Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Hartke LH500
- Thread starter KJung
- Start date
- Mar 11, 2010
- 244
- 18
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Höfner, Pyramid Strings, Dr. No FX & Asterope cables
ArtechnikA, how did you end up mounting it? Just got an LH500 used (couldn't resist really : ) and have had an ordeal trying to get my old HA5500 cased so I don't feel like going through that again if it's fine without rear mounting... thanks!
I'll try to post a couple of front & back pictures tonight but the short version is that it's mounted in the bottom two U of an SKB retractable-handle rack with wheels. Because of the way the retractable handle section is formed into the case, it's almost flush with the bottom of the rackspace, so it's almost fully supported there. (There might be a little room for movement, but only a very little.) And right above it, I have a deep 1U rack drawer, so there's not much room for it to move 'up' either.
In truth, I expect neither is truly needed but it gives me peace of mind. The LHnn cases are very stout, as are the rack ears, and the SKB rack frame. With only one amp module, the LH500 has got to be a bit lighter than the 1000. I'm not planning any air travel with the rack so I have no qualms about any handling it might receive on my watch. If I -were- looking at air shipment, I'd probably fill that bottom gap, small as it is, with some very high density foam or a suitably thick plywood shim. Or possibly building up some rear-mount rack ears, but seeing the internal pictures I'm not sure there's safe clearance to the amp modules. But the reality is that all those metal flanges and angles are quite substantial and I think if you mount it to the bottom of any reputable rack you'll have nothing to worry about.
- Mar 11, 2010
- 244
- 18
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Höfner, Pyramid Strings, Dr. No FX & Asterope cables
Yes, it's about two thirds of the weight and it will be at the bottom of the case anyway.
Did the same with my GK 700RB, stuffed dense foam on both sides so no movement at all.
Did the same with my GK 700RB, stuffed dense foam on both sides so no movement at all.
I would run the LH500 through an Avatar 210 Neo. Guess that would be relative and answers my question; my band always has PA support, so one 210 is enough for me.
I love the LH500. It's my main amp when paired with my Hydrive 410. I love the tone so much that I don't mind lugging it around. It is so worth it. The price is also killer, especially because I got it on sale for $350 brand new. It's super rugged and sweet and I would pick it over most other amps. My two cents.
Jeremy
Jeremy
Yeah Jeremy I am loving mine too, I had a great weekend at Sam Ash about a month and a half ago, I went in for a set of strings, and started checking it out, granted I had to drive home and pick up an Acoustic B450 I had at home and drive back there with the trade in and the holiday promotion they had going on I think it was for labor day and the ten dollar giftcard I got in the mail I walked out of there for like 65 dollars out of pocket I am still grinning over that I run mine through an 810 XL Cudos to Larry Hartke for making affordable high end hybrid heads affordable to everyone I would put the LH500 up against the SVT!
I have an LH1000 - basically 2 500's in one box.
I used it for in-house practice a lot and found its tone at low volume very nice.
Clean. Easy to dial in good sound and the knob isn't super-sensitive to teeny changes.
The 500 is reported to develop a nice not-quite-clean tone when it's really loud, but I think you'll find it nehaves well at indoor levels.
The volume tone is kind of progressive as I believe are the other knobs ie treble, mids, bass. It can play at quite a low volume but still with good clarity and presence in my basement, through a 115 and 210 at the same time with the volume level set about 2. When you start to turn the volume up it gets louder in a progressive type of control, not linear. In other words, you get to the point where you turn the knob a little and it gets louder than what it did at a low setting adjusting the same amount. For me, most gigs I have it between 4 and 6 on volume. If you get one, read the instructions, as I believe mids are cut only. So I dime the mids, run bass at 4, and treble down to 2, and cut off the tweeters on my cabs, and that is my sound. I get a nice, strong, clean, punchy mid range. If you want grit or distortion you need a pedal. I believe this has the Fender style tone stack so it is nothing but clean and warm...Hope this helps...
Just ordered a used one from GC for $146 to my door. I was just looking for a home-use low-priced, simple, SS amp to test dirt and preamp pedals and cab sims through the effects return. After reading this entire thread, looks like this is a great amp all around. A good gig amp as well. Thats great news!
I've owned two HA3500s and an HA2500 and regret not keeping at least one of them for random use. I'm pretty stoked for this to arrive! My Mesa D-180 has the Fender-type tone stack so I'm familiar with the design and confident on dialing in a great tone.
I've owned two HA3500s and an HA2500 and regret not keeping at least one of them for random use. I'm pretty stoked for this to arrive! My Mesa D-180 has the Fender-type tone stack so I'm familiar with the design and confident on dialing in a great tone.
here are some pics of my modded LH500 (I've already posted them on my NAD thread) :
Red Tolex rules ! (and Frozen too
)
I don't why, but it sounds better now...
Red Tolex rules ! (and Frozen too
)I don't why, but it sounds better now...
Zombie resurrection alert. I owned one if these amps years ago, sold it to go to an Ashdown ABM500. Never really gelled with the ABM. Tried the LH500 again in my local shop about a week ago, bought it today. Love the tone.
Can anyone confirm whether the DI is post or pre EQ?
Can anyone confirm whether the DI is post or pre EQ?
That looks great man! congrats.here are some pics of my modded LH500 (I've already posted them on my NAD thread) :
Red Tolex rules ! (and Frozen too
I don't why, but it sounds better now...
Ah cool, thanks. Post preamp tubes?
I ran mine last night for the first time for a rock covers gig - 500 odd people with a huge PA. FOH just took a signal from my pedal board, but the onstage sound was awesome. Tone was perfect and volume was on about 2.5\10. Very loud amp!
