Hartke Hydrive 210 amp (250watt combo) question

[jim777]

Hey folks

So the input jack on my amp was getting very scratchy, so I brought it to my local shop and they said they would take a look at it. They gave it back after a few days (no charge) and said because everything on the circuit board was attached to the front panel, they didn't want to mess with it and didn't know if it could be fixed. When I turned it on last night it just started screaming, and I couldn't get it to stop.

So, I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of fixing it or even finding out if it can be fixed, as amps where everything is on one board aren't known for being as fixable as other types. My thought is that it still has 2 10" speakers and a horn and did sound fine when it was working.

If I grab another head of some kind and just want to use the speakers, am I making a mistake? I have no idea what ohms the internals work at, should I just go down the repair road anyway? This is a home practice rig and I'm not sure how to salvage what I can out of an amp that's likely shot on the power side but likely still fine on the speaker side.

Thanks in advance!

jim

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

So they returned the amp in worse condition than when you took it in?

OK, many amps are built with PC mounted jacks and pots that also mount to the front panel.
If that guy you took it to can't deal with those, he won't be in business for very long.
Actually, it just sounds like an excuse to not work on it.

If you don't want to fix it, cut your losses and just get a new (or newer used) practice amp.

Buying a head and using the old speaker seems a waste unless you plan to use the head with another cab for gigging. Put the money towards another combo and just be done with it.

If you want to pursue fixing it, contact Hartke and find out where their nearest certified tech is located. Something like replacing a jack ought to be quite doable, assuming your other guy didn't do more damage.

Don't buy gear based on how they assemble it. Go by the manufacturer's reputation, and/or how they do their warranties.

 

[lowendrv]

Hey folks

So the input jack on my amp was getting very scratchy, so I brought it to my local shop and they said they would take a look at it. They gave it back after a few days (no charge) and said because everything on the circuit board was attached to the front panel, they didn't want to mess with it and didn't know if it could be fixed. When I turned it on last night it just started screaming, and I couldn't get it to stop.

So, I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of fixing it or even finding out if it can be fixed, as amps where everything is on one board aren't known for being as fixable as other types. My thought is that it still has 2 10" speakers and a horn and did sound fine when it was working.

If I grab another head of some kind and just want to use the speakers, am I making a mistake? I have no idea what ohms the internals work at, should I just go down the repair road anyway? This is a home practice rig and I'm not sure how to salvage what I can out of an amp that's likely shot on the power side but likely still fine on the speaker side.

Thanks in advance!

jim

From the looks of it . You just have to find a 200 watt head . If the lead needs to be longer . Have the shop that ruined your amp make a longer speaker lead .
Best thing would be to find a shop that knows what they are doing and have your amp fixed .

 

[jim777]

So, I still don't have this sorted, but Samson (Hartke parent company) is trying to find me a repair shop within 100 miles of me. I was wondering, I have 2 old Yamaha stage monitors ( 90's Yamaha SM12H ii) that appear to be able to handle 400watts @8 ohms each. Could I use one or both of them for a few weeks until I get my amp sorted or replaced? I have a PA power amp that's 200 watts, and a preamp in my bass. I'm asking because some friends asked me to fill in for their bass player who just left, until they can find a permanent replacement. I'll just get a proper rig if I become the replacement but don't want to buy a rig for a 2 month thing where we might play out 3 or 4 times.

 

[jim777]

I should have added I cannot test this out right now, as my left hand is in a cast after arthritis surgery (trapezoid bone removal) . It only just occurred to me people would read this post and think, "just try it, you helmet" I can't even pick up my bass for another 5 weeks. Just wondering if what I have would work or if I should be researching and shopping. Anyway, thanks in advance all.