Difference Between Aguilar Tone Hammer and MarkBass Little Mark?

[Linus27]

For anyone who's had or knows, what is the difference in tone between the Aguilar Tone Hammer heads and the Mark Bass Little Mark heads? I currently use a Little Mark IV and I generally find it clean, punchy, fairly versatile if perhaps a little sterile. I do like it though and have been happy with it if not perhaps finding it a little underwhelming. Lets say it does a solid job without too much fanfare.

 

I recently played two of my basses through an Aguilar Tone Hammer 350 and I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and dynamic my basses sounded. They had a lot of sparkle and definition, and one bass in particular, a passive Fender PJ with fretless Status graphite neck and flats really came alive. I'd read previously, comments saying that a graphite neck can really show up poor technique or be quite noisy as it's very clean and accurate but I'd never found this in the past until I played through the Aquilar head. I had to really focus on my technique but what I was rewarded with was a gorgeous tone that just sung. Both basses which are fretless sung beautifully.

 

My understanding was the Tone Hammer heads are generally warm sounding but the head I played through was super clean, punchy and sparkly. The head was connected to an Eich 1x10 so that may have also played a factor in the clean tone but either way, the tone was quite special and its piped my interest.

 

So I'm interested if anyone can comment on comparisons between the Aguilar Tone Hammer heads and the Mark Bass Little Mark heads.

[ghostwheel]

I haven't got any answer to your question, so please bear with me. I'm just curious whether you played the TH with AGS on or off. As far as I understand, the preamp of TH is super clean, so it's the AGS function which makes it sound warm. I've got a Tone Hammer preamp v1, and the AGS is always on with gain set somewhere before it gets some grit.

You've probably already seen this one, but if not, it might be helpful. Or not.

[Lozz196]

Well I found both to be a warm vintagey sound, but with the TH able to add in drive as required. Other than that the main difference I’d say were the highs, with the TH being at a much better eq point than the LM - this could be why your bass sounded so different.

[Linus27]

11 hours ago, ghostwheel said:

I haven't got any answer to your question, so please bear with me. I'm just curious whether you played the TH with AGS on or off. As far as I understand, the preamp of TH is super clean, so it's the AGS function which makes it sound warm. I've got a Tone Hammer preamp v1, and the AGS is always on with gain set somewhere before it gets some grit.

You've probably already seen this one, but if not, it might be helpful. Or not.

 

That was super helpful, I hadn't seen it so thank you. I'm actually liking the AG more than the TH after watching that video. As for the AGS on the TH, I have no idea but I think everything was flat and it sounded very bright.

[BassAdder60]

I’ve got the LM IV and had a TH 700 

 

The TH is more tube like and vintage / warm sounding or can be with its drive. Takes a lot of tweaking to get just right.

The LM IV is simpler and has different EQ points and totally clean although the old school control can darken it some. 
The LM IV is a loud amp and good head room and is in my opinion better and more flexible than the TH 

However I plan to sell mine as I need something with a bit of grunt and with a built in compressor. 
Although also a clean amp I’m waiting on the arrival of the TE1200 ( second time I’ve purchased one ) as it’s amazing in its tone and compressor. 
Not grind or snarl but great sounding