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Hartke LH500

#541
Had it repaired recently (when I got it it had some loose screws inside, and they would roll around, I didn't think anything of it until my amp ended up shorting/blowing upon power up), sounds as good or better than the day I bought it (when they were released)
 
#543
No speakon on these, just 1/4 inch jacks.

I got mine a few weeks ago, and I don't know but after reading this thread, I think I was expecting more from the amp. The sound is really nice - super clean, very warm and very smooth. It's really easy to dial in a nice tone, and I love the simplicity. I'm used to a Trace Elliot V-Type and other than the gain control on the TE it's a very similar layout.

My main gripe about it is that it's not nearly as loud as I expected. I play in a funk band, and at rehearsals we don't mic up the horns. Our drummer isn't a powerhouse either! I'm running it through an 8ohm Hartke 4x10, but having to crank the volume to around 6-7 to cut through. My V-Type (1x15 combo) puts out 180 watts into it's internal speaker, and I never need to push it above 3-4 at practise in the same room. I find this a bit disappointing, and I'm fearful of it's lifespan having to push it so hard everytime we practise.
 
#544
you're only getting 300 to 350 watts at 8ohms. you either need to add another 8ohm cabinet to pull the full 4ohms out of the amp or dump your current 8ohm 4X10 and get a 4ohm 4X10.




HLR Gaj said:
No speakon on these, just 1/4 inch jacks.

I got mine a few weeks ago, and I don't know but after reading this thread, I think I was expecting more from the amp. The sound is really nice - super clean, very warm and very smooth. It's really easy to dial in a nice tone, and I love the simplicity. I'm used to a Trace Elliot V-Type and other than the gain control on the TE it's a very similar layout.

My main gripe about it is that it's not nearly as loud as I expected. I play in a funk band, and at rehearsals we don't mic up the horns. Our drummer isn't a powerhouse either! I'm running it through an 8ohm Hartke 4x10, but having to crank the volume to around 6-7 to cut through. My V-Type (1x15 combo) puts out 180 watts into it's internal speaker, and I never need to push it above 3-4 at practise in the same room. I find this a bit disappointing, and I'm fearful of it's lifespan having to push it so hard everytime we practise.
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#549
And remember you need to crank the mid knob all the way to 10 and back off on the bass and treble if you want to get anywhere close to flat. The lack of mids with everything set at 12 o'clock isn't going to punch through very well.

Dan
 
#550
yep....the mid knob should be maxed. Treble at zero and bass at 2 to 3 for "flat". If the mid isn't maxed you'll be losing a lot of volume.

Dan55 said:
And remember you need to crank the mid knob all the way to 10 and back off on the bass and treble if you want to get anywhere close to flat. The lack of mids with everything set at 12 o'clock isn't going to punch through very well.

Dan
Click to expand...
 
#551
I understand about the impedance of the cab etc, and how to get the EQ flat. It seems that it's really quiet until the volume gets to around 6.5. Then between 6.5 and 7.5 it gets loud very quickly. Is it right that all the volume should come in a big lump with such a small adjustment of the volume control?
 
#552
HLR Gaj said:
I understand about the impedance of the cab etc, and how to get the EQ flat. It seems that it's really quiet until the volume gets to around 6.5. Then between 6.5 and 7.5 it gets loud very quickly. Is it right that all the volume should come in a big lump with such a small adjustment of the volume control?
Click to expand...

Two things on the LH series Hartke's to keep in mind....

1_ It has a progressive volume pot. "5" is NOT half wide-open. This was designed so that, for small venues, you really dial in your volume with smaller variances from (say) 2-3 on the knob, as opposed to 6-7. I believe Larry said that around 6.5 would equate to 5 on a non-progressive volume pot. So what you are hearing is exactly correct. On higher powered amps at lower volumes it is hard to get the volume "just right", with typical volume pots. If you need to set it on six or seven, don't worry. You're really about half wide-open.

2- The technically "Flat" setting on a LH series head is Zero Treble, 3 on Bass, and 10 on midrange. With that in mind, you can dial it in better. I like a slightly "scooped-mids" sound, and I run my LH: Bass 5, Mid 9-10, Treble 4-5 (no bright switch on).

When you crank the mids up, you will feel a lot more volume. Agree, also with suggestions on 4ohm load, which will almost double your volume.

Hope that is helpful.
CD
 
#555
Hi Folks

I have one of these LH500, it's a really great amp, but now I'm just trying to set it up with my Rocktron Blue Thunder rack effects.

Maybe I'm missing something, but in the Hartke manual it states:

EFFECTS SEND jack - Use this 1/4” unbalanced jack to send low impedance (100 ohm) signal from the Model LH1000 to a professional outboard effects processor such as a reverb, echo, chorus, flanger, or harmonizer device. Output level is approximately 0 dB to +4 dB and is post-EQ and post-Limiter but unaffected by the setting of the VOLUME control. You can also use the Effect Send jack to route signal to an external mixing console or amplifier with an input sensitivity of +4 dB.

Which implies to me that the signal to the effects send it not regulated by the volume, and yet when I change the volume control this is exactly what's happening. Am I stupid or what?

DAB
 
#558
Hey!,
I just read through about 28 pages of threads concerning this amp! I'm interested in the L500, as that would be plenty of power for my needs...the question that I have is what about the combo that Hartke offers? It seems that (and I am new to the bass world) the combo isn't nearly as popular for some reason...why? Is it because of the weight? True, I'm also looking for a 4x12 cab for guitar because I found a Roland JC120 head version, though for the time I use the combo with 2 12's. The combo that I'm talking about is Hydrive 5410c with the LH500 head with a Hydrive 410 cab, and I think the cab is at 4ohms (correct me if I'm wrong). The weight isn't an issue as far as I'm concerned, but I do wonder if the head would take too much vibration in there, or if it could breathe well enough. Anyone tried this one or have suggestions? I've seen some good deals on it, and I wonder if that is the way to go. Thanks!
Jazzola
 
#560
I'm currently running LH500 with 8ohm Laney NX115. With limiter on my volume is low enough for complaints but with it off, it is loud enough for our practice needs, probably too loud for a gig. I plan to add another 15" so I can get everything out of the amp and playing it safe with power handling and without having to make the amp scream.

Some odd noise, some clinging/ringing of high tones from it(gonna try changing the preamp tube next and new cable, damn cat's chewed up the current one, had to solder it back together) and the odd smell but otherwise very satisfied so far. It's my first head & cab combo and no complaints so far from anyone.
 

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