Best match for Hartke 4.5XL (2 options)
 

Assuming I get my hands on a Hartke 4.5 XL, what amp would suit it best:

Gallien Krueger RB-400 III

or

Hartke HA5000


(Rock/Hard Rock, studio, bars and small stages)

The one you like the sound of best.

I've got the HA500 and the 4.5xl and I find them to be a good combination.

With only one cab the 5000 will only spit out half of its power. Meanwhile, GK head + hartke cab was THE backline for like a decade.

Interesting, one of you says left, the other says right and the other points to the middle.

But, since I might not have the chance to try them beforehand (and never tried an amp/cab before so I don't know what to expect), I kind of like disp's argument more.

I could need more opinions though :)

The GK is a single channel amp that puts out 280W into 4 ohms. The HA5000 is a dual channel and each channel puts out 250W into 4 ohms. The HA5000 can be used in a bi-amp configuration or as two separate full range channels with volume controls for each. The HA5000 also has 10-band graphic equalizer and a built-in compressor. The RB-400 III has a 4-band active EQ.

If you think you might get another speaker cabinet later the HA5000 would probably be a better option. The 4.5XL is a fairly loud cabinet though so you may not find one necessary.

If this were my decision to make I would get the Hartke amp. I should mention that I have had one for over ten years and I really like it. I have a HA3500 which has a single channel of 350W.

I'd go for a LH500 or LH1000. I currently use a LH1000 into 2 410XL Hartke cabs and it kicks arse.

I will only have 1 cab for now. Besides, the LH1000 would be too expensive, right?


There's one guy that sells HL5000+4.5XL or I can get the GK and 4.5XL from other 2 different people.

Buying the Hartke duo from the same seller should make the deal cheaper....

I'm just not sure I'll be getting a second cab anytime soon...so the GK seems more appropriate.

I play the same style music as you. I run Hartke also.
ha3500 into a Hartke 2200 pro( 2 12inch xl's) for lower volume stuff. But my go to rig is the ha3500 into a hydrive 410,
The 3500 plays nice with pedals, is loud, and dependable.
My vote..... Hartke!

Something new just came up.
One guy contacted me saying he would sell HARTKE HA3500 + Hartke4X10 410TP + Hartke1x12 for 600€

Could it be a good deal?

The transporter series is the bottom of the Hartke line.
This is what I would pay in US dollars- $100 to $150 for the 410, $200 to $300 for the ha3500, if the 112 is also a transporter $80.
So I would say no.. (i also dont know the exchange rate betwwen our countries) The XL line of cabs are much better than the transporters.... IMO

Thanks a lot schecter5string.

I'll just pass then.

Between the Hartke and GK heads... I think I'll just go with the one I can get the lowest price.

I know it's a pain people asking about something that it's supposed to please them, not others.

So, since they are "similar" products, let me put it this way:

If it was for you, which would you choose if they costed the exact same price? and would you still with that one if the other costed, say, 50€ less?

I don't have any experience with the gk amp. I do know they have a "baked in" growl to them, and people love them.
I do have alot of experience with the Hartke ha series. They do not have a baked in sound. They are rather clean sounding. If I want some dirt I use a my sans amp pedal.
The Hartke has alot of tonal options, tube pre, solid state pre, 13 band equalizer, high pass, low pass, a compressor(not a good one).
I play in 2 rock cover bands, I've had zero problems copping the tones I need to play the songs, and I have had zero problems with the amp.
Ultimately the choice is yours, I don't thing you can go wrong either way.
What I am say though is I know the Hartke sound and it works for me and my bands.

I would echo schecter5string's sentiment. In my opinion, the GK is at its best with a pick, or fingerstyle going for that sound. The Hartke is darker by default. I would say both could approximate the sound of the other with enough knob twiddling.

If you have plans for a second cab then power is a wash. If you're going to roll with one cab for awhile then the GK will give you more wattage. That said, the Hartke and a 4.5XL will still cover most any situation.

You can't really loose with either choice.

Thanks schecter5string and disp, for your comments. If I can get the seller to sell the HA+XL for a fair price I think I'll go with it.

If I have plans for a second cab? I have no idea of how much volume a cab like this can put out, I never played through a cab before, let alone if I'll need a second one :)

It seems as the HA is the safer move, but If we end up playing harder rock and metal the GK could provide more power...

The power difference between these to amps is a moot situation. To get more volume you need to double the Watts, the best way to increase volume is with more speakers.
I run my ha3500 with the tube pre maxed and the master volume on 2. Plenty loud for a Drummer and 2 guitarist.