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Hartke Model 4000 Bass Amplifier Review
Construction: 4.5
Hartke gained recognition in the '80s for its revolutionary aluminum-cone speakers and in the '90s for a line of affordable amps featuring tube preamps and graphic EQs. The HA4000 emphasizes practicality with contem-porary no-nonsense features, all-solid-state electronics, and versatile parametric tone controls.
A look inside the amp's sturdy steel chassis reveals a well-built, simple design, with attention to detail rare for an amp at this price. The power transformer is shielded to reduce hum, and a substantial finned-tunnel heatsink keeps the eight output transistors cool with the help of a variable-speed fan that draws heat out of the amp. The wiring is neatly bundled to resist vibration strain.
Pots are typically a budget amp's most vulnerable components. The Hartke's solid 1/4" pot shafts hold stubby and resilient rubber knobs that are protected by the recessed front panel and its handles.
A bass amp needs a well-regulated, high-capacity power supply for tight bottom-end slam and headroom. The HA4000 sports an ample transformer and a pair of surprisingly substantial capacitors.
Electronics: 4.5
The HA4000 includes some innovative features: Its shape and
intensity controls expand upon the
The HA4000's simple, clean design reveals careful construction.
ubiquitous mid-dip "contour" preset switch. Instead of only one
predetermined contour, the HA4000's shape lets you dial in your own mid-dip
"sweet spot," while the intensity knob adjusts its severity.
The D BASS control is a boost-only EQ knob centered at 70Hz. It's useful for adding fatness and fullness to a 4-string's lowest range and adding supportive depth and girth to a 5. For even more depth, the HA4000 has an unusual line out with a lowpass filter Hartke calls the s bass out. This pre-EQ output is intended to be used with a power amp and sub-woofer.
Two fully parametric EQ sections control the midrange, while fixed-frequency low and high controls regulate their respective ranges. For added versatility—and to fully optimize your effects—there are two effects loops: one pre-EQ, the other post. Two balanced XLR jacks give the option of pre- or post-EQ access.
Ease of use: 4
Because parametric EQ offers such a wide range of options, it might take some time to fully optimize the HA4000's controls. We suggest setting the EQ knobs to their flat positions and fine-tuning with the shape and intensity controls. These two knobs alone could provide sufficient tone adjustment for many players.
Sound: 4.5
We began our listening tests by pairing the HA4000 with a Hartke XL 4.5 cabinet. This combination worked well—the Hartke's signature snappy top and quick response came through. Every bass we tried sounded clean, focused, and balanced. A Lakland 55-94 displayed its delicate and detailed growl, along with very controlled and focused low notes. In contrast, a Lakland Bob Glaub Bass exhibited a complex woody bark that responded to aggressive accents with a percussive punch. A three-pickup Danelectro also showed great dynamic range and its distinctive midrange honk, while at the same time sounding thick and fat.
The HA4000 sounded great with other cabs, too. An Eden 410XLT thrived on bridge-pickup punch, and it produced some serious growl with a fretless graphite-neck Zon Sonus. And unlike many budget bass amps, the HA4000 can supply very deep bass that's tight and controlled.
Value: 4.5
Pure and simple: The Hartke HA4000 is one of the best values going for $700. Its tone is comparable to some amps costing more than twice as much. It has sufficient power for most club gigs and has more than enough tone-shaping capability for any situation. It's also well built and should survive on the road.
The HA4000's AC input can accommodate either 115-volt or 230-volt mains. Hartke
provides 1/4" jacks for the mute footswitch, send and return for both
pre- and post-EQ effects loops, tuner out, S BASS out, and LINE OUT. The DIRECT
OUT and PRE AMP OUT XLR jacks share a common ground switch.
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