These are topping my demo list. Looking forward to hearing!

never been a fan of mesa tone, but i love the aguilar stuff. it's just "warmer"?

Charlie Nice review and agreed the Aguilar has a warmth and sounds cleaner than the mesa. Much appreciated

I play through a Fender Rumble. I think it sounds 'muddy'. I suppose it could be my Ibanez basses that I play. Do you think the Aguilar has more clarity for that extra investment?

The Mesa D800 and D800+ have a more neutral and articulate voicing than the Aguilar Tonehammer which is warmer.

nice review

Thanks for the video. Wondering if your opinion has change since then? Have you tried the D800+? The TH500 sounds good, in fact it sounds a lot like my Carvin BX500, but my D800+ sounds fuller and can get a lot of variations from the sweepable Low Mid and Hi Mid eq section. I think you might like the D800+. Cheers...

@chuckbiscuit23

2 жыл бұрын

After using the th500 for the past few years I think it's ok. I definitely miss the Mesa and think I would enjoy the 800+ more than the th500. I supplemented the th500 with a darkglass microtubes 800v2 and I was not a fan at all. Went back to the th500. Looking forward to trying something new hopefully sooner than later. Thanks for the comment

That was fun to watch. When you hit the sub lows on the Mesa: "that feels nice though". Ha! Keep 'em both ;)

@chuckbiscuit23

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Wish I could have kept them both. There's things I loved about them that I could have justified keeping both. The Aguilar just felt better to play through in the end.

I've played both, and while the aguilar sounds great, the problem I have is I can't push it without the power amp clipping. I'm using G&Ls (fretted, fretless L2K and LB100) ad. that amp absolutely hates my L2000s (even with the 10db on) The mesa boogie on the other hand, took it like a champ. So the boogie gets my vote. My .02. Great playing dude. Bass on!

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

geekguitars I hear ya. My lull's preamp isn't too hot so I don't have that problem. I can see where you're coming from. Thanks for checking out my video!

@geekguitars

6 жыл бұрын

charlie strong that's a Mike Lull!? I'm so jealous!. A little out of my price point. I've personally got a Mayones Jabba classic in my crosshairs...love that jazz bass!

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

geekguitars yes sir! I have an mv5. A friend of mine has the jabba Federico signature, that's a sick bass!!!!

@geekguitars

6 жыл бұрын

charlie strong I'm wondering if the new AG700 can take a bigger pounding then the tone hammer!

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

My guess would be yes it can. But I think it has a much different type of pre amp. I bet it kicks ass!

I'll probably get this wrong, but I've always loved the nouns and adjectives people come up with to describe the sound you get from an amp, cab, guitar ... whatever. Here, and on other fora, we have: Aguilar = warmth, depth Mesa = boxy, buttery, fuller, crunchy, beefy. My conclusion is that the Aguilar is made from IHOP and Mesa is powered by a 12oz ribeye.

@chuckbiscuit23

2 жыл бұрын

😄😄👍

Sounds pretty good, I have passed up on this head many times and regret it I got scared of only 500 watts I thought it would be stretching to push but it really sounds strong

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

Charles McGowan Jr. It depends on how loud you usually play. But I have never run out of head room with the th500 going into my berg cn212. I've played with sone crazy loud drummers. I think you'd be happy wth the 500 watts

I totally heard the difference in the 2 heads. The Mesa was good. And in the hands of a good musician nobody could ever fault it. It's quality. But I felt the Aguilar just had more depth to it. It had a little something extra that I really liked. Thanks for the video!

@chuckbiscuit23

5 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment! Did you get yourself an Aggie?

@a.j.garrett9639

5 жыл бұрын

@@chuckbiscuit23 no no. I just bought a Fender Rumble 40 though. :) I haven't played live or had a band in years so my need these days was more a practice amp. I do have a GK 700 RB and 4x10 SWR Goliath cab from back in the day though. Can I ask you how you learned to play? What sort of stuff you were into when you were coming up? Your sound (in your hands) is really good. I enjoyed hearing you play. I watched 3 of your videos today. So I feel like I got a handle on your style. I wish I had that touch! I know the chops come from practice. But the notes you gravitate towards when you are just demoing the bass and amps sound great! I know that reads funny.

@chuckbiscuit23

5 жыл бұрын

@@a.j.garrett9639 that's a good amp. I did a video on that as well. I started out listening to alot of the la studio player bands. Guys like nathan east, Jimmy Johnson, abe laboriel, any musician that did sessions in the 80s I soaked up their music. Hence I'm a huge toto fan too lol

@Charlie Strong - I just picked up the Aguilar AG 700 and have been looking for a good comparison to the Subway 800+. This was about as close as I could find (previous gen of course) were you running both heads through the 2x12 cab? are you still digging the TH500 over the Subway?

@chuckbiscuit23

7 жыл бұрын

Nam Trab yes I was going back and forth with both heads though the cn212. Hands down for me the th500 is way better. I haven't tried a d800+ though. That seems to have more eq options. But the th500 seemed to just fit way better with the cn212. Almost like an old married couple that were just meant to be lol.

@ernied2737

6 жыл бұрын

Just watched a video where (fellow TBer) NoStatic compares the D800+ to the D800 DI Pedal. Hmm, the 800+ has some nice useable features. Wonder if I should wait for a D800+ DI pedal? Doubt that will come out though. Guess I'll have to try the Subway DI Pedal to know. I usually run em thru the effects loop to bypass the amp' built in pre to get a real feel.

@cubby6708

5 жыл бұрын

Nam Trab hows the 700 been

I played through a D-800+ with the Mesa 2x10 cab…I love that setup! I was using a Sterling Stingray 5 and it really sounded great!! Ended up with a Markbass CMD 102P (2x10) combo amp…while I like it for what it is…I kinda want something a little different…I’d love to be able to check out the Darkglass DG212NE cab with something like the Alpha Omega 900 head…

I like my Aguilar TH-350 a bit better than my MESA D-350, it's just more harmonicly rich sounding. I think maybe you should try a Mesa WD-800, I'm really thinking of getting one myself.

Awesome, this is exactly what I was looking for. I just picked up a d800, after selling my tube amp (Traynor). Love the "crunchy-ness" of the Subway, doesn't make me miss my tube amp. I was listening to a recent Faith No More concert on youtube and couldn't believe the bass tone and saw Billy was using the Aguilar TH500 - and immediately wanted to compare, thank you for this! What I can hear from my cans: 4:43 Aguilar: tone is for sure "phat" and warm, nice and thick. Smooth top end... 6:30 Subway: clean, less warm, but more crisp and clear... 7:35 Subway - with boost: warmer, bigger tone, clean but with some "crunch"... Man, both sound great... I might need to get both :) I bet you can get some Bass God, killer rock tone from that Aggie!

@chuckbiscuit23

7 жыл бұрын

Joshua Evans thanks for checking out my video! You are absolutely right! I've only had it out on one gig so far. you can hear it in my gig vlog after I did this video. It was only an duo with acoustic guitar, but I could tell a big difference from playing that same room previous times. The th500's gain, mid and drive knobs work together. After reading the manual i was able to get some killer tones using those. Also it says when adjusting the gain and drive knobs you can make the low end tight and punchy or round and fat. I found this especially true when I was playing my acoustic duo. I was able to retain a warm and rounded tone but dial out the boomyness that you get in that room. I get to check it out tonight with my rock band and see how it does when I get to push it a little louder

@rodrigocostamagna3896

6 жыл бұрын

I think your right, pick up both!!!

I like the 800

Although I have a few amp heads. My main gigging rigs are GK MB800 & Peavey MM 1000 thru a GK 210 or Ampeg 112 or Genz Benz NeoX 112 or 212 depending on the room. So instead of buying more amp heads, I own the Aggie TH DI pre amp pedal. I played with it at home but never gigged it. It will prolly go up on CL for sale soon. Now, I just saw where there is a Mesa Subway D800 preamp pedal. I'm about to order that DI preamp to see how it sounds. Guess I should wait to sell the Aggie pre, so I can compare the two pedals together. TBH, I mostly like the very clean tone I get from the MiniMega 1K alone. We'll see. Nice comparo here. peace, e.

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

ernieD2 thanks for your comment!! Let me know how you like the mesa di if you get it

Nice demo! By the way - is the TC bg250-115 loud enough when gigging? Do you ever use that amp any more?

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

Oystein Haugen I do use it once in a while. Yes it is definitely loud enough for most gigs. I've used it in a few band situations and it had plenty of head room. Big stages it might get pushed a little too much. Jams, small clubs, full band rehearsals it will work. Put it this way. Pretty much every gig I have recorded for my weekly vlogs, that amp could handle.

@oysteinhaugen7055

6 жыл бұрын

Cool to hear. Such an affordable amp! Very good for its price in my opinion. What kind of setup do you use the most?

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

I've been using a th500 through a berg cn212. But I also go through the fractal fx8 for eq, compression, and effects

@oysteinhaugen7055

6 жыл бұрын

Ok thanks!

@ernied2737

6 жыл бұрын

Yup, I get alot of use out of my TC-E BG250-115 combo. Made me leave my amp/cab rigs at home alot for small-med sized room gigs. Very portable and the built in tuner is very helpful. Just trying to use my regular, amp/cab rigs more now for a more varied tone. I've run a couple multi-effects or DI pedals into that TC-E combo with good results. I just don't use the downloadable feature as much as I could. peace, e.

I've been trying to decide between these two for a while now. Thanks for this great video.

@chuckbiscuit23

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!! Curious which one did you go with?

@rnhtube

3 жыл бұрын

@@chuckbiscuit23 I'm thinking the Aguilar. I play heavy music and it seems more suited for that, even with using an outboard preamp/distortion.

@chuckbiscuit23

3 жыл бұрын

@@rnhtube nice! I'm sure you'll be happy with it

@rnhtube

3 жыл бұрын

@@chuckbiscuit23 I ended up with a TH700 and I've had it for a few rehearsals now. I think I made the right choice and it definitely plays nice with the distortion pedal/preamp I use. I am still combatting boominess and what I can only describe as softness/slowness in the low mids, but as I play with it I'm slowly able to eliminate that. That is also partially due to my being in in a corner and a long-needed speaker change. The best thing so far is that I have been able to achieve enough thunk/presence on the D and G string, all the way up the neck to where my playing doesn't disappear when I get up there which is amazing. The "interactive" controls on the Aguilar allow for a lot of possibilities, and it is capable of a lot of different tones with only six knobs, but it takes lots of experimentation. At least it's pretty intuitive. I am curious how I would dig the D800+ due to its extensive EQ section. A high pass filter is definitely something I want and two parametric mids that are more mixer-like would be great. I also think that the low end on a Mesa might be more of a cleaner sounding triangle wave after hearing Mesa Bass 400+ amps do that for years. If we get stimulus money I might get one so I can compare. Thanks again for the video.

@chuckbiscuit23

3 жыл бұрын

@@rnhtube that's awesome. Thanks for your insights. I do think the Mesa would be a little cleaner. But you might sacrifice that low mid presence you noticed playing up your neck that the Aguilar gives you. I'm so curious though. Definitely let me know if you get one to compare!!!!

It might have been fairer to try both heads through the same cab, assuming that they were not? My D-800 certainly does not lack warmth and needs very little twiddling to get a big fat sound. My Barefaced cabs might have something to do with the result.

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

John Daniel yes they were both through the same cab. Thanks for checking out the video!

not sure if you figured out by now...however drive should be used in conjuction with a gain knob..that way you get nice tube like overdrive which can be pushed into fair amount of saturation

@chuckbiscuit23

5 жыл бұрын

Some of them yes. In my opinion I don't think the circuit for this drive is suited for that. But I know what your saying. Good point. Thanks for the comment! :)

@marijanbarac1216

5 жыл бұрын

they also kinda 'advice' it in the manual as far as i am considered, and also say no clipping will damage the amp...but yeah its down to taste and preference after all i like it a little gritty ;) cool video

Your bass has like the perfect jazz bass tone. What kind of pickups are in that thing?

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!! They are custom wound Seymour Duncan basslines

@MrMaynjo

6 жыл бұрын

I've always loved Duncan's, I feel like they don't get enough credit. Are they true single coils or are they hum cancelling?

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

They are great pickups. These are the singles. He does offer them with hum canceling. You can get this bass with fralins too.... I'd be really curious to hear those!!!! I played an mtd at namm with fralins and almost lost my shit lol!!!

Good honest reaction to the amp and the side by side comparison. Subtle differences to be sure but your facial expression tells the story!

@chuckbiscuit23

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Pete!

What is it that you don't like about the MESA? I had an M6 and never bonded with it but so many people rave about the D800. I'm strongly considering the AG700. Takes away some of that baked in TH sound as well as adds a lot of headroom that the TH lacks.

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

Ross Lillebo the mesa sounded really nice but I couldn't get a warm tone that didn't sound too eq'd. It was a low mid thing that I kept fighting each time. The d800+ might have solved tar issue though. Let me know what you think of the 700. I've been interested in the new darkglass amp too!!!

@uwrossl

6 жыл бұрын

That sounds exactly like what I didn’t like about the M6. Lacked warmth. Was sterile but not in a good transparent way. I’m looking for the right head to pair with my Berg NV212T. Coming down to the Bergantino B Amp and the Aguilar AG700.

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

Ross Lillebo yeah. It's a frustrating journey. Hope you find one that works. I've been using my fractal for eq' s now so it helps a little with getting the amps to sound the way I want them

@uwrossl

6 жыл бұрын

The sweepable mids on the Plus would definitely be helpful I think. I don’t like that the bass control attenuates at 80hz. Seems like 60hz is a better spot and could boost the lows better. HPF at 40hz and Bass adjusted at 60hz seems like a sweet spot.

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

Ross Lillebo I agree. I ended up using the deep switch and never touched the lows at all

The Mesa is more buttery in my opinion. Should have upgraded to the D800+ ... More options. So, what about a follow-up on this?

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

That's a good idea on a follow up. There are a few things I'm disappointed with on the th500. The 800+ does seem like it fixed most of my issues with the original.

@ernied2737

6 жыл бұрын

Oh man, some disappointments with the TH500 now Seems that as we play these new amps more you start to realize the quest for that ultimate sound in our heads; continues. I really like what I hear in my Ampeg ri-V4B head, thru a SVT212AV or smaller 112AV cabs. But I'm just so lazy to schlep that amp around when I can grab my GK MB800 or MM-1K and run out the door. I've never been able to dial in "my tone" on the TH DI Pedal. So my quest continues too. From all I'm reading, don't think the D800 DI pedal I want to try will be "it" for me either. Ahh, onward and upward my friends. peace, e.

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

ernieD2 I wish bergantino still made powered cabs. I think a really nice pre through a powered speaker would be really cool

@ernied2737

6 жыл бұрын

Charlie, I'm sure you know this but checkout, Talkbass.com classifieds. Folks always flip gear on there for sale or trade. I just bought a very nice, kit-built Carvin Fretless 5 w/hipshot bridge, DiMarzio pups, unlined Ebony board, lovely mahogony body/neck. Just some very nice features this guy put on this bass, at a very low price to me I need to sell off some gear there soon. So much gear sitting unused now. peace, e.

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

ernieD2 good call. I always forget to check that out

Is there a headphone socket?

@chuckbiscuit23

4 жыл бұрын

No dedicated headphone jack. But there is a tuner out.

Sounds good. You should check out DNA amplification...

@chuckbiscuit23

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks!! Yeah I would love to try their stuff out! I've heard lots of good things

@1313warwick

7 жыл бұрын

charlie strong I have the DNA amp1350 & 4 10 cabinet & I love it.

@chuckbiscuit23

7 жыл бұрын

1313warwick. Nice!! Hopefully I'll get to check those out sometime!

To my ear the Mesa sounds a little boxy in the mids.

@chuckbiscuit23

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah it did have something weird in the mids that I wasn't a fan of. Possibly why they came out with the d800+?

I use a Mesa Subway D800 with a Darkglass Vintage Deluxe Preamp Pedal in front of it to get warmer tones.

So, after this time, what you don't like about th500?

@chuckbiscuit23

5 жыл бұрын

It's a pretty good amp overall. I've been pushing it's limits though lately. Starting to think I need a little more power.... plus I'm not really digging the eq as much lately. But that's usually how I am with gear lol. Never stick with one thing too long Haha

@stefanolecchi5773

5 жыл бұрын

@@chuckbiscuit23 thank you! I recently bought the ebs reidmar wich is great for the money... pretty clean, bright and open sounding... I also want to try the bergantino forte and the trickfish bullhead, I have heard very good things about them :)

@chuckbiscuit23

5 жыл бұрын

@@stefanolecchi5773 those all sounds like killer amps!!!

Ahh ....they are way diff. Aguilar is tight & articulate. The Mesa is warm & puchier. I think U can do more, create more tones with a more versatile amp. Not to say one is better. But it is deff harder to get a "warm" sound than a "tight" sound.

Overall how did you like the D800?

@chuckbiscuit23

6 жыл бұрын

Stewart Ross the d800 was still a bitchin amp. Hard to many too many negative things to say about it

@stewartross13

6 жыл бұрын

charlie strong great

Mesa D800 best bass-head IMHO !

Prefer the Mesa. Sounds way better

Nice demo of the Aguilar paul Liverpool UK

@chuckbiscuit23

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Paul!

That D-800 sounds better 😳

@chuckbiscuit23

5 жыл бұрын

Kinda wish I still had that amp.... 😕

Let’s hear the Mesa thru the Bergantino

The amps sound very similar. I think you just had a bad case of G.A.S. (Gear Actuation Syndrome).

Using different cabinets for a comparison don't work. Mesa is warmer with snap, AND it's MADE IN AMERICA!

@chuckbiscuit23

3 жыл бұрын

They were both through the berg 212 my friend 😉

Would have been better if you played the Mesa threw the same cab.

@chuckbiscuit23

Жыл бұрын

I did.....

"I like the Mesa better" It sounds beefer & thicker where the Aguilar sounds lite in the ass...

@chuckbiscuit23

3 жыл бұрын

After using the Aguilar for a few years now.... I would agree with you man. I miss the Mesa

@jerometene

3 жыл бұрын

Why not get cha another one? By the way, nice playing my bass brother 😊

@chuckbiscuit23

3 жыл бұрын

@@jerometene thanks!!!! I would love to get another one. Might do that after I sell the darkglass amp I bought a few years ago.

@edtoo9198

2 жыл бұрын

@@chuckbiscuit23 Seems my amp tone search algo's have brought your 5 yr old video back around to me. ;>) DarkGlass gear must take a certain person that needs that tone. I bought the B3K pedal about a year ago and just can't make it work for me. Hell, i just bought a $30 Caline American Sound drive pedal last week and it into my SANSAMP BDDI, then into the front of my latest fave amp, GR ONE-350w; sounds darn great now. Still thinkiing to try a Mesa amp, my damn GK MB800 and Peavey Mini-Mega 1K amp both broke down on me. Still have the TC-E BH550 as backup. I'm real curious of the BlackStar Unity 700 bass amp. That's made from the old Marshall company, Heck, I may have to try the TH 500 at some point. I Still have the Aggie TH DI Pedal in a box somewhere. You still rocking the TH500. But looks like your chasing tone again, lol. Been building up my pedal boards lately, so there's that now. GAS....it never stops. peace, e

Should have demoed using the same cabs.

@chuckbiscuit23

Жыл бұрын

I did. The other cab is just a combo that I had sitting next to it for the other head to sit on. 👍

@Zen-js3tx

Жыл бұрын

@@chuckbiscuit23 Ok great valid test then, that was really unclear in the video. I have the Aguilar TH-350 which I really like a lot but have a Mesa Subway D-350 coming in a few days. It will be an interesting comparison.

@chuckbiscuit23

Жыл бұрын

@@Zen-js3tx I have been missing the Mesa a little lately. The th500 is solid but I'm missing some of the clarity I used to get from the d800. Forever not satisfied with gear haha. Probably more of a me problem lol

@Zen-js3tx

Жыл бұрын

@@chuckbiscuit23 I kinda know what you mean. I have a GK MB 200 that has that nice top end but a somewhat deep heavy muddy bottom end. The bottom end of my Aguilar TH-350 is full like the GK but has definition and clarity to the notes. I'm really looking forward to trying the Subway D-350 when it arrives. I'm like you in the way that I'm never satisfied or at least I'm always curious to see if I'm missing out on something. I guess that's why when the Mesa D-350 arrives I'll have 4 bass different power amps. I also have the little Trace Eliot Elf to add to the mix, probably my least favorite of the 3 I have now but I still really like it or it would be go gone by now. It's nice to change things up once in a while, it really gives you an appreciation for the characteristics of the amps that you prefer of the ones you own. So far the Aguilar is my favorite, its nearly perfect to my ears. We'll just have to see if the Mesa changes that but I have the feeling I'll like them both equally.

Mesa sounds better!...