This amp was my second choice after Ampeg. The Ampeg I wanted was quite spendy, so I chose this one. I would probably buy the head if this amp was ever stolen. Why? It has 2 speaker outputs, this one only has one. Which Hartke should've done in the first place. I do like to roll it out and take it with me to practice, the only thing I don't like is the weight. It's nice that everything is right there, all you need to do is plug in. No worrying about cables or anything, it's all included.
Model Year: 2004
Price: $700.00 (new)
Where Obtained: American Musical Supply
If you have the cash, buy this amp. It's a pretty simple combo amp, it's pretty loud. The thing I like about it the graphic EQ, and the compressor switch. It's been louder than my guitarist's amp when we jam, overall it's a good buy. The only thing I didn't like was not being able to add another cabinet to it. It's only got one speaker output on it. It's a good buy, it'll last until I want something louder.
The sound quality on it is great, deep bass and nice highs. Sometimes it sounds to high, so I just cut back on the highs. I usually run it straight with no effects because it sounds great without effects. I used an effects pedal on it and it just killed the sound. I assume that's because the pedal was a crappy pedal. Like I said, it sounds great loud and doesn't distort.
It takes some time to get a good sound because of the EQ. But you can get a good sound, it just takes time. That is the only thing that would be time consuming, everything is pretty much self-explanatory.
It's very durable, which is always a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to throw stuff at it and see how it holds up. If you drop it hard enough, it's gonna break. But if you bump from time to time against walls, it'll hold up. And I don't like the carpeting covering on it, it starts to fray out. I think it would've been better if they used like a vinyl covering on it or something. As for being retubed, I haven't had retubed yet.
If you got jack s--- for money and you need a loud amp, this is the amp to go with. It's extremely easy to use. Plus the sound is fantastic and very flexible to any type of style and/or genre.
UPDATE: It hasn't been holding up that great so I give it a 3.
Model Year: 2003
Price: $700.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Sam Ash Music Store
It has the same features as most Hartke heads. If has an input for passive or active guitars. There are two knobs that can make your amp sound like its a tube amp or a solid state (very nice feature.) It also has a compression knob thats works great. The amp features a graphic equalizer that can be bypassed. Along with the equalizer it also has contour to get the precise sound your lookin for. And of course the knob that controls the destruction of the building your in, the MASTER VOLUME.
The only reason it didn't get a 5 is because the amp doesn't feature a frequency dial.
This thing has it all. No matter what your style, no matter what you play, it suits anything you throw at it. The great thing about harkte amps is that it doesnt add to your sound. The sound coming out of the amp is just simply your bass (and whatever effects your using).
If I can use it so can you. Flip through the manual, if you see a word you dont know, read what it means and you'll be a master of the amp.
Durability:
When I was bringing the amp down the basement stairs I wacked it on the wall. And even though there's a giant mark on the wall, there isnt one on the amp. Built like a rock.
UPDATE: Lately the sound quality hasn't been as great as usual. The more volume you use the worse the sound gets. Plus, no matter what cords I use, it always sounds like i have a bad cord when playing through that amp.
loading ...