True. In fact, I had a Hartke TX600 where nothing much was happening to the volume until you hit 3 o'clock. A lot of people were criticizing that. Makes you wonder whether they decided to go the other way this time.
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True. In fact, I had a Hartke TX600 where nothing much was happening to the volume until you hit 3 o'clock. A lot of people were criticizing that. Makes you wonder whether they decided to go the other way this time.
I have an iAMP500 combo, so kinda the same: 500W amp and 1x12. In a loud band setting I always run with a second 1x12 extension cab. Sometimes though, in a rush to get the PA and my rig setup, I forget to plug in the second cab. It will start distorting at half volume 
Plug in the second cab and the distortion goes away.
So I would try adding a second cab.
Plug in the second cab and the distortion goes away.So I would try adding a second cab.
The actual output of an amp has little to do with the position of the volume control. if you have a strong enough input signal the amp will put out it’s maximum power at less than 10% of the controls rotation.
Good point Paul.
OP, turn down the volume on your bass.
An amp can only take so much input level before it stops making clean output.
You need to find the combination of bass volume and amp volume that gets your controls to point where you like them to point.
There are a number of places where you can run out if headroom. This happening at the preamp doesn't get much discussion.
Great..... I planned on getting the KB15 tomorrow. Don't know if I will now. Anybody got any experience with the KB15???
To OP,
If you can return the KB12 to get exchange, I would like to suggest you another great loud 12in combo if you love 12 driver.
EBS classic sesson 120.
This baby sound seriously loud even just only 120watts！ she nail the sound like Markbass CMD121P when I try it at GC before along with ibby SRFF805.
This thing handle low B string very well than my fender rumble 200/150.
Ofcause, not farting issue at all.
I choose KB15 instead classic sesson 120 because she weight 27kg！！！ in combat size and no on/off switch for tweeter.
Hope help.
If you can return the KB12 to get exchange, I would like to suggest you another great loud 12in combo if you love 12 driver.
EBS classic sesson 120.
This baby sound seriously loud even just only 120watts！ she nail the sound like Markbass CMD121P when I try it at GC before along with ibby SRFF805.
This thing handle low B string very well than my fender rumble 200/150.
Ofcause, not farting issue at all.
I choose KB15 instead classic sesson 120 because she weight 27kg！！！ in combat size and no on/off switch for tweeter.
Hope help.
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I play one in church every Sunday with a mxr m80 compressor and some fuzz from time to time. I don't pass it from 3 with the shape button on. My church gathers in a gym with PA support but i played without it before and have enough volume. And yes after pass the 6 in volume is start farting but what combo doesn't. Also is 250 watts rms. The 500 watts is peak. If you want a louder combo buy a GK MB500 or a rumble 500.
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I agree too...if you just got the amp just take it back like the others suggested. I have a smaller Hartke amp...a lot smaller(30 watts). It would distort, fart and just wasn't loud enough. For my Hartke the speaker was the weak link. Since it's an older model I replaced the driver with an Eminence speaker. Made a world of difference!! Plays clean and low at higher volumes.
I been upgrade my Fender Rumble V1 100/210 , V2 75/120 and Marshall MBC410 cab with US Eminence driver which bring the bass tone to next level. But, i dont think upgrade the Hydrive driver to Paper driver is work in term of Hartke Tone. Could be worst .....
Just my2cent
That is a generalization that does not take into account...
1) How hot of a signal you are sending the bass. In other words, how hot are the pickups.
2) How hard does OP play? Does he hang the snot out of it?
3) How the amp is designed.
I own several very nice amps I can't turn up very high without causing problems. I play pretty hard though.
You're not gonna tell me that a Mesa Walkabout is not working properly if I can't turn it past 3 with the gain just under breakup, now are you? Of course not. First off, it's stupid loud. 2nd, I jist got it back from Mesa where it was serviced and it completely checked out to factory specs.
There are tons of factors that go into how far you can crank the volume. I have never owned an amp I could turn even close to all the way up.
The Hartke KB 12 or 15 have NO GAIN control.
I believe hartke using the similiar concept like Fender Rumble Deltacomp.
Another weird thing i found on KB12 and KB15 is Booster-Like Effect while you turn the volume knob over 1 o'clock. You will get sudden volume boost along with some Bass increase. I ask GC staff and try the piece at there, same thing.
Honestly, i am really love the tone after 1 o'clock , juicy and solid-thick tone with flat EQ.
I only have positive thing with KB15.
If you wanna me make complaint with it, I will tell you the KB15 have no Vintage mode like rumble 200conbo; only sound great with bass guitar, sound crap with digital drum, keyboard and elec guitar, the rumble 200 could handle all of them well.
The KB15 combo shape and look is less sexy as fender rumble retro design.
The cooling fan from KB15 is little noisy than silent fan on rumble200.
Kb15 is more expensive than rumble200.
The hartke brand is not as popular as Fender in my contry.Just like Cort vs Ibanez.
The KB15 power supply cable is shorter than the one from rumble200.
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IME what is being described is typical of lower-end combo amps. I have experienced the same thing with Ashdown and Markbass combos - get above half way and it all goes south. Drivers farting out, power supply running on fumes or tone and definition getting lost in a puddle of mud. In the end I sprang for a Genz-Benz - problem solved!
I don't think half way should be too loud, but it is true, things like a very heavy attack and super hot pickups can cause a farting out sound on it's own. I also agree about turning an amp up all the way. But I have played on some pretty crappy combos.
