Upgrading from Rumble 15-Thoughts on Hartke KB-12?

[Old_Noob]

Looking to upgrade from my crappy Rumble 15, which I managed to blow out in my first few months playing bass, despite not pushing it past 12 O clock.

I am looking at the Hartke KB-12 mostly due to the price, output, and portability.

I don't quite understand the "class d power" thing.

Current requirements are mostly at home practice and some garage jam sessions with friends, but I want something that can hold its own on smaller gigs if I ever join a band.

Thoughts, suggestions welcome. Thank you.

--just a hobbyist with delusions of weekend warrior cover band bar gigs.

 

[donhank]

The little church where I substitute occasionally has a KB-12 on the backline. It's probably not the number 1 choice on very many TBers list of "the next amp I just gotta buy" but for a congregation of about 150 people it is a perfectly reasonable option. (especially when price and availability factor in) One note: the KB-12 has only a single 1/4 inch speaker outlet which feeds the internal four-ohm driver - the amp really isn't designed to accomodate an extension cab. One other thought: if you're not absolutely soured on Fender, the Rumble 100v3 gets a lotta love around here.

 

[agedhorse]

If you were to buy something more appropriate for your needs, you wouldn’t find yourself in this position IME.

I think you would be much happier with an combo amp like the Rumble 200’s. A better tool for the job.

 

[Old_Noob]

If you were to buy something more appropriate for your needs, you wouldn’t find yourself in this position IME.

I think you would be much happier with an combo amp like the Rumble 200’s. A better tool for the job.

Thanks. I guess my question here presupposes that I am not sure what is appropriate for my needs and whether the Hartke is a good fit. I am a little shy on Fender based on what happened with my current little practice rig. Also looks like Peavy and Ampeg have some decent offerings in the same price range for 200 watts.

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks. I guess my question here presupposes that I am not sure what is appropriate for my needs and whether the Hartke is a good fit. I am a little shy on Fender based on what happened with my current little practice rig. Also looks like Peavy and Ampeg have some decent offerings in the same price range for 200 watts.

What you currently have is not adequate for your stated needs IMO. That's why you had the problems you did. The Ampeg RB series is another viable option IMo.

 

[Yahboy]

Looking to upgrade from my crappy Rumble 15, which I managed to blow out in my first few months playing bass, despite not pushing it past 12 O clock.

I am looking at the Hartke KB-12 mostly due to the price, output, and portability.

I don't quite understand the "class d power" thing.

Current requirements are mostly at home practice and some garage jam sessions with friends, but I want something that can hold its own on smaller gigs if I ever join a band.

Thoughts, suggestions welcome. Thank you.

--just a hobbyist with delusions of weekend warrior cover band bar gigs.

If you play 5 string bass, suggest Hartke kB 15 instead Rumble 200/150. I own both previously, KB make B string sound clearer and tighter. Rumble just too bloom.

250 Vs 100 watts alone.

 

[agedhorse]

The KB-15 is another choice, don't know if the KB-12 will get you there... you REALLY should try before you buy.

 

[drpepper]

Thanks. I guess my question here presupposes that I am not sure what is appropriate for my needs and whether the Hartke is a good fit. I am a little shy on Fender based on what happened with my current little practice rig. Also looks like Peavy and Ampeg have some decent offerings in the same price range for 200 watts.

With the things you're looking at, this video might be worth a watch...

 

[Old_Noob]

What you currently have is not adequate for your stated needs IMO. That's why you had the problems you did. The Ampeg RB series is another viable option IMo.

well the rumble15 blew just in bedroom use. Didn't run it past 12:00

 

[agedhorse]

well the rumble15 blew just in bedroom use. Didn't run it past 12:00

Knob position means nothing. If you have a high output bass or play with a heavy hand, you can be well beyond the amp's capabilities.

That's a low end practice amp, everything I have suggested is a a MAJOR step upward. IME, this is not uncommon when buying at the very bottom. Is it still under warranty?

 

[Old_Noob]

Just a p-bass. Researching the options you mentioned/thanks.

 

[CallMeAl]

Those Hartkes are pretty good. My main complaint (as mentioned above) is they don’t have an extension cabinet out. So you’re increasing the chances that you’ll dead-end and need another upgrade. Since the 15 has the bigger speaker you’ll squeeze a little more volume from it, and would be the safer bet long term.

I will say I have a Markbass CMD 12” and even though i have an extension speaker, I don’t need it a whole lot. Combination of low stage volumes and PA availability. My point being is it’s quite possible the KB12 would be enough; but it’s also possible it won’t.

Think about your goals, and your comfort level of going shopping again in a couple years! (Nothing wrong with taking the “smaller” option and seeing if it works; but that’s up to you.)

Otherwise look at high powered combos with extension out. (500w 210 is a really good benchmark imho.) Rumble 500, Ampeg RB210, GK MB 210, Markbass CMD 102…. Stuff like that

 

[agedhorse]

IMO, there's quite a wide space between the combo he has and a 500 watt combo. Something in between is a good place to start, especially if budget is important (which the OP stated earlier).

Another possibility is a good used combo, but I would look at something that has at least a 30 day warranty to be sure you don't get stuck with somebody else's problem.

 

[CallMeAl]

IMO, there's quite a wide space between the combo he has and a 500 watt combo. Something in between is a good place to start, especially if budget is important (which the OP stated earlier).

Certainly! I’ve played many a bar band gig or garage with a Rumble 100. Most times it was enough. Sometimes it wasn’t.

Considering the Hartke 12 is a 500w combo, I was encouraging the OP to think about features (mainly extension cabinet out) and comfort level with shopping again if the next purchase wasn’t quite enough. Something in the 100-200w range could meet his needs… or not.

Gk and Markbass are a bit more pricey, sure, but the Fender and Ampeg are not much more than the Hartke.

 

[groovaholic]

I’ve owned the KB12 and it’s pretty straightforward, but decent sounding.

The internal speaker has a good range from low to high, but is inefficient - when I plugged the amp section into my other cabinets I was shocked at how loud my settings were.

With the internal speaker, it’ll compress before it ever gets especially loud.

Not a bad amp at all, but the typical thinking on speakers is:
Light, loud, and low. Pick two.

The Hartke internal driver went with low & light.

 

[mikewalker]

KB-12 is a 250W RMS combo. And can fill quite a large room very nicely, actually the best combo I have ever played through with that particular form-factor (28 pound 1-12 wedge)

 

[Ks68jazz]

I have a KB-12. I bought it for smaller gigs and it's ok. Hartke's are kind of underpowered IMO.
That said I'm not a big fan of combo amps, especially playing with a drummer. Save your money and buy something decent.

 

[TreySonagras]

Looking to upgrade from my crappy Rumble 15, which I managed to blow out in my first few months playing bass, despite not pushing it past 12 O clock.

I am looking at the Hartke KB-12 mostly due to the price, output, and portability.

I don't quite understand the "class d power" thing.

Current requirements are mostly at home practice and some garage jam sessions with friends, but I want something that can hold its own on smaller gigs if I ever join a band.

Thoughts, suggestions welcome. Thank you.

--just a hobbyist with delusions of weekend warrior cover band bar gigs.

I have used both the KB12 and the KB15. I owned the HD500 for quite a while. All three use pretty much the same amp with just speaker configuration being the difference. These are very good amps that would work for what you mentioned you need. I also own a Rumble 100 that I use for rehearsal and a few gigs.

 

[Old Blastard]

I have a Rumble 25 and a 40 for home practice with the 40 handling small gigs. I don't push the baby amps in my Americana/oldies acoustic trio. For the loud, raucous originals, I have a Hartke 112c and a Genz Benz 500 contour. They handle the loud well. To be honest, with the little ones I seldom get past 9 o'clock and they've lasted years

 

[Dana R Gregory]

The Hartke KB12 or 15 will definitely do the job. The church where I play uses an older KB1200 and it is more than adequate. One thing, the Hartke puts out a very clean bright sound. If you are looking for a more vintage sound then you might want to look at the GK, Fender and Ampeg combos. Personally, I liked the Hartke as it was very portable and cut through the mix. Good luck.