Hartke LH500 - Page 32

SGD Lutherie · #**621** 11-20-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCooper

Got to test it fairly loud in the shop, but cannot wait to open it up at rehearsal!

The volume control is after the preamp. When you get it up past 1 o'clock, it really takes off!

Another pleasant surprise was playing it though the XL 4X10 cab I just bought. It had a lot more crunch than my Mesa cab.

the low one · #**622** 12-05-2012, 04:20 AM

Whilst I don't have the Hartke head I do use a Trace Elliot Commando which also uses the same passive tone stack. I've been using the 0-10-0 eq as a starting point for many years and never stray far from it, depending on the room.

This thread has been fascinating to read though and I've learnt a thing or two along the way so thanks for the info. The LH1000 user manual also explains the eq well too.

What I also find is that the higher the volume the more the mids. Is this just a perception which comes with higher volumes or does a higher volume get more mids from the tone stack ?

Nigel Rahmshard · #**623** 12-08-2012, 07:08 PM

Got one of these about a week ago. It was dead on arrival straight from musicians friend. Power light came on and that was it. No sound, tube didnt light up, no fans, etc. Got the replacement one the other day. Love the tone. Love the minimal knob layout. Volume, bass, mid, treble. All you really need. 500 watts has thus far proved to be more than enough. Especially considering at my house i usually have the volume around 1 while practicing. 2 if i feel like going crazy and hearing my whole house rattle.

Fishheadjoe · #**624** 12-10-2012, 10:18 AM

On my radar as a potential upgrade from my 3500TA, but I am wondering about reliability issues?
Honestly, I managed to read about half of this thread, but I did see a number of folks having issues...
Anyone care to comment on this?

Thanks,

Fishheadjoe

SGD Lutherie · #**625** 12-10-2012, 10:27 AM

I've not had any issues at all. I do have it installed in a case, just to stop it from getting banged around. Seems to be built like a tank.

augdog · #**626** 12-10-2012, 05:46 PM

I like my lh500 but lately it's been taking about 10-15 minutes to warm up and get a sound from it. I mainly use it for at home practice so it hasn't seen much abuse. I guess when I get a chance I'll contact someone about it unless anyone has a fix for it.

JCooper · #**627** 12-16-2012, 08:25 AM

I love mine, no issues.
And I really don't miss any eq or volume knobs. Headphone out is about the only thing I could nitpick, but there are ways around that.
It may take 30sec to 'warm up', sometimes less.

soundman502 · #**628** 12-20-2012, 08:32 AM

I have to say, that due greatly to the input I found here on TalkBass and in this thread, I'm now the proud owner of a new LH500. I finally got to plug this beast into my single 18 last night with my 5 string bass, and I have been blown away.

I have had issues with the tone of this particular bass for years now so I had sidelined it. It sounded fantastic last night. I have a couple of other basses that had sounded good before, so I look forward to hooking them up soon too.

Thanks for all of the most valuable input here. The explanations of the tone stack and the durability of this unit were the absolute selling points. I'm ready for some 5 string therapy now...

AHDBassist · #**629** 12-26-2012, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

It's an air filter. The fan is in the back and it draws air through the filter. In the owners manual they tell you how to clean it.

Should keep the inside of the amp nice and clean.

I wonder where you can get another one of these. Mine fell out a long time ago. I've had a LH500 for about 3 years now no problems except cheap jacks.

SGD Lutherie · #**630** 12-26-2012, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHDBassist

I wonder where you can get another one of these. Mine fell out a long time ago. I've had a LH500 for about 3 years now no problems except cheap jacks.

I'd imagine you can order one from Hartke, or any generic foam air filter should do.

I had my first issue with my LH500. I was getting some crackling noise when I played at a gig. So I opened the amp up the next day, and pulled the tube out and reseated it. That fixed the problem. The noise was gone at the next gig.

moten33 · #**631** 12-31-2012, 06:41 AM

Ordered one on Friday due to the $50 mail in rebate and free tuner. It arrives today. I can't wait to get out of work and try it out!

moten33 · #**632** 12-31-2012, 11:07 AM

Took a quick lunch break to run home and make sure it was in the house and out of the snow. Had to open it up and play a few minutes. I started with the 2-10-2 settings and it sounded nice right away. I moved to a 4-8-3 type setup and it sounds good. I have to play around a lot more but I think I'll be able to get a tone I want. I had it at 1.5 on the volume and it seemed to be LOUD for that level. Can't wait until I get try it out with the guys.

Needenaneden · #**633** 12-31-2012, 05:17 PM

I just picked up an LH500. Wow!, what an amazing tone without having to waste any time messing with knobs. I am definitely impressed an wished I hadn't waited so long to try this amp.

SGD Lutherie · #**634** 12-31-2012, 05:26 PM

I usually have all the knobs set to 1:00. That sounds great. Sometimes I give it more or less mids. It sounds nice and thick with the bass control at about 3:00, but then the sound man complains it's too boomy.

But it's hard to make this amp sound bad.

NYCbassist · #**635** 12-31-2012, 06:49 PM

I had a 4 hour Blues Jam with my LH1000 yesterday through 2 Avatar 4 ohm Cabs 1 B210 & 1 B115. I used My Ric 4003. What a Blast! Tons of Growl. EQ was Bass @ 7 Mids @ 5 & Treble @ 8. I ended up with tone Knobs on the RIC set about 7 out of 10 & Both Pickups on full. This was an audition for me and my drummer and it went extremely well. There's tons of Gear out there and this is just one Man's set-up but I am 100% happy

Basically the LH500 & LH1000 are the same IMO. Just a power difference and The Stereo.

Happy New Year,
Gerry

zeusij · #**636** 01-02-2013, 08:18 AM

I practice and gig with the LH1000. I have multiple hartke speaker cabs at different band rehearsal areas and just carry around this amp to each. Heavy as crap, but pretty nice. Only issue I have is static in the pots that were there pretty much since I got it new. Other than that no complaints. Plenty of power - sounds great.

the low one · #**637** 01-03-2013, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

I had a 4 hour Blues Jam with my LH1000 yesterday through 2 Avatar 4 ohm Cabs 1 B210 & 1 B115. I used My Ric 4003. What a Blast! Tons of Growl. EQ was Bass @ 7 Mids @ 5 & Treble @ 8. I ended up with tone Knobs on the RIC set about 7 out of 10 & Both Pickups on full. This was an audition for me and my drummer and it went extremely well. There's tons of Gear out there and this is just one Man's set-up but I am 100% happy

Basically the LH500 & LH1000 are the same IMO. Just a power difference and The Stereo.

Happy New Year,
Gerry

I presume the are o'clock settings for a fairly flat eq ?

SGD Lutherie · #**638** 01-03-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the low one

I presume the are o'clock settings for a fairly flat eq ?

I think it's like 3-10-2. It's a passive tone stack, so the low and hi pretty much only boost, and the mid only cuts.

But it sounds much better when it's not set flat IMO.

**Chef** · #**639** 01-03-2013, 10:44 AM

Passive tone stack=no boost.

soundman502 · #**640** 01-03-2013, 10:47 AM

According to the manual on the LH500, the low and high are boosts, while the mid is a cut. Being an owner of this amp as well, it took me a long time to get a full grasp on the Tone Stack on this thing. The mid control functions as a cut and sweep. As it's value changes, the effect on the low and high also migrates a bit with it.

This is more easily understood with this tool: http://www.duncanamps.com/tsc/