The BEST Preamp/Direct Box for BASS GUITAR?? Aguilar Tone Hammer Review

[@shinichisugiura1321]

I really love this pedal, its tone and design. Especially for passive basses.

[@RumblinMan]

It's pro stuff!

[@CC-fi3pp]

They best DI option for old-school passive basses like a P bass.

[@moiseslejano]

Thank you for this honest review bro

[@RumblinMan]

Thank YOU!

[@ILOVSAXXX]

Great review! I am also a saxophone player. You often need a preamp to carry signal of sax from mic to effects to speakers. Would this work for that and build the signal a bit?

[@RumblinMan]

I would go with some kind of tube preamp.

[@DarlonUsher]

@RumblinMan was trying to look for a universal power supply for mine, what’s the one you’re using?

[@RumblinMan]

I was just using a One Spot! Worked fine.

[@andreypetty7283]

Solid information. I just bout my tone hammer about 2 months ago and I'm still figuring it out. Its really fun and amazing to use for recording and for live stuff.

[@RumblinMan]

Andrey Petty awesome!! Glad you’re enjoying it. It’s definitely a great-sounding unit. Crystal clear.

[@Flaviul]

I love this pedal, nice review..but can you tell me what in-ears do you use in the video(or in general)? Thanks ;)

[@RumblinMan]

Flaviul I use an affordable pair of Shure in-ears. For the money, they’re great! Here’s a link: amzn.to/31oTEhG

[@Flaviul]

Thanks for the answer! Maybe that would be an interesting topic for a review :)

[@RumblinMan]

@@Flaviul Great idea!!

[@DTaylorGuitars]

I'm getting one of these on Tuesday (Anny Silver Edition) and I cannot wait!

[@RumblinMan]

Congrats!!

[@kostis6]

Very well explained thanks :). I have a question if you don't mind. I have already recorded 3 tracks with my trusty Radial J48 so is there a way to feed the Aguilar with those pre recorded DI tracks so i can blend them together later in the mix?

[@RumblinMan]

kostis xabeles thank you for the feedback!! Tough question to answer because I don’t know what you’re using the trax for. Seems like it would be possible.

[@kostis6]

@@RumblinMan Thanks :)

[@vinisasso]

I think you could, if I followed you, just plug your bass into the Radial and use its XLR output into your interface channel 1, but also using its passthrough output then run a cabe from it to the Tone Hammer input, and from the Tone Hammer use its XLR output into interface channel 2 (supposed your recording device supports multichannel - most recording interfaces do). Then with channel 1 (clean sound from Radial) and channel 2 (coloured sound from Tone Hammer) you can mix both channels later. I don't know if you could record 2 channels (1 clean, 1 coloured) only using the Tone Hammer. Hope this helps.

[@PingPongPix]

When you began to demo the AGS sounds are you using any reverb, maybe on your interface or software???

[@RumblinMan]

I don't recall using reverb for this vid, but it's possible that I added some using software.

[@PingPongPix]

Thank you for your answer 😃👍

[@moonriver3552]

When recording clean bass connected to the XLR do you just use the master without the gain control?

[@RumblinMan]

Moon River I personally go. Or maybe turn the gain on just a hair

[@TheStarshipBand]

Great demo! Just a question, does the pre/post eq switch only affect the xlr output or both? If I want to have two output signals, one pre and one post eq, can I do that? Thanks a lot

[@RumblinMan]

TheStarshipBand so sorry but I don’t have this pedal now and can’t remember! 😭

[@TheStarshipBand]

@@RumblinMan I see... That's OK. Any idea about where I could find this info? Thanks again ;)

[@RumblinMan]

TheStarshipBand I would check Aguilar’s website and contact support if the answer isnt there. Also, have you checked out the Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra?

[@TheStarshipBand]

@@RumblinMan You're right, going right to the "source" (Aguilar) is probably the easiest way... Dumb me!! About the b7k, I actually have the first version of the b3k (the little monster...) My idea would be to pair it with the Tone Hammer not using the head anymore...

[@bobderosa100]

@@RumblinMan I'm just wondering why you didn't keep this pedal. You were so enthusiastic about it!

[@stanleyc.8642]

Excellent review! Might have to buy one soon.

[@RumblinMan]

Stanley C. Thank you very much! It’s definitely a pro product.

[@matimbasid]

Thoughts on zoom b3n compared to this?

[@kaiyote4717]

Great Video. I cant argue with after hearing it. I gotta snag one!!

[@RumblinMan]

J Michael thank you!!! Enjoy.

[@miltonmagik]

I have a 1977 Rickenbacker model 4001 , as you know those basses are passive, Do yo think that tone hammer pre could boost the output of my bass considerably?

[@RumblinMan]

Milton Bass I absolutely think so!! The master knob can give you some series volume. Plus you have the benefit of the EQ’s as well.

[@miltonmagik]

@@RumblinMan Thank you!

[@paests]

Thanks! One question - would you use this with an IR loader plugin (eg. NadIR) in your DAW as well? Or does it have cab simulation already? Tks

[@RumblinMan]

The Aguilar doesn’t have a cab sim. I’d recommend using an HX Stomp.

[@eddybass68]

im curious about how tone hammer would do against ampeg scr di. i tried looking for comparisons but to no avail. anyway RM whats your take on it?

[@RumblinMan]

I’d go Ampeg.

[@fede11b]

Awesome review!!

[@RumblinMan]

Thank you!!!

[@BullyThaKidd]

... noted... might get a tone hammer amp soon... stay tuned lol

[@RumblinMan]

Can't wait to hear it brother!! Those are sooo nice.

[@nerdventures5419]

Good review. I have a question about the pre/post switch. I can’t figure out which position the switch should be in for pre or post. The manual doesn’t specify and the pedal itself doesn’t have it labeled. Can you give me some guidance? Thanks.

[@RumblinMan]

Edward Grissom wow, that’s a great question. I actually don’t know. My assumption would be that in is pre and out is post. But I have no idea. So sorry.

[@jazperson]

I already have the HX Stomp. Do I still need this?

[@RumblinMan]

Need, no. But it can help.

[@larryclark4222]

The Stomp is more of an effects box than a preamp/DI. It doesn’t have two critical things that this gives you - an XLR output and a volume knob. I use the tone hammer to go direct to the board when playing without an amp or recording, or as my preamp to go direct into powered speakers when I am using a rig. I use a zoom b3n in front of it for compression, chorus, octaver, etc. So I like the two together - they do different things.

[@1okanaganguy]

I wanted to watch several vids on sev DIs. No more. Tx RM. You sold me on Tone Hammer

[@RumblinMan]

1okanaganguy I’m honored! Thanks so much.

[@niallsbasstones9713]

Hey from Dublin I record Bass Covers for You Tube Can I use this is my Recording set up Chain. In other words does it have and input and output to enable the following set up Bass - Aguilar TH - Scarlett Audio Interface - Mac

[@rinonhoxha4059]

...I'm in Love. All a preamp should offer. Blessings.

[@TheCrystalyne]

Great video, enjoyed it

[@RumblinMan]

TheCrystalyne thank you!

[@lewisyouknow]

Great review, god bless

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

Where are these made? Asia? USA?

[@RumblinMan]

I actually don’t know!

[@nemanja9323]

Nice video. Do i need preamp like this for my Sire V7 active bass to PA ? Tnx.

[@RumblinMan]

Nemanja Obradović thanks bro!! Because your bass is active, you might not need the EQ controls on the box. But I would still use something like this because it’s specifically designed for bass and can be helpful in dialing in the right tone, whether your bass is passive or active.

[@nemanja9323]

Rumblin Man Thanks ! U helped me a lot !

[@RumblinMan]

Nemanja Obradović I’m happy to hear that! Any time!

[@viktorbass]

Use the Sire in passive mode + Tone hammer = sweet bass tone ;) I did the same

[@RumblinMan]

harmonium777 nice!

[@TheBassman0327]

Avalon U5 and the Reddi all day

[@viktorbass]

yeah, If u had the money :D ,but the AGS side of the pedal is unreplaceable, I use it in studio for a dirty chanel

[@1okanaganguy]

awesome rig, I just kinda hate the PJ thing... (I'm just now returning my new Elite Precision: it doesn't do P or J as great as the individual guitars, so...)

[@RumblinMan]

1okanaganguy thanks bro! everyone’s got their own preference for sure! I love PJ but others don’t. I do see what you mean because a PJ isn’t gonna sound like a Jazz. Totally different tone. Best to have one of each!

[@levieuxjurassien1665]

Î sincerely hope you dont mind me asking what mind be a stupid question, but, exactly why would i not buy a real amp (like for instance the Quilter Interbass 45) instead of some weird "pre-" amp ? like for real man What ARE the reasons?

[@RumblinMan]

le vieux Jurassien A box like this is designed for running your bass direct. In smaller venues people might only run a direct signal and not use an amp. In bigger venues players might use an amp for monitoring themselves but run a clean signal to house with a box like this. If you want to use it with an amp, it’s an EQ and distortion you can have a little closer to you.

[@CC-fi3pp]

Any Gig you'll do in any big city, you'll probably DI. Also good for home recording as mic'd bass amps are problematic in non treated room.

[@manoloespitia1898]

I’m choosing from these: Tone Hammer Aguilar Sadowsky EBS III …any thoughts on the other 2?

[@RumblinMan]

I haven’t used the other two but I’m sure they’re cool!

[@MegaDieseldriver]

Awesome!!

[@RumblinMan]

Robby Frick thank you brother!

[@alexfithero]

Favorite neckbeard of bass

[@kaybhee6]

can use both outputs ar same time huh

[@AJbassist]

damn this video making me miss that tone a bit, I swapped it out for dark glass b7k ultra cuz I am more a metal guy, also reminds me why I got rig of it

[@bflo1000]

Awesome pedal but it's also $400...A better comparison would be the standard $300 B7k.

[@alexgregory1427]

the Darkglass are so thin, only heavy metal/ punk rock ...for guitar players that double eon bass! We need thick bass!!

[@bflo1000]

@@alexgregory1427 Actually I agree! The Aguilar EQ is good, but I don't care for the OD as much. The DG Ultras will take care of the EQ...Actually, my Bass Fat Drive gives a nice fat grind from anywhere between a slight OD to heavy distortion; without even a blend knob.

[@bflo1000]

@@alexgregory1427 2 Notes Le Bass is another good one.

[@ernieD]

Ive had this Aggie TH preamp for about 3 yrs. Never have found a tone i can use, too grindy for me. I bought the Darkglass B3K n have it on my bass pedal board. I like it ok. Now, I just bought a used Tech 21 Sansamp Para DI-V2. It arrives monday. I can now compare all 3 n sell off 2. I never want face-melting distortion. The B3K has been good. But what ive seen on Utube of the Samsamp. I like what I'm hearing. We'll see soon.

[@kaybhee6]

but the head already got all this,,,

[@paulhopkins686]

Thanks for the video. Beginners question. Am I right in thinking I can take this pedal and put it through a 500w amp and get tone hammer sound just like the tone hammer 500 amp?

[@RumblinMan]

Paul Hopkins I cant say with 100% certainty what the sound would be like in comparison. It definitely doesn’t sound like an amp cab. Also, it isn’t meant to be use as an amp but as a preamp. So, I would say you’d get two very different sounds from each module.

[@paulhopkins686]

@@RumblinMan thank you for taking the time to reply 👍

[@fonkamex]

Paul Hopkins try using it with a power amp, like a Crown XLS, that would sound amazing

[@NeerfSkorpan]

Rumblin Man I actually connect this to my EBS Fafner amp via the effect loop (return I think) so that it cancels out the amps EQ. The results is kind of like the Fafner is powering the cabs (EBS proline 4x10 and 1x15) but the majority of tone is coming from the Tone Hammer. I guess that could be a thing for you to try :)

[@paulhopkins686]

@@fonkamex very interesting. Thank you for the information 👍