Keep this one for along time, and really recommend this as a first amp for a beginner because of its features and it will be around with you for along time! Great for studio musicians as well.

Sound
Good sound for such a small amp. It even handles my 5 string. I bought the Behringer BX1200, and this amp kicks its ass. Dont let the 35 watt powerplant fool you. I would have never been able to use all 120W of the Behringer, and who needs the two channels anyway. I was able to get a whole range of tones from this unit! The limiter is great at adding compression, and the 10" driver carrys all notes without use of a horn. Loud enough for a good practice session, also small clubs and venues.

Features
Features...Its has them all! Only amp of its size to have a BALANCED XLR out. I also bought the LA 10 from SWR...good little amp but it couldnt handle the low B, also the SWR doesnt have an XLR OUT. It has a 3 BAND EQ but with the BRIGHT feature it almost seems to have 4bands. The LIMITER is a compression effect and works really well to give punch and to keep the sound really tight. EFFECTS LOOP, works great, and it boasts an RCA STEREO input on front so you can hookup a CD player and play along, or drum machine even. We wvwn used it for practice with a low- end microphone for vocals.....it worked in a pinch! HEADPHONE JACK for stealth practicing. Another feature maybe overlooked.....The SPEAKER OUT is a 1/4 jack and you can… read more unplug the internal speaker and power another cabinet if you like! Most amps of this type are "hard wired" and its unable to fathom the idea, but I powered a 15" and was able to use amp at a high level (8) with no clipping or sappage of power when use of Low B. Also Hartke thought of PORTING OUT the back so if you want to you can Mic the port to catch extra low lows!

Quality
Hartke are absolutely great quality amps, ive owned one before. Cabinet is built tough, no rattles! Chrome corners. Rubber feet that it stands on when in upright position have super burley washers so I dont see those breaking anytime soon. Steel grill cover to protect that Super Heavy Duty 10" aluminum Driver, which FYI has the burliest magnet on it ie... explains a bit of the 30 lbs of weight. Like a Tank!

Value
Well worth the price I paid! Best amp of this size and price, maybe bee even better than most 60W 12" driver combos ive played through and looked at. There is alot of amps that run around $200, but grab the extra $20 or $30 from Grandma and get this one!

Manufacturer Support
Dealt with them before with my old amp. Graet service, friendly and quick! But I highly doubt you will need it untill after years and years of use and abuse. The old amp I had was 10 yrs old before i needed to get it worked on. Was only out of comission for 3 days!

The Wow Factor
I thought it was just a practical addition to my collection, being its size and portability. But this amp surprised me I even took it to a small gig over my SWR 210C and it worked! Its kickback monitor style allows me to hear it and gives me decent stage presence and gives flexabilty via the Balanced XLR out.

Musical Background:
active musician

Musical Style:
Funk-rock-Reggae...slap and funk meister...thx P-nut! read less