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price. I checked out the AG 500 dual-channel head and
the AG 500SC-112C, a single-channel head in a 1x12
combo.
D E S I G N & C O N S T R U C T I O N
In terms of construction, the only difference between
the standalone and combo-based heads is six top-posi-
tioned hex screws that hold the combo's head in the
cabinet; a couple minutes with an allen wrench and it's
possible to slide out the combo head and use it on its
own. The chassis is a solid welded box with a separate
top plate, resulting in much more rigid construction
than chassis designs that have two perpendicularly
opposed U-shaped panels. The amp's internal layout is
excellent. A beefy toroidal transformer supplies ample
power to all components, as well as the bulk of the head's
The conventional class AB power amplifier is a tried-and-true design, but one that operates relatively inefficiently, producing enough
excess heat to require noisy fans and large heat sinks, which add to an amplifier's bulk. Class D amps are far more efficient. They
produce power by switching transistors on and off at a high frequency using a process called Pulse Width Modulation. The AG 500 is
like a Class D amp, but it utilizes switching technology developed by the Tripath Corporation. The Tripath power amp topology, named
Class T, modulates the output using a proprietary module that purports to eliminate some of the weaknesses of Class D amps while
maintaining the efficiency that's a hallmark of the technology. Aguilar's AG 500 uses a Class T output stage and a conventional linear
power transformer.
weight. Also under the hood are four huge power-sup-
ply capacitors, which provide a substantial power reser-
voir for enhanced dynamic punch and impact.
In addition to its light weight, and quiet, fan-free
operation, the AG 500 offers several gigging-pro fea-
tures, like reliability-enhancing protection modes, a full-
featured DI, a side-mounted carrying handle, and a
front-panel effects loop and footswitch jack. I did wish
the head had feet on the side opposite the carry handle,
as I tended to set it down on its side when loading. The
AG 500SC-112C combo is essentially the company's
easy-tote GS 112 cabinet with an AG 500 head tacked
on. But the short-depth head and added height make
the cubular combo awkwardly front-heavy and cum-
bersome. The combo doesn't accommodate casters, so
I used a dolly to roll into a rehearsal space, but that
TECH SPECS
AG 500 & AG 500SC
HEADS
Power rating 500 watts
into 4Ω minimum
RMS
load
Front panel jacks q"
input with –10dB input
pad, effects send, effects
return, footswitch, D.I.
Back Panel jacks Two
Speakon speaker out-
puts, two q" speaker
outputs, q" tuner out-
put
Tone Controls Channel 1
(+5dB@4kHz
BRIGHT
shelving),
TREBLE
(±13db@4kHz shelving),
(±14db@800Hz
HIGH MID
peaking),
LOW MID
(±14db@400Hz peak-
ing),
(±18db@40Hz
BASS
shelving),
DEEP
(+6db@100Hz shelving)
Tone Controls Channel 2
(AG 500 dual-channel
only)
(broad
CONTOUR
range mid scoop@1kHz
(clockwise flat, counter-
clockwise approx. 20dB),
(+6dB/–10db@
TREBLE
4kHz shelving),
(+4db/–10db@
MID
600Hz peaking),
(+8dB/–6db@
BASS
40Hz shelving),
(+6db@
DEEP
100Hz shelving),
(+6db/–20db@
PRESENCE
4kHz shelving)
Other controls
EFFECTS SEND
level with push-pull
series/parallel,
EFFECTS
level with push-
RETURN
pull for instrument
level/line level, D.I.
/
, D.I.
PRE
POST
GROUND LIFT
Other models Aguilar AG
500SC single-channel
head (list price $1,295;
approx. street price
$970), Aguilar AG 500-
112C dual-channel
combo (list price $2,195;
approx. street price
$1,649), Aguilar GS 112
NT tweeterless extension
cabinet (list price $479;
approx. street price
$359)
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B A S S P L A Y E R
M A R C H 2 0 0 5
65
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