Disappointed with Hartke

I think you need to be more realistic with your expectations. I used to work for a music retailer and dealt with all the vendors who's products we sold. Among those was Mackie. We were advised by Mackie to refer customers who needed gear repaired to a certificate repair shop because they had a six month backlog.

Vendors do run out of stock on things. Perhaps the person who answered your call could have handled your call better, but if they can't get a replacement for you till August (which is only a few weeks), what would you have them do? They can't give you what they don't have.

Perhaps you could borrow (you mentioned your keyboard player used to play bass) or rent another cabinet, unless you have a spare, till Hartke can replace your speaker. Sometimes things don't happen as fast or in the way we'd like.

I'd suggest being patient. Especially since you like the tone and whatnot. There are a lot of people who own Hartke products... and Fender, Ampeg, and all other vendors occasionally have situations like the one you described. If you go with another manufacturer, there's no guarantee it won't happen again.

In my experience, no manufacturer is exempt from such setbacks. Just my experience of working with many of the major manufacturers for three years.

 

Not familiar w/Hartke components, but if your cab uses a generic driver, maybe you could find it here: http://usspeaker.com/

 

I don't think you'll find a driver elsewhere except maybe from an authorized service place or on ebay. I used a buddy's Hartke cab one time for one show we were both billed on. The 15" aluminum cone driver looked like Jiffy-Pop in the middle of my first set. IMO the amps are horrible sounding and the speakers can turn you on with some punch but are otherwise lame and just prone to the exact failure you experienced.

 

Oh yeah, forgot about those aluminum cones. Maybe search Craig's List (or TB) for a used cab as a vessel for spare parts?

 

If they are out of stock they are out of stock.
You were probably the tenth person that day that called asking for one and go into a sob story.
You blew the speaker, he didn't.

 

Larry Hartke himself is on this forum often. I'd maybe see about talking with him before immediately writing the brand off like that. After all, did you not say that the sound was EXACTLY what you wanted? I'd give them more of a chance before just declaring them "bad" forever.

But, I'll be honest. MY perspective on the matter is influenced heavily by the fact that I've grown up in a small business. Often times, we've lost business due to customers having (sometimes) unrealistic demands of us. Although your request would seem completely easy, and simple to address from your view, consider things at Hartke. It's totally possible that they're dealing with issues that preclude being able to spare a single driver.

Lastly, Larry Hartke is HUGE on customer service, and WILL make this right with you if you give him the chance.

 

Fair enough. I hate to sound preachy, but I just have a real soft-spot in my heart for Hartke, simply because I know their head honcho is a genuine stand-up guy who WILL go the extra mile for his customers. I don't even use his gear, lmao

 

No speaker cabinet has 100% reliability, and two instances does not make the problem systemic to the brand. And....August is only two weeks away. You can be dramatic if you choose, or just realize that sometimes, **** happens.

Oh, and BTW, you bought a 1X8 combo, and tried to use it in a live band setting............the damage isn't shocking.

 

Your responses in this thread says a lot.
I bet you acted the same way with the person on the phone.
What do you expect them to do? The speakers are out of stock at the moment. If you have heard of this happening before maybe there is a problem with their speakers and the phone person hears it all the time. That cab is $400 new. That puts in in the lower grade of cabs. You get what you pay for. If gigging is that important to you may be you should invest in some "Pro" gear.

I say junk the Hartke cab and get something better.
But no cab is completely bullet prof. Speakers blow

 

As I understand it, he bought the 4 X 10 for gigs and the 1 X 8 for his office. He blew out a driver in the 4 X 10 and, at this point, is so over Hartke that he wants to off-load the practice combo as well.

To the OP: if you had placed a 1 x 15 underneath the 4 X 10 to handle the lows, this never would have happened...j/k. Hope things get straightened out in short order and for low dough.

Riis

 

Cones tear due to over excursion - the driver being asked to give more than it is able to give. Add to that the fact that the cabinet was used and, like all used equipment, you have no idea what it was subjected to before you got it. If the replacement driver is not available 'til August then that is the way it is. Hartke probably buys their drivers in bulk and are waiting for the arrival of the latest batch. Larry has impressed me with the way he treats his customers. This will be made right but not until August.

 

Oh NO RIIS, you didn't! :scowl: