Hartke AC150 Acoustic Combo

I won't restate all of the features here, but this amp is of a fairly common configuration of today's 2-channel acoustic amps with two major differences: 1) the ribbon transducer replaces the conventional tweeter, and it seems to work very well and 2) The mic channel does not have a dedicated eq. This turned out to be a very bad thing. There's another fatal flaw with the mic channel described below. Otherwise, this is a fairly feature-rich offering and the stereo imaging with the effects is nice and gives the amp a sound that is somewhat bigger than its actual volume. Regarding volume, I wonder if this is rated at 150 watts RMS or peak (I could'nt find anything specific anywhere in the lit or on their website), because it seems like it should be capable of more volume given its size and heft. With an active guitar setup you can get a lot of volume from the guitar channel, but the mic channel can't keep up. More on this below. As an acoustic guitar amp only, it does not have enough volume to keep up with a rock and roll band.

I'm using this with a graph-tech ghost piezo saddle and acoustiphonic preamp installed in my solidbody electric. While the amp can't quite keep up with a rock and roll band's stage volume, the sound quality is excellent. Tonally the guitar channel sounds great. The mic channel is another story however; there's no dedicated eq, so when you get a good guitar tone, you can't tweak the mic enough to make it usable and there is almost no headroom on the mic channel, whcih causes the mic channel to distort at relatively low volumes. The guitar channel is capable of way more volume before distortion than the mic channel. I was using a Shure SM58 as my reference.

Didn't own it long enough to evaluate this

I owned this amp long enough to play it at one gig and returned it shortly afterwards for two reasons; the guitar channel volume could not keep up with the band and the mic channel, lacking dedicated eq and any headroom to speak of, made the amp in my opinion non-usable as a solo acoustic gigging amp. Perhaps at lower volumes it would make a good monitor, but then you'd still have to use PA main speakers and you still wouldn't have the eq you would need on the mic channel. I have since purchased a Boss AD-8 acoustic preamp and a QSC K10 powered PA speaker and could not be happier. Yes, this newer rig was twice the price of the Hartke, but given my purposes there was no way I could cut corners and get what I needed. If you need high volume and will be singing through your amp too, then you should probably look elsewhere.

I won't restate all of the specs available from their website, but to summarize this is a 150 watt, two channel, stereo acoustic guitar amplifier with digital effects and a unique ribbon transducer in place of a traditional tweeter. There are three 50w power amps: left, right and ribbon. There are four 5" drivers as well. There is plenty of eq/tone shaping for acoustic guitar, but NO dedicated eq for the microphone channel. More on this fatal flaw later. The 150 watt power rating has me wondering if these are peak or rms watts as I could not find that specific information anywhere. I mention this because the amp wasn't nearly loud enough for my needs and could not keep up with a four piece rock band and certainly not my 40watt tube guitar amp. Its a heavy, solid and seemingly well built amp. Too bad it isn't as loud as it is heavy.

I run piezo saddles on my electric solidbody guitars and I bought this amp to amplify that signal so I could layer acoustic and electric sounds (running both piezo and magnetic pickups through their respective amps simultaneously). I was very quickly impressed with how good the amp sounded with the piezo bridge, and the effects are very usable. There was plenty of low end as well, but as I mention above, the amp did not live up to my expectations/needs volume wise. Since this amp is configured in stereo, the stereo effects gave the system a lot of dimension and sounded excellent at the volume it could achieve. What I find inexcusable is how poorly the mic channel sounded, and that channel couldn't even keep up with the acoustic channel volume wise. When you get a good guitar eq going, it never matches the mic channel (used a Shure SM58).

I only owned the amp a week before returning it, so I can't comment on reliability. It does seem very well built however.

I play primarily rock and roll and have been playing in bands for 20 years. I have some very high end gear, and while the guitar tone of this amp is outstanding, the amp just doesn't get loud enough for band use or moderate acoustic solo venues, and I wouldn't be able to use the amp at a solo acoustic gig because of the terrible eq mismatch between guitar and mic channels and the extremely limited headroom on the mic channel. The amp and the ribbon transducer is a really nice idea, but it suffers from some design shortcomings and too little power. I find the non existence of specifics around the power rating suspicious and wonder if another amp in the 150watt rms range might do better where more volumen is needed. I also wonder if the ribbon transducer, while very smooth, might be somewhat inefficient. I had the amp for a week, returned it and ended up getting a powered PA speaker for an acoustic amp, and I am sold that this will always be a better way to go. Got a QSC K10 with a Boss AD-8 and am completely blown away with the power and fidelity of that rig. Then again, that rig cost more than twice what I paid for this amp. If you really like the idea of an acoustic amp and need something loud, then I'd probably give the Ultrasound Pro 250 a try.

Versatil is a great way to quickly describe the many features of this solid state amp. With 150 watts of power wrapped up in the four 5 inch drivers and the ribbon transducers it provides wonderful clean sound! I love the easy set up and the digital effects are a incredible. The instruction manual is free to download on line and is written so that even I could understand it! Also check out the videos related to this item on Youtube.

In addition the guitar has direct out and digital loop connection. It even has an RCA adaptor to run a CD player through. The microphone input is available as well. I just purchased this amp, I will be playing it at a local pentecostal church that is held in a converted movie theater. It will have plenty of power and can be hooked into the PA system as well.

I play gospel music. I am using a Taylor T5 and a Taylor GS-8 as my instruments. I have others but these are the ones I use the most. I have been playing for over 30 year and have enjoyed every minute! My quest has been to find a clean sound (that I can afford) that does not distort and breakup when you dig into the guitar. I have been using a Crate Telluride Acoustic Amp. It is also a very nice amp and does a good job - but this one beats it hands down for clarity of sound and ease of setup. Like it has been said it does sound like the acoustic - only louder. Hartke has a great reputation for Bass amps and this acoustic is a new venture for them - they did an outstanding job! Hartke deserves a standing ovation!

The amp is a bit heavy - but it appears to be built svery well. I don't expect to have problem. So far, I have no reason not to trust it so given the short time experience I will state it is very dependable. I will not have a backup.

The amp was shipped to me from Sam Ash. I was not impressed with the packing job from Sam Ash. The airbags popped from the weight of the unit. The amp was moving around in the box and it was shipped UPS ground. Fortunately it was in the Hartke packaging to provide protection. The amp was not dammaged and seems to have held up well to the travel

I have not dealt with the company - but I heard the owner has his phone number posted and he personally fields calls. Now that is great service. I wonder if he gets any sleep? If I have a problem I feel the company is approachable. They appear to be very customer focused. Right now I do not have a need to call. Also this amplifier comes with a 3 year warranty.

I have been playing for over 30 years. I would be very disappointed and would definitely buy this one again. I shopped around before I selected this amp. I was strongly leaning to purchasing the Acoustasonic SFX II - Which also has incredible sound - but the cost was out of my budget. I have found the SFX II and the AC150 as being in the same ballpark when it comes to the sound quality it produces. The cost of the Hartke is way below the Fender - so why would I throw away money. I searched user reviews and found no negatives - everyone seems to draw a similar opinion. So I took a chance and bought the Hartke. This amp is excellent and for the price OUTSTANDING!! If you are shopping around for a solid state, you will not be disappointed with the Hartke AC150. Sorry for sounding like a sales person (which I am not). I just can't keep such great value to myself. This amp deserves more recognition!

The AC150 features a 150 watt tri-amped design, with 50 watts powering the left and right full range speakers and 50 watts powering the high frequency ribbon tweeter. To reduce feedback, there is a phase switch on channel 1 as well as a variable notch filter with depth control. On the rear panel of the amplifier there is an effects loop with stereo return, and stereo XLR direct outputs.

150 Watt Acoustic Guitar Combo
Four 5" Woofers and a 2" x 4" Ribbon High Frequency Transducer
5-Band Graphic EQ
Phase Switch and Variable Notch Filter Feedback Control
100 Very Impressive 24-Bit Built-In Stereo Digital Effects
Effects Loop with Stereo Return and Stereo Direct Output
Precision tuned Kickback??? Enclosure

The sound quality of the amplifier, in my opinion, is excellent. The 100 24-Bit Built-In Stereo Digital Effects are excellent and very usable. There is no diddling with effect knobs and switch to achieve the effect that will suite your style. I???m confident that you will find several effects that will work for you. Check it out at
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1873&brandID=3

Also check out the amp demo at
http://www.joost.com/298000y/t/Hartke-AC150#id=298000y

One final note: Buy the very best cable that you can afford to connect your acoustic guitar to the AC150 because acoustic guitar require a higher frequency response than an electric. Cheap cable will have a negative effect on you sound. You can get a good 20 foot cable for about $40 to $60.

No issues to date. However, Hartke offers a 3 Year Warranty with the AC150.

I have not needed any customer support to date, therefore, I have no opinion at this time.

First, I do not profess to be an acoustic amp expert and this review is my opinion and evaluation of the Hartke AC150. I play an Ovation Acoustic Guitar which I love the sound of this instrument. I also own two Fender Blues Deluxe amps, Three Reverend electric guitars, i.e., Roundhouse Flame Maple Top, Manta Ray Sun Burst Flame Maple and a Warhawk II. I have been playing for about 20 year and I???m amazed at the advances in acoustic amp technology and the integration of effects with the acoustic amp. I don???t believe you will be disappointed with this amp. The AC150 very intuitive and the manual is very well written. If this amps was lost or stolen I would replace with another Hartke AC150. Check it out at your local music store if possible, if not I have had very good luck with American Musical Supply.