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Hartke model 3500 + transporter 410
- Thread starter Luka
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- amp cab hartke hartke 410tp
Great setup. The 3500 is one of the best value per dollar heads around. I used to use it with Ampeg cabs as well as a big Hartke 410 (the 4200). Should be plenty for what you are doing.
You can always add another of those 410s later if you need more!
I used that exact rig from about '93 to '96, also with a 5-string amp, and I did mostly metal. That amp is fantastic. The cabinet sounded ok with it, but I can say that most comments are right - adding another cab will sound much louder/fuller, and will give you flexibility with playing quieter shows.
Just make sure your other cabinet is 8-ohm - running a 4-ohm cab with your 8-ohm cab will potentially damage the speakers
-Y
Just make sure your other cabinet is 8-ohm - running a 4-ohm cab with your 8-ohm cab will potentially damage the speakers
-Y
Your Hartke 3500 will put out 240 watts @ 8ohms with the single Transporter 410 cab, 350 if you run a second one. GC has several used I had been looking at as a 2nd cab. Also considering an 8 ohm GK 410 GLX with "gold" aluminum cones.
But to be honest, that 240 is pretty dang loud, way louder than I thought it would be. I bought a Transporter cab for $60, but the grill was painted hell red. It's not hell red anymore though. Wasn't looking for it at the time, just couldn't turn down a 410 cab for $60.
A couple of weeks later a HA3500C head popped up on Facebook Marketplace and I got it for $100. Then a few months later the guy who sold me the head gave me a rackmount case for it for free. I just had to drive about 45 mins to pick it up.
I also use a Sansamp BDDI in the efx loop on mine. Between the Sansamp, and the tube and ss pre controls on the head, I can get more grit than I want, or back it down for a really clean sound, or anywhere in between. Then of course there's the 10 band EQ if anything needs fine tuning tone wise but I run it flat, and use the Sansamp and/or my bass' controls most of the time for tone adjustments, and if need be, the EQ for fine tuning.
I actually enjoy the Hartke setup way more than my GK MB210-II (350 watts @ 8ohms/500 @ 4) and for a lot less money. I bought the GK brand new. The flip side the GK is a lot easier to move around for gigs. And if I really need to get window busting loud the GK has an external speaker out and running that TP 410 cab off of it makes it sound like some montersous rig from hell.
If there was anything I would suggest for that head it would be a 2nd 410 cab, and your favorite rack or pedal preamp through the head's efx loop. Do that, and you'll have a rig that will cover 98% of most bar gigs out there and some smaller outdoor ones too.
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I run (2) 1x15 cabs with my 3500 and it's more than I could possibly need. Great tone too! Especially for the cost of the rig. Need more volume then get another matching cab.
I mean I know everyone has told you the same thing, but seriously, that's a great setup you got.
I mean I know everyone has told you the same thing, but seriously, that's a great setup you got.
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The amp is the keeper—a workhorse for the ages. Not spectacular, but way serviceable. Deal the cab and get a meaty, efficient one.
Agreed...the amp is a standard...the Transporter cab not so much. I wouldn't use it as a cornerstone for an extended (extra cab) rig.
Riis
$400 is probably not the best price anyone ever got for a similar setup, but it's not too bad overall.
The biggest downsides are the cab is only rated 200w, and tube pre can be a bit noisy, and the compressor can also be noisy and can get pretty over the top once you get much past 9 o clock on the knob.
Otherwise it's a nice simple but good quality setup. The advantage of the transporter is that it's only 60 pounds which is not bad for a 4x10. And it's tweeterless, so if you found some decent and inexpensive "full range" (ie with response up to 4k or so) drivers that would work in that size cab with whatever it's tuned at (look up the "rice test" for cab tuning frequency) you just bolt them in and wire them up and you're all set with basically a new cab. You would want to model the drivers once you get the cab dimensions and tuning, but maybe something like the Faital 10FE200, which are 200w each drivers that are like 50-4k or something like that, and cost 50 or 60 bucks each. So for about 200 bucks, you could probably have an 800w tweeterless ported 4x10 that would probably sound pretty nice.
The biggest downsides are the cab is only rated 200w, and tube pre can be a bit noisy, and the compressor can also be noisy and can get pretty over the top once you get much past 9 o clock on the knob.
Otherwise it's a nice simple but good quality setup. The advantage of the transporter is that it's only 60 pounds which is not bad for a 4x10. And it's tweeterless, so if you found some decent and inexpensive "full range" (ie with response up to 4k or so) drivers that would work in that size cab with whatever it's tuned at (look up the "rice test" for cab tuning frequency) you just bolt them in and wire them up and you're all set with basically a new cab. You would want to model the drivers once you get the cab dimensions and tuning, but maybe something like the Faital 10FE200, which are 200w each drivers that are like 50-4k or something like that, and cost 50 or 60 bucks each. So for about 200 bucks, you could probably have an 800w tweeterless ported 4x10 that would probably sound pretty nice.
If a single 410 isn't loud enough, adding a 210 isn't a great idea. This is because the amp will be sending half its output into each cabinet, with the 2x10 speakers receiving twice the power of those in the 410. At high volumes the 210 speakers will reach their max excursion (farting out) well before those in the 410.
Whilst a 210 is potentially a decent partner to a 115, two identical cabs is generally accepted as a better approach to increasing volume if you're happy with the first cab's tone.
Hey @Luka , what did you decide? Or are you still researching? +1 to what Bassdirty said about the 15". And I agree with the consensus; get a second 410 Hartke. I would like to know what you finally go with, as I'm also in the market for a second cab. I have the same Hartke cabinet, and I have always loved the sound! I love to play Sabbath, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, etc., and it works great for me. I'm just not sure if I should get another identical 410TP, or else go for the (heavier) 410XL. I use an Ampeg PF-500, which is rated 300w @ 8ohms, but 500 at 4ohms, so I want to add a second 8ohm cab to get the full 500w from my amp. So let us know what you finally decide, cool? Here is my current rig...
I've had hartke 3500s for years. I had a 1980's Mosfet version that was punchy enough to knock down tall buildings. Had a momentary lapse of reason, and sold it. Then after trying a few other "more powerful" heads that weren't as clean, punchy, or loud as the Hartke, I got a slightly newer non-mosfet Model 3500 like yours. It was probably about 95% of that old Mosfet amp. It's than enough headroom for most situations. Earlier this year, I purchased a brand-new (latest version) of the HA-3500. The fan is quieter, and the amp is super punchy and freakin' loud like that old mosfet model. I used my late-80's and 90's era Hartkes with a pair of 8 ohm Carvin 410s. For most gigs, I only plugged in the top cab and ran the amp at 8ohms, but the full stack was handy for big showcases and outdoor gigs. These days, it's usually with either a Fender Rumble 210 cab or a pair of Rumble 112s. Into the same speakers, my HA3500 is significantly louder than my Rumble 500 Head at any setting. Watts aren't the end all-be all measurement of performance.
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