LH500 Hartke and the quest for sound

Rugbass · #1 07-25-2011, 08:53 AM

I picked up a LH500 head to use as a backup to my SVT. I have a decent 1X15, 2X10 cab I also drag around for smaller live shows. I am really having issues with getting a good sound out of this head. I have really only fooled with it for a month and now starting to add some outboard stuff ( POD - EQ etc.. ) but I'm really disappointed with it. I know it's no SVT, but I expected that it would pack a little more punch. They are not too expensive, so I don't have unrealistic expectations. Anyone use this with a good result?

Mr. Foxen · #2 07-25-2011, 09:03 AM

It has a Fender style tone stack, so flat is mid on full, treble and bass on minimum, or a little over minimum. Work with that in mind an it might make a bit more sense.

nogoodwithnames · #3 07-25-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

It has a Fender style tone stack, so flat is mid on full, treble and bass on minimum, or a little over minimum. Work with that in mind an it might make a bit more sense.

What he said.. go for a 3-10-0 setting on the knobs, does the trick for me.

Rugbass · #4 07-25-2011, 10:31 AM

Thanks - have you been happy with the amp?

nogoodwithnames · #5 07-26-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugbass

Thanks - have you been happy with the amp?

I've been very happy with mine. It really rocks. Another thing to keep in mind is that the volume is a kind of progressive knob, meaning that having it at 12o'clock isn't half volume. Or more around 7 on the dial for midway on the volume.

And for what its worth, if the preamp tube is on the fritz, it can cause some weird goings on. Those are cheap though.

BillyIVbass · #6 07-26-2011, 03:09 PM

Love mine as much as one can love a hunk of electrical components in a metal box!

A new/nicer preamp tube is a good idea. Who knows where, how long or what climate your amp was in before you got it.

I'm playing either a passive P or Jazz bass into either a Hydrive 4x10 or an Ampeg SVT cab.

I start with everything at noon (I know this isn't flat) then add some mids and roll off some bass.

hover · #7 07-26-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodwithnames

What he said.. go for a 3-10-0 setting on the knobs, does the trick for me.

Are you talking "o'clock" settings, or do you really have your treble all the way off?

I have mine Bass at 3 o'clock, Mid at 10-o'clock to noon, and treble at 2 o'clock, no treble boost, and it is pretty freaking meaty and beastly.

Honestly the best head Hartke has made, imo.

MattyH · #8 07-26-2011, 03:14 PM

Same problem with my LH1000. Just cant get a good sound out of it. And it's a shame, because Hartke is such a great company.

dbase · #9 07-26-2011, 03:17 PM

I run mine thru one 2x10 or two 2x10's, From 1 to 10...
Vol = 6, Bass = 6, Mid = 5, Treble = 5

nogoodwithnames · #10 07-26-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Are you talking "o'clock" settings, or do you really have your treble all the way off?

I have mine Bass at 3 o'clock, Mid at 10-o'clock to noon, and treble at 2 o'clock, no treble boost, and it is pretty freaking meaty and beastly.

Honestly the best head Hartke has made, imo.

My treble is usually on 0 yes. Occasionly ill bump it up to maybe 2. Suits my taste well. And I agree this amp is beastly!

Sparky Mark · #11 07-26-2011, 04:24 PM

Have always loved my Hartke 3500 Mosfet but just couldn't get on with my LH1000 at all and sold it after a few months.

jjk2007 · #12 07-26-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Are you talking "o'clock" settings, or do you really have your treble all the way off?

I have mine Bass at 3 o'clock, Mid at 10-o'clock to noon, and treble at 2 o'clock, no treble boost, and it is pretty freaking meaty and beastly.

Honestly the best head Hartke has made, imo.

Run whatever EQ setting gets it done for you!! The "flat" setting on the LH heads is 3-10-0. That's how I run my LH1000 through my Hydrive 410 and it sounds fantastic.

Rugbass · #13 09-07-2011, 02:36 PM

Thanks Guys, I tried some of these suggestions and it's a little better. I think I will use it as a live back up for my SVT. It's small and light enough that it's not a hassle to drag along.
I'm experimenting with a Line 6 LiveXT pedal board with the bass amp models as a front end as a possible back up or main feed. I've always tried to sound consistent on stage, always keep the same sound and use different techniques ( fingers picks etc.. ) to do what's right for the song. using a pedal board is giving me dozens of amp models at my finger tips and while it's fun, I'm not sure it's what is best. The soundman loves it... on stage, not so much.

takeout · #14 09-07-2011, 02:39 PM

Maybe someone can answer exactly what that Balance control does? It's not a stereo power section, right?

JMac4strngr · #15 09-07-2011, 02:48 PM

On the LH1000, The "balance control" is a balance adjustment for the two power amps. It allows You to adjust the power level between the two power amps, unless You are running it in the Mono bridged mode. If You are running it mono, the balance control does nothing.

Whitbass · #16 09-09-2011, 09:10 AM

I run my LH1000 bridged. Bass and treble around 9 o'clock and mids around 3 o'clock. The LH series amps IMHO are seriously good sounding amps and can crank it out. The simple passive eq has to be right though, or the amp will not produce. Good luck!

The Thinker · #17 09-09-2011, 09:20 AM

I love my LH500. I've found that the settings that sound best really depend on the cabs I'm using and the venue. Through my SWR Goliath Jr. I have generally liked settings at Bass: 6-7, Mids 7-10, Treb 0-3.

With my two Hartke HX112 cabs, I have liked Bass 3-5, Mids 8-10, Treble 0-4.

Note that you have to be careful with tweeters when using this amp--that treble control can really make a tweeter crispy if you turn it up. I tend to attenuate my tweeters, but don't generally like them all the way off.

While the sound does have some growl, it's not going to sound like your Ampeg. It may be that the basic sound just isn't for you. You could try an overdrive pedal in front of the Hartke if you think a little more grit would help.

Muaguana · #18 09-09-2011, 10:11 AM

I have an LH1000 that I run bridged into a hydrive 4X10. I keep everything at 12 o'clock and couldn't be happier; if anything it's hard for me to coax a sound I don't like from it. Like The_Thinker said, it's not going to sound like the SVT no matter what you do, so if you're an Ampeg guy, it may just not be your cup of tea.

From what I've read, the LH series leans more toward tonal transparency, and doesn't color the sound of your bass like an SVT does. Some people like that, others not so much. You might want to try a 10-band graphic EQ pedal to add more versatility to the tone shaping; I keep one handy in case I'm playing in a bad room.

keyboardguy · #19 09-11-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Are you talking "o'clock" settings, or do you really have your treble all the way off?

I have mine Bass at 3 o'clock, Mid at 10-o'clock to noon, and treble at 2 o'clock, no treble boost, and it is pretty freaking meaty and beastly.

Honestly the best head Hartke has made, imo.

O' Clock settings? NO !!

we're meaning your tone controls are 0-10; '0' being all the way counterclockwise and '10' being all the way clockwise.

Flat is 'usually' meant to be about 2-10-2 (bass mid treble)

Let us know how it goes.

Mike

will33 · #20 09-12-2011, 12:19 AM

Yep, this is an old school fender tone stack. The "flat" setting is 2-10-2 (numbers on the 1-10 knobs, not o'clock). Bass and treble knobs only boost, don't cut...up just enough to be on/noticable is "even. Mid knob only cuts, doesn't boost, cranked is "even" and it reduces mids from there.

Start at those settings and make small adjustments from there. Everything at 5 is already a pretty scooped "V" eq. Thinking you're adding a little bass by putting it at say 7-5-5 is even worse.

These are excellent sounding pre's/tonestacks. Something tells me some folks just need to RTFM.