Just ordered myself a Hartke LH500

bassplayer1494 · #1 02-15-2011, 03:02 PM

ordered it off of ebay for $299 with free shipping!
I heard these heads are great sounding and i love the simple eq design. I just have some questions to anyone who owns one, played one, or used to own one.

What is the best slap setting for this amp(that you would recommend)?
Are there any problems that you guys have had with it?
How does it stack up to other 500w amps in its class?

JT_Copy9 · #2 02-15-2011, 03:05 PM

Here is a link to the owner's manual. They have some "getting started" settings for different sounds. I love mine...
http://s3.amazonaws.com/samsontech/r...es_OM_v1_1.pdf

bassplayer1494 · #3 02-15-2011, 03:11 PM

thank you! i was researching around here and found that alot of people with this amp like setting the eq to: bass: 2-4, mids: 8-10, and treble: 0-5

jjk2007 · #4 02-15-2011, 03:59 PM

Hey bp1494. I just got the LH1000 about a month ago and I have been more than happy with it. A "flat" eq on this head is something close to this:
Bass: 2ish
Mid: 8 to 10
High: 2ish

I get a great slap sound by engaging the brite button, boosting a little bit of the lows and backing down the mids a smidge. I use the Hydrive 410 and run it with the tweeter on half (-6db setting) and my bass is a Peavey Cirrus custom shop 5 string. I don't move the highs too much because it can get very bright and snappy (for me) once you start bumping up that knob. They really are great amps, and the price makes it just that much better. Enjoy and keep us posted on what settings work for you.

bassplayer1494 · #5 02-15-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjk2007

Hey bp1494. I just got the LH1000 about a month ago and I have been more than happy with it. A "flat" eq on this head is something close to this:
Bass: 2ish
Mid: 8 to 10
High: 2ish

I get a great slap sound by engaging the brite button, boosting a little bit of the lows and backing down the mids a smidge. I use the Hydrive 410 and run it with the tweeter on half (-6db setting) and my bass is a Peavey Cirrus custom shop 5 string. I don't move the highs too much because it can get very bright and snappy (for me) once you start bumping up that knob. They really are great amps, and the price makes it just that much better. Enjoy and keep us posted on what settings work for you.

thanks for the tips. i will be playing my 05 MIA fender jazz through it with some GK 410's and 115's that i picked up 2 years ago(i think there late 90's GK cabs. got em both for 400 bucks. they sound great) i am glad to hear that u like your hartke setup. ive heard nothing but good news about them. they seem like there really really good for the price. I will definitely keep this updated because i am excited to play this thing!!!

bassplayer1494 · #6 02-19-2011, 07:57 AM

i received my hartke lh500 yesterday and it sounds great through my 115(410 is at band practice house) A much better improvement from my fender bxr 200. cant wait to pair it up with my 410 at practice and both cabs at our last practice before the show and the show itself. I set mine up like 2-3, 8-10, and 0-3ish for most of my settings. I roll back the mids to like 6ish, bump the bass to about 5, and leave the treble at 3 and turn up the tone knob a little bit to get a nice slap tone and engage the brite switch. very nice buy. lots of power, no frills, excellent price

jjk2007 · #7 02-19-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer1494

i received my hartke lh500 yesterday and it sounds great through my 115(410 is at band practice house) A much better improvement from my fender bxr 200. cant wait to pair it up with my 410 at practice and both cabs at our last practice before the show and the show itself. I set mine up like 2-3, 8-10, and 0-3ish for most of my settings. I roll back the mids to like 6ish, bump the bass to about 5, and leave the treble at 3 and turn up the tone knob a little bit to get a nice slap tone and engage the brite switch. very nice buy. lots of power, no frills, excellent price

Cool man. Yeah, you gotta be careful when engaging that brite switch. For me, if I start getting over 3ish the highs are just over the top! Does your 15 have a horn?

bassplayer1494 · #8 02-19-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjk2007

Cool man. Yeah, you gotta be careful when engaging that brite switch. For me, if I start getting over 3ish the highs are just over the top! Does your 15 have a horn?

No. And i don't really hear much of treble difference until I crank it past 5. Must be because of having no horn

The Thinker · #9 02-19-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer1494

No. And i don't really hear much of treble difference until I crank it past 5. Must be because of having no horn

Yup. Even with the tweeter most of the way off on my cab the brite switch makes the sound brittle and nasty. without a tweet it sound better.

bassplayer1494 · #10 02-19-2011, 09:49 AM

yea but i have to make due with what i got

jjk2007 · #11 02-19-2011, 10:37 AM

I guess it just depends on the cab. If I'm gonna do any "slap" playing (rare!) I love to get that nice deep low end, combined with a nice sizzly/sparkly top which I'm able to get with this setup. And that's even using a Cirrus. I'll agree, brite + treble knob cranked can become extreme and nasty, but used in moderation can yield some nice, hifi tone.

bassplayer1494 · #12 02-19-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjk2007

I guess it just depends on the cab. If I'm gonna do any "slap" playing (rare!) I love to get that nice deep low end, combined with a nice sizzly/sparkly top which I'm able to get with this setup. And that's even using a Cirrus. I'll agree, brite + treble knob cranked can become extreme and nasty, but used in moderation can yield some nice, hifi tone.

+1. treble can become harsh especially on a jazz bass imo. but use it in moderation like u said and its amazing. I wonder how a stingray classic aka my dream bass would sound through the hartke?

jjk2007 · #13 02-19-2011, 12:29 PM

I used to own a SR 5. I bet it would sound killer!

MysterMunky · #14 02-19-2011, 01:13 PM

I picked up the Hydrive 5210c a couple of months back. At the time, I wanted to upgrade the PUP in my P bass, but this gem popped up on my craigslist. As soon as I plugged it in, I realized that this was the upgrade I was needing. It sounded wonderful.

When I got home, I plugged in my 79 MM Sabre to see how if the Hydrive played nicely with it. WOW! Super clear, tight and punchy. I had to boost the bass a little on the head for my tastes. Other than that, I havent touched a knob or button the thing. I couldn't be more satisfied with my purchase.

bassplayerbob · #15 02-19-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer1494

+1. treble can become harsh especially on a jazz bass imo. but use it in moderation like u said and its amazing. I wonder how a stingray classic aka my dream bass would sound through the hartke?

This is close: lh1000 and hydrive 410 with my 1999 EBMM sterling = WOW! Got a gig tonight with it.