Hartke LH500

[SGD Lutherie]

Yeah, I've tried normal setting on the muff + passive input. It sounds a bit different, but the main thing is I don't have to crank it up so much, which makes me happy

By cranking up I mean I never went past 12 o'clock, with passive + normal muff I don't go past 9 in the rehearsals lol

My volume is at about 1:00 for general use with one cab. I never go much past that... maybe to 2:00 at most. Remember that the volume control is a master volume, and not gain. The amp sounds a little different past 12:00, which I like. I keep my bass and treble at about 1:00 and the mids varies from that to a title bit more or less. I never use the bright switch or limiter, but I did when I first got he amp.

 

[Troph]

Ive been gassing for a hartke rig for awhile now. I like the simple layout. I tend to fiddle constantly when I have to many choices. Currently running a GK 1001RB through a Ampeg Fridge. Im thinking of going with a pair of Hydrive 410. The question is should I look at the LH500 or the LH1000?

You might just try a different cabinet. The GK 1001RB-II head is a keeper. Not sure I would call the LH series heads an upgrade if that's your starting point.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

You might just try a different cabinet. The GK 1001RB-II head is a keeper. Not sure I would call the LH series heads an upgrade if that's your starting point.

They are different sounding heads. I had an 800RB for many years. Then I went to a Mesa 400+, which had a warmer tone, but wasn't as loud or punchy as the GK. It broke up before it got to the same volume level.

I think the LH500 has a good combination of tube warmth and SS clarity. I use a GK 400RB at rehearsals. The GK sounds good too. Apples and oranges. I like the Hartke better these days.

 

[Troph]

They are different sounding heads. I had an 800RB for many years. Then I went to a Mesa 400+, which had a warmer tone, but wasn't as loud or punchy as the GK. It broke up before it got to the same volume level.

I think the LH500 has a good combination of tube warmth and SS clarity. I use a GK 400RB at rehearsals. The GK sounds good too. Apples and oranges. I like the Hartke better these days.

Absolutely, I agree that the two have voicings which are fairly non-overlapping.

However, as an owner of both the 700RB-II and an LH500, I can state that the LH500/1000 have a much less versatile pre-amp. The single volume control prevents you from driving the preamp at low master volumes. And the tone stack basically allows you to bring out the mids, run mostly flat, or scooped. Not much else at all. The GK preamp controls are significantly more flexible and offer a wider tonal variety, in my opinion.

Also (and this is obviously in my subjective, non-scientific opinion) the 700RB-II seems a bit louder/punchier than the LH500. Obviously the LH1000 would be a different story entirely.

If you run a pedal board with lots of tone shaping already, then the LH series may be perfect for you since you don't care much about all of those amp knobs anyway.

But if you depend on your amp to do tone shaping, I can see how the LH might leave you feeling a bit inadequate, especially if you're used to the GK.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Absolutely, I agree that the two have voicings which are fairly non-overlapping.

However, as an owner of both the 700RB-II and an LH500, I can state that the LH500/1000 have a much less versatile pre-amp. The single volume control prevents you from driving the preamp at low master volumes. And the tone stack basically allows you to bring out the mids, run mostly flat, or scooped. Not much else at all. The GK preamp controls are significantly more flexible and offer a wider tonal variety, in my opinion.

Also (and this is obviously in my subjective, non-scientific opinion) the 700RB-II seems a bit louder/punchier than the LH500. Obviously the LH1000 would be a different story entirely.

If you run a pedal board with lots of tone shaping already, then the LH series may be perfect for you since you don't care much about all of those amp knobs anyway.

But if you depend on your amp to do tone shaping, I can see how the LH might leave you feeling a bit inadequate, especially if you're used to the GK.

At the time, I sold my 800RB because I started to dislike the center frequencies on the tone controls. GKs do have an interesting tone stack, in that they are all in series with each other.

When I decided to get a Hartke, I was going to go for one of the older heads with the graphic EQ. The head I had before the LH500 was a Trace Elliot.

But I have to say, I'm very happy with the tone of the Hartke. I ended up trying one out at Larry's bass lounge, using one of his prototype Hartke basses.

I have a 2-band EQ in my bass, and I make all my tonal changes with pickup selection and EQ settings, and actually mostly pickup selection. I get what I consider to be a perfect tone out of the amp. I want it to sound like my bass, and not something totally different. So to me it's a stage monitor. It's clean and clear like a MarkBass or something similar, but much warmer and fatter.

I use a pedal for dirt, but probably because I plug into the passive input, when I have the amp cranked to around 1:00, it gets a wonderful growl when I dig in. That's especially true paired up to a 4x10XL cab. Other times I'm using my 4x10 Mesa/Eden cab.

 

[D_Bag]

I just got a lh500 from GC used for $200 and so far I am really digging the tone. It has a very warm, thick tone. It is replacing a HA3500 head. I've had the 3500 for about ten years and I've never liked the tone so I always ran preamps. I am in the process of "downsizing" my rig so I am trying to eliminate the need for a rack. I love the sound of the Fender tone stack and you can't beat the price especially when compared to other amps with the same tone stack (orange bt500).
My only bitch about the amp is it doesn't have a gain knob, but my pork loin takes care of my dirt needs.

 

[DanTheMan2112]

I really like my LH500, but if the MB212 works well enough I may sell the Hartke to offset the cost. The portability/all-in-one factor has become very important. Maybe I can convince the boss that I need to keep a backup.

 

[irakliszs]

Hello!

I am considering LH500, so i would like to ask some questions.

Is it possible to put a "master volume box" in its effects loop and then get some dirt at low volumes with the original amp's volume cranked?

Can I pair it with an EDEN EX112 which is 300w/8ohm? The amp puts 350w at 8 ohms.

I was going for class D for portability, then i read so much about this amp, that i am really tempted...

thanks!

 

[ArtechnikA]

Is it possible to put a "master volume box" in its effects loop and then get some dirt at low volumes with the original amp's volume cranked?
Can I pair it with an EDEN EX112 which is 300w/8ohm? The amp puts 350w at 8 ohms.
I was going for class D for portability, then i read so much about this amp, that i am really tempted...

If dirt at low volumes is your goal, this may or may not be the best choice for you. But short answer is I don't know, haven't tried it, sounds like a bad idea to me. There are plenty of excellent choices for dirt of exactly whatever flavor you like.

No problem with the 'excess of power' - if it ever sounds like you're overdriving the speaker, you probably are - back it down a bit. 300W into any single 12 is asking a lot - if you really think you need that much volume, you probably need more speaker.

There's no getting around the weight, other than to observe it's lighter than the LH1000 ;-)... I just sidestepped the portability issue by putting everything into a rack case with a handle and wheels like an airplane carryon. It is a very solid unit, so it's not gratuitous weight.

 

[irakliszs]

If dirt at low volumes is your goal, this may or may not be the best choice for you. But short answer is I don't know, haven't tried it, sounds like a bad idea to me. There are plenty of excellent choices for dirt of exactly whatever flavor you like.

No problem with the 'excess of power' - if it ever sounds like you're overdriving the speaker, you probably are - back it down a bit. 300W into any single 12 is asking a lot - if you really think you need that much volume, you probably need more speaker.

There's no getting around the weight, other than to observe it's lighter than the LH1000 ;-)... I just sidestepped the portability issue by putting everything into a rack case with a handle and wheels like an airplane carryon. It is a very solid unit, so it's not gratuitous weight.

Why bad idea? I read a review in Bass Gear magazine and seems like the amp's original volume knob is just the preamp gain and the whole signal goes to power amp unattenuated, or if there was a master volume it is fixed at 100%. The "master volume box" is common practice in vintage guitar amps that have no master volume, in order to ger some dirt at low levels.

Anyone tried this with LH? I read many people find the amp quite clean, feels strange noone has tried something like this before.


About the cab, i chose this exact Eden beacause i can find it cheap, locally, and also I have a room problem, need the whole set be compact. I think this cab can do rehearsals and small clubs, maybe with PA support, right? Is there any danger because its rated lower watts? I dont think ill ever need to crank the amp anyways.


Thanks!!

 

[AdamR]

Your going to need a pedal to get dirt out of that head.

 

[AdamR]

Perhaps try something like an MXR EQ in the loop. Then you can tweak your mids and bring the gain slider up.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Why bad idea? I read a review in Bass Gear magazine and seems like the amp's original volume knob is just the preamp gain and the whole signal goes to power amp unattenuated, or if there was a master volume it is fixed at 100%. The "master volume box" is common practice in vintage guitar amps that have no master volume, in order to ger some dirt at low levels.

Is there any danger because its rated lower watts?

First, I worry about a failure mode that could send the full-strength signal to the power section. I suppose I just don't see the point - the LH series stock in trade is its clean response. If it turns out you don't like how the preamp sounds at high gain, you're going to wind up with a dirt pedal anyway. Use something like a B7K and you can eliminate the preamp section completely, add whatever drive you like, and have a different EQ. Or just run it in front as a regular pedal and have even more control options.

Vintage guitar amps - by which you mean tubes? Not quite the same thing...

But I haven't tried it - I am far from the authority on this issue. At least one person in this thread has posted that the change of tone when cranked is one of the reasons he prefers the 500 to the 1000. So perhaps there is some merit.

You can overload almost any cab with almost any amp if you work at it hard enough. 50W 'over' in the 300W range is not a lot. But you still have the potential of running into either thermal or mechanical limits even if you stay at 300W for long enough.

Look - I ran my LH1000 into a 300W rig for almost a year with zero problems. Why? Because I never turned it up enough to _create_ a problem. If it sounds bad, turn it down. Simply in terms or power handling and cone area, you may be better off with a 2x10 than a 1x12.

Yes, you can damage something if you work at it. So don't do that.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Hello!

I am considering LH500, so i would like to ask some questions.

Is it possible to put a "master volume box" in its effects loop and then get some dirt at low volumes with the original amp's volume cranked?

The volume control is the master volume. There is no gain control.

You could therefore in theory place some type of a boost pedal or preamp before the amp, crank that up, and then adjust the volume control.

 

[tastybasslines]

I'm contemplating picking up one of these. Seems like a perfect match for my 2 Aggie 1X12's.

Thought I would let you know that Best Buy just had it for $250.00 on clearance, however I couldn't locate any. I called GC to have them match it and although they wouldn't, they dropped the price to $279.00 for me. However, they are going to tell you that the offer is only good for today, and that you have to act now. I'm guessing you could call back and it would still be no problem to get that price.

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[SGD Lutherie]

I'm contemplating picking up one of these. Seems like a perfect match for my 2 Aggie 1X12's.

Thought I would let you know that Best Buy just had it for $250.00 on clearance, however I couldn't locate any. I called GC to have them match it and although they wouldn't, they dropped the price to $279.00 for me. However, they are going to tell you that the offer is only good for today, and that you have to act now. I'm guessing you could call back and it would still be no problem to get that price.

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That's a great price. I'm extremely happy with this amp. It has a warm fat yet clean tone, and is very versatile once you get used to the tone controls. And it's loud. Crank the volume to around 1 o'clock and it starts to get a little hair on it.

 

[ArtechnikA]

This is actually a LH1000 question but they're the same box...

I'm mounting my LH1000 in an SKB rack this weekend. It appears that there are predrilled holes at the back of the amp case for a second (rear) set of rack ears.
I'd hate to just run a bunch of sheet metal screws into those holes without knowing what's on the other side.

Have any of you seen an official "aft rack ear" kit, or been inside the amp to see if there are any parts that could be damaged by such an installation?

I'll be mounting the amp in the bottom of the rack so if it's not actually resting on the bottom of the rack case, it'd be close, and I'd probably shim the gap anyway to relieve any bending. But if rear-mounted ears were an approved technique, like it kinda looks, I'd probably give that a go too...

 

[SGD Lutherie]

This is actually a LH1000 question but they're the same box...

I'm mounting my LH1000 in an SKB rack this weekend. It appears that there are predrilled holes at the back of the amp case for a second (rear) set of rack ears.
I'd hate to just run a bunch of sheet metal screws into those holes without knowing what's on the other side.

Have any of you seen an official "aft rack ear" kit, or been inside the amp to see if there are any parts that could be damaged by such an installation?

I'll be mounting the amp in the bottom of the rack so if it's not actually resting on the bottom of the rack case, it'd be close, and I'd probably shim the gap anyway to relieve any bending. But if rear-mounted ears were an approved technique, like it kinds looks, I'd probably give that a go too...

I have my LH500 in a 2 space rack case. I don't think you need any rear mounting tabs. But you will need to remove the feet.

The power amp in on the side panel in the 500. The 1000 has two power amps, so I would guess they are on both sides You can take to the top off and look inside.

 

[tgriley62]

I got the LH500 & a 2x10 cab last month & it is a sweet setup. This is my first head/cab so I can't compare it to any other rigs but, I love the tone I can get out of it. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a 500W head at a decent price that wants a simple set of EQ controls

 

[irakliszs]

I got the LH500 & a 2x10 cab last month & it is a sweet setup. This is my first head/cab so I can't compare it to any other rigs but, I love the tone I can get out of it. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a 500W head at a decent price that wants a simple set of EQ controls

glad to hear you like the amp!
which cab are you using?