I've seen a lot of mixed reviews of Hartke amps on these threads, so what do all you think of them? There's a 120w 1x10 on Craigslist for $125, should I go for it?
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Steer clear of Hartke?
- Thread starter CityEscape
- Start date
- Jun 13, 2009
- 78
- 5
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist for Schecter Guitars
I've never been a fan, don't like the aluminum drivers. They are punchy, but if you get lower that e flat they really start to fart out on you.
I've owned Hartke gear (an 1155 combo) and it was fine. Never had any problems and it sounded pretty good. I sold it to a friend, and I still use it at his house for rehearsal.
i played a gig on the kickback 15, and i WAIL on my low B.. it was the best ive ever sounded at one of my gigs. ive been trying to sell my 4x10 hartke combo ever since. IT farts out on low notes.. the aluminum drivers didnt.
I've got the 120w 1x10 and it calls for small rehearsals, practice, studio, quiet jazz gigs, etc. I picked up mine for $100 from a guy here in Westlake Village, CA
I play a 5 string through it no problem...
I play a 5 string through it no problem...
Hartke makes some pretty good stuff! It's not the BEST gear out there, but it gets the job done! I think a lot of people just hate on it because it doesn't say "Ampeg" on it.
i don't own any, but i've been very pleased with all the gear i've used from them.
i'm not sure what the model name is (i think HA?) but i like the ones with the EQ of sliders.
very cool and i'm tempted by the idea of purchasing one of them when they bring in one with higher wattage and the same features...and when i have the money :/
BUT! good variety of tonal options and punchy as heck.
i know less about their aluminium drivers.
i'm not sure what the model name is (i think HA?) but i like the ones with the EQ of sliders.
very cool and i'm tempted by the idea of purchasing one of them when they bring in one with higher wattage and the same features...and when i have the money :/
BUT! good variety of tonal options and punchy as heck.
i know less about their aluminium drivers.
The cabs are pretty bright sounding but I wouldn't say there's any particular lack of fundamentals, my only complaint with their gear is the lack of a high powered head for loud stuff but they seem to be sorting that out with some of the stuff they're bringing out. Last time I used Hartke stuff was with 2 4x10 cabs as a backline with my crappier head and they were pretty efficient, I don't usually get that much volume without it running out of power, not the most thunderously bassy setup ever (I was kinda used to my NV215 at that point so I might be being a little harsh) but it had a fair amount.
I still own two Hartke heads and three cabs. Gigged with them a lot over the years. Always sounded good and never had a problem. They're not in the same league as my Markbass stuff, but then neither is the price.
The only thing I dislike about my Hartke gear - unfortunately, this is a major thing for me nowadays - is that the cabs are as heavy as hell.
The only thing I dislike about my Hartke gear - unfortunately, this is a major thing for me nowadays - is that the cabs are as heavy as hell.
It's a matter of taste. I really like the 3500 head. I don't particularly like their cabs. Nothing wrong with 'em, lotsa players love 'em, but their not my cup o' tea.
Ive had the pleasure of playing the Hartke HyDrive 210C at my local store (well not so local
) and the thing is bloody briliant. i fell in love with it almost imediatly when i was using it, and i did use an array of different basses on it: gibson SG, ibanez iceman, ibanez srx, Fender J/P, warwick.. etc... i cant really remember to much of anything cause it was a while ago and my memory sucks, but i do know i love it in the highs, mids, and LOWSSSS... paper/alluminum cones rock
) and the thing is bloody briliant. i fell in love with it almost imediatly when i was using it, and i did use an array of different basses on it: gibson SG, ibanez iceman, ibanez srx, Fender J/P, warwick.. etc... i cant really remember to much of anything cause it was a while ago and my memory sucks, but i do know i love it in the highs, mids, and LOWSSSS... paper/alluminum cones rockThe best stage sound I've had over the last 5 years was an open air gig with a Hartke 2500 on a couple of V410's. It was about 2 years ago so those specific's may not be 100% right, but that's what they looked like and I've yet to find their equal!
It was very punchy without just being overly loud, and just the right amount of 'clearness' in the mix without sounding separate from it.
I'd buy that rig in a second, but I don't know how to pronounce 'Hartke' ...
It was very punchy without just being overly loud, and just the right amount of 'clearness' in the mix without sounding separate from it.
I'd buy that rig in a second, but I don't know how to pronounce 'Hartke' ...
Like most brands any more...
The quality stuff is good sounding, and the cheap stuff is not so good sounding
The quality stuff is good sounding, and the cheap stuff is not so good sounding
I've owned a VX410 cab and currently use a(n) LH500 amp. I think they are both great gear for the price. The cab wasn't really my thing (I don't dig tweeters) so I sold it but it did the job for a few years and was dirt cheap. The LH500 is amazing for the price IMO.
I've never used the aluminium drivers but don't be scared away by the name, they make good stuff IMO.
I've never used the aluminium drivers but don't be scared away by the name, they make good stuff IMO.
I used to play through a Hartke 410 with the aluminum drivers and I liked it just fine for what I was playing, which was metal funk type stuff. The cabs have a distinct tonal character that is hard to describe but makes the cabs fit very well with some types of music and other types not so much.
I once shared a gig with an upright player who used a Hartke head and the aluminum 410 cab and it sounded fantastic for both of our basses (I was using an active Jazz). I would say that the Hartke cabs are one of those either "love 'em or hate 'em" things, with not much in-between, and there are probably some amps that match up better with it than others.
If the price is right, you can always sell it for what you paid for it if you don't like it.
Keep in mind, that 112 isn't going to get very loud before it farts out.
I once shared a gig with an upright player who used a Hartke head and the aluminum 410 cab and it sounded fantastic for both of our basses (I was using an active Jazz). I would say that the Hartke cabs are one of those either "love 'em or hate 'em" things, with not much in-between, and there are probably some amps that match up better with it than others.
If the price is right, you can always sell it for what you paid for it if you don't like it.
Keep in mind, that 112 isn't going to get very loud before it farts out.
I recently sold a Hartke 4.5XL. I was a reasonable cab... but not as sweet as the older, 90s models, plus it was quite heavy at 99lbs (IIRC). But the main reason I changed it out was the tone: strong (clancky) in the upper mids/highs but not enough oumph in the lower mids, hence it didn't cut through on stage as well as many other 4x10s.
Plus it was 8 omhs and I always feel that 4 omh 4x10s are preferable.
Plus it was 8 omhs and I always feel that 4 omh 4x10s are preferable.
