Hartke: Why Do Musicians Use It?

[Silas Caldwell]

While watching the likes of Dave Ellefson, Billy Sheehan, Rex Brown, Etc., I noticed they all used Hartke. From what I seem to have noticed is after the Mid-2000's Ampeg Meltdown many artists transitioned to Hartke, but why? Why not Ashdown, Gallien-Krueger, Aguilar, MarkBass, upon many other bands? I'm pretty sure you could get a full Hartke 1000 Watt head and 2x12 HyDrive Cabinet that Billy Sheehan uses, and still not have enough to get even a used Aguilar (or other brands) Head. Why do the big names use Hartke?

Other Notes: I have heard these speakers blow out a TON, another question mark there....

 

[Old Fart]

Perhaps they are paid to use them?

 

[abarson]

There's nothing wrong with Hartke equipment, but you certainly sound like you think it's repugnant.

Perhaps they are paid to use them?

Maybe there's a grain of truth, but it seems rather cynical. Most name artists don't need free gear, and most name artists have worked years honing their sound. I think they play what they like.

G-K has their own roster of name artists, as does Ashdown and all the other manufacturers. To each his own.

As far as speaker reliability goes, you should state your sources. Otherwise it's just "I'm hearing...". If they really failed as much as you want us to believe, they wouldn't be endorsed and wouldn't be in business.

 

[Silas Caldwell]

There's nothing wrong with Hartke equipment, but you certainly sound like you think it's repugnant.


Maybe there's a grain of truth, but it seems rather cynical. Most name artists don't need free gear, and most name artists have worked years honing their sound. I think they play what they like.

G-K has their own roster of name artists, as does Ashdown and all the other manufacturers. To each his own.

As far as speaker reliability goes, you should state your sources. Otherwise it's just "I'm hearing...". If they really failed as much as you want us to believe, they wouldn't be endorsed and wouldn't be in business.

I don't mean to sound negative towards the brand. I'm not biased, it's just my friends who use it report having blown speakers.

 

[dreamadream99]

I have been a Hartke loyalist since the 90s. At that time I launched on a quest to find the best speakers, and money was no object. I compared the aluminum cone Hartkes to all their paper cone competitors, and here is why I made the choice. I found it was easier to warm down The bright tone of the Hartke, than to brighten up the warm tone of paper cones.

 

[Old Fart]

There's nothing wrong with Hartke equipment, but you certainly sound like you think it's repugnant.

Not sure who this is directed to but I do not think Hartke equipment is repugnant. In fact, the Hartke gear I have heard other bassist playing sounded just fine.

Most name artists don't need free gear...

This was not my point. When manufacturers pay musicians to hawk their wares, they actually pay them. Money. They don't just loan them a rig or give them a rig. They PAY them and, under the agreement, the musician agrees to use their gear in public.

 

[abarson]

I'd be curious how many of these name artists are actually paid for their endorsement.
I don't imagine that bass amp manufacturers have lots of cash to throw at artists. But I'm not involved in the business aspect.

 

[Old Fart]

I'd be curious how many of these name artists are actually paid for their endorsement.
I don't imagine that bass amp manufacturers have lots of cash to throw at artists. But I'm not involved in the business aspect.

Well, it depends. Sting and Geddy get paid more than I do. LOL.

 

[bulldean]

I bought the entire Transporter series when they they came out, 4x10, 1x15, 2x10. Why? I had learned that the people out front are hearing bass through the PA. And they were lightweight. Used them for 20 + years and never had any issues. They didn't sound the best but it was fun to mix and match different cabs. Usually the 410 & 115.

 

[callofcthulhu]

Why are these legendary bassists using Hartke?

 

[The Petro]

While watching the likes of Dave Ellefson, Billy Sheehan, Rex Brown, Etc., I noticed they all used Hartke. From what I seem to have noticed is after the Mid-2000's Ampeg Meltdown many artists transitioned to Hartke, but why? Why not Ashdown, Gallien-Krueger, Aguilar, MarkBass, upon many other bands? I'm pretty sure you could get a full Hartke 1000 Watt head and 2x12 HyDrive Cabinet that Billy Sheehan uses, and still not have enough to get even a used Aguilar (or other brands) Head. Why do the big names use Hartke?

Why the hell not?

 

[Obese Chess]

They sound good, they're affordable, the customer service is great, and they're practically bomb-proof.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I played through a Hartke 410 cab one time. It was provided backline equipment for a pretty big stage I was playing... saved me having to haul my own. I thought it sounded fine. Wasn't my favorite, but then, it wasn't mine either.

The OP is in Nashville... and I've been gone from there for 25 years, so I don't know what the hungry gigster shleps up and down Broadway & Printer's Alley these days. But if Hartke sucks, this is the first I'm hearing of it. I couldn't have afforded one in my day.

 

[DWBass]

Former Hartke amp owner [3000, 5500]. Never a single issue. Solid products.

 

[TreySonagras]

I have used Hartke since 1999. They work for me, but that doesn’t mean they are for everyone. It sometimes seems as though members of TalkBass have lukewarm feelings toward Hartke.

 

[DJ Bebop]

While watching the likes of Dave Ellefson, Billy Sheehan, Rex Brown, Etc., I noticed they all used Hartke. From what I seem to have noticed is after the Mid-2000's Ampeg Meltdown many artists transitioned to Hartke, but why? Why not Ashdown, Gallien-Krueger, Aguilar, MarkBass, upon many other bands? I'm pretty sure you could get a full Hartke 1000 Watt head and 2x12 HyDrive Cabinet that Billy Sheehan uses, and still not have enough to get even a used Aguilar (or other brands) Head. Why do the big names use Hartke?

Other Notes: I have heard these speakers blow out a TON, another question mark there....

Victor Wooten is also using them.

Some folks like simplicity.
If they plug in and hear what they want right away, there's no reason to look elsewhere.

 

[Nuage420]

Ellefson has said in multiple Q&A that he started on them and they delivered the sound he had in his head so he plays them.

 

[FunkHead]

Yep. Hartke amps are great bang for the buck. As already stated, they sound good the second you plug in and turn them on. I had to make a repair on my LH1000’s circuit board to the input jack circuit. I did it myself so it was free. I guess if I had paid a shop I may have been a little bitter…but I was using long cables and not wrapping them through the rack ears. The weight is what damaged the jack circuit IMO.
A couple years and a few hundred uses later it’s still going strong.

 

[MartialDylan]

I liked my Hartley 210 Combo when I had it. It had the fully aluminum speakers.

The fully aluminum speakers sound better when accompanying a group than playing by yourself. They had a strong attack to them. Maybe that’s where “Transient Attack” comes from.

Sounded clean and clear when playing with two guitarists and a drummer. Cut through anything. I kinda want to get another 2x10 cabinet.

 

[Pings Bass]

Alt title for this thread: Music Gear: Why Do Musicians Use It?

GK head into Hartke cabs was the rig when I started out in the 80s. Funny to hear disparaging things about Hartke cabs now, but I guess everything has its day.

I had learned that the people out front are hearing bass through the PA.

Yup, optimize your rig as dependable stage monitor. Nobody cares what your cabs sound like or what the badges say. That may sound dismissive, but it's really liberating.