Hartke vs TC Electronics

[marchone]

I know I need to make my own decision but any comparison opinions/info will be appreciated.

I was pretty well set on getting a Hartke LH1000 and two HX410s until reading through the multi-part thread on the new TC range.

A TC Combo450 (RS210s) and two RS 212s seem like a potential alternative. Three cabs is apparently TCs max. Any comments will be appreciated. Particularly to volume comparison?

I know from many TB comments that Larry Hartke's service rep rivals Roger Sadowsky's. That's significant. How has Uffe's service been?

I'm currently using a SS Ampeg head and Ampeg 810 in a rehearsal studio and want to get a more versatile rig. Thanks.

[T. Alan Smith]

What is your budget?
What are your tone goals?
What is your playing situation?

[marchone]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

What is your budget?

I'm aware of the price difference between the two and I'd be willing to spring for the more expensive TC gear if there was a significant advantage over a Hartke rig.

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

What are your tone goals?

My tone goals are maximum versatility. Old school vintage Fender tone to modern mids, grind and snap. Now I'm switching between my Tele and Spector to achieve what I want but have my eye on a Sadowsky Will Lee to do it all. I know Uncle Will is using an LH1000 and Hartke cabs with his Sads and I've liked his sounds in the Fab Faux when I've seen them.

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

What is your playing situation?

Small clubs where the lesser output of the TC gear will suffice but normally not a PA system that will take a bass. I'm used to 810 cabs and old tube amps. Marshall, Ampeg, Sunn. All gone now as I'm starting over after many years' hiatus.

I suspect I can get the sounds I want from either rig. The question is whether one has any advantage I haven't seen written about here.

[muddycreek]

They're pretty different. If you're looking at things that wide-ranging, just go play stuff and be open to whatever sounds good to you. Something reasonably neutral with a boatload of tone shaping might be best- maybe something like an Eden WT800? A lot of the newer Genz Benz heads seem to be pretty versatile as well. Then just stick it on top of as many cabinets as you can to find the one that works for you. How versatile do you need your cabinet selection to be? A combo and two extensions does give you more options, and smaller items, but more of them to carry.

[Freddels]

I would think a good comparison to the LH1000 would be the Carvin B2000.