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hartke TX300 vs LH500 or TX600?

pcake

pcake

Sep 20, 2011
10,169
31,502
Los Angeleez
#1
my alltime favorite amp was my LH500, but due to injuries, i was unable to lift it or move it without pain, and it was awkward to have on top of my ampeg mini 2x10, so i sold it and bought a TC BQ250. it's nice enough, and the tone is decent.

then i read that the TX600 has the same AX7 tone circuit as the LH500 and very similar tone but at over 15 pounds lighter. it's more amp than i need, but it's tempting.

so i'm wondering how close the TX300's voice is to the TX600 or the LH500. anyone have the chance to try the LH500 or the TX600 and the TX300 through the same rig? how did they compare? i'm mostly concerned with the clean tone.
 
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#3
I haven't actually played the TX series, but I have heard more negative reviews than positive. I heard the TX 600 is quieter than than LH500.

I recently sold my LH500 after having it for 5 years to upgrade to a louder Markbass 800 head.

The thing was a solid tank and did its job. The only thing I didn't like about it was its weight, at around 20 pounds, not very portable.
 
#5
I've had my LH500 as my main gigging amp for many years. It's a workhorse, but as I got older the amp seemed to be getting heaver at 23 lbs. I was really excited when Hartke came out with the TX600 at 7 lbs. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Well I got it and it was not as loud as the LH500 (no balls). Not happy with the lack of power and tone I took it back to the music store and they ordered another one. When it arrived, I let the store open the box and test it. It was DOA. Sent that back and ended up buying a Mesa WD-800 and I absolutely love it. Ask Agedhorse. I keep my Hartke LH500 as a backup as I wouldn't get much selling it and it has been very good to me. I don't think you can get a TX600 anymore as their now pushing the TX300. There you have it.
20170213_155306.jpg
 
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#6
dbase said:
I've had my LH500 as my main gigging amp for many years. It's a workhorse, but as I got older the amp seemed to be getting heaver at 23 lbs. I was really excited when Hartke came out with the TX600 at 7 lbs. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Well I got it and it was not as loud as the LH500 (no balls). Not happy with the lack of power and tone I took it back to the music store and they ordered another one. When it arrived, I let the store open the box and test it. It was DOA. Sent that back and ended up buying a Mesa WD-800 and I absolutely love it. Ask Agedhorse. I keep my Hartke LH500 as a backup as I wouldn't get much selling it and it has been very good to me. I don't think you can get a TX600 anymore as their now pushing the TX300. There you have it.
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thanks!

while volume isn't currently important to me, tone is. if the TX600 doesn't sound like the LH500, there's no reason for me to consider it.

btw, the TX600 is still available everywhere i looked.
 
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#10
I almost bought a TX300 during black Friday. I played with it for a good while and it seemed like getting the EQ to give me what I wanted took a little more fiddling than other amps but once I got it dialed in and get the overdrive where I wanted, it was really really nice sounding. Can speak on actual volume but there are good sounds to be had in the TX amps, they just may be hiding
 
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#11
_One//Man//Mutiny_ said:
I almost bought a TX300 during black Friday. I played with it for a good while and it seemed like getting the EQ to give me what I wanted took a little more fiddling than other amps but once I got it dialed in and get the overdrive where I wanted, it was really really nice sounding. Can speak on actual volume but there are good sounds to be had in the TX amps, they just may be hiding
Click to expand...

lhave you every played an LH500 or LH1000? if so, how similar was the sound of the TX300?
 
#12
Inara said:
I'm not sure they're available yet, but yes. LX5500 and LX8500, both with tubes in the preamp. I'm sort of waiting to hear how they are when they're available ... I miss my LH500 also, but not the weight
Click to expand...

I had one on pre-order with Sam Ash and they came back with mid-May for the first shipments - but probably subject to change.

I'd still be interested to hear these when they come out.
 
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#15
pcake said:
my alltime favorite amp was my LH500, but due to injuries, i was unable to lift it or move it without pain, and it was awkward to have on top of my ampeg mini 2x10, so i sold it and bought a TC BQ250. it's nice enough, and the tone is decent.

then i read that the TX600 has the same AX7 tone circuit as the LH500 and very similar tone but at over 15 pounds lighter. it's more amp than i need, but it's tempting.

so i'm wondering how close the TX300's voice is to the TX600 or the LH500. anyone have the chance to try the LH500 or the TX600 and the TX300 through the same rig? how did they compare? i'm mostly concerned with the clean tone.
Click to expand...

You and I have talked a little bit about the LH500 when I finally picked one up. I have been very happy with it since. Although it did take some getting used to setting the EQ to the tone I wanted not being familiar with the stacked system.
With that said itself is a beast at 23lbs.
When heard about the TX600 I also got quite excited especially at 7lbs. A very good friend purchased one with a Orange OBC410 cabinet and agreed to bring it over to compare the two. This was before all this Covid stuff began. He had his American Pro Precision and I had my custom P-Bass with the CS 60's Reissue pickup. The difference was night and day. Where I could punch in the chest and gut he seemed to be lacking in that area. Also in a Volume test, both at 5 his TX seemed to have trouble driving that Orange Cabinet. I was using my new Rumble 410 cabinet. Needless to say we were both underwhelmed. He came back 3 days later but he had exchanged the TX600 for TX300 and volume tone and punch it kept up with the LH500 just fine.
We were both in shock. Technically I am not savvy enough to know why such a difference but I know what I heard and felt.
I am still not willing to give up my LH500 and am willing to pay 3 neighborhood teenagers to haul it and the Rumble where they need to go from the van at this time. But if there comes a time where the LH500 needs replacing there will be much consideration on the TX300. Unless a 800 SVT stack happens to show up at a real stupid price. ;[)
So that is my experience. I hope this was somewhat helpful and not just the ramblings of a old man.
Good luck in you investigation.
Bob
 
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#17
Bobhmcs said:
You and I have talked a little bit about the LH500 when I finally picked one up. I have been very happy with it since. Although it did take some getting used to setting the EQ to the tone I wanted not being familiar with the stacked system.
With that said itself is a beast at 23lbs.
When heard about the TX600 I also got quite excited especially at 7lbs. A very good friend purchased one with a Orange OBC410 cabinet and agreed to bring it over to compare the two. This was before all this Covid stuff began. He had his American Pro Precision and I had my custom P-Bass with the CS 60's Reissue pickup. The difference was night and day. Where I could punch in the chest and gut he seemed to be lacking in that area. Also in a Volume test, both at 5 his TX seemed to have trouble driving that Orange Cabinet. I was using my new Rumble 410 cabinet. Needless to say we were both underwhelmed. He came back 3 days later but he had exchanged the TX600 for TX300 and volume tone and punch it kept up with the LH500 just fine.
We were both in shock. Technically I am not savvy enough to know why such a difference but I know what I heard and felt.
I am still not willing to give up my LH500 and am willing to pay 3 neighborhood teenagers to haul it and the Rumble where they need to go from the van at this time. But if there comes a time where the LH500 needs replacing there will be much consideration on the TX300. Unless a 800 SVT stack happens to show up at a real stupid price. ;[)
So that is my experience. I hope this was somewhat helpful and not just the ramblings of a old man.
Good luck in you investigation.
Bob
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did you switch the heads to hear them through the other cabs?

tgriley62 said:
I know this doesn't help and I haven't played any of the newer Hartke's but, I owned a LH500 as my first head & sold it. I missed it so much I bought another. Love it & will put up with the weight
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for me, it's not a question of putting up with the weight - due to injury that is taking many years to improve, the heavier ap could cause long-term damage.
 
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#19
Have you considered something like a Quilter BB800? It's not a Hartke, doesn't have a preamp tube, but it's supposed to have good tone, and is light.

I used to use a LH1000 into my two Bassman Neo 410 cabs. It was heaven. Well, except when I had to move it.

I don't even have an amp anymore. Just play at church and plug into the PA with my pedalboard.
 
#20
BTW, you can do google searches for Hartke TX600 or Hartke TX300 for reviews on distributor sites, or google site:talkbass.com hartke tx600 or site:talkbass.com hartke tx300 for threads. There was a fair amount that turned up

I did see one thread that said the TX600 does have a preamp tube, but the TX300 does not. Not sure if that's correct or not, but something to consider.

I also think I saw something stating they may have resolved issues with the TX600. Maybe incorrect taper on the volume pot?
 

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