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Hartke HD150 volume problem

nachothrash

nachothrash

Mar 16, 2014
30
19
Argentina
#1
Greetings everyone!
I just got my new Hartke HD150 combo amp.
Thing is, when I play fast paced stuff it seems like the volume turns down automatically, some notes fade out way too quick, or there's just some tonal loss
I don't know where, but I read that it comes with a built-in limiter to protect the speaker, and that's why it has a single input instead of active/passive inputs
It's getting really frustrating. I don't know if it's my playing or the speaker's fault.
This is my first amp, I've been playing for a year using a pick, mostly thrash metal, so I tend to hit the strings hard. My bass is an active Cort Action V-DLX 5 strings with a new battery
I can't test it out all day, but last time I moved al knobs to 0 and the issue seemed to get a little bit better but not completely gone.
Any advice? Did anyone have a similar experience with this or another amp? Could it be an eq thing, a faulty speaker, or just bad technique?
Regards!
 
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#3
B-string said:
You may be expecting more than a lower cost combo is designed to deliver. If the reserve capacity is not high enough or recovery time is not fast enough, the power supply runs out power.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, I didn't get what you meant.
The issue happens with the volume knob at 3. I've played a marshall mb4210 (which is around the same price) and some crappy low end peaveys, and never experienced something like this
Is it really asking a $400 amp to keep a steady volume and tone that much?
 
#5
nachothrash, I pretty much have the same deal with my HD150 and was wondering how have you got on?

It does seems that the override protection is being way to overprotective and while the volume goes from 1 to 10 it only seems to have 3 volume settings. Don't get me wrong, it sounds good but the volume was not what I was expecting out of 150 watts.

B-string, do you think that our "style/use" could "exceed the design expectation" because we are both beginners or maybe that we play thrash music using a 15 inch driver? I chose the Hydrive combo because it seems to be popular for fast paced metal bassist's to be using at the moment?

Please help, is it me/my expectations?
 
#7
burnd out said:
nachothrash, I pretty much have the same deal with my HD150 and was wondering how have you got on?

It does seems that the override protection is being way to overprotective and while the volume goes from 1 to 10 it only seems to have 3 volume settings. Don't get me wrong, it sounds good but the volume was not what I was expecting out of 150 watts.

B-string, do you think that our "style/use" could "exceed the design expectation" because we are both beginners or maybe that we play thrash music using a 15 inch driver? I chose the Hydrive combo because it seems to be popular for fast paced metal bassist's to be using at the moment?

Please help, is it me/my expectations?
Click to expand...
With you both experiencing the same thing it sounds more likely that is the design of that particular amp. There have been a few folks here who posted they were using some of the 150 and 200 watt combos with full bands and had plenty of volume. Personally, I wouldn't attempt metal of any kind without at least 500 watts pushing good-efficiency 15's or 410. I remember at least one fellow that posts on here saying he is using a Traynor SB115 combo and that it is plenty loud. I think Traynor rates their amps conservatively, though and that particular combo is very efficient to have that kind of staying power. I haven't heard much feedback on the newer Hartke combos but what you guys are describing does sound like early protection circuit. Can you go direct to the PA on gigs? Is it loud enough to practice with then do that for gigs?

I dunno, but if playing that style of music and if I wanted to stick with Hartke, I would trade it in on a LH-500 or LH1000 and one of the hydrive 410's or two 15's. I played metal for three years and used 1800 watts into special custom built 15" and 12" speakers.
 
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#10
well... we're gonna find out soon. I had to take it back to the shop as we have have another issue, the light comes on but other than that nothing. Not even the cooling fan switches on, there is half second where the amp seems to want to operate but then nothing. So I guess its wait and see. Shame I just installed Geezer Butler EMG pickups in my bass and haven,t got to test drive them yet.
 
#11
burnd out said:
well... we're gonna find out soon. I had to take it back to the shop as we have have another issue, the light comes on but other than that nothing. Not even the cooling fan switches on, there is half second where the amp seems to want to operate but then nothing. So I guess its wait and see. Shame I just installed Geezer Butler EMG pickups in my bass and haven,t got to test drive them yet.
Click to expand...
Well Damn! What a pisser! :mad:
 
#12

so...as it tuns out,
something electrical had fried and that caused the power failure. I am not sure what the part is or if the repair technician has looked into volume issue as I am getting the info second hand off the music shop where the amp was purchased. There is also tension between the repairer and the music shop because the repairer is being a dick about the whole thing and the music shop manager has had a go at him for that.
oh well, I guess I just have to wait it out.....
 
#13
nachothrash said:
Hartke HD150
Click to expand...

nachothrash- how have you got on?

The parts are in to repair my amp now so the repairer will get to it "when he can". I can't tell you weather the volume problem will be solved or if it is part of the power issue as I am getting updates through the music shop not the repairer. I am hanging out to get it back as it been nearly three weeks without it and it killing me!
 
#16
Back in Action! Loving having my amp back and working.
I am still not sure if the two issues where related or that one caused the other however I can say that since joining TB I am armed with a wealth of resources. I have been reading some of the posts here about amp setups including EQ and that has led me to change the way I dial in my settings. With every thing at zero there is a lot more volume control, I have yet to crank it it right up but feel I have the power that I thought it was missing before it stopped working...if that makes sense?
I still consider myself a novice with two months owning a bass (one month without an amp) but if I was to to post an answer to nachothrash 's original question
nachothrash said:
Could it be an eq thing, a faulty speaker, or just bad technique?
Click to expand...

For me.... maybe it was a combination of all three?
 
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#17
burnd out said:
Back in Action! Loving having my amp back and working.
I am still not sure if the two issues where related or that one caused the other however I can say that since joining TB I am armed with a wealth of resources. I have been reading some of the posts here about amp setups including EQ and that has led me to change the way I dial in my settings. With every thing at zero there is a lot more volume control, I have yet to crank it it right up but feel I have the power that I thought it was missing before it stopped working...if that makes sense?
I still consider myself a novice with two months owning a bass (one month without an amp) but if I was to to post an answer to nachothrash 's original question


For me.... maybe it was a combination of all three?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the late response
Since a decent technician is impossible to find in southern Argentina, it just went back in a 2.100 km ride
I ordered it from an e-commerce that is overprotective with purchasers, so I just claimed it was deffective, sent it, and got my money back without any further questions
If it was truly a lemon or just an overly sensitive designed override protection like some guys suggested, I will never know
Glad it's working out for you. I'll try and save for a LH500 and a 410xl
 
#19
I just traded in my HD150 for a Hartke HA5500 head, and a VX410 cab. My volume wasn't an issue, I just wanted more power. I had a Marshall MB4410 that fried on me. The sound wasn't bad, I didn't care for the MDF construction of the MB series however. I also used an MB4210 with a MB150cab at on time. That started to rattle apart. I'd stay with a Hartke Myself.
 
#20
The solution...
The limiter works fine. Do not cut off the signal too early.
hd50_limiter-off.jpg
 

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