Ive been giving a lot of thought to buy a amp set up for myself. I have seen plenty of Hartke amps recently, but am not familiar with the brand. I would like to get some opinions about their cabs and heads.
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Hartke Amp opinions
- Thread starter richardsntn83
- Start date
I've owned every mainstream brand of amps/cabs and what I own these days is Hartke and GK gear.
Hartke bass amps/cabs have there own certain sound, kinda bright, punchy and bass all at the same time,,, I have the HX810 cab for the big gigs and powering the big cab with a GK MB500 head.
GK stuff I own their ultra lightweight combs, MB210 and MB112.
Everyone has different taste,,, but for me the Hartke stuff sounds amazing,,, and great bang for the buck as well.
You didn't mention how much you want to pay and what size rig your looking at so it's kinda hard to help you without more details,, there are many different Hartke cabs and heads,,, and even combos to pick from.
Perhaps if you post some specific things you are wanting from a bass rig we could make some suggestions.
There are lots of You Tube videos showing off the Hydrive cabs and heads.
Cheers
Davyo
Hartke bass amps/cabs have there own certain sound, kinda bright, punchy and bass all at the same time,,, I have the HX810 cab for the big gigs and powering the big cab with a GK MB500 head.
GK stuff I own their ultra lightweight combs, MB210 and MB112.
Everyone has different taste,,, but for me the Hartke stuff sounds amazing,,, and great bang for the buck as well.
You didn't mention how much you want to pay and what size rig your looking at so it's kinda hard to help you without more details,, there are many different Hartke cabs and heads,,, and even combos to pick from.
Perhaps if you post some specific things you are wanting from a bass rig we could make some suggestions.
There are lots of You Tube videos showing off the Hydrive cabs and heads.
Cheers
Davyo
Has anyone got any experience with the smaller Hartke combos? I am looking for a smallish practice amp to leave in the house. Price isn't a concern.
Proud owner of a Hartke A100 for 5 years. I've used it for everything from bedroom practice to coffee houses to theater orchestras to outdoor gigs (has direct out). My drummer and I like the kickback cabinet. Enough tone-shaping for my tin ear. Takes a lot of manhandling. Only downside to me is the 50-lb. weight. If I bought another combo I'd seriously consider a GK.
I've had a Hartke 4 X 10 for many years. Great punchy, clear sound and takes a beating. I personally think Hartke cabs are a pretty good value. Are there better cabs, sure... but at that price point I think they're very attractive.
Larry Hartke stands behind his product. His own phone number is published in his ads, which is crazy, but is also good business. You got an issue, there's the number straight to the top dog who CAN handle your issue, no matter what it is. He also drops by and posts in these forums from time to time.
The Hartke 410xl cab is every bit as legendary Ampeg 8x10 cabs. Lots of pros have relied on that cab for many years. Among their endorsers are true legendary virtuoso bassists, not just the Joe Schmoe from whatever band is the flavor of the year.
Sure, they are not the only name in the game. Other cabs are good too. Many cabs are a lot better depending on what you want. Some of those better cabs cost a lot more. But Hartke gets the job done good enough for many pros and won't break your wallet.
My only complaint is that most of their cabs are heavy. I'm using their HyDrive 112 now which is their lightest cab at 30 lbs and is quite easy to haul. It just replaced my 410xl as I'm getting old and my days of loud rock are over. I'm backing singer songwriter types in coffee shops and churches, so that's working great for me.
I have never used any of their amp heads or combos because I have esoteric needs in that department, but I don't see many complaints reading these boards.
The Hartke 410xl cab is every bit as legendary Ampeg 8x10 cabs. Lots of pros have relied on that cab for many years. Among their endorsers are true legendary virtuoso bassists, not just the Joe Schmoe from whatever band is the flavor of the year.
Sure, they are not the only name in the game. Other cabs are good too. Many cabs are a lot better depending on what you want. Some of those better cabs cost a lot more. But Hartke gets the job done good enough for many pros and won't break your wallet.
My only complaint is that most of their cabs are heavy. I'm using their HyDrive 112 now which is their lightest cab at 30 lbs and is quite easy to haul. It just replaced my 410xl as I'm getting old and my days of loud rock are over. I'm backing singer songwriter types in coffee shops and churches, so that's working great for me.
I have never used any of their amp heads or combos because I have esoteric needs in that department, but I don't see many complaints reading these boards.
I have never much cared for the Hartke tone, personally, but I will say this: the stuff is well-made, Larry's a great guy and he stands behind his products.
I've played peavey most of my musical life...about 6 years ago I started using hartke ...I run two 15's and boy I love it....the deep punchy bass sound that I get from it is what I have been looking for ...I play a fender jazz Rick 4003 and a hofner 500/1....and I can get all the tone I need ....I could not be any happier with it as I am now....yes it is heavy....but the sound that I get from it makes up for it
Price is definitely important, I'm looking for a set up that is popular for progressive or metal music and also for players who are tone freaks. In the size i am just looking for something that would be great for playing gigs both indoor and outdoor. In comparison with ampeg which brand brings more punch and tone?
I just gave up a boutique bass amp a couple of months ago,and started using a Hartke LH 500 after hearing a friend of mines at one of his gigs. Great old school tone,insanely loud,and the price aint bad either.
Brand is irrelevant, although different brands have different tones, the terms that we use to describe tones are subjective. Talking about sound on a forum is a lot like a group of blind guys discussing famous paintings.
You got to use your own ears.
Progressive and metal players each use both brands... among many others. There's really no other way to intelligently answer your question.
You got to use your own ears.
Progressive and metal players each use both brands... among many others. There's really no other way to intelligently answer your question.
I own the Hartke B90 combo and find it terrible. I can't understand how I could dig it when I tried it out at the store. I continue to use it though, as a beater combo I take to the worst bars and I've rented it a couple of times, which I wouldn't have done with equipment I like.
The Hartke combos with aluminum speaker are a different story though. I had better spent more money and gotten one of those.
The Hartke combos with aluminum speaker are a different story though. I had better spent more money and gotten one of those.
I have better luck with Hartke when I'm at GC goofing around with slapping. But for my "normal" metal playing with a pick, there's not enough guts in them for me.
It might seem like a copout of an answer, but Nev375 is right. Tone is such a subjective matter and there are so many great amps out there for great prices right now that your only answer is going to be trying things out and listening for yourself.
You can start by hitting up all the music stores that are local to you and playing everything they've got and then check out local bands, see what they're using and see which sound good to you. Most of us who've been playing any number of years have been through lots of gear - new and used - and we've gradually, through the process of elimination, zeroed in on what we like in an amp.
TB is great because you can draw on that collective experience of other players. The problem is, whenever somebody asks "which amp is best?" or "How do these amps sound?", everybody will give them a different answer - and they're all right! It's personal and subjective and best figured out in the trenches rather than on a forum. It just takes a lot longer that way.
I currently use an LH500 through a series 2200 two twelve and a horn cab, and it's all I've needed for any application , up to bars and churches. I also have an old 3500 and a 210 XL that work great for small rooms. Highly recommended!
I recently purchased an Lh500. It's a good solid amp with plenty of power, and a pretty solid tone. I opened it up about 3 hours after I bought it. It looks well built.
My biggest complaints are that you only get 3 eq adjustments, which is great for simplicity, but not for me. Also for some reason mine doesn't like to play well with effects.
I plan on using it for a while, though I'm more a fan of less modern sounding amps.
My biggest complaints are that you only get 3 eq adjustments, which is great for simplicity, but not for me. Also for some reason mine doesn't like to play well with effects.
I plan on using it for a while, though I'm more a fan of less modern sounding amps.
Tonight I will be using my brand spankin new Hydrive HX810 cab at a gig for the first time,,, semi big venue, 1000 seat, with PA support and a fairly large stage,,,,,,, I have played this venue many times with many different rigs so I'm pretty excited to see how the new 810 will sound at this place in comparison to my other gear.
Pushing the HX810 with my GK MB500 head.
Looking forward to tonight with the new Hartke.
Cheers
Davyo
Pushing the HX810 with my GK MB500 head.
Looking forward to tonight with the new Hartke.
Cheers
Davyo
