Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
HA3500 popular in reggae bands due to loudness and low pass output filter! You can break speakers with those things
I'm the same here. I am on my 2nd 3500...both have been reliable and more than enough power for any gig I've played over the last 15 years or so. BTW...I have an XL 4x10 as well and have never felt the need to bolster it with a 15. That head and cab combo handles everything...and if the gig is big enough for you to run through the PA then you're all set regardless
I used a 3500 for a couple years, then it started cutting out every other gig. I had it repaired and it seemed fine, but I couldn't take the stress of wondering if it would go out again, so it just stayed at the rehearsal space. Why are your choices limited to Hartke? Is it because you want your rig to match? After the 3500, I went to a GK 700rb. I regret nothing. And I don't mean to diss Hartke... I still use a Hartke 410 at one of my rehearsal spaces and it eats everything I feed it.
I'm very tempted to get this one for 250 shipped. The g uy s at sweetwater.com just called me saying the amp will be in stock next Thursday (2 yr warranty, peace of mind )
Absolutely. I still have mine and it was the first standalone amplifier/head that I ever used. Blows away any of the micro-heads that I've heard so far.
You can't go wrong with a HA3500. It was one of my first heads I gigged with. Actually sold it and wound up with another one later in life. I've moved on since. Hartke's do a great job at making you loud reliably, just don't have the best tone IMO.
I own the HA3500 with VX Series 410 cab. My advise if you go with the HA3500 is to buy and have in your gig bag a philips head screw driver and the 12AX7 tube. The other good things about the HA3500 are the solid state and tube pre-amps, the active & passive input jacks and the built-in compressor. Plus if you ever need a boat anchor, just put the amp in a water-tight bag and anchor away!
I'll chime in and vouch for the 3500 as well. Used a few 3500s years ago and they were real workhorses. I can't recall ever having any real problem with the 3500 ever.
I just got a B-stock LH-500 for $220 at Sam Ash in NJ. Basically it came to $235 or so after taxes... I could've gotten the LH-1000 for another 85 bucks.
Anyway, the Hartke LH-500 is great for me so far.
90 pounds! I'll get a dolly for the cab
You'd want to get a dolly for your equipment anyway, I'd add castors to that cab if not already installed. Learning to play music in a band also requires learning how to move your gear to maximize the healthy years from of your body. IJS
Last edited:
I've had some GKs and I love them...but the 10 band graphic with low and high boost knobs on the 3500 is too hard to get away from now....
I would urge you to get the best amp you can afford. If you can swing the 5500 go for it, if you can't get the 3500.
A friend of mine bought the 700rb and immediately turned into a raging demoniac and till this swears he is a ham sandwich. I have heard too many reports on the net of this happening so steer clear of that...
A friend of mine bought the 700rb and immediately turned into a raging demoniac and till this swears he is a ham sandwich. I have heard too many reports on the net of this happening so steer clear of that...
I don't know where you're located, but the Music-Go-Round by me always seems to have a used 3500 (or two).
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
HA3500 is a lovely amp, I'd have kept mine if maximum portability wasn't my goal. I used it with the 200W 210XL cabinet, and it gave a nice clear, clean sound with plenty of adjustment in the EQ.
I had a 1X15 combo with the 2000 head in it (200 watt version of the 2500). I had no problem keeping up with most drummers.
Also, don't get to excited about the tube preamps in the HA line as they don't really do all that much. Is it different from the solid state pre? Yes, but not as much as you might be expecting.
Also, don't get to excited about the tube preamps in the HA line as they don't really do all that much. Is it different from the solid state pre? Yes, but not as much as you might be expecting.
