Hartke Hydrive 210

RazorBass · #1 07-20-2011, 02:52 PM

Hi. Noticed an oddity while playing
Y Rickenbacker through my Hartke Hydrive 210 combo.
All seems well until the amp warms up a bit, then, when I play octave E on the second string, a rather disturbing "electrical" crackle appears. The problem is sporadic and I am baffled to the cause. Can anybody help (please).

JimmyM · #2 07-20-2011, 03:20 PM

How loud are you playing? What are your amp settings? Sounds like you're bottoming out the speakers and making them clip.

RazorBass · #3 07-20-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

How loud are you playing? What are your amp settings? Sounds like you're bottoming out the speakers and making them clip.

I play with the amp turned up to about just under half way (need to hear myself over the drummer). Hartke claim that the Hydrive speakers should be able to take the full whack of the amp. Play through other rigs at rehearsals & never had a problem.
Would it help if I adjusted the compression? I am afraid I am not technical!

JimmyM · #4 07-20-2011, 03:41 PM

I'm not super technical either, but maybe try reducing the bass knob a little and compensating with volume? Hartkes have what's known as the Fender tone stack, which means you can only cut mids and you can only boost lows and highs. So if you put all knobs in the middle, you're actually getting a big mid scoop with a whole lot of lows and highs. Those big lows are often the cause of speakers bottoming out, even when you think they shouldn't. It takes a lot more wattage to power lows than mids or highs.

And if that doesn't work, call Larry. Hartke has absolutely super customer service and it starts with Larry.

RazorBass · #5 07-20-2011, 10:20 PM

Many thanks, I will have a fiddle. Strange how it tends to happen after the amp has warmed up? Also, only seems to happen with the Ric - Will let you know how it goes!

JKambing · #6 07-20-2011, 10:28 PM

I'm curious to see the answer to this one. Suscribed!

JimmyM · #7 07-20-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazorBass

Many thanks, I will have a fiddle. Strange how it tends to happen after the amp has warmed up? Also, only seems to happen with the Ric - Will let you know how it goes!

Missed this part before...could be the tube. Since it only happens after it warms up, maybe you've got a tube on the way out and it's only showing up on that note after it warms up. If you have another 12ax7, swap it out and see. If not, go get one, and if it doesn't work, at least you'll have a spare.

RazorBass · #8 07-21-2011, 01:05 AM

To be completely ignorant, does the Hartke Hydrive have one of these tubes? As I said, I am not technical at all and I appreciate the feedback.

jjk2007 · #9 07-21-2011, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazorBass

To be completely ignorant, does the Hartke Hydrive have one of these tubes? As I said, I am not technical at all and I appreciate the feedback.

Yes it does. And unfortunately the tubes in the LH amps seem to be hit or miss out of the box, so that would be the first thing to swap out before doing anything else.

RazorBass · #10 07-21-2011, 03:06 AM

Is it reasonably easy to replace the tube on 210c combo's or would you recommend taking it to a shop?

Duke21 · #11 07-21-2011, 03:28 AM

Is there a tube in the HARTKE 210C? I thought that there is a tube only in the HARTKE 5410C/5210C.
From the pictures and info-text it seems to me that the HARTKE 5410C/5210C have a LH500 mounted in the cab while the 210C, 115C and the 112C have an other amp in there, no tube mentioned.

RazorBass · #12 07-21-2011, 06:55 AM

I'm confused!

Duke21 · #13 07-21-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazorBass

I'm confused!

Hartke have 2 combo's with the new HyDrive 10" elements,
The 5210C which is a LH500 integrated into a 2x10" HyDrive cab see at
Hartke - HyDrive 5210C
And the 510C which seems to me to have an other amp integrated in a kickback 2x10" HyDrive cab.
Hartke - HyDrive 210C

I think only the 5210C have a tube in the preamp.

jjk2007 · #14 07-21-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke21

Hartke have 2 combo's with the new HyDrive 10" elements,
The 5210C which is a LH500 integrated into a 2x10" HyDrive cab see at
Hartke - HyDrive 5210C
And the 510C which seems to me to have an other amp integrated in a kickback 2x10" HyDrive cab.
Hartke - HyDrive 210C

I think only the 5210C have a tube in the preamp.

Good call Duke. Razor, is the amp in your combo the LH500? If so it does have a tube, if it is the other amp I don't believe it does. I totally spaced that the combos have different amps available for them.