Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 User manual

Tone Hammer® 500
Owners Manual
Manual Version 1.0
1.

Incorporating the preamp from the popular Tone Hammer® preamp/DI pedal this
superlight bass head combines three bands of flexible Q, a colorful "Drive"
control, and 500 watts of power in a 4 lb. package. The Tone Hammer® 500 will
give you the legendary "Aguilar Sound" while still fitting into the accessory pouch
of most gig bags – the perfect choice for bass players on the go.
Table of Contents
I. Safety Instructions page 3.
II. Getting Started page 4.
A. Manual Conventions
B. Basic Setup
C. Protection Features
III. Features and Functions page 5.
A. Front Panel
B. Rear Panel
IV. Warranty Information page 7.
I. Safety Instructions
2.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose equipment to rain or
moisture. Aguilar Amplification assumes no responsibility for any damage or injury that results
from improper use or service.
CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK! DO NOT OPEN! There are no user serviceable parts
inside of this product. This is a high voltage device, and internal voltages can be lethal. Any and
all work should be performed by qualified personnel only.
In order to ensure safe operation of the device, please follow these guidelines:
1. Read the instruction manual in its entirety before trying to operate the equipment.
The manual should be kept for future reference.
2. Observe all safety precautions, warnings and instructions noted in this manual.
3. Always unplug the amplifier out of the wall socket, before cleaning. Use only dry
cloth. Do not use aerosols or solvents.
4. Keep the device away from sources of water such as pools, bathtubs, and sinks, and
do not expose it to rain or splashes of water. Do not place objects filled with fluid on
the device.
5. Vents are provided for heat dissipation on the sides, and at the rear of the amplifier.
Maintain at least a 2” (5cm) space around these vents to provide sufficient
ventilation.
6. Keep the amplifier away from sources of heat and open flame, such as heaters,
radiators, stoves, lit candles, etc.
7. Make sure that the power cord is intact before plugging it into the unit. Do not use
cords with visible damage to its insulation, or connectors.
8. This device is equipped with a safety feature that requires the use of the three-pin
grounding power plug. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding plug. If
provided plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician about replacing an
obsolete power outlet.
9. Use only accessories listed in this manual, or in other way specified by the
manufacturer.
10. Do not install this amplifier on carts or other moving objects.
11. When amplifier is in use, route the power cable in such way that will prevent it from
being stepped on, tripped on, pinched or damaged in any other way.
12. Do not use this device with wall/ceiling mounts not specified by the manufacturer.
13. To completely discontent the equipment from the AC mains, disconnect the power
cord from the AC receptacle. For additional protection, unplug the device during light
storms, or when not used for long periods of time.
14. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer service to qualified service personnel. If the
unit was exposed to liquid, extensive heat or fire, or sustained a mechanical damage
of any kind, do not attempt to operate it. Disconnect the unit from the wall outlet,
and consult qualified service personnel.
II. Getting Started
3.

A. Manual Convention
In this manual, words that appear in italics represent actual physical
controls on the Tone Hammer® 500.
B. Ba ic Setup
Input Voltage: 100-120/200-240 ~VAC
50/60 Hz
Mains Fuse: Internal T 6.3A/250V
Maximum power consumption: 670W
Select the proper voltage for your country’s operating voltage via the
Input Voltage switch on the back of the amplifier. Select 115V for 100-120V or
230V for 220, 230 or 240V.
Connect your speaker cabinet(s) to the amplifier’s speaker output using
Speakon to Speakon cables only. Use 12-gauge or larger speaker cable for proper
connections.
The amount of power this amplifier will produce varies with the
impedance rating of your cabinets.
One 8 ohm cabinet – 250 watts
Two 8 ohm cabinets – 500 watts
One 4 ohm cabinet – 500 watts
Connect the amplifier to the AC power outlet using provided power cord.
Plug in your instrument.
With the Master volume and Drive down, turn on your amplifier. Adjust as
follows:
Preamp:
1. Turn the Gain up while playing.
2. If you have a particularly high output instrument it may be necessary to
push the –10dB button in to prevent clipping of the input buffer. This
button is located next to the Input jack and when pushed in it lowers your
input signal by 10dB.
3. Turn up the Master control until you reach the volume you need.
4.

C. Protection Feature
The Tone Hammer 500 is equipped with several protection circuits designed
to prevent any damage to the amplifier in cases where the limits of the normal
operating range are breached. Protections include an over current, an over
temperature, DC, and HF detectors. If any of these circuits are triggered, the
amplifier will either limit its output power, or shut down. In case of a shut down
the amplifier will rapidly try to restart, checking if the faulty condition is still
present.
In case of shut down, both Operate and Status lights will turn off.
III. Features and Functions
A. Front Panel Feature
Input Pad:
-10dB
Preamp Section:
Treble : +/- 14dB @ 4kHz
Mid Level : +/- 16dB
Mid Frequency : 180Hz – 1kHz
Bass : +/- 17dB @ 40Hz
The Drive control changes the gain structure and Q interactively with the GAIN
control position. By modifying the circuit structure, Drive gives a "vintage voiced"
Q and gain structure that adapts to how you set the GAIN control. The lower
the GAIN control setting, the "flatter" the Q applied. The higher you set the
GAIN control, the more saturated the gain structure becomes, and the more the
bass is tightened and the treble smoothed.
The Drive circuitry surrounds the midrange controls, enabling you to get a huge
variety of tonal characteristics by simply adjusting the GAIN, MID L V L and MID
FR Q controls.
Effect Loop Section:
The effects loop section is intended to be used with professional rack gear with a
nominal input level of 4dBu. ffects pedals should be used in front of the amp.
5.

D.I. Section:
D.I. Nominal Output Level: -20dBu
D.I. Pre/Post Button:
Pre - Your signal goes to the D.I. XLR output jack before your Gain and Q
settings, but after the –10dB input pad.
Post - Gain , Q, Master settings and effects will be sent to the D.I. XLR
output jack.
Lift/Ground: If there is a hum when using the D.I. there may be a ground
loop. In many cases pushing in the Lift/Ground button can fix this
problem.
* Note: The Tone Hammer 500 will not be harmed by phantom power
through the D.I. Phantom power is a power supply that can be switched
on at the channel input of some mixing consoles and is used to power
some types of microphones. Use of phantom power (usually labeled as
48V) will have no effect on the D.I. or the amplifier in general.
B. Rear Panel Feature
Speaker Output :
Two speakon outputs are provided. Any combination may be used as long
as the load does not go below 4 ohms. The speakon jacks are wired +1,
-1
Tuner Output:
One ¼” Tuner output is provided. When the amplifier is muted your signal
will still reach the tuner.
Input Voltage Selector:
The Input Voltage switch allows you to change the operating voltage if
you travel with your Tone Hammer 500. You can select between 115V for
100-120V and 230V for 220, 230 or 240V.
6.

IV. Warranty Information
T e Tone Hammer® 500 is covered under limited warranty against defects in materials
and workmans ip for a period of 3 years. T is warranty is non-transferable.
T e warranty period starts from t e date of purc ase from an aut orized Aguilar dealer.
Please retain your sales receipt, as it is necessary to obtain warranty service.
Before sending your unit to Aguilar for repair, you must receive a return aut orization
number from us. Please contact us via email (tec [e-mail]). Do not send
any products to us wit out first receiving a return aut orization from Aguilar.
You are responsible for all s ipping c arges. You must s ip t e unit to us freig t prepaid.
We will return t e unit to you freig t collect. Aguilar Amplification LLC is not
responsible for s ipping damage, eit er to or from our service center. Claims must be
filed wit t e carrier.
T e only company in t e US aut orized to perform work under t is warranty is Aguilar
Amplification LLC of New York, NY.
Warranty service outside the USA: Warranty Service may be different in your country.
Please contact t e Aguilar distributor in your country for terms and procedures.
Aguilar A plification LLC
599 Broadway, 7th fl.
NY, NY 10012
7.