action_panzer Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Right-o Hartke fans, HA or LH series? LH sounds monster and is great value, HA is unbelievably versatile...which one do we prefer....there's only one way to find out! FIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 I've one of each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 I've only had an HA3500 and have never used an LH so I can't really contribute effectively here. What I will say is that I liked the HA3500. The only reason I got rid was because I got a new detachable head combo and it was surplus to requirements. Well, it was heavy too, but I could have put up with it. Always liked the sound I got out of it, and because it's found in so many rehearsal rooms and in house back line, I'm right at home whenever I encounter one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 I had a HA2000 and a HA5500 - both great sounding and completely reliable amps but both sold on due to getting lighter gear that could cover the same ground. Nearly had an LH1000, too, but it had to be sent back due to occasional loud pops and bangs through the speakers with nothing plugged in and the volume fully down. On that basis, I vote HA series - I just wish they were lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilco Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 (edited) Never had an HA, but can fully give the thumbs up re the LH. My 500 does indeed sound monster through my Hydrive 4 x10, & the simplicity of the EQ makes anything else seem a bit unecessary! It's built like a tank too! Edited September 15, 2013 by Wilco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 For me I prefer the LH series by a distance. HA amps are great and flexible for tone shaping but the LH series are just great for plug in and play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goblin Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 HA is very versatile and cuts well, but for me it's the LH series. Nice, simple, loud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 They both have a place depending on what you're after. I've had HA3500, HA5500a, LH500 (x2) & LH1000 The HA models are great if you're looking for a lot of control of your sound but if you want simple and something that sounds good with minimal adjustment the the LH series are the ones to go for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I have an HA3500 head that I use as my chuck-it-in-the-car rehearsal (and occasional gig) amp, had it for years and it's been brilliant. Plug'n'play is good but I like having all the control that the HAs give you. Makes it easy to deal with an odd-sounding venue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiegrungesound Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Used to have a HA3500 with the vintage sytle casing! Lovely looking & lovely sounding amp. Good D.I., Compressor & dual/blendable Tube & Solid state preamp. I only sold it to get a lighter amp, though the less said about THAT excuse of an amplifier the better! As for the LH500, it's my main amp & it is STILL awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I'll sit on the fence and say Hydrive cabs (designed with LH amps in mind) and HA amps. Honestly, I could argue with myself in an empty room! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I've had a HA2500, loved it to bits! Sounded great and had t spend 3.5 times more to get a better sounding head, says it all really! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I had an HA4000 with 115 & 210XL cabs. Very versatile and powerful rig. Not had or used any of the LH amps, but not really seen a bad word about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davehux Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Had an HA3500 with a volume control that just had two settings - Pardon Me? and Sweet Jesus!!!! Loved it in a way that you might love your own Stuka dive bomber. Flogged it and got an LMII Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 [quote name='davehux' timestamp='1379451011' post='2212937'] Loved it in a way that you might love your own Stuka dive bomber. [/quote] Not a comparison I thought I'd ever see on here lol. I like your style ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRichards Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 LH. Classic amp with simple EQ that can do it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 After the disaster with the new Hartke Kilo I bought a few weeks ago I wouldn't touch Hartke with the proverbial big pole. Faulty new amp and complete lack of customer service. (2 weeks to respond ?) Not the kind of service I expect from any company let alone a dedicated bass company. Vote of no confidence from me. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 [quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1380484147' post='2226049']Vote of no confidence from me.[/quote] I suspected you would say that! Not to belittle your experience (which sounded like a right pain in the arse) there are many more satisfied customers than dissatisfied I suspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Dave, I assume that because you'd gone to talk to Hartke that you'd somehow had a problem with the shop that you bought from? I mean - it's the outlet who provides the customer service where a product purchased is faulty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) I have an HA3500 in a wooden box. While being a great amp I found the fan very noisy and have changed it for a quieter fan. I also find that I have had to change the tube quite often as I find it gets noisy unless it is running s reasonably fresh tube. i was driving a BF S12T and the Master was up at 2 o'clock so could have been driving the amp quite hard. I have now got myself a GenzBenz Shuttle 9.2 and the HA3500 has been demoted to the subs bench. Edited October 1, 2013 by Twigman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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