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Hartke, Fender, Ampeg or....

nic_lowend

nic_lowend

Apr 15, 2025
20
18
#1
Hello fellow bass players.
I am relatively new in the forum but not new into music.
I have owned a Harte A100 for sometime now and I love the sound and the simplicity of this amp.... but my back does not love him so much.
For this reason I am evaluating the possibility to upgrade to something more modern... class D and neodimium speakers... but without compromising on sound quality or power.

My obvious alternative I think it should be the Harte KB15. I never tried one personally but I can imagine that it is sonically not that different from my Hartke A100 (also 15" speaker).
However, some bass player friends also suggested me to try the Fender rumble and the new Ampeg rocket series.

I would like if some of you reading this (if you have experience across this brands) can give me a few pointers on what are basically the difference... in practical applications and sound.
I can say I like the clarity and warmth mix of the Hartke.... and I also have a boss katana amp (nothing wrong with this one) with a 10" speaker... and I can say that I can dig into a pleasant sound much faster in the Hartke than with the Katana. I also think that I prefer the 15" speaker sound... the openness and the warmth is really nice.

So... if anyone who had experience with this brands would like to share a little knowledge I will be pleased.
If you also want to suggest other brands go ahead...
Thanks a lot
N
 
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#4
On a budget, I played an Ampeg BA210(version 2) for almost 10 years and hundreds of shows. Eventually got an extension can to boost it from 350, to 500w. That's about all ya need for most gigs especially if the amp had a DI out, which the BA210 does. If in the USA they can be found used for $200-250.

A 210 config is great for most stuff. If you're looking for an amp/cab situation I have to recommend the Genzler Magellan 800 and a Genzler 212 cab. It's my ideal amp and tone stack. Lightweight too! 4lb for the amp, 42 for the cabinet. The DI on the Magellan is superb and I have no complaints about it. There was one used on here for $650 which is a great deal!

IMG_8514.jpeg
 
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#5
Also, I would go slightly older Ampeg to save some money. I'm not personally impressed with the new rocket line. They're fine but the older BA series sounds much better to my ear. The Fender Rumble 500 is a similar combo which older models are also great. (I'd avoid the oooold metal chasis ones. Sound fine, but not as powerful and heavy as all get out.)

Since you like Hartke's sound maybe look into an older L or LH models which can be found on Reverb for a steal. Most of these old solid state models are very reliable. A buddy of mine uses 2 early 90's 350w Hartke's in a stereo config with some personally built cabs and he sounds magical!
 
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#6
Honestly can vouch for the rumble 500 and 800.

Both of them will need an extension cab to be there full output - 800 is pretty loud, also that 500 is damn loud on its own though even being at 350 watts the max with it's single combo.

With the days of DI, ampless gigs, FOH you may not need the cab. But the Rumble tone is specific of course again with Pre-amps now you can get rid of that tone if you like.

Seeing you share these lightweight combos - are you interested in small, lightweight cabs - or is that not a care for you?
I can vouch for Barefaced being amazing small, compact amps and they do sell big models and they go HOT!
Markbass combo Mini CMD 121 is great as well.
 
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#7
If you like the sound of your Hartke and just want something louder and lighter, the KB15 seems like an obvious choice. I see your A100 has a more complex graphic EQ though. If you tend to not bother with much tweaking, you could still be happy with the simpler 3 band EQ on the KB15.

Honestly the EQs on the Rumble and Ampeg Rocket lines aren't that much more complex than the Hartke, especially if you generally find on/off EQ shape buttons unusable like I do.

Hartke's product line is clearly hurting from lacking a lightweight combo with a graphic EQ IMO.
 
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#11
DuluthDank said:
If you like the sound of your Hartke and just want something louder and lighter, the KB15 seems like an obvious choice. I see your A100 has a more complex graphic EQ though. If you tend to not bother with much tweaking, you could still be happy with the simpler 3 band EQ on the KB15.

Honestly the EQs on the Rumble and Ampeg Rocket lines aren't that much more complex than the Hartke, especially if you generally find on/off EQ shape buttons unusable like I do.

Hartke's product line is clearly hurting from lacking a lightweight combo with a graphic EQ IMO.
Click to expand...
yup... the graphic eq is quite cool... but I think that if comes to that I can always get an eq pedal for not so much money...
 
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#15
Adjectives said:
On a budget, I played an Ampeg BA210(version 2) for almost 10 years and hundreds of shows. Eventually got an extension can to boost it from 350, to 500w. That's about all ya need for most gigs especially if the amp had a DI out, which the BA210 does. If in the USA they can be found used for $200-250.

A 210 config is great for most stuff. If you're looking for an amp/cab situation I have to recommend the Genzler Magellan 800 and a Genzler 212 cab. It's my ideal amp and tone stack. Lightweight too! 4lb for the amp, 42 for the cabinet. The DI on the Magellan is superb and I have no complaints about it. There was one used on here for $650 which is a great deal!

View attachment 7263628
Click to expand...
Those are good... but on the heavy side... that is the main reason I am considering changing my Hartke A100
 
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#17
KevInDaBassment said:
*PERSONAL* opinion...but I feel the offerings from Hartke are in a class above the Fender Rumble and Ampeg Rocket series. If you like the tone stack and character of the Hartke gear, I'd stick with that.
Click to expand...
As an aside, this is really interesting for me to read - Hartke has kind of floated up and down as far as public opinion seems to be concerned. They were considered great for a long time, then they were "just fine for the money but not great" and now they seem to be having a resurgence to the point that they're being favorably compared to products from Ampeg.

I've always loved Hartke stuff, just interesting how things change.
 
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#19
nic_lowend said:
Hello fellow bass players.
I am relatively new in the forum but not new into music.
I have owned a Harte A100 for sometime now and I love the sound and the simplicity of this amp.... but my back does not love him so much.
For this reason I am evaluating the possibility to upgrade to something more modern... class D and neodimium speakers... but without compromising on sound quality or power.

My obvious alternative I think it should be the Harte KB15. I never tried one personally but I can imagine that it is sonically not that different from my Hartke A100 (also 15" speaker).
However, some bass player friends also suggested me to try the Fender rumble and the new Ampeg rocket series.

I would like if some of you reading this (if you have experience across this brands) can give me a few pointers on what are basically the difference... in practical applications and sound.
I can say I like the clarity and warmth mix of the Hartke.... and I also have a boss katana amp (nothing wrong with this one) with a 10" speaker... and I can say that I can dig into a pleasant sound much faster in the Hartke than with the Katana. I also think that I prefer the 15" speaker sound... the openness and the warmth is really nice.

So... if anyone who had experience with this brands would like to share a little knowledge I will be pleased.
If you also want to suggest other brands go ahead...
Thanks a lot
N
Click to expand...
I have played all the Rumbles except the 800 and some other amps like MBass but ended up buying the Hartke KB15 and have no regrets.
It is light and sounds great whether Alembic, Fender, Gibson or Squier plugged into it.
 
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#20
By going with a combo you're somewhat self-limiting as far as both power and weight. Most combos require an extension cab to get their full wattage. That adds to the overall weight of your rig as does having a head built into the cab itself. You also have less flexibility matching head with speaker compliments. How much wattage do you actually need and what speaker compliment sounds best to you?

As far as your choices; Hartke, Ampeg, and Fender. Each will have their own baked in "native voicing". I'd suggest going with which ever sounds best to you and best fits your style of playing the the genres you play. All three companies produce solid dependable bass amps. What I prefer or someone else prefers may not be what you prefer. Play each of them in a combo that suits your needs. Then decide.
 
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