• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Hartke 3500 issue, request input

C

CYoung

Nov 30, 2000
339
8
Gainesville, FL
myspace.com
#1
Ok, I have had my current amp, a Hartke model 3500 for several years now. It has served me rather well without so much as a hiccup until the other day.

I was test-driving a newly-acquired T-40 bass guitar and added a little tube pre-amp to the sound when the amp powered off. Checked the fuse, and yup, it was fried.

Next day, got new fuse, fried again. Hmm. So, I unplug everything, turn off the EQ and compression, all gain set to 0. New fuse - pop. Ok, maybe my tube has an issue - pulled tube, new fuse - pop.

I investigated the interior of the amp thoroughly and found no visible shorts, faults, or other visible damage. The caps all look fine and there are no visibly damaged components.

Thinking maybe the newish T-40 had an issue, I patched it into my PA - no problems, no fried PA or anything. Well, that pretty well clinches the conclusion that my Hartke 3500 has experienced a hardware failure of some sort.

My question:
1. What do you think has happened to my amp?
2. Any helpful suggestions for diagnosing this issue? I am moderately competent with a VOM and soldering iron.
3. Who in the North Central Florida area repairs these things?

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
#6
I think the fact that the amp went down when you used the T-40 and tube preamp may only be a coincidence. More likely a power transistor has blown out, which creates a short circuit to the power supply, blowing the fuse. Or, a power supply component, like a filter cap or power transformer has shorted out.
 
#8
i dont know that you could blow a fuse with in that amp with that bass. its passive. and even if there were some kind of short in the wires that connect the pickups to the pots, or the pots to the jack, all that would do is cut your sound. maybe that amp had finally just gone down.

i had one for years, that sounded awesome plugged into my 810, but whenever i used a cabinet that had a horn or a tweeter the high end sounded like keys clanking together. i swapped with tube out and it was perfect. never had any other problems with it.

its a good head, but you should get it checked out. goodluck!
 
#9
I know Hartke will sell you a complete Amplifier module for that amp pretty cheap. I think last time I ordered one it was somewhere between $35 and $50. Just swap the heatsink from the blown one over to the new one and solder in the transistors and it back to normal. Not uncommon on these amps.
 
#10
I know this thread has been idle for a long dang time, but I wanted to follow-up on the outcome.

I took the amp to a local shop where the tech found that an RF choke in the power supply had shorted. This caused the power supply to pull too much juice and pop fuses. Total repair cost with parts and bench time was right about $70.

Thanks to everyone who passed along the advice. Now I can jam on my T-40 everyday. Poor neighbors..... :smug:
 
#11
CYoung said:
I know this thread has been idle for a long dang time, but I wanted to follow-up on the outcome.

I took the amp to a local shop where the tech found that an RF choke in the power supply had shorted. This caused the power supply to pull too much juice and pop fuses. Total repair cost with parts and bench time was right about $70.

Thanks to everyone who passed along the advice. Now I can jam on my T-40 everyday. Poor neighbors..... :smug:
Click to expand...

Cool! :bassist:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back