Hartke HA3500 Opinions?

Zadok · #1 01-18-2011, 06:58 PM

I've been looking for a mid-power bass amp with a *decent* compressor. I found one of these in mint condition locally for $250. I suppose my main concern is I don't want to buy some reissue thing made in the far, far away place. I want something with time-tested build quality. Have heard way too many stories of new rigs crapping out in the middle of a gig. Opinions?

Jimbob Jones · #2 01-18-2011, 07:05 PM

There's one at my local practice studio that I've tried a couple of times, my initial impressions were that I really, really liked it. Flexible EQ, preamp clips nicely (that is, it doesn't sound disgusting if you do start clipping; I didn't specifically try to overdrive it) and plenty of volume to throw about.

bryan gibson · #3 01-18-2011, 07:11 PM

Solid, loud, and highly tweakable. The older versions with the tube pre are much preferred over the newer full SS rig. FWIW, these came in 200, 350, and 750 watt versions IIRC. I have one of the really old 200's in my small rig, pushing a SWR WM 2x10,
highly recommended.

ilovenofrets · #4 01-18-2011, 07:20 PM

Owned an HA3500 for quite a while. Drove a 4x10/1x18 stack, and it was AWESOME!!! Even with just the 4x10, it was plenty loud for most gigs, and sounded great. Build quality was really good, and enough tone-shapping options to get any tone you're looking for. The compressor is good, and I liked that you could bypass the graphic EQ if need be. In a nutshell, if it's in good condition, BUY IT!!! FWIW-260 watts @ 8 ohms, 350 watts @ 4 ohms.

kevteop · #5 01-18-2011, 08:28 PM

I've still got the 200W model that I keep at home as a practice amp, they're good little do-anything boxes, and mine's been super-reliable. I had a 3500 too but I replaced it with an LH500 a couple of years ago.

Venom of God · #6 01-18-2011, 08:35 PM

I bought one new four years ago (with the tube pre, didn't realise they didn't have that now!) and it's served me really well. It's not my ideal amp and one day I'll replace it, but honestly I can't think of a single thing to complain about.

I do know that they've changed the internals slightly here and there over the years though, and I have heard stories of some of them having a few problems with wiring or some such thing.

billfitzmaurice · #7 01-18-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zadok

I've been looking for a mid-power bass amp with a *decent* compressor.Opinions?

If you need a good compressor keep looking. IMO aside from the weight the 3500 is for the most part a very good amp, but the one-knob compressor is barely functional.

sonic assassin · #8 01-18-2011, 10:09 PM

scoopy tone no matter what, medium amount of warmth, worthless compressor. the paper cone cabs to go with them are terrible.

i used the 4x10 combo version for many years. it was a love hate relationship. it was powerful, but i could never get the right sound out of it.

Larry Hartke · #9 01-18-2011, 10:14 PM

Zadok,

The 3500 has always, and still does, have a "mixable" (is that a word?) tube and solid state preamp.

Anything else you would like to know just call me at 201-680-8153 Cell...or just ask the experts here on Facebook they are pretty good you know! Thanks guys for helping out! And I'm never far, far, away, I'm right here so no worries my friends!

Still fighting NAMM lag...going to bed now...

Kael · #10 01-18-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

If you need a good compressor keep looking. IMO aside from the weight the 3500 is for the most part a very good amp, but the one-knob compressor is barely functional.

+1 and -1,

If you are using light doses of compression and don't need/want a lot of parameters to futz with, then the 3500's compressor is about up your alley. There are definitely better compressors out there. No one would by this compressor if it was released in pedal format. As onboard compressors go, it is one. As long as you aren't looking for an overly squashed tone, it will work.

If you run across one of the older 3500 MOSFETS, snag it. Sounds markedly better than the newer 3500 HA's and are usually even a little cheaper due to their age.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

scoopy tone no matter what, medium amount of warmth, worthless compressor. the paper cone cabs to go with them are terrible.

i used the 4x10 combo version for many years. it was a love hate relationship. it was powerful, but i could never get the right sound out of it.

Scoopy?

Thing is pretty flat response for a lower priced head. It only gets scoopy if you EQ that way. I gigged one all through the ninties with a pretty mid focused tone and I wasn't even EQ'ing much in the way of mids.

Those paper cone Hartke cabs aren't the best out there. Definitely leave something to be desired. Aluminum cones you either like the tone of or you don't. They have a slightly different sound to them.

Kael · #11 01-18-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hartke

Zadok,

The 3500 has always, and still does, have a "mixable" (is that a word?) tube and solid state preamp.

Anything else you would like to know just call me at 201-680-8153 Cell...or just ask the experts here on Facebook they are pretty good you know! Thanks guys for helping out! And I'm never far, far, away, I'm right here so no worries my friends!

Still fighting NAMM lag...going to bed now...

Larry, what was the reason for the switch from MOSFET version of this head (3500) to the newer HA variant? I've always been curious about that.

CrUiSeR · #12 01-18-2011, 11:32 PM

Good enough for Stu!
Good enough for You?

madmatt · #13 01-18-2011, 11:40 PM

I have a 2500 and the compressor in it works fine for me. I just put it at five.

jbalou02 · #14 01-18-2011, 11:49 PM

What other amp can you get info on and the cell phone number for the guy who runs the company?

I love my HA5500, although I must admit I don't use the on board compression. The tube/solid preamp and eq allow for alot of versatility.

billfitzmaurice · #15 01-19-2011, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kael

If you are using light doses of compression and don't need/want a lot of parameters to futz with, then the 3500's compressor is about up your alley.

I ran one for ten years. I found the compressor to either do very little or too much; when the sensitivity was sufficient to get it to work it pumped like mad, not the least bit transparent. I ended up not using it as a compressor, setting it to only kick in as a peak limiter. I don't know how sophisticated the OPs requirement is, but as he specifically asked about the compressor I can say it won't replace a good outboard.

sevenyearsdown · #16 01-19-2011, 06:51 AM

I've had a 3500 for over 10 years and love it. However early comments about the compressor are accurate. I would call the compression know more of a "limiter" on the 3500. If you need a true compressor - go for a BBE Opto-Stomp or something like that.

Kael · #17 01-19-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

I ended up not using it as a compressor, setting it to only kick in as a peak limiter.

Fair enough. When I use them, which is rare, I always set compressors to just tame the peaks a tad anyway.

Zadok · #18 01-19-2011, 04:48 PM

Thanks everyone! I lean toward a phat, more mellow style and some form of limiting seems to help. I don't like to scoop the mids. I might also say things got a little crazy a while back and had to sell my amp, didn't play for a while, but miss it. FYI this is the hybrid version and I might go check this out. I am also very intrigued with Avatar's new 3-way 15 cab. Am thinking this might be a good idea for *fun* a practice rig!

BassmanAd · #19 01-19-2011, 04:58 PM

I had one for a few years. Nice and loud, no-nonsense simple to use and good price. Definitely a value for money head. I had a few reliability issues though which made me nervous to take it on tour. That said, you can always buy another as a backup and still not spend as much as you would on different heads of similar spec. Sold mine on when I got an SVT though.

Would I buy one again? Absolutely, if I needed a cheap, loud, nice sounding head.

levis76 · #20 01-19-2011, 05:29 PM

The HA3500 was my first "real" amp along with a Transporter 410 and 115 with aluminum cones 15 years ago. I rocked the hell out that rig for a couple years. Now I own one, a different one, as a back up/practice/last minute jam amp. It's a solid performer, night after night. I even used it as a backline setup for several events and festivals, never had a complaint or a single problem.

As for the compression, I usually just left it off. You can tone sculpt all day long with the blendable preamps, the EQ, and the contour controls.

Something else I noticed, changing the tube for a different tone doesn't really work that well. The tube pre sounds completely different than the ss, but the tube itself seems to have little impact on the tone of the preamp. I tried a Tung Sol, JJ, GT, JAN Philips, and an EH and the only differences seemed to be the amount of hiss they produced (the GT was the cheapest and quietest). I don't know if this has anything to do with the fact that there is only one tube, but I think it may.