Hartke Halfstack...enough headroom?

[johncg]

So I've been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what kind of amp I want. I'll save the details about my sordid quest and just cut to the chase of a specific question I have...

If I were to grab a Hartke 3500a and pair it with a Hartke 4x10 XL cab, I would be getting 350w of power at 4 ohms.

The consenus around here (as I've gleaned it from searching through posts) is that somewhere between 350 and 400 watts is about the bare minimum neccessary to handle most any gig.

I'm wondering if it might be worth it to shell out a little more cash and get the 5500 head though. The absolute last thing I want is to feel underpowered, and because I play in some pretty loud funk and rock bands where I like my bass to often to be very in-your-face, I'm doubting that the 350w head is going to fully quench my thirst.

I play mostly in medium size clubs, and bars. At a club, I can signal through the PA anyway, so I technically don't need vast amounts of power, right? Or would it be better to get a powerful enough amp to fill the room and get more of the cab sound too? Maybe I should have the cab miked for this purpose? Ah, so many questions!

I guess my main question is this though:

If I'm playing in a pretty-****ing-loud band, will the 350w head definitely still maintain its own? I don't just mean be heard, but really deliver.

I'm kind of thinking not. All thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated though. This is an amazing community that I'm happy to have discovered. Thanks!

 

[homercaholic]

Ive played an HA3500 through a single 4.5XL and it seemed pretty damn loud, but this was in a basement with no one else around. Ive read that its quite a loud head but if its not too much money id go with the 5500. The extra room will probably come in handy and its better to have to much headroom then too little. Think of it as an insurance policy. I know i'll most likely never push my GK1001RBII to the max but I love the fact that if the situation called for it I would have the room to do so.

 

[doog]

I play the backline 600 at 300w in a rediculous band, we're talking LOUD.

Anyway, im cool with 300w but I got an amazing deal so its hard to nitpick.

If I was in your situation though,looking at the hartke line, id would definately go with the ha5.

You looking to buy new or used?

 

[Psychicpet]

if you've got the cash then I'd say it never hurts to have a few extra watts but the 3500 should be fine.

 

[neptoon]

the hartke 410xl is an 8 ohm cab, so you would be running that head at about 250 watts

 

[Dave W]

If I'm playing in a pretty-****ing-loud band, will the 350w head definitely still maintain its own? I don't just mean be heard, but really deliver.

I'm kind of thinking not. All thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated though. This is an amazing community that I'm happy to have discovered. Thanks!

I also play in a VERY loud band. My head is 600w @ 4 ohms, and the master is at 12. I'm using 2 cabs...not just one. It's plenty loud! I've also got a LMII (500w @ 4 ohms) that gets pushed more than I'd like it to. If I had any less wattage, I don't think I'd be heard nearly as well.

If you're already 2nd guessing it's abilities...keep looking.

 

[Fine Cut]

you wont be pushing 4 ohm's...with one XL410 u'll be running 8 ohm's, so that aint the full potential of the amp anyway, if u wanna use the full wattage and get plenty of sound, you'll need to grab 2 of those XL's, or an XL and a 12" or 15"...or, shoot, just get the 5500 if u wanna keep a strict 410 setup

might wanna search for some info on "ohms" too...to learn a little about what they are and how they work may keep you from blowing that brand new amp

 

[MyUsernameHere]

I used a set up like you're thinking about for years. Unless you're going to run the drums through a pa at practice in order to boost the total volume the band can achieve while still hearing the drums it'll be plenty loud...even at 250w. As far a live shows go, I've never had a problem. That being said, its better to err on the side of having more power than you need if it worries you.