My HD500 came today.

[TSanders]

Yeah. Got here today. Plain and simple, it KILLS. I only played for about 20 minutes with it tonight, but I am really impressed with the tone this head. I dig the two pre channels. Ill try to get a detailed review in when I have some time.

Pics:

 

[Dr Stankface]

Nuyce!!

You know you want to let me come over and jam with it right?

Andrew

 

[maddog]

Sweet Travis! Just in time for Christmas.

 

[Dees]

Now that's a head I want to find under the Christmas tree

 

[Freddy-G.]

It's interesting that some amps have separate inputs for active and passive basses (like yours, and my Hartke) and others have a switch to select either active or passive (like GK, and my Trace). I wonder if one is a better design over the other, in terms of sonics and longevity?

 

[TSanders]

Here are some initial observations. I am running the HD500 into my Neo212. When I first plugged in, the tone was much different than the tone Im used to. Not a bad different, just different. After tinkering with the gain and eq for a bit my StingRay 5 was singin'. Im not surprised it sounded so good. After all, while Im sure these amps were made to sound great for all basses, Im also sure they excel with EBMM basses.

The tube pre is PHAT and clean, and my flatwound strung SR5 was punchy as can be. The footswitch may be my favorite feature. Switching channels is a big plus for me, and just steping on a button to make it happen is pretty sweet. I found the boost to be cool also, if one channels eq settings need a little extra oomph. I havent messed with the LVR knob yet. Ive only spent about 30 minutes with the head, and Im not yet sure if thats a feature tailored to the EB cabs. Sterling has said that the EB cabs were made for this head, but Im gonna stick with my GK Neos, because I really dig those cabs, and the HD500 sounds great into my Neo212. I cant wait for some upcoming rehearsals and gigs to add my Neo115 to the mix.

So overall, after tweaking to my liking, my StingRay 5 is deliciously punchy (as already stated). The low B has a great round tone, and the high end and upper register notes speak clearly with the same round tone as the mids and lows.

I really wish there were more of these floating around, because I think a great many folks would really dig this head.

 

[AnthonyD]

Travis - appears (and sounds) like a great find. Thanks for the commentary and great pics.

 

[TSanders]

Just spent a little more time jamming with the HD500. All I can say is wow. This really is a smokin head.

 

[shamus63]

Hey Travis ~ is this the same bass head that was being advertised here not too long ago?

No matter where you got it from, congrats!

James

 

[Dr Stankface]

Trav, if I wasn't GASin for another SR5, i'd be hunting one of those myself. You know how I am.

Andrew

 

[todd4ta]

Hey Travis ~ is this the same bass head that was being advertised here not too long ago?

No matter where you got it from, congrats!

James

I had one up for sale here a couple of months ago, so I'm not sure if it's made the rounds or not.

Travis, get to know the LVR control. It's sort of like a 'master tone control'.

I also love that glowing red tube window.

 

[Mr Light]

???

I really wish there were more of these floating around, because I think a great many folks would really dig this head.

So, the head had a short-lived spot in the catalog or can you order this head? I've never seen those before.

 

[todd4ta]

They were pretty short-lived, I believe, and I'm not sure how long ago they were sold new. They amps and cabs were made by the same Italian company now making the Mark Bass gear. At the time, I think there was an almost identical Mark Bass head.

 

[Mr Light]

An interesting prospect.

They were pretty short-lived, I believe, and I'm not sure how long ago they were sold new. They amps and cabs were made by the same Italian company now making the Mark Bass gear. At the time, I think there was an almost identical Mark Bass head.

It would have been interesting if EB would have created a line of amps and cabs. Even a "vintage" line a la MusicMan, the Leo Fender Years.

 

[TSanders]

James, I actually got this from a TBer. So I doubt its the one that was up for sale here.

Todd, The glowing tube window is sweet isnt it. I just spent some time with the LVR, and man does it change the tone in many ways. Its very cool, and I favor it almost all the way to the left.

 

[Randracula]

What's your take on the HD500 vs. the 1001RBII ? BTW Travis, I still haven't got to try out our guitarist's HD500. Practice was cancelled last Tuseday so hopefully i'll check it out this coming Tuesday.

 

[shamus63]

James, I actually got this from a TBer. So I doubt its the one that was up for sale here.

That's still cool! I didn't get to really dial in the HD500 at the Open House, so I didn't get a real appreciation for it.

BTW, thanks for passing on Ben's SR! You made my day!

So did Ben, for that matter.

 

[Dees]

It's interesting that some amps have separate inputs for active and passive basses (like yours, and my Hartke) and others have a switch to select either active or passive (like GK, and my Trace). I wonder if one is a better design over the other, in terms of sonics and longevity?

And there are also systems that have none of the above, like my EBS. So I suppose it's not a necessary option

 

[TSanders]

That's still cool! I didn't get to really dial in the HD500 at the Open House, so I didn't get a real appreciation for it.

BTW, thanks for passing on Ben's SR! You made my day!

So did Ben, for that matter.

Yup, I got a couple more debts to pay off, that I was hoping Id be able to take care of sooner. Things havent quite panned out yet. However, in the next month or so, Ill be back on the hunt.

 

[Randracula]

Hey Travis, I finally tried out the HD500 at practice last Tuesday. It really is a great sounding amp. I did a side by side comparison using my SR4 with my 1001RBII and the HD 500 each going through one GK Neo 2x12 .The HD 500 was little warmer/rounder that the 1001RB II but not quite as loud, punchy or aggressive.I like the idea of having a second foot switchable EQ available.THe LVR thing was cool but for the sound that I like it sounded better switched off.The compressor was also a very nice feature. All in all a very nice sounding full featured amp but at the end of the day i'm just addicted to that GK growwwlll!!!! I would very much like to pick up an HD500 though just to have one in the stable (if I ever see one for a good price). So Travis what's your take on the amp now after having it a week or so?