Double Bass Hartke Kickback rec?

[DoghouseKyle]

Can anyone confirm that a Hartke Kickback 12” does an upright justice? Loved my big Hartke for electric, but want to know how they compare to the other upright-specific mini-combos (Also, they seem bigger/heavier than the popular mini-combos?). Any hands/ears-on feedback welcome..

Plz, no recs for other mini-combos, as i already queried for recs in another thread; specifically looking for feedback re: the Kickback for uprights - thx!

 

[HateyMcAmp]

I owned one and used them a lot, and I don't think they are well voiced for upright. They are improved by putting a preamp in front of it, but that's most amps.

 

[Ric Vice]

I’ve compared them to a Genz Benz Shuttle 8T and 10T which are ideal for Double Bass. The Hartke’s EQ section has no warmth in the midrange, boomy low end bass, and brittle treble. This was one with an aluminum cone. Fender Rumbles are better sounding amps as well. Just my take .

 

[lurk]

It wouldn't be my first choice if I were buying an amp for upright, but I sub occasionally on a church gig that's got one and play about 60/40 electric and upright, and for that I like it. Punchy and clean if not pretty.

 

[DoghouseKyle]

Yes, clean, punchy, boomy.. classic Hartke sound. Playing all Americana, so prob good & well. These mini-combos are so tempting but pricey. Kickback may be good compromise (size-wise anyway). Further feedback/experience welcome. Thx

 

[bigshiny]

Are you using a preamp before the amp?

 

[DoghouseKyle]

Are you using a preamp before the amp?

Yes, meant to mention this too

 

[kerrycares]

I just played one of the older 10” and although practical the tone wasn’t quite eq for upright bass.
I’d be interested to hear if the new models are different.

 

[Ric Vice]

My take is that their really designed for Electric Bass players. The Aluminum cone they use emphasizes midrange frequencies in a way that doesn't complement Double Bass. The EQ section over emphasizes the upper midrange, so if you plug straight into one it sounds very tinny. I never used one with a HPF-Buffer Preamp but when Fender Rumbles sound so good with both instruments, I can't see any application where I'd use the Kickback. Just my take. The newest Kickback's have a 12" speaker and the cone material is different, so they may sound better. The shape control reminds me of the SWR Aural Enhancer.

 

[DoghouseKyle]

Yes, i have an SWR combo w the aural enhancer. Happy enough w it, its just the size i want to downsize from. Mostly smallish gigs now, 7-8x/mo, Kickback seems a reasonable compromise w/out the big $ of AI, PJ, or any of the other mini boutique basses (albeit not as small)