All user reviews for the Hartke HA3500

Hybrid amplification, 350w / 4ohms

UTILIZATION

Intuitive settings, easy to get a good sound

SOUNDS

Suits all styles, regardless of the bass.

OVERALL OPINION

Everything has been said already. This head is remarkable due to its quality build and sound. With a good bass you can forget about using an EQ, you only need to use the preamp (which combines tube and solid-state technology) and the Contour to get an excellent sound.
Very interesting value for money, especially secondhand.
The only downside is its weight.

It's a hybrid amp.
Solid-state and tube peamp, solid-state power amp

2 pots for the preamp (tube and solid-state)
1 compressor pot
1 10-band EQ with On/Off switch
2 Contour pots (Low and High Pass)
1 Master/Volume pot
1 effects loop.
1 DI output with Pre/Post amplification switch
2 speaker outputs on 1/4" Jacks

UTILIZATION

There's a manual included, but the controls are simple and intuitive.
In the manual you can find setup examples, which is practical to start and find the right sound, because you can then fiddle with them a bit and find the desired sound.
The 10-band EQ is not very easy to understand in the beginning (I'm used to 3 bands only) and the bands are very sensitive, but you'll get used to it.
So you can easily find the sound you are looking for!

SOUNDS

It's great for all styles of music.
I play mainly rock/punk. With a Fender Precision the sound is very twangy, it's exactly what I was looking for.
This amp has been used by other bassists playing different styles of music during gigs and they have all been very satisfied. This amp adapts perfectly, regardless of the music genre!

I was disappointed by something: The built-in compressor is not on par with the rest of the amp. Up to 2/3, there's almost no effect and if you go beyond 3, almost no sound comes out of the amp. It's a mere accessory (not necessarily indispensable), but given its quality, it's better not to use it. I actually opted to buy a compressor pedal.

OVERALL OPINION

It must be 8 months since I use this amp and I am not disappointed, on the contrary. It's great for small and big stages. For the time being, I haven't been able to crank the volume knob beyond 2 during gigs (otherwise it gets picked up by the PA).
Tested at higher volumes at home, I was able to notice some noise with the volume set to 5/6 but up to now I have never had the need to play that loud!
Before buying this amp, I had the opportunity to test other brands, like Ashdown, Ampeg and MarkBass, as well as other Hartke models. I chose this one because, in my opinion, it's the most versatile at this price point. It's the best value for money, even if you don't quite have the same sound as with an all-tube Ampeg.

Now that I'm used to playing with it, I would buy it again without hesitation. It's powerful and with a relatively decent price, you can go for it with your eyes closed!

Everything has been said already, so I'll sum it up quickly. Front panel: active/passive input - 2 preamp tube/solid-state - compressor - 10-band EQ - low/hi pass and master. Back panel: 2 speaker outputs - effects send-return (with balance) - DI output
This amp delivers 240 watts into 8Ω (350w max into 4Ω), rackable amp

UTILIZATION

Extremely simple to use. I bought a Hartke VX410 cab (but I'm thinking about buying a Hartke VX115 to get good subs). I have the manual but have never opened it. Very versatile amp in terms of sound, powerful enough to play with hard-hitting drummers. Very robust, it has been abused in all possible ways and I have used it outdoors under extreme conditions. I can play slap for hours with the volume cranked all the way up and a Metalcore. Besides 2 or 3 pots that crackle a bit, despite a thorough cleanup last year, I have had no big issues.

SOUNDS

Simple and versatile

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for 10 years. I have and still play with more powerful and better amps, but this one suits me better because I know my settings. If I had to buy an amp today, I'd buy the same, new or secondhand, since there's no big difference in price. But it is so sturdy that I wouldn't hesitate buying it used, after some tests, obviously.
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I purchased this head in 1991 from Musicians Friend for around $480

Sound, versatility, ease of use, and reliability is what makes me a Hartke fan. I play rock, from the classics right up to todays new music as well as some country and southern rock and this amp allowed me to dial in exactly the sound I wanted and quickly. This head has a solid state and tube preamp section. The solid state pre has a tremendous amount of mid bite. You can drive right through any guitar using this preamp. The tube preamp is smooth and warm with a characteristic scoop out of the mids. The compression works well to put a purcussion bite to each note. The bass and treble contours allow you make broad spectrum adjustments to your sound and the ten band graphic EQ allows you to fine tune tour tone. LOUD! This amp can handle it's own. Best make sure your speakers can handle the 350 watts this beast hammers out. Reliability can't be beat. If you take care of your gear, you'll get more than your monies worth from it.

I honestly can't think of a down side to this amp outside of the compression. If you are really picky about the compression then buy a seperate compressor.

I have gig'd hard with this amp for over 11 years and didn't have a single problem. This thing has run in every climatic environment you can think of and had never let me down. In fact, it still has the original tube in it and sounds as good as the day I bought it. Racking the head helps a great deal. It is important to isolate the head from cabinet vibrations a much as possible. I use a 2 inch thick piece of black foam.

Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, watt for watt, this is one fantastic head. Great sound, versatility, reliability, this one of the best investments in your rig that you will ever make. I don't think you will be disappointed.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I had been wanting a Hartke system for a couple of years. My father, (also a musician), found this nice deal where he lives, (Tenn.--I live near Chicago), at a place called Pot 'O Gold, in Paris, TN. I paid $900.00 for a Hartke 3500 amp, a 4-10 cab, and a 1-15 cab, all new, all Hartke. Not to shabby at all. Plus, they gave me a great deal on a 2-10 Hartke cab, that I put on an angled amp-stand and use as a monitor....real nice!

I love just about everything on the Hartke 3500 amp. It has inputs for either active, or passive bass. Both tube and/or solid state pre-amp controls, (nice). Compression LED, (visual indicator of the status of compression. Compression control knob, (off-"oo"), Grapic EQ in/out switch, (your sound-man will love this feature), 10-band graphic EQ sliders, (with lights on each slider). A contour low control, a control high contol, and a master volume control to keep this beast under control. In the back, you have a fuse sled, an AC input, two speaker outputs, small fan, effect send jack, effect return jack, balence control knob (use this to adjust the relative amount of effect send (dry), versus effect return, (wet). A direct out post/pre switch, (again, your soundman will love this one), Direct out normal/ground lift switch, (for those anoying places with neon lights, dimmer lights, ect..). And, a direct out jack. This amp has just about everything you will need, to shake the dandruf off of everybody's hair. The reason your soundman/woman will love the EQ switches are in case your EQ on stage isn't sounding well thru the main's..you can have the sound-person EQ your bass sound while still keeping your EQ settings on stage. Very nice feature. Althou, my soundman loves my EQ settings anyway, it's nice to have. All in all, if you can't find a tone you like with this beauty, it doesn't exist!

To be nit-picky, there is only two things about this amp, that could be better..1) the weight. If I had to guess, I'd say it weighs about 25 lbs. Now, that by itself doesn't sound bad, but you put this thing in a rack, along with two other items, (I have a Hartke 3500 amp, a Korg DTR-2 tuner, and a Furman RR power conditoner in my rack), it's a pretty heavey rack.
2) the compression could be a tad better then it is. I usually either have it off, or real low. But, I still would trade my ex-wife for another one of these amps, so these two items can't bother me to much, huh? LOL Oh, and one more thing...this amp is not bi-ampable. It's the only feature missing, that I wish was on it...I should have bought the 5000, or 7000 for that.

excellent construction. Perfect condition straight from the store, shipped 500 miles, to my door. I instantly slapped it in a rack. I got 'in to it' with a guy here recently over the quality of this amp...He said knobs are loose, slider tabs were missing, lights on 3 other sliders didn't work. I asked him how old his amp was....he said about 3 years old. Then, I asked him if it was ever racked...HE SAID NO! No cover, no nothing. This isn't rocket-science here, folks...if you take care of it, this amp will last you many, many years. But, if you just throw it around, don't rack it, don't even get a cover for it, in a short time, it's going to look it. Don't forget, there is a tube in this unit, so you can't just bang it around at will, (whose Will?) LOL.

To make a long story short, (to late for that now, huh?), I'd buy another one of this babies in a heart-beat. The first night I played it out, it took me less then 5 minutes to get the tone, seperation/tightness I wanted with the kick drum, and the volume just right. It's all right here, on this unit. Very highly recommended.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Transistors with 1 tube preamp and 1 transistors.
350 W power
Equalizer, outline, compressor

UTILIZATION

Very easy to have sound.
The equalizer is sensitive and must spend some time in the beginning.
As against the compressor is not used much.

SOUNDS

I day of rock 60's and 70's, a quattro, high volume ... I mainly use a Fender Jazz Bass (sometimes Precision) and recently the Epiphone 1 JB (Jack Casady). I pass through a Big Muff Bass EA and The Mole. The amp is suitable for different bass without changes to the settings.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought used there is now a long time ... and it's still there ... Never a problem despite sustained use.
The head is associated with a 4 x 10 speaker Carvin, who sounds much warmer than the enclosure original metal cones.
Very versatile amp, very punchy, dynamic and super-powerful: the volume beyond 3 or 4 and a half, you start to really play TOO hard. So that you have a more than comfortable margin before starting to force the beast. Bass and lower midrange HUGE. Too sharp metal strand.
Equalizer very effective, both preamps and two contour buttons also.
Only the compressor is not convincing. In fact I turn and I put the minimum at 2 or so at most; beyond three sound "disappears".
I packed the head in a flight case Gator.
In short very satisfied if I had to change it would be in a pinch for the vintage Ampeg or Acoustic ... but hey! It's expensive and above all it is heavy !! And the best is not it often the enemy of the good?

hybrid lamp preamp (12AX7 for the lamp)
and transistor

amplification transistors 350 W into 4 Ohms and 250 into 8 ohms

for the rest of the connector, while deeja has been said in previous posts

UTILIZATION

the manual is well done but it is in English, therefore a negative

SOUNDS

the highlight of this amp is that it leaves perfectly express your bass and faithfully amplifies the sound of it
therefore no miracle, if you do not have good bass and fingers it takes ... but I am fortunate to have a Warwick Thumb bass preamp with parametric, which can be put in passive mode, so I have the sound I want: ^)

My favorite sound is the preamp tube to bottom, the pr & transistor and at least the compressor to the bottom, giving a warm grain, a bit distorted and compressed

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for just one month on a daily basis at home because I could not stand the noise of its fan. but it is set recently (see Tips section) suddenly the peavey TKO 75 that I used before is shelved.

Bass Amplifier head:

- 350W into 4 Ohms
- 250W into 8 ohms

- Mixed Prampli lamp / transistors
- Power amplifier transistors
- Compressor intgrbr /> - 10-Band Equalizer
- Two knobs to "contour"

- Between a passive, one active between
- Effects loop on the rear of the head
- DI output with the possibility to choose pre or post pramplification

- Two 19-inch rack units
- Weight: 14 kg (!)

UTILIZATION

No need to manually ring the bte, the rglages are intuitive.

Playing on DIFFERENT knobs get the sound you get DSIR. The qualizer is not easy to use (many bands) but you get Tatouille obtain the desired sound, because the buttons are really sensitive ...

The compressor, however, is not terrible, it is better to use it sparingly (scale 2 or 3 max)

SOUNDS

I play all styles of music with a Jazz Bass Squier VM, and gives me an ultra versatile configuration.

The choice, I plug in the head on a 2x10 or 1x15, or two couples. With two speakers in the ass is really the power to go, you will have a good margin before reaching the limits of the head. This is one of the big strengths of the HA3500!

I would describe the sound of modern and straight enough (typ Hifi), without staining particulire, contributing its great versatility.

Mine is in a SKB for flycase being protected during transport

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for over 2 years now and I am fully satisfied. I wanted to head a powerful and fairly neutral, so I'm delighted.

The HA3500 is a bestseller in Hartke and it's not for nothing. Of course, fans will wish typs sounds move into the most prestigious brands, but it will bring a much consquent budget.

If you have less than 300 budget (for the occasion), you are looking for a versatile head, strong and powerful, I did not see any equivalent!

Only default:
- Weight, 14kg is not really anything!
- The fan is noisy ... trs Gnant not when playing but can be a problem in the studio
- The DI is to fool quality rpute

lamp and transistor preamp flavor according to the desired sound
robust transistor amp
compressor (FRO)
Equalizer not bad at all
all sources with 350W 4 Ohm (or 240 Watts into 8 ohms), which provides a comfortable cushion for quite a situation

UTILIZATION

adjustment very easy because everything is found on the facade

SOUNDS

sound quite versatile including measurements lamps and trasistor level preamp

OVERALL OPINION

plus it's sturdy

Hello AFiens,

The Bottom Line: HA3500 350 Wts. Lamp and transistors. Input line with Ground Lift. 2 contours output (I leave at noon, in all cases).
Inst 0 and 2 entry-20Db.
10-band graphic EQ.



UTILIZATION

Since I play on Hartke since the inception of the brand in France (1991 env / I had 3 to date) and I must say that this combo is foolproof and is usable in many situations! The proof is found in all Backline festival, with respect to the application of course but also for its reliability and versatility.

For the 3500 is a quality amp and the only fault I had during all these years and the breakdown of a cold junction at the input line (panel AR) easy to repair and cheap, and worries or level of a capacitor (unwanted noises) but it is resolved without intervention (?).

Finally the HP, the Transporter has avoided for reasons of reliability. Sf if you made little use intensive semi pro eg. If you exceed the entry has more than 5 and vs. play a low B a little too violently, HP pass through (the magnet is upwind, in fact). Saving on the size of the magnets and simple case for the weight do not mix with the big sound repeats itself ...

Stuart Hamm as saying on a pub of the mark in the 90 "I put the entry is under a quarter and a third volume. Yes, well provided you have the reservation behind Watts ... Genre HA 7000 and under 4ohms 800W ...

SOUNDS

Adjustment side, disable input signal for my passive bass 0db and-20db for active. EQ very sensitive, I cut a bit for the 100Hz turned a little nasty, a little boost 600Hz to blackmail the fretless. The rest is depending on location.

Depending on the style played, we change some details on the EQ but overall, I prefer the low net round, 100 Hz below the midrange slightly forward, below 800Hz and treble without excess. I actually sinusoidal shape, the EQ.

I play all styles, from punk to jazz through the Latin. The amp goes everywhere I tell you!

Pb: The noise of the fan. In the studio, it must be isolated.

OVERALL OPINION

9 / 10.

Since 1991. I pretty much tried everything. Remember, Ampeg for the warmer sound (lamps), and that's it! The rest is more delicate use pro. Otherwise some objects such as Mars or Alumabass Glockenklang but now AC socket ...

Nothing to say more on this beast. It starts every morning!

Stuart Hamm as saying on a pub of the mark in the 90 "I put the entry is under a quarter and a third volume. Yes, well provided you have the reservation behind Watts ... Genre HA 7000 and under 4ohms 800W ... To listen to Steve Vai (Passion and Warfare).
Since a new hybrid series has been released. I'm on the lookout for the comments above. A word ..;
Ded. Very good compromise