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Hartke Kilo club
- Thread starter AdamR
- Start date
I've had the Kilo since May 2012. It gave me some trouble while I ran it in stereo mode. One channel stopped working after the first six months. I had it serviced through the Sweetwater warranty by Hartke. It ran great in stereo mode again, but mono-bridge did not work. I played in stereo mode for about another year, then again another channel stopped working. Well, I had to pay $80 shipping (1st year was free shipping lol) to and from Sweetwater. They replaced the damn PCB board. Now the amp has been working like it should! I am setup in mono-bridge mode with 2x15 Hydrives. I have four Hydrives, two are at band practice location, and two are home for self-practice. I have an Ampeg PF800 (superlight) for backup now since the Hartke Kilo failed to meet my expectations. So now, I don't have to haul amps from home to practice and back again. I guess, strangely, everything is working out as long as the Kilo doesn't have any more problems! I cased it and threw some rack fans on it for good measure. I would hate to give up on it, but if it continues to do its damn job, then I won't have to dump it.
Ok, so the Kilo comes stock with Sovtek 12ax7wa / 7025 preamp electron tubes. Those are some of the cheapest tubes on the planet, but they do well for their small price. I am looking for a richer sound by adding warmth to the mids and highs without overdriving the lows. There are hundreds of different types of tubes that could be rolled through the Kilo. Changing tubes will change the sound of the amp. The sound change may or may not be very noticeable.
I decided to give three TAD 7025s's a try. They definitely added warmth to the mids and highs, but it wasn't the sound I'm looking for. I am going to give them another month for sound climax before I decide to move on to some other tubes. I have the Preferred Series 7025 (set of three) for backup on deck. Both sets of tubes are the famous Mullard styles. I have a feeling the Preferred Series 7025 tubes will sound very similar to the TADs since they are basically the sames tubes, just different brands and testing.
I did alot of reading up on tube rolling. The Kilo has just three preamp tubes. From what I gathered, the tube setup might be similar to the Genz Benz Streamliners and the Gallien Krueger Fusions. Each have three preamp tubes. They don't have overdrive built in though. The Kilo comes with overdrive, which is pumped by the 2nd tube as far as I can tell. The first tube slot is near the input jack, and that tube makes the most noticeable audio differences in tone.
***I hope someone can explain in more detail how the preamp tubes in the Kilo are setup. That way, I can try some logical tube swapping, and maybe get a specific tube for each slot. There are many vintage new-old-stock (NOS) tubes available that probably perform better than today's current productions. I want to find the tubes that make people have eargasms$$$$!
Ok, so the Kilo comes stock with Sovtek 12ax7wa / 7025 preamp electron tubes. Those are some of the cheapest tubes on the planet, but they do well for their small price. I am looking for a richer sound by adding warmth to the mids and highs without overdriving the lows. There are hundreds of different types of tubes that could be rolled through the Kilo. Changing tubes will change the sound of the amp. The sound change may or may not be very noticeable.
I decided to give three TAD 7025s's a try. They definitely added warmth to the mids and highs, but it wasn't the sound I'm looking for. I am going to give them another month for sound climax before I decide to move on to some other tubes. I have the Preferred Series 7025 (set of three) for backup on deck. Both sets of tubes are the famous Mullard styles. I have a feeling the Preferred Series 7025 tubes will sound very similar to the TADs since they are basically the sames tubes, just different brands and testing.
I did alot of reading up on tube rolling. The Kilo has just three preamp tubes. From what I gathered, the tube setup might be similar to the Genz Benz Streamliners and the Gallien Krueger Fusions. Each have three preamp tubes. They don't have overdrive built in though. The Kilo comes with overdrive, which is pumped by the 2nd tube as far as I can tell. The first tube slot is near the input jack, and that tube makes the most noticeable audio differences in tone.
***I hope someone can explain in more detail how the preamp tubes in the Kilo are setup. That way, I can try some logical tube swapping, and maybe get a specific tube for each slot. There are many vintage new-old-stock (NOS) tubes available that probably perform better than today's current productions. I want to find the tubes that make people have eargasms$$$$!
Another member of the non working channel club. At least Im not the only one. If I have any other issues with the Kilo I will go back to my 800RB. That thing is indestructible.
Haha, if you leave, I guess I can be number one, but I hope you don't have anymore issues with yours. I've had none so far and it's been almost 2 years.
I received mine the other day. I am now officially a proud owner of the Hartke Kilo.
So far I am very well pleased. Solid build, huge tones, very versatile - and it works! What more can you ask for?
So far I am very well pleased. Solid build, huge tones, very versatile - and it works! What more can you ask for?
Here it is. The Hartke Kilo with the Hydrive 410.
A great rig, I think. Even more versatile than I could imagine. I can highly recommend these to everyone.
Attachments
Beautiful! Am I not the only who thinks the Hydrive series are also some of the coolest looking cabs out there?
Be sure to post that when you're done, would love to hear it. My band is also working on our debut album and my Kilo is doing a kickass job so far.
I hope Adam doesn't mind me saying but I got a preview and it sounds KILLER.
I just picked up one in the classifieds and should have it Monday. Hopefully I'll be in the club soon.
Heres the rough mix I sent Husky. Its drums, bass and 1 guitar track. I used my Kilo and Bass Attack pedal (the pedal is pretty much set flat with the brite up around 1 o'clock) I think the cabinet was a 212 butr may have been a 210. No clue what brand it was. 2 mics on the cab and a country man DI blended in low for the low end.
I used a 2004 MIJ Jackson CMG with EMG 35s and a BQS pre. I set the bass and treble flat on the bass and boost the high mids pretty high. Both pickups wide open.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ucsv86utyfbvsjf/06 Witching HOur.mp3
I used a 2004 MIJ Jackson CMG with EMG 35s and a BQS pre. I set the bass and treble flat on the bass and boost the high mids pretty high. Both pickups wide open.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ucsv86utyfbvsjf/06 Witching HOur.mp3
Sounds good!
The Kilo is a great amp. I've had my fair share of gear during the years, this is among the very best. Probably the most versatile.
Tons of power and great tones. I am surpriced that it hasn't got a bigger reputation. It sure deserves it!
The Kilo is a great amp. I've had my fair share of gear during the years, this is among the very best. Probably the most versatile.
Tons of power and great tones. I am surpriced that it hasn't got a bigger reputation. It sure deserves it!
How well does the Kilo produce clean tones at high power levels - no dirt? I'd be looking for a sound that's very warm, full, round, deep and powerful - without distortion.
Can the Kilo deliver?
MM
Can the Kilo deliver?
MM
How well does the Kilo produce clean tones at high power levels - no dirt? I'd be looking for a sound that's very warm, full, round, deep and powerful - without distortion.
Can the Kilo deliver?
MM
Hey MM, I'm getting mine (Kilo) on Monday but it sounds to me like you just described my Aguilar DB751.
How well does the Kilo produce clean tones at high power levels - no dirt? I'd be looking for a sound that's very warm, full, round, deep and powerful - without distortion.
Can the Kilo deliver?
MM
Yes it will do clean warn no problem. Im using the overdrive on mine at around 10 o'clock and the Harmonics knob on my Bass attack is set around 1 o'clock. If I shut the od off and back of the harmonics on the pedal it cleans right up. The bass Im using is also pretty hot.
How well does the Kilo produce clean tones at high power levels - no dirt? I'd be looking for a sound that's very warm, full, round, deep and powerful - without distortion.
Can the Kilo deliver?
MM
Yes, it can!
I use this with both one and two 410 cabs. I can dial in almost any tone, also at high volume. The bass, mid, treble, shape and ten band eq gives you all kinds of tones.
It is a truly great amp!
Any strong recommendations for a near future tube roll on the Kilo? I've got quite a few tubes to experiment with for the next couple months. The Kilo has THREE preamp tube slots. Here are the tubes I can switch around very soon...
3 ~ Sovtek 7025/12ax7wa (Kilo stock tubes)
3 ~ TAD 7025S (currently installed v1v2v3)
3 ~ Preferred Series 7025
1 - Raytheon 5751 Black Plate Triple Mica
1 - Raytheon 6201 Black Plate Triple Mica
1 - Raytheon 5814 Black Plate Triple Mica
1 - Raytheon 12az7 Black Plate Triple Mica
I have more new tubes on the way in the next few weeks, but for now, I'm interested in hearing a logical setup with the variety I have on hand. I hear that many bassists like the 5751 in v1. I tried it with the two Sovteks in v2+v3, but only noticed I had to crank the volume more. I didn't give it an overall good test yet, so I suppose I should go with the 5751 in v1 again. I am really wondering what kind of tube is best for v2 and v3 in the Kilo.
3 ~ Sovtek 7025/12ax7wa (Kilo stock tubes)
3 ~ TAD 7025S (currently installed v1v2v3)
3 ~ Preferred Series 7025
1 - Raytheon 5751 Black Plate Triple Mica
1 - Raytheon 6201 Black Plate Triple Mica
1 - Raytheon 5814 Black Plate Triple Mica
1 - Raytheon 12az7 Black Plate Triple Mica
I have more new tubes on the way in the next few weeks, but for now, I'm interested in hearing a logical setup with the variety I have on hand. I hear that many bassists like the 5751 in v1. I tried it with the two Sovteks in v2+v3, but only noticed I had to crank the volume more. I didn't give it an overall good test yet, so I suppose I should go with the 5751 in v1 again. I am really wondering what kind of tube is best for v2 and v3 in the Kilo.
