This amp rules. I have used it for live gigging and studio work. It has performed brilliantly in both areas. If you go direct the amp itself has so much tonal control you can find a great sound just through the 10-band EQ. Then you can blend a tube and solida state preamp section to give you the type of tone that you want. Throw in a high and low pass contour filter and on the fly adjustments are just a knob twist away. I use Hartke cabs also and I find that this amp head sounds massive. It cuts through a two guitar/double bass drum metal band with ease. Talk about headroom - I barely go above one on the amp which is awesome! The amp is so clean and clear, every note I hit rings true. Everyone in my band loves it's tone and most importantly it has made our band sound better and to me is the most important feature - Pro sound! I also use a Digitech BP-8 processor through my Spector Europe Rebop 4DLX FM bass and I couldn't be happier with my tone.

For the price that I paid you wouldn't expect all that it comes with. Active/passive inputs, compression, tube/solid state preamp blend, 10-band Graphic EQ, low/high pass contour filtering, XLR out with pre/post and ground lift, and effects loop with effect blend knob. Could you ask for more?

The manual tells the whole story. Plug in your bass, adjust the preamp blends for the type of amp tone that you want (ie. tube or solid state), adjust the low and high pass contours to get the overall sound that appeals to you, then zero it in with the 10-band EQ. You really can't ask for more control. I found myself playing my first notes with the bass tone that I've always wanted within 5 minutes. Brilliant!

Very well made. Seems heavy duty. I have seen more expensive amps that don't appear to be as rugged. Everything seems to be working well and the new wooden case ads even more durability to an already solid product.

No amp gives you all of this pro-quality for the price. And the headroom is the key to all of this! You are buying pure headroom which could be the best feature overall.

I have not ever had to deal with Hartke or Samson for product issues but I did call Larry Hartke on his cell phone to thank him for making a great amp. How many companies give out their cell phone number on their website?!?!

The hybrid design of the preamp is pure genius. The Hartke faceplate looks great along with the lights on the 10-band EQ. It stands out that's for sure! Hartke has long had a great reputation for making a great amp and I owned an older HA3500 about 10 years ago - but that amp wasn't this good!

Active Original Musician

Original Rock/Metal

I think it has the best sound of any of the amps I own (Ampeg SVT 450, SWR 100 watt, Peavey Basic 112). Having the tube preamp you can get a nice wwarm sound or you can go solid state. The EQ is fantastic and there are just so many variations you can get that if you say you can't get the sound you are looking for, then that sound can't be found.

Love the EQ. I have a Boss EQ pedal but only use it now if I need to thicken the bottom end for a particular song.

Very easy to figure out. If you can't figure it out, learn how to play the drums.

Top notch. My first one had problems but was replaced and I have had no problems since. See support for more details.

I.ll always have one andthey are the best in their price range.

My first head kept overheating and no sound would come out of it. I took it to an authorized repair shop and they had it for six weeks and could not figure out the problem. The second time I used it after that, same problem. Hartke had me send it to them. They found a problem and fixed it. A week later, same problem. Hartke called the store I bought it from and asked if they had one in stock. They did so Harke told them to give me a new one and ship the old one back. Never a problem for the last two years and Hartke took care of me and I NEVER had to get tough with them. They were gret.

When the lights are low and the EQ is on it really looks neat cause each slider on the EQ has a red LED in it. There is also a green light for the compressor.

Active Musician

Contemporary Christian, Praise & Worship, Christian Rock

This head is more powerful than its 350 watts would imply. I play in a progressive metal band, and it has no trouble cutting through two guitars and a double-bass drummer.

With the Tube or Solid State preamp selection, compressor, 10-band graphic EQ, and High and Low Contour knobs, you can tailor your sound to almost anything you want. Turn the compressor up for a tight round sound, or turn it down and get some down-and-dirty low growl.

Definitely user friendly. Easy to find your preferences for sound.

I've had this baby for 6 years, playing at very loud volume. Lots of gigs. It has held up like a pro.

For the money, you're getting more quality than the price would indicate. You could spend twice the money to get a comparable head. I've often wondered how Hartke can offer such quality at half the cost of their competitors.

I called Hartke once with a question. They were efficient.

The lit-up graphic EQ looks cool on top of my rig.

Active musician

Metal

Great sound - will give deep lows and clear highs. Very easy to use the graphic EQ. Quick reacting amp with a lot of push!

Has all you need. The compressor acts more like a limiter. Has a D.I. which is nice for gigs and recording!

Can't get easier! Plug in, turn a few knobs. That's it.

Super solid! The push button for the graphics, though, is a cheap and flumsy thing.

Can't beat the price

Apparently, Samson (Hartke) has one of the best support on the market.

Hmmmmmmh, looks better than an Orange amp, and stands in the shaddow of beauty of a Trace Elliot - but who cares, it's a great sounding amp!

This amp sounds great for the money. Actually it sounds good for an amp that would be alot more expensive. The highs are a little bright but that is easily fixed by rolling them off a bit on the eq. The bas is huge and punchy. Lots of everything. The compressors on the older ones sucked but they work great on the new ones. The sovtek tube doesnt sound great but if you change that the amp will sound great. Lots of EQ

tube pre amp yessssssssssssssssss 10 band EQ compressor Balanced direct out

You cant find an amp in this price range that even comes close. In fact alot of more expensive amps cant come close

Wow......what a stupid question. I buy an amp for how it will perform, not how it looks.

37 years of rock, country, blues, jazz, you name it

versitile

I seen one at the store which was sam ash and the price was 399.00, and it did not nave that style.that was the old style which it is a light style and better to carrier around.But this new way is heavier to carrier around.

IT can sit well on a floor or speaker cabinet. but I have an old style like that and it not light.

it should be lighter

the priice is to high casuse i like said saw it at sam ash and ,think about would that item be the same price when you take it back no.

no

it could use a better design letter and box.