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Trying to decide Hartke or Fender

C

chunkyg

Nov 24, 2008
10
0
#1
I'm a beginning bass player but I've stuck with it long enough to convince my wife that I need a bass amp. (I've been playing through a small / low watt pa system.)

I'd like an amp that's portable enough to haul around but that will have enough power to play in a medium size room, think small town churches. I'm looking at 100w combo systems and specifically the Hartke A100, Fender Rumble 100 with 2X10" speakers, and the Fender Bassman 150.

All three have similar features with moderate variations.
TheInvalid Link Removed has a 15" aluminum cone speaker, I don't know if that's good or bad, and 100w of power.

Invalid Link Removed, I've read this may give a cleaner sound on mids and highs, and has casters, 100w of power and a hi freq piezo horn, do i need one of these?

The Invalid Link Removed has upgraded but smaller 12" speaker but has 150w of power. Is that better than 100w with a 15" speaker? and is the upgraded eminence speaker worth the additional cost of 50-100 dollars?

Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions?
 
#3
chunkyg said:
I'm a beginning bass player but I've stuck with it long enough to convince my wife that I need a bass amp. (I've been playing through a small / low watt pa system.)

I'd like an amp that's portable enough to haul around but that will have enough power to play in a medium size room, think small town churches. I'm looking at 100w combo systems and specifically the Hartke A100, Fender Rumble 100 with 2X10" speakers, and the Fender Bassman 150.

All three have similar features with moderate variations.
TheInvalid Link Removed has a 15" aluminum cone speaker, I don't know if that's good or bad, and 100w of power.

Invalid Link Removed, I've read this may give a cleaner sound on mids and highs, and has casters, 100w of power and a hi freq piezo horn, do i need one of these?

The Invalid Link Removed has upgraded but smaller 12" speaker but has 150w of power. Is that better than 100w with a 15" speaker? and is the upgraded eminence speaker worth the additional cost of 50-100 dollars?

Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions?
Click to expand...

What bass do you play, what style are you pursuing, and what tone do you want to milk from your combo?
 
#6
Thanks for the quick replies.
I have an 4 string, 24 fret, Ibanez SRX500 with active pick-ups. As far as style, I lean toward southern rock and blues. For now, I'm going for a rich bass sound with a clean tone. After I get the basics down, I'd like to move on and learn how slap and use distortion effects. When that happens I may move on to a five string and a more versatile set up.
 
#7
I have a Hartke Kickback 15...120 watts and love it. Very portable and the aluminum cone is great...it's clean, punchy, and pretty crisp for a 15. With the lower powered amps, I'd definitely go for a 15" if you plan to play small gigs. With the comparisons I've done, the 15 always thumps the floor more at same power ratings. Compare different sized speaker amps at a local shop if possible.
 
#8
They all sound good, they all sound different, they'll all do what you want them to do. No way we can tell you which one to get. If you're looking for max low end, though, I'd stick with a 115. A 210 can sound big as well, but most combos like that are stronger in the mids than the lows. 12"s in that price range are OK, but a 15" usually has a bigger cab and a lower tuning, so they put out a heavier low end.

I'd also check into the Ampeg BA115 and B100R as well. They're pretty sharp.
 
#10
Just in case you missed it, the Fender Rumble 100 also comes in a 1x15 config. Check your local Craigslist. Those amps sell well to beginers who either never use them or grow out of 'em quick. There seems to always be one on my local CL for $100-$150 in good shape. I'm partial to the Ampegs JimmyM mentioned, but on a budget, the Fender is great.
 
#11
JimmyM said:
They all sound good, they all sound different, they'll all do what you want them to do. No way we can tell you which one to get. If you're looking for max low end, though, I'd stick with a 115. A 210 can sound big as well, but most combos like that are stronger in the mids than the lows. 12"s in that price range are OK, but a 15" usually has a bigger cab and a lower tuning, so they put out a heavier low end.

I'd also check into the Ampeg BA115 and B100R as well. They're pretty sharp.
Click to expand...

The above-quoted is so accurate! Use the info! Oh man, if you're into the BIG BOTTOM that only a bass can deliver, there's just nothing like a good 15." That's where I started, amp-wise and, to this day, many moons later, I still always make sure that I'm hooked up to @ least one cab with the 15" beast. But it's all explained by JimmyM. :hiding:
 
#12
PsyDocHill said:
The above-quoted is so accurate! Use the info! Oh man, if you're into the BIG BOTTOM that only a bass can deliver, there's just nothing like a good 15." That's where I started, amp-wise and, to this day, many moons later, I still always make sure that I'm hooked up to @ least one cab with the 15" beast. But it's all explained by JimmyM. :hiding:
Click to expand...

Indeed.
I've got a 4x10 and two 2x15s, it is more low end than you will ever need :bassist:
 
#13
Past 11 said:
With the comparisons I've done, the 15 always thumps the floor more at same power ratings. Compare different sized speaker amps at a local shop if possible.
Click to expand...

Nothing shivers them timbers like the mighty 15-inch. If you're looking for combos rated @ around the same wattage, I'd go for the 15," but I'm partial to slamming people in the belly without even touching them. It's so empowering! And you're right by your amp, so you feel that delicious rumble even more. Also, with proper EQ tweaking, you can get reasonable mids and trebs from a 15." I've been a funk-rocker since I picked up the bass (although I was very very bad for a long time) and it all worked out just fine with a 100W Peavey combo with a 15." Oh, the memories! :crying:
 
#14
chunkyg said:
Thanks for the quick replies.
I have an 4 string, 24 fret, Ibanez SRX500 with active pick-ups. As far as style, I lean toward southern rock and blues. For now, I'm going for a rich bass sound with a clean tone. After I get the basics down, I'd like to move on and learn how slap and use distortion effects. When that happens I may move on to a five string and a more versatile set up.
Click to expand...

Dude, sorry, I didn't see this one until I preached the 15" gospel like I had rabies. Well, heck, I started gigging in the DC-area with a 4-string Ibanez Roadstar. Sweet that you've got 24 frets! Way to go: I am an international endorser of the 2-octave neck, although for some reason nobody pays me for my efforts. But, dang, those 24 "speed bumps" (Jaco, RIP) are useful and the neck feels right to boot. Now, given that you're leaning toward Southern rock and blues, hoo-boy, that BIG ol' BOTTOM is crucial! I'm sure you notice the emphasis on the low-end of the freq-range in classic Southern rock and blues recordings. Southern rock is a direct descendent of the blues (w/country influences), so there's no surprise there.

It's great to start where you are. The basics are the bassics, and you'll shell out the bass goods before you know it. When I was playing parties (i.e., pre-gigging) and just getting acquainted with bass-playing, I took your route. Like you, I planned to head into the funk and so on later on, although I dived into the Mothership a tad prematurely and good laughs were had by all but me. Eventually, I developed my own slap/tap/snap/punch/whatever funk sound and so will you. But you're building the foundation of your playing with the traditional BASS sound. It'll all fall into place. It's good that you're taking things one step @ a time.

Best of luck!
 
#16
Chunk, I think the new Fender Rumble amps sound pretty good, the 2x10's or the 1-15" models.
May I suggest you try G.C.'s new Acoustic combos. They have a 200 watt, 1-15" and horn, xlr out, ect., combo for $349.00. IMO it sounds very good and will give you more power than the Fenders at roughly the same price.
 
#17
I'ld try to find a used hartke 3500. They can be had for $300 or less and will give you all the power you will need. I'ld also stick with a 15 cab to start, you can always add more later. If you can find a combo even better! I have nothing against the choices in your original post except eventually you will want more power. If you can get it to start, you won't end up with an under powered amp gathering dust. BTW I've been using the same 3500 for 13/14 years without any problems and have used it in tiny bars to huge outdoor events. good luck with your search!
 
#18
This a great website! I've been checking out your suggestions some of the brands are new to me and I'm branching out a bit. As I've been looking, I was wondering about the ohms, some are 4 and others are 8. Is a case of bigger is better?
 

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