A night with the HD-500

[oddjob]

I had a chance to gig out with the HD-500 last night. It started out REALLY rough. I could not, for the life of me, dial in a good sound. The first set went by and I sounded like mud. Tweaked a bit more, and the second set went by... better but still not what I was looking for. The last set rolled around, I tweaked even more... BINGO!!! I'm not really sure what I did (other than turning the LVR off) but my guitarist turned around, nodded and said, "That's more like it."

Once I got things dialed in THIS was the sound I remember from OH. It was big, broad and articulate. The highs moved rather well and the sound was even with a big, but not boomy, low end. I loved it.

Is it enough to replace the GK as the everyday rig... don't know (I was ready to give up on it after that 1st set) but I will be playing it out again at the end of the month (we have 2 weeks off). Regardless it will be staying at Casa Parrish for quite some time.

Pretty much the same observations are in place from the mini review. The parallel effects loop is WONDERFUL (really helps in keeping the low end from dropping out).

On a side note, I checked MarkBass's web page. This appears to be the 503’s predecessor. If that's the case, I actually like this one better (I like the foot switch and parallel/series loop better). I played on a 503 much earlier in the year and the tones are right there with each other. If you like the Mark sound and you can find one of these... do it! It is a killer amp.

 

[Randracula]

I'm a GK user and have had experience using the HD-500 with those exct same cabs. IME if you're used to the GK sound the LVR is better left all of the way off. Other than that I was able to get a pretty good sound out of it. I think the HD-500 would make a good backup for your 2001RB if you ever need one but IMO the GK cabs sound better with a GK head.I think what you have to do now is find a an Audiophile cab to go with that HD- 500

 

[Motojunkie]

Are you running the BPODxt in the loop?

That sure is a purty bass next to that nice bass rig.

 

[oddjob]

Are you running the BPODxt in the loop?

Yeap... with the HD-500 you have the choice of running it series or parallel. In this case I am running it parallel (effected signal and dry signal mixed together ).

Love that bass I keep putting it away and play the HH - but it lasts for a show or two... the sound is just awsome - PLUS last night I was approached by this bombshell of a girl "Do you play..." I told her she had to speak to the guitarist (he calls the songs - no set list), "but I'd rather talk to you, your guitar looks cooler." I was flattered enough that I couldn't correct her

 

[oddjob]

I think what you have to do now is find a an Audiophile cab to go with that HD- 500

Give me time... I still have to dig myself out of the doghouse for this purchase.

My favorite line for the wife: "Why do you need another amp? You can only play one at a time." My response that I needed one for each bass didn't go over well

 

[fearofcups]

"but I'd rather talk to you, your guitar looks cooler." I was flattered enough that I couldn't correct her

Isn't this the problem for all of us who play EBMM? Sigh, those poor unfortunate guitarists, all they do is play fast and loud and they think they're as cool as a klondike bar. I don't think I'll ever have the HEART to tell them otherwise. Nice rig btw

 

[Motojunkie]

Yeap... with the HD-500 you have the choice of running it series or parallel. In this case I am running it parallel (effected signal and dry signal mixed together ).

I must have one of the earlier HD-500s since mine doesn't have the option to switch the effects loop from series to parallel. I'm interested in what you're doing with the BPODxt - would you be able to send me your patches? I don't want you to go out of your way, but if they're easily accessable..... [email protected]

I tend to use my BPODxt just for playing with headphones or sometimes putting a signal to the computer for crude recording. Now that I have a Toneport I really don't use it much at all.

Love that bass I keep putting it away and play the HH - but it lasts for a show or two... the sound is just awsome - PLUS last night I was approached by this bombshell of a girl "Do you play..." I told her she had to speak to the guitarist (he calls the songs - no set list), "but I'd rather talk to you, your guitar looks cooler." I was flattered enough that I couldn't correct her

Glad to hear that the bass player is getting the attention from the ladies.