Hartke Hydrive 5210 combo

[Febs]

I don not think that is going to help.I have had same problem with mine a week ago.Brand new.It is not 350 watts - i don not believe in this.How is possible not to cover 65 watts Peavey guitar combo and drummer in small room? Obviously many peoples have this problem.It is pure lie that is suitable for small and medium venues like description says.

Mine carries small and medium rooms without even breaking a sweat. How is your EQ set? What cabinet(s) are you using?

 

[Sparky Mark]

I have a Hydrive 210 combo that's 250 watts, and it also is pretty quiet up until about 5. After that though it takes off, so it doesn't bother me.

The Hydrive combos have a much more flexible EQ section than the LH series. I could dial almost any tone with it. However the LH EQ is a different animal. If the LH tone isn't your thing, then your stuffed IME and IMO.

 

[slapfunk987]

To all of you guys with those low volumes, something might be wrong with your combos. I played the 5210c awhile back at my local Sam Ash. The store is 3/4 as long as football field and bass amps are the farthest away from door. So anyway, I started playing with volume at 4-5 and some customer comes literally running back asking what amp are you playing cause I'm buying it... So I would assume you guys have faulty units, but I dont remember whether I was playing in the passive or active input..

 

[cheezewiz]

So instead of just saying it won't work, did you actually TRY to plug into the passive input?

 

[BurningSkies]

So instead of just saying it won't work, did you actually TRY to plug into the passive input?

+1

Please folks, try the passive input. I use both passive and active basses and never use any active input on any amp. Turn off the limiter while you're at it.

 

[bass nitro]

I have no other choice but plug my bass in passive input because is precision one.With limiter turned off and on was same.
I have Planet Waves cables and 100000% sure that my bass is in perfect condition - mean electronic in it.I am happy to hear what do you say MysterMunky - you are lucky one then.Thanks slapfunk987 too.With states like these ones i am going to believe that i have had faulty unit.

 

[Billnc]

The LH amps are designed so you have more control of the volume at very low volumes and get louder pretty quickly at the end of the 'knob turn'. If there is no distortion with an active bass use the passive input. I do.

 

[1n3]

The fact that your speakers are moving a lot means you may benefit from backing off the low end.

So instead of just saying it won't work, did you actually TRY to plug into the passive input?

+1

Also...

From the LH5210 manual:

The LH Series tone stack equalizer offers three bands of "boost only" equalization. Since the LH series equalizer is comprised of boost only filters, when you turn all the EQ knobs down, the sound will go completely off (unlike an typical PEAK EQ circuit).​

How are your tone knobs set?

 

[oriol]

Hi,
Bass: knob at 6
Middle: knob at 6
Treble: knob at 4

 

[1n3]

Bass: knob at 6
Middle: knob at 6
Treble: knob at 4

Thanks. OK, EQ setting isn't the problem. Tried the passive input?

It's odd to have a report of both low volume and high cone excursion. Wonder if something odd is going on down low. Don't know what kind of high pass filter Hartke has on the input. Active bass - any LF boost there? Any speaker cone movement when you're not playing?

Sorry, I'm not really familiar with this amp, so don't have much to offer.

 

[oriol]

Hi, no cone movement when not playing. Tonight I have a jazz gig, I'll bring the combo... Tomorrow I'll tell u

 

[bass nitro]

not only his amp does this.my also.there are faulty units out there.

 

[BassmanPaul]

One thing that springs to mind is that you seem to be comparing a 2x10 to a 4x10. No 2x10 will be able to do that.

Is it possible you are expecting too much from a 2x10 cabinet?

 

[Febs]

not only his amp does this.my also.there are faulty units out there.

So have you called the customer service number as recommended in the e-mail you posted?

 

[oriol]

I live in Barcelona (Spain) so calling the customer service could be a little expensive.. Anyway, in a couple of hours I'll be on stage testing my Hartke combo. There's a 2-years warranty and I know the salesman. No problem..

 

[bass nitro]

Do not bother yourself,kid.They are going to tell you that ..Again, it will be tough to determine the problem, so I would definitely check out the new amp to see if it sounds as loud as you like it. Although we may have differing opinions on what loud is, it should prove a very loud signal, with adequate headroom.

Please feel free to get back to me with any additional questions or concerns. I'm here to help!

Thank you,

Greg Orrigo
800.372.6766
Invalid Link Removed
May be we are deaf.

 

[oriol]

Well, as I told u, yesterday I had a gig in a jazz setting with my brand new Hartke Hydrive 5210 combo. Definitely, it didn't work. With my bass onboard volume knob at full, I need to turn clokwise my amp volume knob to 5, then to almost seven on a ten scale in order to cut through and be hear. The speakers moved a lot at every note, and the last songs I played sounded distortioned... I suffered at the end. For sure, there's something wrong with my unit: my combo gave me 100 watts, or 120 maximum: never the 350 watts it claims!
I feel disappointed, of course, and I've just bring the combo to the music shop. I don't want the same combo, so I'll try to make an exchange for another cabinet. Definitely, I don't like the LH series: just a master volume to control your overall sound. My old trusty classic 350 watts Hartke amp is far more reliable and gives more sound flexibility.... and power also...

Thanx everybody for your replies!

 

[oriol]

BTW, I played with 2 different (4 & 5 strings, fretted & fretless), both with brand new batteries, I've tried both active and passive inputs.... No way..

 

[jjk2007]

One thing that springs to mind is that you seem to be comparing a 2x10 to a 4x10. No 2x10 will be able to do that.

Is it possible you are expecting too much from a 2x10 cabinet?

+1.

 

[oriol]

I've tried today the same amp (LH-500) with a 4x10... Same result: you need to turn the volume knob clockwise to past 6 in order to be heard... Just "to be heard"!! Not a huge sound. In my opinion, it's a weak amp no matter the cabinet