Me and aluminium cones: bad luck!

Triad · #1 10-05-2010, 06:28 AM

Hello guys... I'm writing 'cause I got my second defective Hartke cab. Mind you, both were used but the second one is LIKE NEW and I couldn't really believe to my ears when I plugged my LMII in it and heard that nasty distorsion... Lemmy style?

The first one was a 4.5XL. Had a bad woofer for sure. Weeks and weeks trying to find the problem... then found that one is gone (rattles badly) and the other three are a bit better but definitely not like new. The seller, of course, didn't admit his fault while the seller of the 210XL is ready to give me a refund.
Is that easy to damage these speakers? Is it really foolish to buy a second-hand Hartke cab without trying it first?
I like the sound of this stuff... maybe I should go for the GLX series by G&K? Is it any better? NEW, this time.

nukes_da_bass · #2 10-05-2010, 07:42 AM

Had a Hartke 1x15 Transporter for years. First aluminum cone blew out by some ***hole in our practice space (from another band) using it as a PA cab- Hartke reconed it which took over 6 months. I cant remember if it blew up a second time but I do remember I could never get a decent low frequency out of it- these things came into vogue during the 80s funk craze and seemed to be tuned for nothing but slapping and popping.
I think I traded it towards an Ampeg 4x10 100 lb beast and swore off aluminum cones forever after that (of course now I have sworn off any piece of equipment over 70 lbs for the rest of time!).

Larry Hartke · #3 10-05-2010, 07:47 AM

Triad,

The aluminnum cone are no different than paper cones as far blowing them goes (I make lots of both). I can't account for "used " gear but give me a call and let's see if I can help.

Larry 201-680-8153 Cell

BurningSkies · #4 10-05-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukes_da_bass

Had a Hartke 1x15 Transporter for years. First aluminum cone blew out by some ***hole in our practice space (from another band) using it as a PA cab- Hartke reconed it which took over 6 months. I cant remember if it blew up a second time but I do remember I could never get a decent low frequency out of it- these things came into vogue during the 80s funk craze and seemed to be tuned for nothing but slapping and popping.
I think I traded it towards an Ampeg 4x10 100 lb beast and swore off aluminum cones forever after that (of course now I have sworn off any piece of equipment over 70 lbs for the rest of time!).

The Transporter series don't sound nearly as good as the XL series. Back in the early 90's I played a lot of these (usually a 4x10+115 stack) since a lot of places had them as stock backline. They certainly didn't lack lows and worked for all of us, and we were playing Jamaican music (Reggae, Dub, Rocksteady, Ska).

My feeling is that the Transporters DID sound thin. The XLs can be road warriors if they're not abused. It sounds like the OPs cabs have been abused.

Billnc · #5 10-05-2010, 07:56 AM

Been a Hartke user for many years, no issues at all. Go new, I'm a huge fan of the HyDrive series, but like the XL line too. Been using a Kickback 112 since they came out.

froghat · #6 10-05-2010, 08:02 AM

I had a Hartke Transporter cab (4-10) that gave me no trouble. Now Behringer aluminum cones, OTOH, have a universal tendency to tear themselves apart. They don't blow - the aluminum cone either comes apart from the surround or splits apart. I have seen several cabs like that. I think they didn't take maximum excursion into account when they specified the surround material.

Burlington · #7 10-05-2010, 08:10 AM

I wouldn't judge an entire brand just because you bought used gear that was poor. That could happen with any brand.

I've never played Hartke, but many people like them, so they must be doing something right. Also amazing customer service it seems. Larry Hartke just gave you his cell phone number!

derrico1 · #8 10-05-2010, 08:41 AM

I've had a Hartke 410XL since the early '90s. Although I rarely use it now, it's seen a ton of loud gigging and never blown a speaker.

However, it has at times *sounded* as if it had blown a speaker. IME, the adhesive holding on the dust caps on the Hartkes is prone to failing. And when a gap opens b/w the dust cap and the speaker, the resulting metallic vibration sounds a lot like a blown speaker. Fortunately, it's an easy and cheap DIY fix.

I've seen guys sell these cabs at a loss or be ready to ship them for repair when the only thing wrong is a $4 dust cap and some adhesive.

Triad · #9 10-05-2010, 08:41 AM

Thanx for all of the replies...
I'm not saying Hartke stuff isn't good. I've owned a HA3500 for years (bought new) without troubles. But all the used Hartke cabs I buy are blown. I stated clearly that I went for used stuff... so Larry Hartke has (of course) no part in this.
But I find really strange that all of the blown cabs I get have aluminum cones.
I've repaired myself a Bugera aluminium speaker... the suspension was simply unglued. 5 minutes and it was like new. My Hartke isn't that easy to fix, I fear.
Oh, let me say that I'm not a complete dummy... I've built some cabs myself (what I'm actually using due to the double Hartke fiasco) and I'm much into building basses.
There must be something wrong with Hartke XLs users!

JTE · #10 10-05-2010, 08:42 AM

I had two of the original Guild/Hartke 4 x10 cabinets. I gigged almost every weekend with one or both of them for well over ten years. If I wasn't gigging they lived in the van (central Illinois so that means temps from 20 below to over 110 F). Never any trouble at all. They were driven with a lot of different amps including a Peavey CS-400 bridged mono, Peavey MK IV with a matchig transformer, Hartke 3500, Eden WT-400, and a Music Man HD-130. I played 'em too loud, with too much power, with too little power, and the cones never had any problems. They also never had any problems wikth not being able to handle bass. I never thought Will Lee nor Gary Tallent ad thin sounds with them.

In fact, I h ad LOTS of sound guys and guitarists who saw the aluminum cones and assumed they'd be bright and were pleased when I played.

John
.

Pilgrim · #11 10-05-2010, 09:14 AM

If you've had a similar problem with two cabs, I'd take a moment and consider the EQ adjustments on your amp. Are you possibly running the low frequencies a bit too high? That can cause problems with a lot of cabs.

jackcheez · #12 10-05-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triad

There must be something wrong with Hartke XLs users!

I beg your pardon...

azureblue · #13 10-05-2010, 09:52 AM

but I've been looking for a 1-15" transporter....

MNAirHead · #14 10-05-2010, 09:58 AM

I like how they don't fart out .. very stable on low distortion.

**Mulebagger** · #15 10-05-2010, 10:04 AM

Just wanted to say Larry you are the man for stepping up like that. I don't have any Hartke cabs these days, but knowing how you stand behind them, I think I'll take a second look at them.
All the best Triad with getting your problem fixed. Sounds like you are in good hands.

Triad · #16 10-05-2010, 10:12 AM

The 4.5XL I've got months ago has one speaker rattling badly... it COULD be fixable.
This 210XL can't be fixed... if for "fixing" we don't mean "replacing a speaker".
The seller seems willing to give me a refund, though... but I can't believe to my bad luck with these cabs!
Yes, Larry Hartke is really a good model to follow for amp builders. Shame I'm in Europe or I'd deal directly with him.

NGJBeaner · #17 10-05-2010, 10:26 AM

i hear a lot of people hate on the aluminum cones! i've been playing with 2 TP 4x10 cabs for years and have NEVER had a problem. they crank there aluminum butts off 3 hours a night, 2-3 nights a week! HAIL TO THE HARTKE

Triad · #18 10-05-2010, 10:27 AM

I tried the TP210 and hated it. But always liked the XL stuff... shame I never bought it new!

NGJBeaner · #19 10-05-2010, 10:32 AM

and in hartkes defense a band that opens for us a lot's bass player bought a brand new SWR 400 head and Goliath 4x10 cab about 6 months ago and has already blown a PAPER cone speaker in it. not saying SWR isnt a quality product. maybe some people just do not know the proper way of setting their rig up. my advice is replace the problem speaker in your 4.5 and prepare to fall in love with the tone they can produce!

Triad · #20 10-05-2010, 10:35 AM

Yes... but: 4.5XL is worth (maybe) €200... and ONE speaker costs €75. Go figure...
Not even 100% sure the other 3 wouldn't rattle at all.
The thing is: never buy aluminium cone cabs used without trying them first. 'Cause I guess they can take a bit less abuse than paper cones and if the seller used a 1000w head on a 200w cab with a 5 strings and boosting the hell out of low frequencies...