Ashdown Little Giant vs. Hartke LH1000

[Hallvard]

Hey, I am a bassplayer who are looking for a new, lightwieght bassrigg for giggin' and rehersal. I currently own a Ampeg Portapro 250 amp and a Portapro 2x10 cab (I changed to Eminence speakers in the cab). I'm really satisfied with the sound, but for gigs at larger venues it simply ain't enough power. I'm thinking about purchasing a second cabinet next to my 2x10 (problably a 1x15 for more bottom-end), as well as buying a more powerful amp to these two cabs. I have thought about the Ashdown Little Giant 1000, and Hartke's LH1000, which both are low-priced, lightwieght, and powerfull bassamps.

I'm playing in many different music constelations, from rock, blues, jazz and funk to more modern pop music and electronica. I like my bass sound pretty bassheavy and "old school", as well as I want a clarity to the tone so the notes do not drown in low frequensies. You can say I want the best of both worlds; I DO want my bass to sound like a bass, but that don't mean it must sound like a big boom of undistinct low frequensies. But I'm leaning more towards a vintage sound than a modern sound, I think. I'm playing mostly with either my fingers or a pick, I'm not much of a slapper/tapper. I'm also a huge fan of bass-distortion (and other effects), and I'm using a Tech21 VT Bass pedal to achieve a distorted sound I'm really happy with. In my main band, a psychedelic hardrock band, distortion are pretty much in my standard sound.

My main bass is a new Fender American Standard Preicision bass 5 string. I'm also using a Warwick FNA Jazzman 5, a Fender Classic 70's Jazzbass and a custom-build fretless.

Giving you this information I ask you Talkbassers; which of these two amps do you think fits my needs and style? Or are there other lightweight amps in the same price-range and with about the same power that you would recommend to me?
I'm attracted by the Hartke's simplicity, it's design and it's tube-preamp (I like tubes!!!), but from past experiences Ashdown amps have a more vintage and "dirty" tone to it which I really dig. Some Hartke's are to hi-fi for me, but I have heard they have tried a different approach with the LH1000.

I'm thankful for all feedback. If you just have tried one of the amps or another amp that fits my needs, I would really appreciate you for telling me about them. This is also my first post in this forum, so hello fellow online bassists!

[ejmy]

Hartke's lh 1000 is 31.90 pounds, a very heavy amp.

From Hartke's site :

Weight
LH500 23.10 lb. / 10.50 kg
LH1000 31.90 lb. / 14.50 kg

[Hallvard]

Originally Posted by ejmy

Hartke's lh 1000 is 31.90 pounds, a very heavy amp.

From Hartke's site :

Weight
LH500 23.10 lb. / 10.50 kg
LH1000 31.90 lb. / 14.50 kg

14 kg's works for me. I don't want to to carry around a 35 kg tube amp or something like that (not that I can afford it anyway), but 14 kg's I can handle.

[aproud1]

The Ashdown LG1000 pre amp make it almost impossible to get full power from the amp. I have only played the LH1000 in a store to test out basses. Seems pretty nice and according to a lot of people around here it's pretty powerful too.

[bassplayerbob]

I own the LH500 and i play in a band that covers funk, rock, motown, RnB and reggae. It covers all the tone for me, nice bottom end paired with my ampeg 15. The LH1000 is just louder.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by aproud1

The Ashdown LG1000 pre amp make it almost impossible to get full power from the amp.

Can you be more specific?

[Triad]

I can, sadly, confirm that the LG preamp is very weak. The power section is fine but the preamp doesn't work as it should. It's like when you combine a DI (with a weak output) with a power amp: the sound is there but is weak. Shame 'cause it's very nice. I guess that if you bypass the preamp or boost the signal before going into the input you're good to go.
I say this 'cause I owned the LG1000 and, without a boost, a Markbass SA450 is MUCH MUCH louder.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Triad

I can, sadly, confirm that the LG preamp is very weak. The power section is fine but the preamp doesn't work as it should. It's like when you combine a DI (with a weak output) with a power amp: the sound is there but is weak. Shame 'cause it's very nice. I guess that if you bypass the preamp or boost the signal before going into the input you're good to go.
I say this 'cause I owned the LG1000 and, without a boost, a Markbass SA450 is MUCH MUCH louder.

Not my experience at all.









I'm a very satisfied Ashdown user and endorser(over 10 years)

[JMac4strngr]

The LH 500 and LH 1000 are awesome amps, and both of them will put out some mad volume. I dont know much about the Little Giant, but from what I have heard not a lot of folks liked them.

[Triad]

I could have a faulty one? But unfortunately many users had the same problem. So the things are two: the preamp is weak or it's 150w. But since the power section is GOOD (confirmed by guys who opened it) I'm pretty sure it's a preamp issue.
If you have a very high output bass MAYBE you could not experience this.
As I said, it's a shame 'cause the head is nice, fairly priced and well put together but I had to get rid of it - it wasn't as loud as expected at all.
You could partially solve the issue boosting a lot of stuff with EQ. but for a flat sound this isn't a solution.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Triad

I could have a faulty one? But unfortunately many users had the same problem. So the things are two: the preamp is weak or it's 150w. But since the power section is GOOD (confirmed by guys who opened it) I'm pretty sure it's a preamp issue.
If you have a very high output bass MAYBE you could not experience this.
As I said, it's a shame 'cause the head is nice, fairly priced and well put together but I had to get rid of it - it wasn't as loud as expected at all.
You could partially solve the issue boosting a lot of stuff with EQ. but for a flat sound this isn't a solution.

I understand.

[Triad]

But if we consider that a LMIII costs €569 down here and the LG1000 can be found at €300... maybe it's worth the trouble of an external preamp
Ashdown stuff is really good for the money, shame I'm not much into "british" sound. If they fix this small issue I'll gladly re-buy the LG.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Triad

shame I'm not much into "british" sound.

What do you consider the British sound to be?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Hallvard

Hey, I am a bassplayer who are looking for a new, lightwieght bassrigg for giggin' and rehersal. I currently own a Ampeg Portapro 250 amp and a Portapro 2x10 cab (I changed to Eminence speakers in the cab). I'm really satisfied with the sound, but for gigs at larger venues it simply ain't enough power. I'm thinking about purchasing a second cabinet next to my 2x10 (problably a 1x15 for more bottom-end), as well as buying a more powerful amp to these two cabs. I have thought about the Ashdown Little Giant 1000, and Hartke's LH1000, which both are low-priced, lightwieght, and powerfull bassamps.

I'm playing in many different music constelations, from rock, blues, jazz and funk to more modern pop music and electronica. I like my bass sound pretty bassheavy and "old school", as well as I want a clarity to the tone so the notes do not drown in low frequensies. You can say I want the best of both worlds; I DO want my bass to sound like a bass, but that don't mean it must sound like a big boom of undistinct low frequensies. But I'm leaning more towards a vintage sound than a modern sound, I think. I'm playing mostly with either my fingers or a pick, I'm not much of a slapper/tapper. I'm also a huge fan of bass-distortion (and other effects), and I'm using a Tech21 VT Bass pedal to achieve a distorted sound I'm really happy with. In my main band, a psychedelic hardrock band, distortion are pretty much in my standard sound.

My main bass is a new Fender American Standard Preicision bass 5 string. I'm also using a Warwick FNA Jazzman 5, a Fender Classic 70's Jazzbass and a custom-build fretless.

Giving you this information I ask you Talkbassers; which of these two amps do you think fits my needs and style? Or are there other lightweight amps in the same price-range and with about the same power that you would recommend to me?
I'm attracted by the Hartke's simplicity, it's design and it's tube-preamp (I like tubes!!!), but from past experiences Ashdown amps have a more vintage and "dirty" tone to it which I really dig. Some Hartke's are to hi-fi for me, but I have heard they have tried a different approach with the LH1000.

I'm thankful for all feedback. If you just have tried one of the amps or another amp that fits my needs, I would really appreciate you for telling me about them. This is also my first post in this forum, so hello fellow online bassists!

The Little Giant does not sound like the larger Ashdown amps with the tube drive 'valve' control. Also, it is not able to be bridged, so you only get half power with one cab (i.e., you need to use two 4ohm cabs to get full power). The LH1000 can be bridged, and is a monster if you like a clean but old school fat, warm, tubey tone. I describe it as an old Bassman 100 amp that has 1000 watt power section. It's want break up and snarl and distort like the old Fender tube amp, but has a similar tone (it uses that Fender tone stack type deal) of a Bassman run at very low levels.

If you don't mind a very heavy head like the LM1000, there or tons of choices out there, including the full size Ashdown ABM500 or whatever it is called, which is very warm and fat and tubey, etc.

[Triad]

Most of their cabs are a bit dark for my tastes... but I really admire their MAG series as it has a striking q/p ratio.
Yes, the LG sounds different from other Ashdown heads. But never had a chance to play lots of their cabs to know what models sound "modern".

[JAUQO III-X]

For maximum performance the Ashdown LG1000 is best used with a 4 ohm cab.

[aproud1]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Can you be more specific?

It's pre amp does not drive the power amp to it's fullest ability. When bypassed the amp is reasonably powerful. With the pre amp it is weak when compared to other similarly spec'd (per channel) heads. Even into a very efficient 4 ohm load. As someone else said maybe I too had a defective unit. I used a few different basses and compared it with multiple heads. Just could never get enough power out of it for even a plugged in rehearsal.

That being said it does sound nice.

[ckoonz]

Contact Larry Hartke on this forum. I think you would be really satisfied with the service you get from Hartke. I just picked up a LH1000 rather than the LH500 because of the couple of extra bells and whistles and I might need the extra power soon. The difference in cost is negligable when you really think about it for the power you are getting. The LH replaced my old HA5000 and by far is more superior. The bridge works a little differently than the old crossover so it's taking some tweeking to get the sound I want but that happens whenever you get something new!

All I can say is I am a Hartke fan for life now because of how I was treated. These guys know how to make quality gear and back it up like only Americans can. And no, I'm not sponsered by them or have any offiliation with them except, I love my amp!

[JAUQO III-X]

I have always dug Hartke amps and still use Hartke amps and cabs. Larry is definitely a rarity and some one whom i am forever grateful to. Larry gave me my very first amp endorsement.

[Gizmot]

I have a Hartke sitting in my basement. Its okay for the money, but its not a state-of-the-art contender. I had an Ashdown for awhile and in general they are much better but more expensive. I'm not certain the class-D ultra light amps from anyone are the best - although I'd be tempted to try a TC Electronics