Hartke HA2500 or HA3500?

[Alik]

Hello , my fellow bass players, i just ordered a Hartke 410XL bass cab (400w, 8 ohm)
on the internet and i'd like to buy a Hartke bass amp for it,
I have in mind the 250 watt version HA2500 (delivers 180 watt at 8 ohms) or if money allows it, the HA3500 350w (250 w at 8 ohm). Can't recall where but i read that the HA2500 amp goes into 'Protected Mode' when trying to push it a little bit, which leads me to get the HA3500, but it's almost twice as expensive as the Ha2500.
Any experiences with the HA2500 amp connected to a 400w cab?
i'm a newbie and I know it's 'safe' to use a lower power amp with a higher watt rated bass cab.

Any comments would help.
PD.- Here's a picture of the bass cab it's supposed to arrive sometime next week

 

[murphy]

I would skip the 180 watt head..you would get frustrated.....I usually require more power

 

[DWBass]

Get the 3500 (or 5500 if you can). And no, the amp will not go into protect mode just by turning up. That typically happens due to overheating or ohm load below 4ohms, or iffy power source.

 

[The Chuck]

Go with the 3500, it's a real solid amp.

 

[happychicken]

I would try to find a used 3500. If not search the net I'm sure you could get a good deal on one

 

[Alik]

I would skip the 180 watt head..you would get frustrated.....I usually require more power

I've read twice the sentence:"Not loud enough"

 

[The Regulator]

Go for the 3500 or 5500, they are very reliable and you can usually find them used for the same price or less of a new 2500 which is ~$200-$250.

 

[HoboCop]

What about an LH500?

 

[Alik]

Go for the 3500 or 5500, they are very reliable and you can usually find them used for the same price or less of a new 2500 which is ~$200-$250.

I'm trying to find a used ha3500 but they seem to be unavailable at the moment (Ebay and classifieds section)

 

[The Regulator]

I'm trying to find a used ha3500 but they seem to be unavailable at the moment (Ebay and classifieds section)

Check your local Craigslist & Guitar Center.

 

[Alik]

What about an LH500?

I'd prefer the 3500 over the 3 band head amps series. Eq would be of great help. Not to mention the tube pre amp

 

[Alik]

Check your local Craigslist & Guitar Center.

I'm on it right now, thanks wanted to buy it from Sweetwater.com but it's out of stock. They offer a free 2 yr warranty. Nice.

 

[Bass Master General]

I use a HA3500 and it has tons of headroom... I have never turned it past 3 or 4, playing in a loud rock band...

 

[Alik]

I use a HA3500 and it has tons of headroom... I have never turned it past 3 or 4, playing in a loud rock band...

I've read very good reviews about this amp. Thanks

 

[FingerDub]

I'll echo what the other guys said here - I had a 3500 and it was rock solid and had power for days. You won't regret it, but you would regret less power later.

 

[HoboCop]

I had a 3500 for a while, and I used a 7000 for years, which I still own. They are good amps, but for this day and age they are very large and heavy. I understand if you've got your mind set on one, but I would suggest you really take a minute to look around at what's available in your price range. The 7000 I have has problems with the input jacks after years of use, and I just haven't bothered to get it fixed because it's such a dinosaur. The EQ is really nice, but there are other amps that can do that for you too.

 

[tfer]

I'd prefer the 3500 over the 3 band head amps series. Eq would be of great help. Not to mention the tube pre amp

LH series amps use a tube preamp as well.

 

[Alik]

LH series amps use a tube preamp as well.

I didn't know that. I'll check the amp specs

 

[DonBorelli]

I had a 3500 for a while, and I used a 7000 for years, which I still own. They are good amps, but for this day and age they are very large and heavy. I understand if you've got your mind set on one, but I would suggest you really take a minute to look around at what's available in your price range. The 7000 I have has problems with the input jacks after years of use, and I just haven't bothered to get it fixed because it's such a dinosaur. The EQ is really nice, but there are other amps that can do that for you too.

Very large and heavy?
See I don't get that. He has bought a nice big and solid cabinet...which most of us have. You want to move some air, right?
But suddenly it is a big obstacle to carry a solid state amp like the 3500, which isn't even that heavy?
I get the micro amp thing if you have a small coffee house rig with a 1x12 cab or something like that, but I digress.
The HA3500 is a wondeful amp. Go for it!

 

[HoboCop]

Yes, I thought of that after I posted, since he's already got the heavy cab I suppose it's not really an issue. And I agree, they are nice amps.