Hartke B30

2001
Active/Passive Input, bass/mid/treble EQ, master volume, one channel, 30 watts, headphone jack. This amp is used in my home studio/jam room. A fairly good practice amp, I bought it because I needed something small to jam with. Solid state. Good features for a practice amp.

I am using a Fender Mexican Jazz Bass V. I don't really like the sound I get out of this amp, it is very trebley sounding. It tends to bottom out when I use the low B or sometimes even the low E. Noisy when turning on or off. EQ is flexable, but this amp is mostly useable for funk. Not a whole lot of low tone to it.

Since I have had this, the Passive input has come loose. It was exchanged for a new amp, and this one is better. If it were large enough to gig with I would definately have a back up.

Took a long time to get a replacement amp.

I have been playing for four years and I own Fender gear, Peavey, Hartke, and Digitech. If it were lost or stolen I would not buy another practice amp or if I had to, I would buy a Fender or Ampeg. Too noisy when switching on or off and the low end bottoms out. Input jacks not reliable.

This small Hartke Bass combo is a 2000 model.The B30 is rated at 30 watts rms with a 10 inch driver housed in a handsome black cabinet.The features are basic to this price point with passive/active inputs,treble,middle and bass [active] E.Q. section,line out,effects loop and a headphone out jack.For it's purpose [bedroom jamming,recording and practice] and price point,I feel these features are fine.The E.Q. section is quite flexible.It allows relatively deep,warm tones to sharp "slap" funk textures to be dialed in.The 30 watt power section stays clean through out it's volume range and get rather loud for the amp's size and power rating.I rate features an 8 considering it's price and market target.

I play the B30 with a Warwick Streamer Standard two p/u model.I'm mainly a guitarist,so this set-up is mostly used for recording and small jam sessions.I'll be purchasing a much larger Hartke combo within a year,but for the time being I'm quite satisfied with this small combo.The flexible E.Q. section allows me to dial in almost any tone I desire other than the deepest ones,due to the physical limitations of 30 watts and a 10 inch speaker.The amp is quiet with slight hissing heard only at the highest volumes.It sounds real even through it's range of tones and sounds anything but like an inexpensive "practice" amp.The only real negative I can think of of is that the amp "pops" when turned off,though not loudly.Like I said earlier,I'm quite happy with this little Hartke B30.I give the sound/tone an 8.

I don't know yet as I've only had it for a few weeks.It looks and feels solidly built,and sense I use it only in my studio and home jams,I expect no real problems.I give it no rating due to products recent purchase.

Don't know yet sense I have not had a need to use customer service.

Ive been a guitarist for 24 years and have played bass off and on for about 15 years.I also own many guitars and amps including a Fender Custom Shop Strat,a Carvin Bolt-T w/Duncans,a Hamer Studio,Hamer P-90 Special,a Washburn HB-35S w/Duncan Seth Lover p/u's,a Martin DM w/Fishman p/u and a Washburn WMS Studio w/Duncan 59 p/u's.My amps include a MesaBoogie MKIIC+ w/EVL12 cabinet,a Fender Prosonic,a Crate VC30 class A combo,a Mesa Blue Angel,Tech21 Trademark 10 recording amp and a killer little early 60's 8 watt class A Supro combo w/ an Eminence 8 inch speaker added after the original Jensen "fried'.If this little Hartke were stolen I would buy another.It sounded to me better than the small Fender,Crate and Marshall bass combos that I played.I really like the B30's size and mature,professional tones that really fit my recording and jamming needs.I rate the Hartke B30 a strong 8 and a very good value.

i play on a Squier p-bass special(passive) and on a Fender p-bass lyte deluxe.it has a very good sound for rehearsals.i play everything from the red hot chili peppers.

never broken down.

This amp has very basic features of high/middle/low and volume, with inputs for passive or active pickup-equipped basses, and a line out in the back of the 10" speaker. The 30 watts of solid state power are just fine for this practice amp.

I use this amp with a Fender Jazz Bass (Mexican)to play classical, bebop jazz, and Motown pop. At lower volumes the amp has a good tone without distortion for making various styles come through clearly.
I have not pushed the amp to the its practical limits.

The amp seems to be tough enough to withstand the pressures of being parked in my kitchen and it has not broken down.

I have been playing bass for 3 years as well as guitar for 5 years and I happen to like the simplicity of this Hartke amp which registers a fairly good tone. If it were stolen, I would consider buying another one. It was half the price of the SWR Workingman's 10 and had better tone than the little Fender amps.