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Hi All!
I think im going to buy a KB15 for my 5string as stage monitor/small gig amp.
Someone said the fan is really loud on this one. Is it true? Because i'd like to use it as a practice amp at home, is it useable at fairly low volumes as well or the volume pot is way too sensitive? I mean is it ok to crank it to 2/10 for practice or i need to use it on 0.1/10 to not disturb the neighbours?
I think im going to buy a KB15 for my 5string as stage monitor/small gig amp.
Someone said the fan is really loud on this one. Is it true? Because i'd like to use it as a practice amp at home, is it useable at fairly low volumes as well or the volume pot is way too sensitive? I mean is it ok to crank it to 2/10 for practice or i need to use it on 0.1/10 to not disturb the neighbours?
Hi, I also have a KB15, which I've had since November of 2019. I notice a buzzing when I play 7th fret (B) on the low E string...other places too, but that's where it seems loudest. Anything you've noticed on yours? I was wondering if it could be the grill buzzing, but things seem tight. I was thinking of removing the grill temporarily just to see if the buzzing disappears, don't know if that would void the warranty though.
Thx,
Gerry
Thx for the reply.
I'm playing out tonight and I'll pay closer attention to see if I can duplicate the buzz in a different room. If it's gone, it might be something in my house vibrating, if not it's something in the speaker. It doesn't seem all that common from reading this thread. I'll contact Hartke if it persists.
Gerry
One good thing, the cab on the Hartke is wood, not MDF board. You shouldn't have a problem with screws striping out the screw holes., like if it was MDF.
That is not driver or grill buzz, it is Amplifier metal housing buzz which cause by those 6 pcs (if i still recall ) of screws and mouthing nut. Open it, you will see the screw nut are hold by a piece of thin metal, there is the buzz between thin metal + housing metal + combo wood once they meet some certain bass tone frequency and EQ tweak . But ,sometimes the KB15 is fine without buzz.
Hope help.
Thanks Yahboy!
When I last played out (preCovid), I had one
Thanks Yahboy!
When I last played out (preCovid), I had one of the other musicians play with EQ while I was playing and we managed to "tune" it out. I will take a look at the 6 mounting screws (you remembered correctly) though. Overall I'm very happy with the amp....just don't like noises I'm not making. Thanks again for responding!
Since I have no longer have the KB15, the only one idea I dint try is apply removable silicon on those thin holder metal piece which maybe could keep those thin metal piece free from frequently vibrate, who knows ?
Hey Midas. Since you've had a chance to play both the KB12 and KB15 would you mind giving some feedback on the tonal differences, volume differences, etc?The KB12 more and more seems to become better and betterAfter adjusting effects and eq with the time, this little tone / volume wonder played itself right into my bass players heart
4 string bass and prefer smaller combo size, go to KB12. 5 string absolutely need KB15. Notable different once you compare both at 2 o'clock master volume with the low B on 5 string bass. The KB12 not only can't handle B string tone as clean and solid as KB15, it also get fart if you pluck or slap the B string harder.
Both combo has suddenly volume increase syndrome which happened on volume knob pass 12 o'clock. On this point, Kb 12 sound tighter and little punchier than KB15, but KB 15 has fuller warmth tone which still retain that Hartke punch.
Hopehelp
Both combo has suddenly volume increase syndrome which happened on volume knob pass 12 o'clock. On this point, Kb 12 sound tighter and little punchier than KB15, but KB 15 has fuller warmth tone which still retain that Hartke punch.
Hopehelp
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Super helpful. Thanks Yahboy! As a 5 string player it sounds like I should go with the KB15. I was thinking it wouldn't have the mid-range definition like the 12. But from your comments and others it sounds like at lower volume knob settings (say below 12 o'clock) the KB12 and KB15 are basically the same in terms of loudness and tone. Only at high volumes the differences can be seen. Is that accurate?
Thanks again
There are still little different in mid range and low end since 12 vs 15.
I suggest tilted the KB15, will give you more in your face punchy tone .
Hopehelp
My KB-15 is now my go-to for nearly any venue, large, small or rehearsal.
If weight and carry is not issue for you, i suggest get the HD508. This Hartke new combo present full range of tone from Punchy, Growl , Solid Low Mid and Warmth. And she is true ready to use 500 watts compare to KB @250 watts(without extend cab).
Hartke HD508 4x8" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp
Hartke HD508 4x8" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp
The amplifier section is probably the same for all three combos, and produces 500 peak Watts; the difference is that the KB12 and 15 can be plugged to an external cab (not exactly an "extension" cab, because to use a cab with one of the KB combos you need to unplug the internal speaker - the head section has only one speaker-out, and it's accessible from the outside -, although I guess you could plug the extra and then daisy-chain it back into the internal), while the HD508 cannot.
That is the different. If I need KB15 to extent cab for full 500 watts , better I go with HD508 or separate hartke amp head + hydrive cab.
But, you can order the 4 ohm 12/15 hydrive driver from Hartke to make you KB run full watts. Does it worthy ？Depand to owner.
