Trace Elliott Elf vs Hartke Hydrive HD112

[Zip the Crip]

I have a Trace elliot elf 200w amp that I've been using just for practice at home going into an old TE 4x10 cab, sounds pretty loud but it's the size and weight of a fridge. We do a lot of bar gigs where space is tight so I'm looking at a lightweight cab to suit. Elf cabs? I need 2 for full 200w and money is tight (I'm tight) so I was thinking about the Hartke Hydrive HD112. Switchable to 4ohm and a tweeter (bonus). I'm not a slap player just traditional blues, jazz and occasional rock, nothing outrageously heavy. Prefer deep sounding bass to midrange clack and ping. I haven't found a shop anywhere here in dear old Blighty to demo a comparison between the TE cabs and the aforementioned Hartke. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Planet Boulder]

Love mine. I pair it with a HyDrive 2x10 (8 ohms each, obviously), but when I want to just run the 112, I switch it to 4 ohms and it does a great job.

I run a MB Little Marcus through it and it fills the room when run by itself without even having to run it through the PA. Plenty loud, lightweight and good tone, IF you like the hybrid aluminum driver. For what you are looking to do, I think the 112 would be a very smart and versatile choice for you.

I still have my trusty old Avatar 4x10 that weighs a damn ton, but the lightweight setup I’ve been using has really been working well for me.

 

[Zip the Crip]

Love mine. I pair it with a HyDrive 2x10 (8 ohms each, obviously), but when I want to just run the 112, I switch it to 4 ohms and it does a great job.

I run a MB Little Marcus through it and it fills the room when run by itself without even having to run it through the PA. Plenty loud, lightweight and good tone, IF you like the hybrid aluminum driver. For what you are looking to do, I think the 112 would be a very smart and versatile choice for you.

I still have my trusty old Avatar 4x10 that weighs a damn ton, but the lightweight setup I’ve been using has really been working well for me.

Thanks man, appreciate your input. Think my mind is more or less made up, just needed a little nudge. The Hartke does seem to be a very versatile little cab, almost like it was designed by a bassist who wanted all the sweeties in the jar.

 

[Count Bassie]

Just as an alternative idea... It's teetering on jank, but it works nicely:

I've had the Hartke Kickback 12 for a few years, ended up replacing the driver with a newer Hydrive neo. 4 ohms instead of 6 ohms of the original, Fritz at Hartke approved it as being ok for the amplifier section of this combo.
Also, recently I had to replace the power switch, which Hartke sent for the asking- very friendly of them, also a good small investment in keeping their presence visible in the working music world... Despite my mod of their Hartke badge. Harley are good people to deal with.
Anyway I got this Elf for a song and just reduced the weight, and increased the power of this little dynamo.
I don't know how far I'm pressing the design intention of this cab, but it sounds pretty good! It's also the best example I've got, potentially, of an easy to move/transport/set up/working amp. The coolest part for me is that it sounds very Trace Elliott...
I still have to attach the little guy better in it's perch, and dress it up a little. I'll probably make something out of Luaun plywood for a removable cover for the head compartment. More as this story develops...