causing issues. Despite this, I still think that the TH500 is a great amp - and incredibly small and portable for its capabilities

Just bought a bridge from Ian. Completely hassle free and delivered amazingly quickly! Highly recommended

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1427373147' post='2729469'] I thought I'd posted here about the GK MB500 Fusion, but it seems to have disappeared! [/quote] Yeah, I saw that and then wondered where it had gone! BTW Mark, did you ever use yours with your Big One (erp!)? How did it sound?

So it would appear that, for me (and my current cab) that [b][i]headroom[/i][/b] is the key... Hmmmm There are a couple of amps in the for sale section that might be able to offer that!

Aguilar TH500? Great amp - although it might be worth having a read through this thread first...! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/257641-aguilar-th500-distortion-issues/

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1427359226' post='2729220'] I think the reason I`ve not noticed much drive/distortion is due to using dead roundwounds, and cutting the mids/boosting the highs [/quote] Another good point Lozz! I tend to use fresh roundwounds (with extra zzzing!) and I tend to boost the mids wherever possible. I also have my treble set reasonably high. All of these factors will be having an effect, but I suspect the biggest factor is the cabinet. Maybe the Big One is just too accurate, detailed and revealing for some amps? It will certainly be interesting to hear what a Markbass F1 sounds like through it tomorrow...

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1427359226' post='2729220'] I think you`re right re the Barefaced cabs - they reveal all that`s put into them, no colouration or bias in any areas. [/quote] Pretty much - although I think one or two of them [i][b]are[/b][/i] coloured to give a specific tone...

Managed to borrow a Trace Elliot 4x10 last night. Played the first half of our rehearsal through it. I [i][b]think[/b][/i] the distortion issue disappeared I say "think", because although it was better, and nobody else in the band noticed any distortion, I could still hear it ever so slightly... However, I think that this is because I [i][b]expected[/b][/i] it to be there, and was listening for it. Once I switched back to my own cab, the singer commented on how much better my tone was. It was certainly much more clear and detailed - and I suspect therein lies the "problem". The Big One reveals the sound of [i][b]any[/b][/i] amp, warts and all. Normally this would be a good thing! Loads of other people on here have used TH500s, and many have used Barefaced cabs - but (to my knowledge) few have combined the two, and [i][b]none[/b][/i] of them have played the Aggie through a Big One. So my experiment has a sample size of one - which, as any scientist will tell you - is not a valid test! I'll report back on tomorrow's "micro-bash" test of course, but I suspect I can already predict the results...

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1427216093' post='2727392'] Must say, all the GK amps I've used have been too grindey for me. [/quote] What do you mean by "grindey?

Fuse?

Dear me! I'm still whiting for a decent pun! Still, no use pouting about it...

Thanks molan I think we may have slightly different ways of phrasing things, and we each interpret each other's words in a way that was not quite intended... such is the problem of the internet! As I've said, I will be trying the Aggie through a couple of other cabs tonight and on friday. I will also be able to try other amps through my cab. I have also tried different leads and cables, and different basses - so I am doing my best to identify the "problem" (although I'm starting to suspect that the problem is my own ears!). I've had a number of amps and cabs over the years, and I have never experienced this issue before. But the only amp I had previously used with my Big One was the Hartke LH500 - which is known for being clean and clear. When I tried the TC RH750 (briefly!) the tone was fine (once I found one!) but the problem was how fiddly the controls were... As Alex has suggested, maybe the clarity of the cabinet and the sensitivity of my ears is highlighting a very minor issue that many others would miss? If so, it is a problem I could do without... I like the layout of the TH500, and I like its basic tone - but despite having tried most settings I can still hear a slight break-up (particularly on higher notes, as described by Jazzyvee). I suppose I could live with it, and it doesn't sound like a fault - but if I can get a cleaner sound from another amp without having to change my cab (which suits me) then i am happy to do so. There are so many brands that I haven't tried!

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1427211195' post='2727243'] I too, was a bit put out by the title of this thread. It certainly reads like we, the ones that are left are uninteresting and worthless.[/quote] I read it that way too...

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1427209982' post='2727220'] Your definition is a little off of the norm means the amp is ok and saleable as is and just isn't your cup of tea...or your definition is correct and the amp is faulty... ?? IMO, of course. [/quote] If I understand this correctly (and it is not your clearest post!) then we should hopefully have the answer to this on friday when we try the amp through other cabs, and other amps through my cab.

[quote name='mSz' timestamp='1427210136' post='2727225'] From tks webpage: [size=3][color=black][font=verdana][i][b]All UK orders are handled through [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk"]Bass Gear[/url], if you're located in the UK, contact Bass Gear to or purchase one of the cabinets they have in stock or place your order.[/b][/i][/font][/color][/size] If Bass Gear is an official retailer of their products in UK, I guess this is a good place for the discussion. [/quote] Fair comment - but it did look as if it was going to progress in a rather unpleasant way, and that is unlikely to do anyone any good. Better to wait till it is resolved before posting here I think...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROcKPuPvcWU

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1427207369' post='2727150'] It's an interesting point made about alternative social media and if it becomes the standard practice in future for like minded folks with common interests to use stuff like facebook groups then ultimately the days of internet fora will be numbered. I think we're a way off that yet though. [/quote] I don't use FB and never will. I will always use for a like BC.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1427195509' post='2726909'] To me, it sounds like it could be a faulty amp and people are trying to help you figure out if it is or not. I didn't think anyone was saying that your views are wrong [/quote]Maybe I'm being a touch sensitive...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1427201996' post='2727018'] Good idea Alex - do you have any suggestions as to where one could purchase such a cab? [/quote] TKS?