Aguilar TONE HAMMER Preamp DI V2

A Modernized New York Classic, True to the Tone Hammer Spirit

Born in the heart of New York and tested on countless stages, the Tone Hammer has become a benchmark for bassists seeking a consistent "big sound" regardless of amplifier, PA, or backline. This v2 version retains the iconic Tone Hammer circuit while adopting a more contemporary format and a design inspired by the TH500/700 v2 heads.
The goal remains the same: to offer a preamp/DI capable of serving as the nerve center for your tone, with musical EQ and a Drive section flexible enough to cover everything from precise modern sounds to more vintage "tube-like" character.

Who Is It For, and In What Contexts?

The Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp/DI v2 is aimed at bassists of all levels looking for a simple-to-use tool that is nevertheless sophisticated enough to sculpt a mix. It excels in rock, funk, pop, jazz, metal, or gospel, whenever you want a bass that is present, solid, and controlled.
Live, it can function as the main DI to the front of house (with Pre/Post selection as needed) and as a reliable "plan B" in case of amplifier issues. In the studio, its DI and EQ help lay down a warm, rich, and dynamic bass without struggling with room acoustics. Thanks to the auxiliary input and headphone output, it also becomes an excellent companion for silent practice.

Controls, Connectivity, and v2 Improvements

The Tone Hammer v2 focuses on musician-oriented ergonomics: a gain control to set the input level, a redesigned Drive section to dial in grit and saturation, and a full EQ designed to "lock" the bass into the mix without sounding artificial.
The highlight is the parametric midrange: you can adjust not only the mid level but also the target frequency, allowing you to fix a scooped bass, add pick attack, or tame an aggressive frequency band. Regarding connectivity, you have a 6.35mm instrument jack input, a mini-jack auxiliary input for playback, a 6.35mm unbalanced output capable of driving a power amplifier, an XLR DI output, and a headphone output for discreet playing.

Sound Character

The Tone Hammer signature delivers a warm and punchy sound with a sense of density in the low end and a strong presence in the mids, ideal for cutting through a mix without raising the volume. The preamp responds well to playing nuances: fingers, slap, pick, palm mute... and the Drive adds just the right amount of "vintage" grit or modern bite while maintaining a controllable foundation.
Powered by 18 V, it offers a wide dynamic range: perfect for active basses, sharp attacks, and generous EQ settings without squashing the signal. The result is a versatile tool capable of being discreet and transparent when needed or clearly colored when you seek a defined sonic identity.

Technical specifications

Effects	EQ, Bass, Preamp, DI - Preamp - Bass Overdrive	Use	Bass
Technology	Analog	Color	Grey
EQ	Parametric	Power supply included	No
Type	sector	Power supply	18V Adapter

Bass	+/-18 dB at 40 Hz	Outputs	jack, XLR (nominal output -14 dBu balanced), headphone output
Mids	+/-17 dB from 180 Hz to 1 kHz (fully adjustable mid frequency)	Required power supply	18 V
Treble	+/-18 dB at 4 kHz	Consumption	36 mA
Inputs	instrument jack, auxiliary mini-jack