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hartke 3500 thoughts???

#5
The 0x said:
Hmm, let's see: Preamp tube that won't overdrive, useless compressor, EQ sliders that fall off if you breathe on them, and in general, a not so nice background hiss on the head in general. If you can't tell by now, I don't like them.
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I've had one since the early nineties and gigged with it pretty rigorously for a long time. Never had an EQ slider fall off, no hiss and no problems. It is one of the earlier MOSFET versions, but I still keep it and use it as a backup. It has surprisingly good tone if you spend the time to really tweak the tone controls.

I find these amps unnecessarily maligned.
 
#6
I played one from 97 until 2002. I never could get "the tone" out of it but tone is subjective. Not that you won't be able to find your tone or anything like that.

It was durable and survived many live gigs. Replaced the preamp tube once (preventative maintenance). The one con I found was that for my purposes it wan't as loud as I needed.
 
#7
BurningSkies said:
I've had one since the early nineties and gigged with it pretty rigorously for a long time. Never had an EQ slider fall off, no hiss and no problems. It is one of the earlier MOSFET versions, but I still keep it and use it as a backup. It has surprisingly good tone if you spend the time to really tweak the tone controls.

I find these amps unnecessarily maligned.
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I do as well. I've been using one since '94, and while it's not exactly what I'm looking for anymore, it is a great head that has served me very well. As for loud, I've never turned mine up past 2, and I don't play really small gigs.
 
#8
I own a 5500 and a 3000. Never had one problem with either one! Can't vouch for the 3500 but it's gotta be just as reliable. All makers make lemons so maybe the above poster got one! It also matters how you take care of your equipment. I've literally seen bands toss (and drop) their gear like the fish at the Seattle Fish Market.
 
#9
I'd stay away from one of the new ones, but the early ones are a much better piece of gear than their rep. I heard BurningSkies play through his in big clubs dozens of times with a plain old mexi jazz and a 410 back in the day (we're old now :bawl: ) and his stage tone ALWAYS kicked ass.

Haven't had a chance to see him crank up the dingwall and schroeder, but I'm looking forward to hearing that, to say the least! :bassist:
 
#10
BurningSkies said:
I've had one since the early nineties and gigged with it pretty rigorously for a long time. Never had an EQ slider fall off, no hiss and no problems. It is one of the earlier MOSFET versions, but I still keep it and use it as a backup. It has surprisingly good tone if you spend the time to really tweak the tone controls.

I find these amps unnecessarily maligned.
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+1 here as well. I have the 5000 version (same pre, more power) - okay, the tube section doesn't really overdrive, but not everybody will be bothered by that, me included. Compressor isn't great but it does the job if you need it, EQ section is excellent, build seems robust enough to me unless you're clumsy as ****. I suppose it's hissy if you boost highs excessively (what amp isn't?), but I've never really noticed it as a problem in a gig situation. It's actually quite easy to dial a wide range of really good tones out of one of these.

Good amp overall, great amp for the price.
 
#12
I have an older 7000 (which is mainly used for backup duty these days), and an 1155 combo, which contains the 3500 head (a killer combo, by the way), and except for some typical known problems with some lackluster soldering on the preamp board (which I examined and fixed myself), they sound fine, hold up well, and get the job done. You could do much worse.
 
#14
DWBass said:
Just wondering, what's wrong with the newer ones? I own 2! Not a single problem with mine! Or is it just the 3500's?
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I don't think there's anything wrong with them per se. I don't know about the 3500's and such, but I have a 2000 and I did a side by side comparison with a HA2000 and the older one blew the newer one away as far as volume and overall tone goes. I don't know what they've done to them recently, but as far as the Hartke goes, the newer ones pale in comparison.
 
#15
I've been using the 3500 for almost 5 years now with absolutely zero problems.

I've commented many times that the head is a "plain vanilla" piece of equipment, and in my case that's not a bad thing at all. I'd much rather provide the character of my tone myself, rather than using the head to create any specific sound (growl, fatness, etc) ..... :cool:
 
#16
bigfatbass said:
I'd stay away from one of the new ones, but the early ones are a much better piece of gear than their rep. I heard BurningSkies play through his in big clubs dozens of times with a plain old mexi jazz and a 410 back in the day (we're old now :bawl: ) and his stage tone ALWAYS kicked ass.

Haven't had a chance to see him crank up the dingwall and schroeder, but I'm looking forward to hearing that, to say the least! :bassist:
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Thanks BFB! That means a lot coming from someone like you. (If y'all don't know BFB is pretty much the premier bass player in the region, and is a killer with great tone). Someday we'll be in the same place at the same time and you can check out my new stuff. Can't wait for the NEW Dingwall to get done!

DWBass said:
Just wondering, what's wrong with the newer ones? I own 2! Not a single problem with mine! Or is it just the 3500
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At some point in the mid 90s Hartke/Samson changed the design for this amp. At one point it had a mosfet driven power stage and no longer does. There are many that believe that MOSFET power sounds warmer and richer than the current transistor set up. There's also been a fair amount of talk about Hartke doing some cost control on the parts used...
 
#17
whacker said:
1155 combo, which contains the 3500 head (a killer combo, by the way)
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+1, even though I'd never use it as I have better gear nowadays, I still kinda wish I'd never sold my 1155 combo. That thing sounded far better than it should for the price (pawn store special, $375 I think). Hartke's older stuff does sound more robust, but the newer ones aren't that bad. All of them (old and new) will be a little hissy. Slide the highest fader down a tad and problem solved.

PS: that 1155 combo had the old MOSFET version of the head in it
 
#18
I like 'em, especially for the price point. It certainly isn't going to get an overdriven sound (but you can get a pedal for that) but it does sound best when it's cranked, within reason, of course. I would have kept mine if I could've afforded to, since I don't make my living playing, though, I could only rationalize keeping one amp... sometimes i certainly miss it. Another thing that's great is that they pop up used for cheap often. I don't understand why they now make them in that huge head cabinet that's even uglier than the previous rackmount head, but hey I always seem to be a couple paces behind.
 
#19
Owned a 2500 for a few years '93 - '96 - the old mosfet version, at the time I played a Ric and used a 410 xl cab. I loved the tone, very clear and very loud. I agree that the onboard compressor was not up to much, but I,ve never been too much into compressor for live use. The amp would cut into the mix very well and completely overpower X2 Marshall half stacks.

Compared to other amps in the same price category this was an excellent workhorse for me for a few years. Ishould mention that I was in the UK at the time, Hartke amps - if anything seem to be more popular in the UK than here in NA.

Eventually gave in to the crave for the GK growl.
 
#20
A workhorse that keeps on kicking,tone a little plain for me(but actually sounds pretty good thru my Schroeder 410 cab-but I only use this head for home practice or back-up),middle of the road power rating IMO,loud fan,but all my sliders are still there-and works perfect! Not a bad amp overall !...Peace...DAcat:cool:
 

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