Aguilar AG 500SC

Aguilar AG500SC:

Full 5-band EQ
Deep and bright voicing buttons
FX Loop with push pull for -20db and series/parallel
DI out with gnd/lift post/pre EQ and Push/pull for -10db
tuner out
mute button
-10db button for active basses
2 1/4' and 2 neutrik slots for your cabs

What more do you need??

I played it with a Music Man Stingray 5
I play gospel/rock/jazz/funk/slap and this amp really takes what I throw at it. Its the most warm solid-state i've played and its punchy!
When its not being played this thing is as quiet as when it is turned off, no humming or buzz. nothing.
Its an Aguilar, it sounds like aguilar, it sounds amazing. and SUPER CLEAN!!
you can boost this thing UP and it still stays clean

Light weight and solidly constructed. Never had a problem with it. Nothing more to say.

Never dealt with Aguilar

If it were stolen i'd either replace it or get a markbass (super light and powerful)
Sounds closely to the Ampeg SVT-4 Pro only at 1/4 of the weight.
For the money its hard to beat. Definitely a keeper though!

This is a stripped-down, no-nonsense amp that seems geared towards the gigging musician. Sensible layout makes for easy setup, and high-quality materials are used throughout. This (unlike many other digital amps) uses the Class T chip that replicates a class A/B amp.
I've owned another digital amp that was quite nice, but could not compare to this with regard to sound quality. This amp also features a large transformer and power supply, neutrik connectors and nice brown crinkle paint.

After having used a Superfly, and Acoustic 160, bassman 135 and a Mesa 400+, i was pleased to find that the AG500sc has a very warm sound. the old cliche about having a tube-like sound actually applies here. 5 don't find it to be as neutral as some amps on the market, but it's a pleasant tone that works well with all kinds of basses.

As far a volume goes, this is an amp that gives the feeling of unlimited power. it can drive my 2x15 cab to very high levels distortion free-some folks may want an overdrive pedal, as this amp stays clean almost all the way up.

my favorite thing about the sound is that it is dead quiet-more than any other amp I've fooled with.

I do worry about digital chips...the rest of the board is populated with discrete components, but I pray the chipset is reliable...probably will be, but this is a relatively new thing. i plan to gig w/o a backup.

warranty is 3 years which makes it less than some other aguilar products.

I've been playing since Jimmy Carter was president.
if it were stolen I'd probably get the $400 carvin digital amp, but only because I'm too poor now.
There's nothing i do not like about it. i suppose i would like it to operate to 2ohms, but other than that, it's perfect.

I'v got the 2008 model in black (it's also available in 'boss brown'), it has input with -10db button for active basses, treble, high mid, low mid and bass eq knobs, high and low boost, fx loop in series or parallel, XLR DI with pre or post eq and ground lift, and finally a mute button. And its a killer 500 watts at a weight of 18lbs!
This is the single channel hence SC, I didn't bother with the 2 channel one as I have a distortion pedal that works for well for me. I found the effects loop a tad strange at first as I have ever used one but, after a couple of hours of playing around with it I got the hang of it and loved every bit it! You're able to blend the dry signal with that of the effect and get the most out of your pedals/processors. It has everything you need.

Im using an un-modified Stingray 4 string with 3 band eq through a Mark Bass std 410hr and it sounds incredible! Playing in a primarily funk orientated band with ska and rock side projects, the head is able to cope with all styles faultlessly.
My settings are the bass boost button in with the bass knob at 1 o'clock- basically flat. The warmth and thickness of the sound is amazing and I have never had so many compliments on my sound before.
When shopping for a cabinet for it I tried a few other heads through the Mark Bass cab just for comparison and the Aguilar wiped the floor with them, the mark bass heads were good but no where near the fullness that the Aguilar gave. Boosting the bass on it doesn't make it louder, it makes it more bass-y with out wallowing it in muddy, nasty bottom end, there is still every bit of definition as it is flat. I look forward to my next practice and gigs just so I can play it loud!
Probably the best bit is the headroom; total harmonic distortion rate (if I'm not mistaken)- 0.003%!!!! You can keep turning this thing up and it is as clean as a whistle.

I don't think I will need a backup, this thing is very well built. Aguilar seem to be pretty committed so it seems reliable enough.

Never needed to contact them but have heard good things about them.
Warranty is 3 years.

I'v been playing for 8 years and have become very picky about my sound, this amp head is spot on! Though the last one was pretty good (Hartke HA2500) and I'v had to spend 4.5 times as much to get something better!
The sound of this is just incredible, I love it. It won't get nicked because it won't be out of my sight! I love the versatility of it, the headroom is outstanding, ease of use is excellent.
If you're looking for a high quality head then you HAVE to check this one out, better than Mark Bass heads, Ampeg heads don't even come close! SWR can't touch it and its as good as Mesa/Boogie at a fraction of the cost. Do not buy a new head without considering this one!
Very strongly recommended.