Hartke LH1000 problem - HELP!!!

MattyH · #1 03-08-2011, 08:24 AM

Hey all. So here's the long story short:

I got my LH1000 back around October(?) brand new in the box from Sam Ash. (In store not shipped). When I plugged it in, there was a strange sound. It wasn't a hum, or a buzz, but a metallic like whistle coming from the speaker. When I adjusted the knobs, buttons, touch, or run my finger across the top of the head, a metallic like echo would come from the head. And it was loud. Like there was a Church Cathedral in there! So whistle, plus echo.

The problem stopped after about a day. I was going to return it, but it never came back. Until...

I took it out last night for a gig, and there it was! I was pissed and kind of freaking out, because it was killing my tone, and it was a loud whistle! I know it wasn't just the amp, because I was using a different cab.

HELP!!! I love this head

!

Von Felgenhauer · #2 03-08-2011, 08:26 AM

Contact Larry Hartke. I've heard nothing but great things about customer service. He will actually chime in on this thread probably too.

::::BASSIST:::: · #3 03-08-2011, 08:27 AM

I'd bring it back and exchange it. You have a receipt/warranty right?

MattyH · #4 03-08-2011, 08:29 AM

Yes I've heard that too. I hope he does. He's a legend! AND I need help haha. I gig every weekend. I have 4 this weekend!

MattyH · #5 03-08-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

I'd bring it back and exchange it. You have a receipt/warranty right?

Sure do. But I've gotten all great advice here on TB from you guys. So I figured if anyone had any idea what was going on with my head, I could bring it back, and tell them what I have an idea of what it is, or exactly what it is. Because I also guarantee when I bring it in, it wont make the noise I'm talking about haha.

christw · #6 03-08-2011, 08:37 AM

201-680-8153 is his number. He puts in on here all the time. Call him!

MattyH · #7 03-08-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

201-680-8153 is his number. He puts in on here all the time. Call him!

Awesome man thanks.

cthoop · #8 03-08-2011, 08:39 AM

yeah, just give larry a call or facebook him... he'll get back to you within a day or 2 if he doesn't answer right away..... great guy.

MattyH · #9 03-08-2011, 08:46 AM

I'm hoping he kind of knows what I'm talking about. I have a warranty, but I don't know Sam Ash or Hartke's policies, and like I said, I need the head Thursday - Sunday. Fingers crossed.

wave rider · #10 03-08-2011, 08:53 AM

I'm suspecting the preamp tube...

=wr=

MattyH · #11 03-08-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wave rider

I'm suspecting the preamp tube...

=wr=

Exactly what I was thinking. It's my first head with this kind of preamp, and it's a VERY distinctive sound. I've heard blown cabs, blown heads, dirty pots, bad wiring, faulty input jacks, but this, this is a strange sound. And it just so happens it's an amp with a preamp.

BrentD · #12 03-08-2011, 09:08 AM

Coming from a somewhat converted guitar player that loves his tube amps, it sounds like a microphonic tube. If you have a place locally that sells them (it's a 12ax7, right?), it would be worth the $10-$15 to buy a new fancy one and see if it fixes your problem before you mail that big metal box away.

A microphonic tube will make a metallic "ping" when you tap on the chassis near where the tube is installed. It will also pick up mechanical vibrations. One way to test it (SAFETY FIRST) is to have access to the tube when the amp is on. This is easy with guitar amps because the tubes are almost always readily accessible. However, I won't counsel you to do this if you have to open the Hartke up: With the amp on, turn up the gain and tap the tube gently with the eraser end of a pencil. If it picks up your tapping, it's the tube.

MattyH · #13 03-08-2011, 09:09 AM

I've searched the threads, and I saw the "Egg Frying" case, along with the amp dying mid play, or not producing sound. Has anyone else had the problem I'm looking at now? Seems like there are a few things that can go wrong with this head, but I still love it, and I'm looking to stick with it.

I'm just worried about something going wrong during a gig. God forbid it dies during a wedding. I'd be screwed!

MattyH · #14 03-08-2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentD

Coming from a somewhat converted guitar player, it sounds like a microphonic tube. If you have a place locally that sells them (it's a 12ax7, right?), it would be worth the $10-$15 to buy a new fancy one and see if it fixes your problem before you mail that big metal box away.

Good idea. I have a luthier that I think knows a little bit about tubes and preamps. I'll see if he can take a look at it, or if Larry himself has some ideas.

MattyH · #15 03-08-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentD

Coming from a somewhat converted guitar player that loves his tube amps, it sounds like a microphonic tube. If you have a place locally that sells them (it's a 12ax7, right?), it would be worth the $10-$15 to buy a new fancy one and see if it fixes your problem before you mail that big metal box away.

A microphonic tube will make a metallic "ping" when you tap on the chassis near where the tube is installed. It will also pick up mechanical vibrations. One way to test it (SAFETY FIRST) is to have access to the tube when the amp is on. This is easy with guitar amps because the tubes are almost always readily accessible. However, I won't counsel you to do this if you have to open the Hartke up: With the amp on, turn up the gain and tap the tube gently with the eraser end of a pencil. If it picks up your tapping, it's the tube.

It makes those metallic sounds when I tap the metal casing. without even touching the tube itself! Like something is vibrating inside. It sounds like you may have narrowed it down for me. I believe the stock tube is a Sovtek 12AX7WA. Do you know where they would stock fancy replacement tubes?

Bassman8416 · #16 03-08-2011, 09:22 AM

Call Larry, He is there 100% for you man. I see you are on Long Island. Call this number as well 1-800-328-2882...its Samsontech, Larrie's Company that makes and services the Hartke gear(Joe Antonelli is the manager of the service dept), they are in Hauppauge right off exit 55 on the LIE. You can drop it there with your invoice from Sam Ash and you will have it back by the weekend(if you do it NOW).
http://www.calllarryhartke.com/

MattyH · #17 03-08-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman8416

Call Larry, He is there 100% for you man. I see you are on Long Island. Call this number as well 1-800-328-2882...its Samsontech, Larrie's Company that makes and services the Hartke gear(Joe Antonelli is the manager of the service dept), they are in Hauppauge right off exit 55 on the LIE. You can drop it there with your invoice from Sam Ash and you will have it back by the weekend(if you do it NOW).
http://www.calllarryhartke.com/

Awesome Bassman thanks.

Bassman8416 · #18 03-08-2011, 09:25 AM

Werrrrrrrd!!!!

BrentD · #19 03-08-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyH

It makes those metallic sounds when I tap the metal casing. without even touching the tube itself! Like something is vibrating inside. It sounds like you may have narrowed it down for me. I believe the stock tube is a Sovtek 12AX7WA. Do you know where they would stock fancy replacement tubes?

That's what I mean. The Hartke isn't a big amp, and a lot of rackmounts I see put the tube up front near the control panel. When my Fender guitar amp had a bad tube, I could tap the faceplate and get a ping. It was louder, though, in the approximate area of the tube.

I think any 12ax7 should do just fine. I said "fancy" because one used to be able to get Sovteks (just like yours) for about $8, but they've gone up. I bought EHs for $11 or so, and more expensive ones can get closer to $20. EHs have a reputation for being resistant to vibration, as do Sovteks.

Where do you live (approximately)? Most guitar stores of moderate size should have 12ax7s. If not, any Best Buy that carries musical instruments is a good bet. The one near me stocks Fender and Groove Tubes (both re-branded, though the GTs cost more because they are tested before being repackaged) 12ax7s. If there's nobody locally, you can get them from Amazon.com, any major music catalog, or dedicated tube sites like eurotubes.com or thetubestore.com. No affiliation to any of these. I bought my last set through Amazon because the local places didn't stock the ones I wanted and I had a gift card.

The 12ax7 is the most popular tube on the market, and they are the ones that people often replace. This bodes well for your being able to source one quickly.

spywebco · #20 03-08-2011, 09:38 AM

Call Larry right away! I had a little issue with one of my old Hartke rigs, and called Larry, he dropped everything to help me. I called back the next day & bought an LH1000 with a HyDrive 115 and 410 which I've had a couple weeks and LOVE. The sound and the service are so incredible, I won't even plug into anything else. Larry's the best there is period.... Call him quick, get it fixed quick. 201.680.8153