Hartke LH500 Bass Amplifier

^# 57

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$507.87 to $599.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (8)

3 Reviews

All time low price

Find out who is using Hartke LH500

4 wishlisted

22 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (29)

$599.99 $539.95 $60.04 · All time low

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3.9 (44)

$539.95 New

$444.00 Used (Very Good)

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5.0 (5)

$507.87 13 available New

$209.14 9 available Used

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4.5 (28)

$599.99

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Average Price: $479

Standard/Professional

$200

$801+

Price Tier

In the Bass Amplifier Heads category, Hartke LH500 Bass Amplifier is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Hartke LH500 Bass Amplifier". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the full potential of your bass guitar with the Hartke LH500 Bass Amplifier Head. This powerhouse delivers 500 watts of robust sound, effortlessly combining a vintage 12AX7 Class A tube front-end with a solid-state output for perfect tonal balance. Designed with both performance and portability in mind, the LH500 is a versatile addition to any bassist's arsenal. Whether you're warming up the lows or sharpening the highs, the intuitive controls, including treble and bass shelving, make fine-tuning your sound a breeze. The bright and limiter switches provide further sculpting options for those who crave dynamic soundscapes.

The LH500 doesn't just sound great; it's built to withstand the rigors of the road. Housed in a rugged, two-rackspace metal chassis with a durable steel faceplate and convenient handles, this amp is ready for any gig. Its front panel XLR balanced direct output and rear-panel 1/4-inch effects loop ensure seamless connectivity, while the 1/4" output connectors are compatible with any cabinet. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the LH500's reliability and power make it a trusted companion.

Key Features:

500 watts of power at 4 ohms
Classic 12AX7 high-voltage Class A tube preamp circuit
Bass and treble shelving, plus mid-peak EQ controls
Selectable bright switch for added high-frequency response
Selectable limiter switch with LED indicator
Front panel XLR balanced direct output
Rear panel 1/4-inch effects loop
1/4" output connectors
2-rackspace metal chassis with steel faceplate and handles

Product specs

Type	Hybrid
Number of Channels	1
Total Power	500W
Compression	Yes
EQ	3-band
Preamp Tubes	1 x 12AX7
Inputs	2 x 1/4" (Passive, Active)
Outputs	2 x 1/4" (speaker), 1 x XLR (direct)
Effects Loop	Yes
Cooling System	Internal Fan, Rear Air Vent
Power Source	Standard IEC AC cable
Height	3.25"
Width	19"
Depth	14.5"
Weight	23.1 lbs.

FAQs

What type of preamp does the Hartke LH500 use?: The Hartke LH500 features a classic 12AX7 high voltage Class-A tube preamp circuit, providing a warm and dynamic tone characteristic of tube amplifiers.
Is the Hartke LH500 suitable for live performances?: Yes, with 500 watts of power at 4 ohms, the Hartke LH500 is powerful enough for live performances, offering robust sound projection suitable for various venues.
Does the Hartke LH500 have an effects loop?: Yes, the Hartke LH500 includes a rear panel 1/4-inch effects loop, allowing you to integrate external effects pedals seamlessly into your signal chain.
Can the Hartke LH500 be used with both passive and active bass guitars?: Yes, the Hartke LH500 has two 1/4" inputs to accommodate both passive and active bass guitars, ensuring optimal compatibility and performance.
What are the EQ controls on the Hartke LH500?: The Hartke LH500 features a 3-band EQ with bass and treble shelving and mid-peak controls, allowing for precise tone shaping to suit your playing style.

Videos

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The Bass Channel

Huge Tube Warmth with Solid State Clarity // Hartke LH500

The Bass Channel

Testing Hartke LH 500 head and HD410 Hy Drive cabinet

Stefano Scola

Hartke LH500 500 Watts Bass Amplifier on GovLiquidation.com

Government Liquidation

Tech 21 VT Bass pedal through Hartke LH500

1thess523

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional power output, easily fills small to medium venues
Unique smooth, round, and warm tone with punch and definition
Versatile EQ, once learned, allows for precise sound shaping
High-quality construction with a solid, rugged feel
Can operate multiple cabinets, offering flexible sound configurations
Clean, clear sound, compatible with various musical styles
Simple controls, plug and play, easy for beginners
Reliable performance even at high volumes, minimal distortion
Great value for the power and quality offered

CONS

Large and heavy compared to modern micro amps
Limited EQ sensitivity, may not suit all preferences
No SpeakON connections, limiting connectivity options
Lacks advanced features like separate gain/master volume or graphic EQ

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hartke LH500 Bass Amplifier.

Features and functionality

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The LH500 uses a Fender tone stack EQ with specific settings: Bass 2-4, Mid 8-10, Treble 2-4, requiring a unique approach to EQ shaping.
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The Markbass Big Bang is noted for its VPF filter, which quickly achieves a growly tone, offering a different tonal palette than the LH500.
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The LH500 can be bridged to deliver over 1000 watts at 4 ohms, making it suitable for high-power applications when paired with the right cab configuration.
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User experience

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Some users find the EQ limiting, with bass and treble functioning as cut-only and mid as boost-only, impacting tone customization.
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Owners report that the Hartke LH500 weighs over 20 pounds, making portability a consideration when comparing with lighter models like the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500.
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Carvin amps are praised for reliability, with some owners claiming years of trouble-free use, contrasting with issues faced by LH500 users.
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Owners note that pairing the LH500 with a single 4x10 or smaller cab can be sufficient for most scenarios, optimizing portability without sacrificing performance.
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Users playing in drop tunings, such as A# on a five-string bass, find the LH500 provides a robust sound, especially when not hauling multiple cabs.
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Build quality

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Reports suggest inconsistent build quality; one unit broke unexpectedly, and a music store described internal construction as a "glue'y mess."
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Use cases and applications

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Known for its clean-only tube sound, making it ideal for metal bands with multiple guitarists due to its loud and clear output.
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Players splitting their signal chains find the "poofy" low end of the GK MB500 beneficial for maintaining low-end presence.
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Ideal for clean tones when paired with modeling effects, providing a neutral base for various preamp pedals such as Sansamp, Darkglass, or Ampeg.
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Comparisons

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The GK MB500 offers a growly tone and a contour knob, appealing to users seeking more aggressive sound characteristics compared to the LH500.
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The Hartke LX5500 is recommended over the LH series for players seeking drive, gain, and compression, offering more tonal flexibility for heavier music styles.
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Value and pricing

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Carvin BX500 is highlighted for its comprehensive EQ options and built-in compressor, offering more features than the Aguilar Tone Hammer at a lower price point.
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Carvin's direct sales model keeps pricing competitive, though it makes trying before buying challenging, a concern for those replacing problematic gear like the LH500.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings

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1 star

makita

over 7 years ago

Workhorse

Bought this amp new nine years ago. Never had any problems with it. Use it for practice and concerts.

The tube stage is your well known Fender gain stage + tone controls. The middle control is 25k, so there's a bit more mids available than with a standard Fender configuration.

The amp has pronounced lower mids, I would say.

DI-Out works well, but it is pre-EQ; I would've liked to change between pre- and post-EQ, but well: it's a budget amp.

There's more power output available than I'll ever need. Never used the volume post 2 on the scale. Though my bass has a lot of output and I use efficient speakers. The speakers Hartke recommends for this amp are power hungry, so they will benefit from the amps high output. You will hear hissing when the amp is used with speaker cabinets with a tweeter. I don't like tweeters, so this is not an issue for me.

The amp has one sound that you can shape a bit. A classic, familiar sound. I have played punk and psychedelic rock with it and it has always worked for me. The amp will not distort until you turn the volume pot past 3 o'clock- this check was done with a scope, not by ear :P This means that you will need stompboxes to add drive. If more flexibility is desired I would look for something with separate low and high mid controls, a separat gain and master volume or a graphic EQ even.

The limiter works well for me. Takes away some of the attack and makes everything a little more compact. I leave it on always.

If you're a simple and cheap guy like me or you're just looking for an amp to put in the rehearsal room, I can recommend this amp.

soderberghek

153

over 7 years ago

Nice and neutral

I get the main part of my tone from pedals and this amp does an excellent job at pushing that sound. It could have more features and maybe be a bit louder but at the price point it sits as of now, you'll be hard pressed to find anything that comes close with the same specs.

zerolessmusicdtd

157

over 9 years ago

Fantastic Head!

Really love this guy. Has a ton of volume, more than I think anyone would ever need. It has great tone options and a lot of customization. I definitely recommend this or the LH1000!