The Aguilar Podcast Ep.1: "What's the best amp... for me!?" featuring Ian Martin Allison

Episode 1 of the new Aguilar Podcast!
Our own Jordan Cortese got a chance to sit down with Ian Martin Allison to check out our new AG and Tone Hammer amplifiers! They dig into the backstory, the specs, play some bass, and share a few laughs along the way.
We're so excited to share the podcast with you! In future episodes we'll be featuring some of our team, artists, luthiers, and more, so subscribe today!

[@trebm]

I love the way Ian speaks with passion, listening to him and the rest of the SBL team really restored my love for bass!

[@danielelise7348]

Love IMA,I've never come across anyone so passionate about all things bass before.❤️

[@DamianStyga]

100% agreed

[@BigS67]

Much as I like Scott my favourite duo is IMA and Sharon ….. such infectious enthusiasm in that pairing it’s a must watch ….

[@BigS67]

Much as I like Scott my favourite pairing is IMA and Sharon such infectious enthusiasm is a must watch !

[@schwoebel]

How cool is that? My favorite amp brand and my favorite bass nerd together. 😎

[@AguilarAmplification]

Thank you! ..and yes, Ian is the best bass nerd

[@lewisyouknow]

Got to love Ian, great guy, infectious enthusiasm for bass. Aguilar are the best, my favorite is my ag 700, because i use a thunderbird with lots of different effects pedals. Its a perfect combination for my sound

[@idolbass]

Love IMA, I play Rock/New Wave and the Gallien Krueger suits that perfectly. Never tried an Aguilar, but I might like to one day. Great having the lower OHMs and 2 DI's. Excellent. Subbed for the series, must admit, I'd watch Ian at the opening of a matchbox.

[@clementblanc2131]

Why not including those IR options on the new THDI ?...

[@andylove1224]

So awesome! One of these will be next bass amp. Headed up to the Seattle Bass Shop to see which one inspires me. Great show!!

[@AguilarAmplification]

Great shop! Enjoy!

[@thierry18]

Spector + Aguilar is my dream rig. Even a tone hammer di pedal would appease me! One day...

[@admarhermans1]

Great podcast! These amps were always great to begin with and now they might be even better (and they just won’t break down like some other brands out there tend to do...). I really love the new look too. Played a Tone Hammer for some years, but now I’m more curious about the AG! IMA makes for a great co-host! Next podcast about (various) speakercabs please, because they’re mostly overlooked. And they’re so hugely important (still! 🙏) for all of us working our butts off doing smaller gigs all the time. 🖖

[@AguilarAmplification]

Thanks so much! And yes, a cabinet podcast is on our radar for sure! 😎👍

[@lionsdenblog]

You had me at “roux”… great way to describe the sound!

[@abrahamcantu6147]

I love the Aguilar tone hammer. I was introduced to it by a bassist friend and it is an awesome amp and the SL model speakers are also awesome. I need to play with the settings more, but I am just like Ian. I feel I will blow up the speakers if I move the knobs too much lol.

[@knappymer]

I really enjoy Aguilar using the tried and true DI tricks from their Darkglass brethren with those IR slots. Now that Aguilar and DG are both under the Korg umbrella, I think it's cool that these two companies can share resources and tech while staying true to their DNA. And thanks to the new Aggie crew for keeping Dave's passion alive.

[@AguilarAmplification]

Thank you!

[@booksimmersed]

Really love the feel of this show. I'm in!

[@jens-martinkjeldsen8200]

I like my Tone Hammer 500 and SL112 very much, but ... Can something be done about the fan? It makes a lot of noise, even when you "just" practice in the bedroom. How is the cooling system in the New Tone Hammer?

[@AguilarAmplification]

Hello Jens! Our V2 amplifiers use a dual-fan system similar to our V1's that efficiently expels hot air while drawing in cool air, ensuring the amp maintains its power output of 500/700 continuous watts. Designed to perform under harsh conditions, this system prevents thermal shutdown by automatically adjusting fan speeds based on the current thermal conditions. We hope this information is helpful!

[@nicolasbidau8310]

I had exactly the same question. I 've own th500 for few years and i 've got an ag700 (v1) for few days : fan noise is even slightly louder on ag700 VS th500.... Considering Aguilar answer, It seems new versions are noisy too. It's not a huge problem but it's something to have in mind when you want to play/practice at low volume in a quiet environment. That being said, I love my AG 700 , no regrets. It sounds amazing.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Dude awesome!!! Happy to be here for Pod 1 !! You got my sub with IMA

[@BassDawStew]

That DB751 back there looks a lot like the one I have here.... what an amp. Worth the weight of the schlepp.

[@davidhunter9434]

First Aguilar product I purchased was the original OBP-1 that I added to my then newly acquired Modulus Silver Sparkle Flea bass in the late 90's (one of the "rejects" from Flea's assortment from Modulus - his then sponsor). Running through the Lane Poor pickup, the OBP-1 it was a revelation. My install guy was stunned at the transformation. Tone for daysI I ultimately ended up with a Bartolini pickup (the Lane proved a bit too clinical for my tastes), and that Flea bass/Aguilar/Bartolini pickup combo served my well for the next 2 decades. Between it and my Sadowsky Jazz,, I have been set for every gig - period. Also fell in love with Aguilar GS cabinets. My absolute go to, shut the house down bass cab. Utilized GS112s exclusively, adding and subtracting them depending on the gig. They have never failed. Band mates, front of house, and audience compliments never ceased. Wish Aguilar would bring them back! Loving the tone of these updated AG and TH amps. Once again, Aguilar slays!

[@waltblaze]

Sounds great. Any news on a TH350 v2?

[@Metalbass1979]

I'm pretty much set on grabbing the Tone Hammer for an African, European, American tour next year. The company that I've been with for the past decade and a half decided to cease production, and I can finally now admit that I've wanted one of these for a while. The V2 just sealed the deal, especially since it has international voltage switching.

[@turdusmerula_]

OH MAN! This is the holy grail of podcasts

[@AguilarAmplification]

Thanks! Enjoy!!

[@Daniel_Toussaint]

“The one that inspires you” 👌🏻👌🏻

[@moumentai9865]

This is amazing, please make more I just bought a TH500

[@AguilarAmplification]

More coming soon!!

[@amanisax5630]

Great show! Was wondering why you’d go ag700 vs ag500? Sounds different ?

[@AguilarAmplification]

With the new V2 amplifiers all connectivity is streamlined across the 4 amps, so with the AG 500 vs. AG 700 the only real difference is volume and price point. Do you need the additional wattage? If so, go 700! If not and you're mostly playing smaller/medium sized venues, go 500!

[@amanisax5630]

@@AguilarAmplification thanks so much!!

[@michaelanderson4265]

Are you playing the bass in the active or passive mode..? ( I only use the amp’s EQ when playing passive )

[@AguilarAmplification]

Spector was active, Fender was passive!

[@mattrudybass]

Awesome. Sounds great!

[@Ayitsryan]

Let’s go !!

[@stuartanguish5111]

Looking for a new amp , I play pubs and clubs ( not massive ) and was wondering what wattage to go for to match my 4x10 and 1x15 cabs ?

[@AguilarAmplification]

Either 500 or 700 models will power a 4x10 and 1x15 (as long as one or both are 8-ohm cabinets). For a lot of bassist 500 continuous watts is plenty, but it really depends on multiple variables. How loud is the rest of your band? Are you running a direct line into the house sound system?

[@klaymeister]

Tone hammer pedal with IR? 😊

[@BigS67]

Both the tone hammer and AG preamps with IR agree its the logical next step......

[@ThatGuyOnBassYT]

Can you upload these onto Spotify / Apple Podcasts too please?

[@AguilarAmplification]

"The Aguilar Podcast" is now available on all podcast platforms! Enjoy and subscribe for future episodes!

[@RobMLyon]

Best Amos in the world (to me) and I have owned them all

[@thejoetandy]

absolutely love IMA's passion and insights, but feeling a bit mad my wife walked in during him recounting his wifes insights into the section about getting good mattering more than gear! 😡❤

[@AguilarAmplification]

Hard truths! 😜

[@pCeLobster]

Ian picking up on the roux thing turned a very hipster comment into a charming and funny moment.

[@martinheath5947]

Listen to James Jamerson soloed bass. No bass player needs the best bass tone in the world of all time because it's what best suits the music and the overall mix.

[@michaelfarrugia9603]

Is the DB button in or out on both basses?

[@AguilarAmplification]

Great question! I believe Ian and Jordan kept the DB button out and Ian compensated volume on his bass/the volume control onboard.

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/Magnifico.💪✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️

[@brian-c-pearl]

Will this be on podcast platforms?

[@AguilarAmplification]

Just KZbin for now!

[@brian-c-pearl]

Ok…would love to check it out sometime but can’t watch KZbin videos while I’m driving ☹️

[@AguilarAmplification]

@@brian-c-pearl "The Aguilar Podcast" is now available on all podcast platforms! Enjoy and subscribe for future episodes!

[@ralf6300]

What bass is Ian playing there? Great to see you guys talking nerdy...

[@jagpanzer16]

U.S. Spector NS 5 string

[@AguilarAmplification]

Ian's Spector Custom Shop NS-5 and Jordan's Fender '68 Telecaster Bass!

[@Zakbass84]

This is amazing and sad at the same time. I keep finding pedals and amps that do exactly all of the things I want them to do but to accomplish that I would need 2-4 of them. A dual channel Tone Hammer amp or pedal would solve so many problems.

[@bassictone]

❤

[@ericvassy2849]

My Tone Hammer pre-amp pedal is a must for my rig

[@neric.999]

The best Sound to sound all of the same quality and way for music without research and Soul something that. This video from an international manufacturer remains marketing with this guy Ian. No doubt about your products, ok So we stop using the others? The important thing is not to have electronic and electrical problems_ over time.

[@spoonysmalls]

The one you can afford?!?

[@ericvassy2849]

It is so damn unfair… Ian Martin Allison makes me want to buy everything he touches.