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Anyone running a Hartke VXL Bass Attack straight into a power amp?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by John Bigboote, Jan 10, 2009.

  1. Jan 10, 2009 #1
    John Bigboote

    John Bigboote

    Feb 18, 2005
    Portland, OR
    I've been using the Bass Attack pedal in front of a combo for about a year now, and for gigging I'm fine with its tone and features. But I'm trying to get lighter and more modular with my rig, and am considering driving it right into a power amp (maybe the Carvin DCM1000?) for my stage rig.

    Cheap is good. Reliability is essential. I'm driving any combination of 115, 112 and 4x8 (all 8-ohm, all good for at least 500W), so I need 1000W at 4 ohm or 500 x 2 at 8 ohm.

    Any of y'all been using the Bass Attack as your only preamp? Any issues? Any warnings?

    Thanks,

    -jb
     
  2. Jan 11, 2009 #2
    John Bigboote

    John Bigboote

    Feb 18, 2005
    Portland, OR
    Bump, just in case...

    -jb
     
  3. Jan 12, 2009 #3
    thobbinghotrod

    thobbinghotrod

    Dec 31, 2006
    Minneapolis
    I'm running my VXL into the effects return of my my GK 700rbii, it sounds great.

    One problem is that the boost knob and the gain knob still work in this configuration so the coloring of the amp is still affecting my sound. In my case it sounds great so I don't mind. But I can't tell how it would sound straight up.

    I don't think this preamp has a lot of power so it might not drive a power amp as hard as you'd like.

    Try it into your effects return if you have one. Someone else might chime in on the power issue.
     
  4. Jan 12, 2009 #4
    thobbinghotrod

    thobbinghotrod

    Dec 31, 2006
    Minneapolis
    HaHa I just noticed your name. It makes me want to change mine to John Parker!!
     
  5. Jan 12, 2009 #5
    John Bigboote

    John Bigboote

    Feb 18, 2005
    Portland, OR
    As long as it's not John Whorfin. I hate that guy.

    (Actually, somebody *is* using that handle out there...)

    Thanks for the feedback,

    -jb
     
  6. Jan 13, 2009 #6
    skafanatic19

    skafanatic19

    Jan 12, 2009
    I am currently using the Hartke Bass Attack on a MB TA 501 head...

    However I'm still working out the kinks on running it straight into the head vs. into the effects return...I'm leaning towards the effects return but as soon as I figure it out I'll be glad to post my opinion.

    I have a real hard time trying to avenge the natural tone of the 501 so I even may retire the BA preamp/shaper
     
  7. Jan 26, 2009 #7
    John Bigboote

    John Bigboote

    Feb 18, 2005
    Portland, OR
    Bump. I just took delivery of a QSC PLX1804, and I've tried running from the Hartke Bass Attack pedal through a Behringer dual 31-band graphic eq (I want to split the signal and bi-amp through the two channels to drive low and not-so-low cabs).

    Clearly the Hartke pedal isn't putting out a line-level signal; closer to instrument level, since the input meter is barely budging on the EQ. I can get reasonable volume only by diming the EQ and the power amp (and the Hartke output).

    Is this just a limitation of that pedal? If so, care to recommend a better, pedal-based preamp?

    -jb
     
  8. Jan 26, 2009 #8
    mrkreuzschlitz

    mrkreuzschlitz Guest

    Jun 30, 2008
    Dacula, GA
    A Sansamp:

    Character VT,
    Bass Driver DI (programmable if possible),
    Paradriver

    Also, if you love the tone, get a boost pedal and put it after the Hartke.
     
  9. Jan 26, 2009 #9
    Kael

    Kael

    Dec 26, 2004
    Oklahoma City
    Just get the Paradriver and be happy. The SABDDI will work, but in a few months you will probably be wishing you had that semi-para mid control.