Hartke 3500, an unsung hero?

[nickelseye]

I just took advantage of the free 3500 offer and picked up the Hydrive 410.

I've used the 5500 before and thought the fan was loud. However, as previously mentioned, it was not audible at gigs.

 

[Craig_S]

Um, yeah...not so much. I think they sound pretty much like ca ca.

The new LH series heads sound awesome though.

Have any of you ever tried replacing the preamp tube??? Those frappin' stupid Sovtek 12AX7WA tubes are the dullest sounding ever to be found. Reliable and cheap, though. That's why they get used a lot.

Like ca ca... I've heard SWR sound like ca ca too, in the wrong hands.

I like my HA3500 very much, thank you. I only use the tube preamp. The amp has never let me down. And no, I'm not just trying to justify my purchase. Everyone compliments my tone.

 

[Red Planet]

I recently picked up an old Blackfaced HA7000. I had found memories of my old 3500 so I decided to find the 7000 to use as a backup/lighter substitute for my SWR M2 Preamp/Poweramp setup.

I have had the HA7000 for about a month now. The first thing I did was remove the piece of junk Sovtek out of it and replace it with a JJ ECC83. I may try some other tubes as well.

One thing it took me a while to figure out was I was overdriving the Tube side of the Preamp causing a slight distortion. I have a pretty aggressive playing style, use a Passive Bass, but ended up having to use the Active Input (which cleared up the problem).

The 7000 is pretty much the same as the 3500 but with two seperate power amps and a defeatable crossover. The Power of the 7000 is unbeliavable with both amps running. It's louder than my QSC RMX 2450. Don't know why but it is.

I know this is a 3500 thread but I could not resist.

 

[hbarcat]

I've got an HA3500 that I picked up cheap and I like it a lot. A very good workhorse and the variable compression is quite useable. It's not my main amp but I often use it for slumming in places I don't want to risk taking my valuable gear.

A used Hartke 3500 (or Peavey TNT) is an amp I recommend as good, solid, giggable gear for players on a budget.

 

[Bongolation]

Those frappin' stupid Sovtek 12AX7WA tubes are the dullest sounding ever to be found. Reliable and cheap, though. That's why they get used a lot.

I know a fellow in NYC who prepares the road amps for the biggest names in music. What 12AX7s does he use? Specially selected Sovtek 12AX7WAs.

They are very short-plate, so they work and they don't croak or go microphonic. That's what's imortant. Everything else is secondary.

 

[barroso]

A used Hartke 3500 (or Peavey TNT) is an amp I recommend as good, solid, giggable gear for players on a budget.

TNT were great too!

 

[Craig_S]

I know a fellow in NYC who prepares the road amps for the biggest names in music. What 12AX7s does he use? Specially selected Sovtek 12AX7WAs.

They are very short-plate, so they work and they don't croak or go microphonic. That's what's imortant. Everything else is secondary.

Like I said in my previous post, regarding the WA tubes: "Reliable and cheap, though. That's why they get used a lot." Even though their sound is lackluster.

My LPS tube never went microphonic nor did it ever fail. I've played the amp at pretty high volume levels.

Long plate tubes just plain sound better for bass, to my ear. The issue with them being microphonic, from what I've read, is a problem in high power combo amps; not in separate, or racked heads. The Sovtek 12AX7LPS livened up my HA3500, quite a lot and never once gave me a problem.

 

[sadworld]

i have owned the old black 3500 for 15years and purchased it used. only recently i have had an issue with it which is being fixed as we speak... i have spent lots of money and tried lots of different heads, many over $1000 and i always go back to my hartke.... in fact i just auditioned two preamps this weekend and i think they are going to go back as well.... i may look into one of the new hartke units... the 1000 kilo looks quite nice....and yes, i love my hartke 3500!

 

[Red Planet]

For me good tone is primary.So your trying to tell me there arent other tubes available that are reliable? Lots of stuff around way more reliable than Sovtek.

The LPS's are known to take out folks Amps. Dont use them.

Sovtek sucks. As well as all the other versions of those tubes they are trying to pawn off on us as Mullard etc.....

Utter Crap and snake oil.

I know a fellow in NYC who prepares the road amps for the biggest names in music. What 12AX7s does he use? Specially selected Sovtek 12AX7WAs.

They are very short-plate, so they work and they don't croak or go microphonic. That's what's imortant. Everything else is secondary.

 

[NorCal Dog]

have only played 3500 a couple of times at a studio here in novato,, it sounded pretty good with the Hartke cabs, pretty versatile.

now my LH1000 is a totally different animal, this thing Hits Hard & sounds INCREDIBLE

 

[Craig_S]

The LPS's are known to take out folks Amps. Dont use them.

Sovtek sucks.
Utter Crap and snake oil.

Yep, been using them for years. So have most amp manufacturers... Where did you get that information from?? you'll find the Sovtek WA's in everything from amps to multi effect units...

http://www.tubedepot.com/so-12ax7lps.html

 

[Red Planet]

Yep, been using them for years. So have most amp manufacturers... Where did you get that information from??

I got it from my Amp Tech (a well known seasoned profesional with background to back it up). I forget the details but in some types of Circuits the LPS's can go south and take out some components. After his telling me this oh probably 5 years ago or so IIRC I have run across this same info at other locations. Do not remember where.

I have used a number of Sovtek products through the years and my experience has been boring tone and no more reliable than any other 3rd world product, as well as some time less reliable.

And yes I have an axe to grind. These products using others names as if that lends credabillity to the same old stuff, made on the same old machines, out of the same old materials, ticks me off.

Rant over.

 

[Red Planet]

BTW you find them because they are cheap. Thats all.

 

[Craig_S]

I won't say they're the end all, but your tech is propagating back dated, long remedied, poor info from a bad run of LPS tubes that happened LONG ago.

Use what you want, but don't talk down a product you've never used.

 

[Red Planet]

I won't say they're the end all, but your tech is propagating back dated, long remedied, poor info from a bad run of LPS tubes that happened LONG ago.

Use what you want, but don't talk down a product you've never used.

" Never used" What the heck are you talking about? I have thousands of tubes. I do not want to turn this into a slug fest but please do not make statements about people that you no nothing about. I have been using Vacuum Tubes for 35 years +. My Tech is a well respected Tech with many years of experience and only works on Tube Amps.

Bad run? I have hundreds of these things that are what I would call substandard as well as the Tung Sol and EH Tubes. I will admit the Tung Sols and EH's sound good but not for very long. Though as long as you keep them away from V1 in a Cranked Guitar Amp they will perform OK for a while. BTW the Tung Sol and EH Tubes are identicle with the exception of a different Getter in the Tung Sol.

This reminds me of statements made by a well known Tube Dealer that he had sold Hundreds of the GT 12AX7M's with no complaints, while the rest of us were having large amounts of failures if not right out of the box then shortly after being installed. He later quit selling them and conceeded the failure rates were too high to continue to sell them.

 

[Craig_S]

So then you've used a LPS "amp destroyer" in your gear, eh? This is the tube I was speaking of. I really don't care how many tubes you've used. I've been at it as long as you have. I haven't seen one flipping issue with a Sovtek tube yet, apart from lack of musicality in the WA/WB tubes.

Your statement reminds me of several people's tendency to back up stories they've only heard, without ever actually experiencing what they're speaking of. I'm telling you I've used LPS tubes, in different amps, for years without issue, and you're calling it a fluke? Whatever...

I can only speak from my personal experience.

I have to add: 15 years ago, in a diferent Hartke amp, I had--if I'm remembering correctly--a Sovtek 12AX7LP. It was given to me by an amp tech. The amp never sounded better. The amp never failed.

P.S. My intent was not to insult you.

 

[Red Planet]

Everyone is an expert.

Let me restate my statement. Sovteks are trash.

You keep trying to think you know something about me and what my experiences are, you don't.

 

[Craig_S]

Everyone is an expert.

You're using Mesa amps. Mesa uses the LPS... Hmmmm... they must be trash...

What, do you own a competitive tube company? Hold stock in some other company? What is it? There are far too many Sovtek tubes in equipment being made every day, to the great satisfaction of the companies producing it, for you to spread your "trash" propaganda. Think about it. Live with it. Your opinion isn't always correct; nor is mine. Again: I can only speak from my experience. I've tried several tubes, as well.

 

[Red Planet]

Mesa? Dont own one.

Lots of folks are indeed using Sovteks, lets face it they are cheap. I have no affiliation with a competitor.

IMO IME Sovteks are a waste of money, your mileage may vary.

Have a good day.

In my recent purchase of the SWR M2 Preamp I was glad to see SWR using JJ. Not even the bulk ordered yellow labled JJ's but the standard JJ ECC83 with the red lable. Of coarse it has a pair of 1955 Mullurds in it now but I did hang on to those JJ's. I stuck one in my Hartke HA7000.

Very good!

 

[Zooberwerx]

I pulled the EH tube out of my Demeter HBP-1 (stuck in a Brimar) and installed it in my Hartke 3500. Mild improvement IMO but nothing to get excited about.

Just sold my stack to a local kid; he couldn't be happier. Face it, the 4 X 10, 1 X 15 , 3500 rig is impressive looking.

Riis