Hartke 3500

**81precision** · #1 12-04-2011, 08:17 PM

Having retired from music over 20 years ago (shame on me) and just recently getting my 81 precision special back in shape I am being presented with an opportunity to live perform again and my B-DEC won't cut it. I was looking at an Acoustic B200 410 and 115 stack but I came across a Hartke 3500 stack for 550.00. (same heads Jack Bruce was using at the Cream reunion) I know the name but not product. I will be playing Rock, Foghat and the likes and was wondering if the Harke which appears to be new would be the way to go at that price. Both get great reviews but was looking for anyone's input here. Thanks in advance to any and all advice!

Aussie Player · #2 12-04-2011, 08:21 PM

Jack uses them. Kinda tell you something right there doesn't it?
I use them too but I pay for mine so it is a choice I have made that I am happy with. I like their sound better than anything else on the market today.

**B-string** · #3 12-04-2011, 08:29 PM

The Hartke would be a solid performer and more road worthy than the GC "Acoustic".

murphy · #4 12-04-2011, 08:30 PM

You said stack? So what speakers are included in that price?
I had one of the original Mosfet models and loved the sound.
The 4.5XL is a great cab, but heavy...the 115XL are really good balanced sounding.
I had the 410XL and 115XL stack which I preferred to the 2 410XL stack I had before.

When Eden came out I switched and preferred the sound...but have fond memories of my hartke days

levis76 · #5 12-04-2011, 08:35 PM

For the record, nearly all of Hartke's endorsees rock the HA3500, Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan, Jack Bruce and so on.

I owned and rocked one for several years. The only part I had to replace was the preamp tube. Solid, dependable, built like a tank, and good tone to boot. The onboard compression isn't that great, but the rest of the head is top notch.

I used a 410 and 115 transporter series cabs. Not the greatest, but they got the job done.

I have no experience with Acoustic products, but I've read good things here on TB.

robbotbass · #6 12-04-2011, 08:36 PM

I have a HA3500 and I really like it. Little more tweaking then the lh500 because it has a eq. I bought mine off TB. I'm running them through the Hartke Hydrive 4x10 so I think alot of that sound is the Hydrive, but I've also played through a buddy of mines 1x15 Ampeg and it still sounded pretty decent.

**81precision** · #7 12-04-2011, 08:37 PM

Cabs included are the 410 and 115 xl series

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And to the other reply, yea Jack Bruce enuff said lol

robbotbass · #8 12-04-2011, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levis76

Owned and rocked one for several years. The only part I had to replace was the preamp tube. Solid, dependable, built like a tank, and good tone to boot. The onboard compression isn't that great, but the rest of the head is top notch.

I used a 410 and 115 transporter series cabs. Not the greatest, but they got the job done.

I have no experience with Acoustic products, but I've read good things here on TB.

+1 the compressor really isn't that great. my only gripe about this head

robbotbass · #9 12-04-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 81precision

Cabs included are the 410 and 115 xl series

Attachment 238842

And to the other reply, yea Jack Bruce enuff said lol

Wooten, Hamm, Bruce, Sheehan, Bello

Your in good company.

schecter5string · #10 12-04-2011, 08:43 PM

I play the HA3500 through a hydrive 410, no complaints here except the on board compressor, it is more of a limiter, I keep it off.
If I had to chose between a Hartke or an Acoustic I would go Hartke every time.

**81precision** · #11 12-04-2011, 08:45 PM

I just joined TB and I am very thankful to all the replies. Looks as if the Hartke may be the way to go. Demo it tomorrow. Thanks!

schecter5string · #12 12-04-2011, 08:53 PM

when you play it tomorrow, adjust the high and low pass knobs to taste, THEN adjust the eq. Some people don't even use the EQ just the low and high pass, I use all three

here is the Manual:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/samsontech/r..._ownman_V5.pdf

**81precision** · #13 12-04-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schecter5string

when you play it tomorrow, adjust the high and low pass knobs to taste, THEN adjust the eq. Some people don't even use the EQ just the low and high pass, I use all three

here is the Manual:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/samsontech/r..._ownman_V5.pdf

Hey Thanks, on my desktop...

murphy · #14 12-04-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 81precision

Cabs included are the 410 and 115 xl series

Attachment 238842

And to the other reply, yea Jack Bruce enuff said lol

Looks like a great deal.
Be sure none of the speakers are buzzing and sound clean and clear.

Good luck

BgTckt · #15 12-04-2011, 10:04 PM

I have a Hartke 7000 and like it a lot. (Like two 3500s in one head.) The only problem I ever thought I had with it was a kind of crackly-crunchy sound which I thought was the preamp tube going. First time, paid $$$ to the local amp guys, who replaced the tube... good to go. Next time (few years later) took it to a local store expecting them to do the same; they just took the cover off, re-seated all the ribbon cable connections inside... good to go. (And zero $$$.) I have done that myself once since then. Most recently, I found the problem was caused by loose speaker cables... which makes me wonder if all of the previous episodes were caused by the same thing, since every time, the fix involved (naturally) unplugging and reconnecting all the speaker cables. D'OH! ~(_8^(|) This of course would mean that I've never really had a problem with the Hartke, which I've owned for something like ten years now. I usually run one or two 210XLs on top of one 115XL. Depends on the gig. I can run up to four 8 ohm cabs, or just one if it's a practice or the gig is small. Those heads have enough EQ so I've never had trouble getting the sound I like.

BillyIVbass · #16 12-04-2011, 10:33 PM

$550 for the 3500 head and 2 XL cabs is deal if everything is in good shape. The XL cabs were the top of the line for awhile. I like the Hydrive cabs better, but this setup would crush the Acoustic you are thinking of.

monkeyking · #17 12-05-2011, 02:31 AM

Sounds like a good deal to me if things are in working order.

Though it's the back up now, my HA3500 was the main for over a decade with no issues. Versatile and tough - great amp.

I ran those same speakers way back when and was very happy with the rig. No reservations on Hartke gear at all. Hope it works out well for you.

keiththebassist · #18 12-05-2011, 01:38 PM

I have the ha220 which is basically the same head with less power. I have those exact cabinets and they crush! Some will advise against mixing cab sizes but hey as a package deal it's a great buy. Never had mine fail at all and I bought it very used, the tone is IMO very hard to beat. I don't run the comp or the eq, I just push the tube pre to about 8 and the ss pre to about 4 just to throw a little hifi punch on top. Have fun!

jumbodbassman · #19 12-05-2011, 01:42 PM

Hartke especially the older ones.....

BassBrass · #20 12-05-2011, 01:51 PM

I have 2 because other amps (Peavey tour 700 and Ampeg PF500) died and while they were getting fixed I tried my old HA3500...it blew the others away in tone and volume. At less watts than those too! You can get them for around $200 used. Never a problem either. Those 2 final filters make them louder than you'd think.
With a rather hot signal, I use the active input and the compressor is less bothersome. The real strength is in high mid clarity. That's partly why they seem louder...