Hartke LH1000 w Hydrive 410 or Markbass CMD 102P

[jvalenzh]

Hi, I've narrowed my search to either a used Hartke LH1000 head with a Hydrive 410 cab, or a new Markbass CMD 102P combo.

I need it to gig medium-large venues, supporting the low B string of an active 5 string bass, playing all types of cover music.

I'd appreciate all recommendations. Thanks!

[73jbass]

I just picked up a hartke LH 500 used,and I'll tell you ,it's stupid loud. Great old school tone,and it just works. A friend has the LH 1000 and he never gets the volume past 3 with an SVT 810 cab. The LH amps get a lot of praise here. I'd get the Hartke stack.

[CL400Peavey]

What has narrowed your search to those two pieces of gear?

IMHO a 210 is not gigable unless you have good PA support. I have also found Markbass cabs to be severely lacking in what I want when I am playing my 5 string.

[mystic38]

With all respect to the MB fans, i think the LH1000 + Hydrive 410 will kick the MB combo out of the zipcode!

[73jbass]

No doubt.

[jvalenzh]

Thanks guys! I chose the Hartke rig.

[Son of Bovril]

I do highly recommend the Markbass stuff, but in this case the Hartke is just SOOO much more amp... it's not even a comparison, the Hartke is double the speakers and wattage.

If the question is about tone, that's a different story, in that case it's a personal preference, although you won't be disappointed by either.

[Davyo]

I just returned a Mark CMD102p,,,, no balls at all and was buried by my semi loud drummer.

Yea,,,,, the Hartke rig is the one to get.

Cheers
Davyo

[jvalenzh]

The Hartke rig is great!

Though I do notice that at loud volumes (at about the 6 mark), some notes on the 5th string make the speakers pop a bit. Specifically, the D note. Is this normal? Or could there be a problem?

[claytitan]

Interesting to hear the perspective of others. I have a decent big rig. A GK1001 and two 2x12 avatar cabs. Recently I've been gigging with a Markbass CMD121 with PA support. It is plenty loud on stage.