Hartke 3500 Issues: Clicking sound on attack

Ezmar · #1 09-04-2011, 10:29 AM

So I just got my New Hartke 3500, and I must say, I really like this amp. I do have some questions though, some more technical than others, so... Here I go.

First off, the main one. When I play, particularly when I play hard on the G string, there's a Sharp "click" sound, almost like it's hitting the pickup. I don't really know why it's doing this, because it hasn't done this with any other amp. It's pretty much only the G string, and when I play more than just a light touch. Again, it's a Clicky sound, kind of sharp, and It's hard to explain. Almost like it's hitting against the pickup as I release the string, but this has never happened before. Anyone know what's going on?

Also, I bought it used, and it's missing some of the Graphic EQ slider buttons, and one knob. Is there anywhere I could eventually get replacement parts?

Thanks!

BurningSkies · #2 09-04-2011, 10:36 AM

You're clipping the preamp. Turn down the preamp levels until it stops.

Ezmar · #3 09-04-2011, 10:51 AM

Huh. I only had it on 5. And just the one. Why would it only be happening on the G string? That does seem to make sense, though.

I must admit that I don't know a whole lot about Bass amplification, so What's the sort of relationship between Preamp and power amp?

BurningSkies · #4 09-04-2011, 10:56 AM

The Hartke manual says to start at 5, which never ever worked for me without clipping the hell out of the pre... Start with it turned up to 9 o'clock see if that clears it up then bring it up a bit until you get the clipping, then back off a bit.

I preferred to run the power section nearly full out and keep the pre fairly low.

Ezmar · #5 09-04-2011, 12:25 PM

I turned the preamp down, but it's still doing it... I'm completely lost here.

Turning it up doesn't exacerbate the problem either. Could I need a new tube? It doesn't seem to happen with the Solid State Preamp.

RickenBoogie · #6 09-04-2011, 01:05 PM

Are you absolutely certain that it's NOT the string hitting the pick up?

Ezmar · #7 09-04-2011, 01:11 PM

no, I'm not, Actually, but it seems odd that it's only happening now, and with this amp. Also, Like I mentioned, I don't hear it as much on the Solid state preamp, just the tube one. It does seem to have something to do with the amount the string is vibrating, because It only happens when I play it hard, but... It doesn't seem like that, quite. The sound is much more Amp-y than Guitar-y, if that makes any sense. It seems like it's in the amp.

Would a bad tube do that? It has a single tube, would replacing that do any good? I don't know, I'm just making wild guesses. I just really want it fixed, because I just spent $500 on this new rig, and I don't want to have to put up with this until I can buy something else, and it also doesn't sound good for the speakers.

parsons · #8 09-04-2011, 03:23 PM

If you want to try a different tube go for it. It'll cost you about 12 bucks for one

grendle · #9 09-04-2011, 03:31 PM

Sounds like its your bass.

Ezmar · #10 09-04-2011, 03:36 PM

It doesn't seem like it's my bass to me, though... Because it literally only happens with this new amp, my action is fairly high, and... Yeah... I don't think it's the bass. Maybe I just don't want it to be the bass, but... I still don't think it is. It's possible, but It doesn't seem like it is.

Would a bad tube be causing something like that, though? I don't know what really could cause that.

Ezmar · #11 09-05-2011, 09:37 AM

Okay, bump, but I want to know what the most likely scenario is, and how to fix it. As it stands, It could be a problem with my Bass, but it seems to only do it with the Tube preamp section of the Amp, and regardless of either preamp or master volume. It also doesn't do it with any other amp as far as I know, it just started when I tried this one for the first time. It happens most on the G string, but can also happen on the lower 3 strings as well, and only when I'm playing with a strong attack, the threshold seems to be lowest on the G string. Action is set fairly high, I play a Fender Squier Jazz bass, and the Amp is a Hartke 3500 running through an Acoustic B410 cab.

And that's basically all the information I have at the moment. Anybody have experience with this, what it could be, and how to fix it?

nashvillebill · #12 09-05-2011, 09:58 AM

Are you plugging into the Passive or Active input? If you are plugging into the Passive, try going into the active (even if you have a passive bass), perhaps your bass's pickups are too "hot" for the Passive input.

Ezmar · #13 09-05-2011, 11:24 AM

Maybe... So would new Pickups be likely to help it? Perhaps covered instead of open pole? I was planning on replacing the bridge next, because I'm not getting a new bass until I have several thousand to drop on it, because it's good enough as it is... So a bad tube probably wouldn't be doing that? I really don't get what's going on with this electronically, so... I mean, It seems like it has to be clipping BEFORE the preamp, because turning the preamp down has no effect. So my other solution would be a new tube, but that's a shot in the dark, because I think it does it a little bit with the SS pre too, just not as audibly. Whatever, I guess.

So the consensus is that I should probably have a professional check it out personally? That would definitely be safer than describing my problem to you and hoping you can tell me what's wrong. But most likely scenario: My bass Pickups, second, something with the tube? Nothing else really seems likely, other than that.

I really can't test if the Active input helps, because I'm at college, and I'm keeping the amp at home, I just went home last weekend to unbox it and try it out. And of course there's a problem. Otherwise, I really like the tone. Just pure sound. Anything that I don't like I can fix with the EQ... It's great.

cableguy · #14 09-05-2011, 11:27 AM

Do you use a pick?

Ezmar · #15 09-05-2011, 11:39 AM

Nope. Well, sometimes, but this is when I'm playing fingerstyle. It's more than just the Pick attack sound. It sounds very electronic, unhealthy, and unintended.

Also, I don't know if this matters, but the Compressor is off entirely.

Stanley Pugh · #16 09-05-2011, 11:42 AM

Play less aggressive with your plucking hand , if it stops then it is not the amp.
Do you hear a click while plucking hard unplugged?

cableguy · #17 09-05-2011, 11:45 AM

Maybe try raising your G string a little to see if it stops. Also are you playing your G string with your finger or popping it while slapping? I'm inclined to agree with Burningskies that you may be clipping the input stage. Do you havea pad on your imput jack?

BurningSkies · #18 09-05-2011, 11:54 AM

-Try lowering your pickups on the treble side just a little.

Also, as a little experiment, try taking the 'high pass filter' from its center detent at '12 o'clock' and roll it back to about 10 o'clock and see if that changes what you hear.

JimmyM · #19 09-05-2011, 12:38 PM

Call Larry tomorrow and see what he thinks.

Ezmar · #20 09-05-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Maybe try raising your G string a little to see if it stops. Also are you playing your G string with your finger or popping it while slapping? I'm inclined to agree with Burningskies that you may be clipping the input stage. Do you havea pad on your imput jack?

I'm not thinking it's anything with the action, because it's pretty high, and, to assress your second point, it doesn't happen at all when I play slap, even though the initial vibration is higher. Clipping the input stage DOES seem like it's what's happening, but in that case I don't see why it would clip even when the preamp was barely on at all. Unless it's clipping before that, in which case I don't know why It's only doing that on this amp. That's why I'm kind of confused. Occam's razor says it's clipping, but why just now and why with this particular amp? That's why I'm wondering about the tube, because That's the main difference between this and other amps, is that this one has a single preamp tube. I don't know how tubes work, but could a bad tube cause something like that, or almost certainly not?

And no, It doesn't have a pad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Call Larry tomorrow and see what he thinks.

I would, but I feel like it would be better if I was actually there, so that It wouldn't be like "Have you tried this" and I'd say "No, I'll call you back when I get home again in a couple of weeks to try that."