Ashdown Mag 300h or Hartke LH500?

Rthm · #1 02-25-2011, 07:13 AM

'lo everyone-
im lookin round for a serious upgrade of my little 15w practice amp. ive got around 7-800$ to spend, and decided on a GK MBE 212 for a cab. reading around, i think ive narrowed my head choices down to an Ashdown MAG 300h EVOii and a Hartke LH500.
thoughts, reviews, comparisons, soundclips if you own either one, all appreciated.
other suggestions of a 3-400$ head thats nice an loud (for ROCK!

) are welcome too.
thanks!

Algae · #2 02-25-2011, 07:54 AM

I've got a MAG300 head and have gigged with it for four years using MAG410 and MAG115 cabs. It is a very reliable piece of kit solidly built and sounds good. I have not tried the Hartke but I can highly recommend the Ashdown. Check out my old band on Youtube for soundclips , here is one www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNY3tjM3pe8 I have upgraded now so I don't use it with my current bands but I do still keep it as a backup just incase.

Rthm · #3 02-25-2011, 08:37 PM

so many other options, as soon as i look around...

for anyone else who would like to give their op, i seem to now also be considering the Carvin BX500.

JimiLL · #4 02-25-2011, 10:27 PM

I had an LH 1000... if your into a solid clean rock tone and dont like to turn knobs, the Hartke is for you.

the BX 500 is also a good head... lots more flexibility of the Hartke. but they had some reliability issues early on. try to buy a latter model if possible.

AdamR · #5 02-26-2011, 05:05 PM

Im very happy with my mag300 but if I had $400 for a head I would find a used GK 800RB

vicvarado · #6 02-26-2011, 05:17 PM

I have a Mag 300 and the LH 1000. I usually just use one 8ohm cab running the head in parallel. From what I understand in the manual that would be similar to running one 8ohm cab into an LH500. The hartke seems to push the cab much better and sounds much more pleasant IMHO. It has a rounder/warmer tone than the mag 300. The mag is harsher sounding to my ears. I haven't tried the GK cab but through my Aggie cab the hartke slays the mag. I do like my mag through a sealed cab for its harsher more aggressive tone.

All of the above is only opinion. I think if I was going new I'd start with the Hartke and if I didn't like it, I'd return it and try out the Ashdown head. That's what I might try, YMMV. Best of luck in your search.

Rthm · #7 02-26-2011, 05:57 PM

molto grazie, all.

alexofc69 · #8 02-26-2011, 06:14 PM

stay away from the MAG300 series. I bought one years ago. The first one sound like garbage. The second was the same and then blew up! It went poof after a month. I decided to to step up ito the MK500 instead. Go with the Hartke!

**Staccato** · #9 02-26-2011, 06:22 PM

Another shootout!

hover · #10 02-26-2011, 06:37 PM

the LH500 is a splendid, well made head, great tone. get used to the eq and you can dial in just about any great tone you could want, just short of a "breaking up" tone...

Rthm · #11 02-26-2011, 06:39 PM

ill be sure to check it out at gc or sam ash...any thoughts on the carvin?

twbassman · #12 03-06-2011, 04:15 AM

A little late. I own the LH500, I played it through a XL410 for a while. Nice tones, but the cab was being pushed a little hard. I upgraded to the HX410, with the 1" built in, better tone, cleaner at higher volumes and awesome warmth.

Don't be fooled by those that say, aluminum cones are the worst. The LH500 and the HX410, perfect together. Oh, and the speakers are half paper and half covered with aluminum on the HX410.

I love it!

Jaco who? · #13 03-06-2011, 05:21 AM

Get the LH500, but try the MBE 212 before you buy; if I'm not mistaken they use a cheap piezo tweeter, which I personally hate with a passion. The Neo GK 212 would be a better choice.

BootzillaSun · #14 04-09-2011, 08:41 AM

Hi I just joined. I own a mag300 that i bought as a blem for $225 @ zzounds 5yrs ago have never had an issue and the direct out makes it perfect for every room.For 3yrs i played it threw a peavey 4x10,now i use a ashown 2x10 . this good live recording of my old band bass comes out good.Login | Facebook