Hartke - HA3500

morpcat · 05-09-2005, 06:44 AM

[This was in the requests thread, although I do not own this amp, I have tested it extensively and can give a fair opinion on it]

Hartke HA3500 - A powerful amp that isn't overpriced, but on the other hand doesn't break down any barriers. List price US$ 800

Features:
It starts with a split tube/SS preamp stage. You can blend in each kind of preamp, but to be honest it doesn't make too much of a difference. The single 12AX7 tube adds a little warmth, which is nice, but that's about it. Then you have a compressor with adjustable level, which actually works really well, and doesn't make you sound muddy either. The shelving EQ's help to create some punch when you want it, and the option of activating the graphic EQ gives you a fair amount of flexibility. It also has an XLR out, which is VERY useful when gigging.

Sound:
This amp can do warm, can do growl, can do punchy, can do high attack, can do most things - thanks to the two sets of equalisers. It's not particularly big on any of the sounds though, so if you want a particular tone it's best to use a bass that represents that tone.

Value:
This amp comes in rackmount form, with protective rubber screw-ons, so it can last as a stand-alone head or in a rack. The 3500A comes in a wood box, so that would be a better option for those not using a rack. It's 350 watts at 4 Ohms, and given it's fairly low price tag and long feature list, it has good value. It's pretty much everything you need from a gigging amp, because it's versatile, durable, and has a fair amount of power with an XLR to back it up.

Overall:
A very good amp for someone who's looking to enhance the tone of any bass they use, but not worth considering if you are looking for a very specific tone.

8/10

sixxbassist90 · 05-15-2005, 08:33 PM

do you have a link so i can see a pic

morpcat · 05-16-2005, 02:35 AM

There's a whole load of information at the Hartke website http://www.hartke.com

HA 3500

HA 3500a

Edit: Seems the standard 3500 is now down the chute, and the 3500a is the new deal. Above are pics of both.

JamesXKillXyou · 05-16-2005, 03:36 PM

amazing review.

tim_commerfordism · 05-30-2005, 05:58 AM

nice.

i have the 3500, and its great, only drawback is its a bit noisy.

What settings do you use for growl?

eguitaranlead · 06-06-2005, 03:33 PM

i know this is a stuid question, but does it use tubes. or is it a solid state the recreates a tube amp.

tim_commerfordism · 06-06-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eguitaranlead

i know this is a stuid question, but does it use tubes. or is it a solid state the recreates a tube amp.

It has a tube and a SS preamp.

You can blend them together.

***Damrod*** · 06-07-2005, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eguitaranlead

i know this is a stuid question, but does it use tubes. or is it a solid state the recreates a tube amp.

No, the tube pre-amp actually has it's own real tube. At least the manual says so (have not looked into my amp yet)

I bought this early this year as I joined a band, and have already played a gig with it. As long as you have the speakers to back it up, this is IMO a good head to start. It does a good job in the rehersal room, and can support you on small gigs. But with it's 350 watts it has it's limits.

So far, from my expirience with it, I can back up all points morpcat has stated in the review. Solid 'worker amp', that is not a specialist in a single sound, but good enough to support various tones (the tone is more defined by the bass used).

Looking for a bass head to start in your band? You should definately check this one out. You already have a somewhat comparable amp? Save some more money, and get something more advanced. It's good to start with, but not so good as a progress IMO.

3.5 - 4/5

morpcat · 06-07-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim_commerfordism

nice.

i have the 3500, and its great, only drawback is its a bit noisy.

What settings do you use for growl?

More SS than tube in the preamp, don't use the shelving EQ's (unless you want to add a little bass), turn on the graphic and draw a hill (emphasize the mids).

eguitaranlead · 06-07-2005, 09:10 PM

i am looking to buying one of these later in the year so i will have alot of questions. so what is the shelving eq. that you are talking about. and the graphic eq. what does it all do on there. i have messed around with them on other amps but it didnt seem to do much.

Tim_Tabasco · 08-15-2005, 04:41 AM

i bought a [URL=http://www.samsontech.com/images/productimages/VX3500-web.jpg]Hartke 3500VX[/url] - a combo which uses the 3500
the (nice looking when lit

) EQ, the contour, and the compressor are some uite useful stuff..
i also like the possibility to blend SS/Tube preamps together
and the XLR Directout makes live so much easier

one thing really _SUCKS_ about this combo... they put some sticker telling features and stuff on the grill protecting the speakers - and i guess its gonna be a hell lot of work to get it of completely :/

LostItAgain · 08-15-2005, 01:01 PM

i know this is off topic but you can use a blow dryer to get the sticker off

05-09-2005, 06:44 AM	#1
morpcat MX Techie - Share & Enjoy Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 5,872	Hartke - HA3500 [This was in the requests thread, although I do not own this amp, I have tested it extensively and can give a fair opinion on it] Hartke HA3500 - A powerful amp that isn't overpriced, but on the other hand doesn't break down any barriers. List price US$ 800 Features: It starts with a split tube/SS preamp stage. You can blend in each kind of preamp, but to be honest it doesn't make too much of a difference. The single 12AX7 tube adds a little warmth, which is nice, but that's about it. Then you have a compressor with adjustable level, which actually works really well, and doesn't make you sound muddy either. The shelving EQ's help to create some punch when you want it, and the option of activating the graphic EQ gives you a fair amount of flexibility. It also has an XLR out, which is VERY useful when gigging. Sound: This amp can do warm, can do growl, can do punchy, can do high attack, can do most things - thanks to the two sets of equalisers. It's not particularly big on any of the sounds though, so if you want a particular tone it's best to use a bass that represents that tone. Value: This amp comes in rackmount form, with protective rubber screw-ons, so it can last as a stand-alone head or in a rack. The 3500A comes in a wood box, so that would be a better option for those not using a rack. It's 350 watts at 4 Ohms, and given it's fairly low price tag and long feature list, it has good value. It's pretty much everything you need from a gigging amp, because it's versatile, durable, and has a fair amount of power with an XLR to back it up. Overall: A very good amp for someone who's looking to enhance the tone of any bass they use, but not worth considering if you are looking for a very specific tone. 8/10 Last edited by morpcat; 05-09-2005 at 06:50 AM.

05-16-2005, 02:35 AM	#3
morpcat MX Techie - Share & Enjoy Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 5,872	There's a whole load of information at the Hartke website http://www.hartke.com HA 3500 HA 3500a Edit: Seems the standard 3500 is now down the chute, and the 3500a is the new deal. Above are pics of both. Last edited by morpcat; 05-17-2005 at 04:14 AM.

08-15-2005, 04:41 AM	#11
Tim_Tabasco metal looking emo? yep.. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austria Posts: 79	Q i bought a [URL=http://www.samsontech.com/images/productimages/VX3500-web.jpg]Hartke 3500VX[/url] - a combo which uses the 3500 the (nice looking when lit ) EQ, the contour, and the compressor are some uite useful stuff.. i also like the possibility to blend SS/Tube preamps together and the XLR Directout makes live so much easier one thing really _SUCKS_ about this combo... they put some sticker telling features and stuff on the grill protecting the speakers - and i guess its gonna be a hell lot of work to get it of completely :/

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

05-15-2005, 08:33 PM	#2
sixxbassist90 Ill need 'bout tree fitty Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,202	do you have a link so i can see a pic

05-16-2005, 03:36 PM	#4
JamesXKillXyou Battle Spawned Lullabies Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 1,466	amazing review.

05-30-2005, 05:58 AM	#5
tim_commerfordism I am back Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Boro - Teesside Posts: 4,334	nice. i have the 3500, and its great, only drawback is its a bit noisy. What settings do you use for growl?

06-06-2005, 03:33 PM	#6
eguitaranlead Good Bass/Bad Amp Club Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 861	i know this is a stuid question, but does it use tubes. or is it a solid state the recreates a tube amp.

06-07-2005, 09:10 PM	#10
eguitaranlead Good Bass/Bad Amp Club Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 861	i am looking to buying one of these later in the year so i will have alot of questions. so what is the shelving eq. that you are talking about. and the graphic eq. what does it all do on there. i have messed around with them on other amps but it didnt seem to do much.

08-15-2005, 01:01 PM	#12
LostItAgain Back from the Grave Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 597	i know this is off topic but you can use a blow dryer to get the sticker off