Enter to Win a $8000 PA System!

Hartke LH500 500-watt Bass Head

500W Bass Amplifier Head with Rackmountable Metal Chassis, 12AX7 Class-A Tube Preamplifier Circuit, Bass and Treble Shelving, Selectable Bright Switch and Limiter
$479.99

Earn $24 back in Bonus Bucks OR pay $20/month with 24 month financing*

In Stock!

Only 7 left in stock! More on the way.
Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Hartke LH500 500-watt Bass Head
In Stock!
$479.99
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Serious Power With Front-end Tube Warmth!

The Hartke LH500 is a 500-watt bass amplifier head featuring a classic 12AX7 Class A tube front end with a solid-state output. Portable and roadworthy, the Hartke LH500 offers both treble and bass shelving, so you can give its warm tone the edge you want. You can also tweak the bright and limiter switches to shape your sound even further. Rackmount it for the ultimate in convenience, and then plug in - there is a front-panel XLR balanced direct output, a rear-panel 1/4" effects loop, and 1/4" output connectors on the Hartke LH500.

Hartke LH500 500-watt Bass Amplifier Head at a Glance:
  • 500 watts with a tube front-end design and tonal shaping
  • Rugged metal, rackmountable chassis is ready for the road

500 watts with a tube front-end design and tonal shaping
The LH500 features a classic 12AX7 Class A tube front-end design with a solid-state output. It's designed to drive the Hartke HyDrive cabs, but it offers up more than enough power and tone control to drive whatever cabinet you want. Shape the LH500's warm sound using the treble and bass shelving. You'll also enjoy getting your hands on bright and limiter switches for further control.

Rugged metal, rackmountable chassis is ready for the road
Hartke gave the LH500 a rugged metal chassis and added a steel faceplate and handles, so it's ready to take whatever kind of abuse you can dish out. For the most convenience in getting to the gig and back, you can rackmount the Hartke LH500 - it takes up only two rackspaces.

Hartke LH500 500-watt Bass Amplifier Head 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
The Hartke LH500 bass amplifier head pumps out a ton of sound - and it's built tough for the touring musician!

Additional Media

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech 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.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: HALH500

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Sounds..... So sweet

I'm very happy with my LH500.
500 watts of pure Class A amp tone and clarity.
She is powering my Hartke 410 cab.
The combo sounds so sweet. I can't go past 1/2 volume because my roof will blow off. From sounding like Jaco, switching over to Flea's sound, the LH 500 does it and everything in between.
If you're looking at the Hartke' and are undecided on which to choose, forget the TX line with it's useless (IMHO) bells & whistles and go for either LH. You won't be disappointed. Thanks to Joe Holsclaw my sales advisor and everyone at Sweetwater.
Rated 5/5

amp head

Amp has both passive and active inputs the tube worms the sound and I like the delayed turn on so you don't get speaker thump the unit was packed very well for shipment with three layers of boxes the amp fit my needs..
Rated 4/5

Hartke LH500

Good tone. Easy to use and loud as hell! Only complaint is there is no rack tuner input. Other than that a solid, great sounding bass head for a more than fair price.
Music background: Metal, prog rock.
Rated 5/5

Great Amp for the money !!!

The Hartke LH 500 watt head .... got it from Sweetwater for about $500 or less and it was at my house
in 2 days from order to unpacking the amp. I am running it with a 4x10 cab and a 1x15 cab together at
4 ohms but have not turn it up past 3 yet ... So for it sounds great no problems and I expect it will
last for years to come, I have had Hartke amps and cabs over the past 30 years and this is the best.
Buying thru Sweetwater is plus cause you get it fast and they back there customers....BUY THIS AMP !!!
Music background: 30 plus years Bass/guitar ... Cover bands/Recording
Rated 5/5

Replacement Bass Head and totally blown away!!

I have had several bass amps, combos, bass heads through out the years. I always want Ampeg SVT stuff but never could afford it. I finally came across a G&K 2x10 300watt combo and I loved it. I only paid $ for the G&K. Well, as life would have it, lightning took out my G&K combo. Of course the speakers are still good so I was like, I need a new bass head. I came across the LH500 and it fits easily into my G&K combo because the old G&K combo head was a 2U rack mount. After hearing the new combo (2x10 and a 4x10 cab all G&K) I am completely blown away. My 6 10's are keeping up with my brother's 8x10 powered by an older Carvin R600 (600watts). Both of us are like, this thing rocks!!! This Hartke head has some freaking balls and plenty of headroom. In fact, you should hear both stacks side by side, it's absolutely monstrous.

So I highly recommend this head. Now, I paid only $ for my Hartke LH500, but I am friends with the owner of a music store, so I get the inside deal. But even at $ this head is totally worth it. It stays super clean and can get very loud while maintaining sweet, sweet warm tube sounds. Get one, you won't regret it.
Music background: Amateur music for over 30 years, played in many bands
Close Close $8,000 PA System Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Success!

Your email, test has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!