Hartke 115TP Transporter Bass Cabinet

I bought this 1x15 bass cabinet about three and a half years ago. This is a well constructed, carpet covered lightweight cabinet. However, it's lack of weight in no way detracts from it's depth and overall sound quality. In fact, avoiding a hernia when you pick it up is a definite plus point.

It has one standard jack input which is recessed so there is less chance of plug damage. An additional Speakon socket would have been a thoughtful alternative that would have improved it's versatility, so it loses a couple of marks for that. The plastic carry handles are also recessed and are effective, if not particularly well contoured.

The carpet covering is of good quality and has not suffered the usual damage associated with life on the road. The corners are well protected by plastic corner pieces designed for easy stacking. The speaker cone is well protected by a robust black steel mesh but the cool-looking aluminium speaker cone is still easily visible.

For the most part, sound quality is very good. A tight, punchy bass that reveals the depth and tonal qualities of my Rickenbacker 4003. Articulation is precise in the lower register. Projection is reasonable but a little too loud on stage and less so front of house.
Suprisingly for an aluminium coned speaker it is in the upper-mids and highs that this cabinet fails to convince. At home, on low volume it's fine but on stage this frequency range seems virtually non-existent. It needs to be accompanied by a 2x10 or 4x10 cabinet to do justice to the Hartke HA 3000 that I currently use. This is by no means a full range cabinet in the live situation.

Reliability has not been an issue. Single speaker cabinets generally only tend to suffer from blown speakers or the occasional rattle. This one has suffered neither.

No contact regarding this piece of equipment.

I've been playing bass for about 37 years. I've owned many different bass rigs over the years. The Harke setup is one of the best tonally and is the easiest to use and transport. Previous amps have been tube based and have all been completely reliable but all lacked the precision of the Harke. I also auditioned Trace Elliot and Ashdown heads but the Harke HA3000 won by a mile.

If it were stolen I would probably replace it with the Harke XL or Pro range as I have been impressed by these and I really like the Harke sound. On reflection I would liked to have auditioned more of the Harke range before settling on the Transporter as it's lack of mid to upper range only became evident in a live setting.

I would not recommend the Harke TP115 as a sole cabinet but used alongside a 2x10 or 4x10 it is very good.

the one feature i lika about this is it is covered in carpet, you can bang it into walls cars whatever and it doesn't get damaged. I like this as a giging cab for that reason, my guitars cab is all torn up and ratty looking and mine looks brand new

the hartke aluminum cones give a nice clean punchy sound which i like but some may not. the 15 lacks the highs (duh its a 15) but when i added a used 4x10xl on top watch out. this speaker really thumps but doesn't fart.

i give it a nine only because u need to have a 2x10 or 4x10 with it to really sound good. i've been using this speaker with a crate bt 350w head for a year and a half and no complaints except maybe if it had better than a 150w power rating

I have now been playing for 3 yrs and have tried and own a few amps. I actually bought it used with a crate 200bxl head. I have no idea when this cab was made and its only a cab so it has no features, channels or gizmos. I play mostly ska, punk, 80's and some slap. this is only a 15 inch speaker that puts out 150w which is good enough for any kind of small gig.

The bass I use is an old crate which they don't sell anymore, yeah a crate, but i replaced the pickups with some duncans i got from guitar center. I think this cab does a lot to make it sound decent and fits the music style im goin for.

the only problem with the sound is that it doesnt get the high notes all that great. the low note are incredible though and sound like a dream but when you want to hit that G it doesnt punch it out like the lower notes. I have also tried this cab with a 4X10 transporter cab with sounds so much fuller and more punchy. with the 410 it gives the hight notes a good feel and the slap a good slap. all in all the cab is good for low and medium hits but not on the higher ones exept when you mix it with the 410s cab then you have a dream

This amp is an all out dependible rock solid peace of art. this cab can hit, bang, or be dropped and still not have a problem. i would certinly not have to worry about this cab or my crate head in a gig which is soon to happen but i have play garage setups and such.

Never had a problem, becides i bought it used.....great cab

All in all this is a decent buy but i would rather go with the 4 10's to get all i want. i have tried SWR, Ampeg, Gallen, and Fender and there is no sound like a Hartke. if it were stolen id probly just go get the 4 10's then later yeah id get it. i love how its an aluminum cone which gives it its distinctive tone but i hate how its only 150w.

if you really want to get a good sounding amp to really meet your sound then yeah buy this cab but you would also have to buy the 4 10 cab to really match it out. also the hartke heads are a great buy too.