Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp

Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp — Studio-Grade Bass Tone in a Stompbox

The Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp condenses the company's acclaimed amplifier sound into a pedalboard-ready device. Developed in New York City and tested by touring musicians, this pedal delivers warm, dynamic tones whether you're on stage, in the studio, or at home. Benefit from a sweepable midrange, dedicated Drive circuit, and a pristine DI section in one compact unit. Operating at 18 volts for maximum headroom, it also features a Headphone Out and Aux In for complete practice flexibility.

Key Features Setting the Tone Hammer Apart

Notably, the Aguilar Drive circuit—complete with its own Gain knob and footswitch—offers a wide gain range, providing everything from subtle tube warmth to robust saturation. The midrange is fully sweepable between 180 Hz and 1 kHz, letting you zero in on the perfect tonal sweet spot.

Three-Band EQ with Sweepable Midrange

Enjoy precise frequency control across all registers thanks to a versatile 3-band EQ.

• Bass Control: ±18 dB @ 40 Hz — shape the low-end for slap styles or vintage tones
• The sweepable midrange (±17 dB @ 180 Hz to 1 kHz) lets you focus on the frequencies that matter most to your playing style.
• Treble Control: ±18 dB @ 4 kHz — add clarity and presence to your sound

Drive Circuit and DI Section

Pairing an analog Drive circuit with a balanced DI output, this model offers a full-featured front end for any setup.

• Drive Circuit: dedicated Gain knob with footswitch Engage — access tube-style saturation from subtle to aggressive
• DI Output: XLR balanced, nominal –14 dBu plus Ground Lift and Pre/Post EQ switches — route a clean or EQ-shaped signal as required
• Power Supply: 18V operation — extra headroom for articulate tones

Connectivity and Design

The pedal's connections suit any modern bass rig, all within a robust stompbox housing.

• Inputs: Jack 6.3 mm (bass), Jack 3.5 mm (Aux In) — accommodates instrument cables and mobile devices
• Outputs: Jack 6.3 mm (amp out), XLR (DI), Headphone Jack 3.5 mm — supports amp, mixer, and headphone use
• True Bypass technology maintains your dry signal path when disengaged.
• Dimensions: 140 × 102 × 38 mm — fits pedalboards with ease

Who Is the Tone Hammer Preamp For?

Whether you're a gigging bassist, studio professional, or home player, this instrument covers EQ, overdrive, and direct box roles in a single pedal. Live musicians appreciate the balanced XLR DI for hum-free routing, while engineers value the clean DI and ample headroom. The dedicated Headphone Out and Mix control help you practice with tracks at any hour.

Aguilar — Built by Bass Players, for Bass Players

Aguilar Amplification, founded in New York, has dedicated decades to developing bass-focused gear. Renowned artists like John Patitucci, Adam Clayton, and Paul Turner trust Aguilar products on stage and in the studio. That legacy continues here, with a three-year limited warranty on this compact pedal.