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You may want to try having a touch of bass added to your vocal monitor and run like this(Bugera 12 EQ'ed for only mids and highs, compressor kicks on only when I play hard, volume on about 10 o'clock). Get lows from vocal monitor, FOH subs, and drummer's monitor. The Bugera 15 kickback stays home most of the time unless we're on a large stage.
FOH is fed via XLR from the Line 6.
FOH is fed via XLR from the Line 6.
Not to spread negativity, just giving my 50 cent and opinion for all it's worth.
Must admit that I hated one of the earlier 120W Hartke Kickback 15" models I owned.
It sounded bland and dead on all settings, a tone I would describe as lifeless.
Now, it sounds from what you guys are saying like the new models might have improved quite a bit in that department, but still it leaves me quite vary with buying anything that has with Hartke amplifiers or cabinets to do.
That or simply Hartke is not my kind of amp/cab.
Must admit that I hated one of the earlier 120W Hartke Kickback 15" models I owned.
It sounded bland and dead on all settings, a tone I would describe as lifeless.
Now, it sounds from what you guys are saying like the new models might have improved quite a bit in that department, but still it leaves me quite vary with buying anything that has with Hartke amplifiers or cabinets to do.
That or simply Hartke is not my kind of amp/cab.
Something new. I own a Hartke VXL Attack. I sorted it out because it makes a hiss sound in the highs and I dont like it anymore.
The new KB15 has no tweeter and so I tried it with the combo. It works... no horn no hiss.. makes it sound a little more analog.
Tried a Hartke 115 Hydrive combo too today. Analog amp ... sounded similar but a bit more direct than the KB. I like the sound but the
cab starts so vibrate and resonate really loud when the volume is up. And...it ist too heavy. Will order a KB 12 this weak.
And I fired my Gallien Krueger Neo 412 with the KB15 Amp. Works too
@NoiseNinja: I want to go on large stages with only 1 or 2 of the KBs.
The new KB15 has no tweeter and so I tried it with the combo. It works... no horn no hiss.. makes it sound a little more analog.
Tried a Hartke 115 Hydrive combo too today. Analog amp ... sounded similar but a bit more direct than the KB. I like the sound but the
cab starts so vibrate and resonate really loud when the volume is up. And...it ist too heavy. Will order a KB 12 this weak.
And I fired my Gallien Krueger Neo 412 with the KB15 Amp. Works too
@NoiseNinja: I want to go on large stages with only 1 or 2 of the KBs.
Me too 
Tried the KB15 with my cheap Yamaha BB1000MA instead of the LeFay 5 string and it sounded very nice. So far I think the wedge solution in monitor position will be THE solution for me.
I will be able to proof it right in may, when the first festival will be played with this setup.. The thing is that it must be usable on bigger stages, small or clubgis are easy with one KB15 !
The portability of the KBs is soooo great. I prefer carrying on or two of these little power dwarfs instead of lifting my 412 alone into the car and out. Normaly there is always a hand arround to help, but sometimes when you want to load alone...
Tried the KB15 with my cheap Yamaha BB1000MA instead of the LeFay 5 string and it sounded very nice. So far I think the wedge solution in monitor position will be THE solution for me.I will be able to proof it right in may, when the first festival will be played with this setup.. The thing is that it must be usable on bigger stages, small or clubgis are easy with one KB15 !
The portability of the KBs is soooo great. I prefer carrying on or two of these little power dwarfs instead of lifting my 412 alone into the car and out. Normaly there is always a hand arround to help, but sometimes when you want to load alone...
KB12 arrived. I LOVE the tone but it is not a 5 string friend. I hope together with the KB15 it will shine
I think it its priceclass (sub 550 british pounds) in Europe no other 15" combo can touch the Hartke KB15 when it comes to handling a low B string at loud volumes..
First test in the rehaersal room... Kb15 and KB12 togehter..GREAT! Loud and the 12" sounds (for my ears) even better (but is not as 5 string frindly at high volumes of course)
But combined the two small combos produce a resonable loud monitor situation from in front of me. I think I won't miss a cab in the back. Teecups falling out of a cupboard
speak for the same ;-)
But combined the two small combos produce a resonable loud monitor situation from in front of me. I think I won't miss a cab in the back. Teecups falling out of a cupboard
speak for the same ;-)
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Depends on the frequency range ;-) ....
But setting the EQ to get a similar sound between the two amps I am pretty sure the Hartke KB15 will stay together due to having a stronger speaker, more watts (140W vs 250W) and a more solid cabinet..
BUt...
If the speaker can go low (long excursion) and stay clean (high wattage rating), and the cabinet is solid, it will eat up a lot of watts acting almost as a subwoofer if you wanted it to.. giving you a loud clear E1 fundamental at 42.1Hz.. But a cabinet like the Ampeg 410HE cab does not spend a lot of energy on the low E fundamental (3 dB down at 60-18kHz) and -10dB at 43Hz (E1=42.1Hz). This cab spends no energy on creating this low range unless you pump up the bass now and add 10dB at 40Hz but it will probably not sound good as the speakers really can't handle all that low end..
It you put too much bass into the speaker it will tend to ruin your punchy mids...
It is hard to compare, because rumble have gain control, hartke won't.
But, what I can tell you is if the gain knob set at noon on rumble 200, both combo volume is almost equal loud while both volume knob on 11o'clock.
I have to mention again, KB15 better present in MID and tight Low compare to rumble 200 combo.
Smooth tone with some amount scoop tone and flexible built in feature is belong to rumble; KB15 only give you cleaner and punchier tone with just simple shape function .
Hope help
I have recall that eminence design 15' driver on rumble 200 combo is rate 300watts . I think this is the secret to make rumble 200 combo sound could stay strong even volume knob set at 3o～4'clock .
