Hartke B300 30-Watt Bass Combo Amp

I was recommened this by my instructor, and it is what it is, a practice amp. The input jacks were disappointing, and overall there wasn't alot that shined. The only thing that redeems the amp is the versitility, and the ability to be (almost) maintenance free for the last 4 years. I bought it overpriced, so watch out. A decent first amp, ok for practice, fairly poor for performance. Might as well take a step up to a combo for the $220 price tag.

Features: Has Normal Features: vol, bass, mid and high control. Moderate power for a practice amp, but nowhere near enough power to rock the house. Not sure on the electronics.

Sound: I use it for practice and simply that. It can warp from different types of style, even without preamp effects it can sound dingy, or soft. Use a Fender mexican jazz, it seems to work okay with the amp, but theres a feeling of weakness, even in the practice amp catergory... its not because of the fender. It DOES NOT handle warm, thumpy tones well... that is if you want to actually well the thumpy vibes. Background noise can be filtered out in most cases, but not if you want a high twangy sound.

Durability: The amp has been knocked around and still works well BUT THIS IS THE PROBLEM: the input jacks on it are crap... not solid in place. Busted off both the active and passive inputs... somehow it still works (with delicasey, though.) This is why i gave is a 2 in the durability catergory... THE JACK SHOULD NOT BREAK OFF. It is a practive amp and likewise should be rugged enough to withstand a good deal of yanking from garage band-like use. Not happy with that.

I think this is a perfect amp for practise at home, you can't hang out with drums using it... But the tone can be customized as you like it. And if you like the classical bass sound (Jaco kind), it's the practise amp build for you.

Features: For a 30 Watt combo it's very good equipped... A 3-band EQ allows you to customize your sound, has an effects loop, a headphone output for private practice, line level output for direct recording and more... There are 2 inputs (Active, Passive) this helps keeping your tone clean while playing with an active bass, avoids overloading...

Sound: I used it with a Fender 62-Reissue Jazz Bass, a Yamaha TRB 5, a Cort (with active electronics - don't remember the exact model), and a Kramer (Striker 422S) with and without Zoom BFX 708 effects proc. . It is noiseless, but if you boost the treble too much and use a shape efect (trebe boosted) on the proc. you can hear a "hiss" noise which is disturbing, but in normal conditions, the operation is without noise... The custom 10" Hartke driver delivers a very beatiful, warm Low-end sound, I need to boost the treble while playing to get a clearer sound of it... But in both cases, playing a Kramer or a Fender it gives you the sound quality you expect. I love it I think I'll be always playing plugged to a Hartke ;-). The output level is satisfying and without distortion, when used regarding the rules on the manual :))

Durability: It is really though, I travelled with it a lot. It's 32 lb., which is very regular for such an amp... The construction is very heavy duty, it would fill your needs...

Don't get me wrong. If you are a beginner and don't want to spend too much on a practice amp (I payed too much, by the way) this is a good amp for you. I'm looking for more power now and....I wouldn't buy another B-series Hartke (like the B90) because I know that the tone isn't so great on them. One plus is that it is not big or heavy, but if you're not playing through a P.A. at gigs, then it's probably not powerful enough.

Features: Basic practice amp settings....LOW,MID,HIGH control knobs. Headphone jack. Active & Passive inputs....etc.

Sound: This is a good little practice amp. I learned with it. But, last year I bought a Fender Jazz and I realized that the B30 doesn't do it justice. But as I say...a good little practice amp. Good for all types of music really, but it doesn't have a lot of options or versatility. I have had no real problems with it at all but it is not anything special. One thing I have noticed it that it is hard to get good attack on low bass notes through the amp. In other words, there is no really good distinction between bass and high and it is hard to get a punchy clean bass sound without some "mushiness" And when you get to high volumes the problem worsens. But for three years I have played with it, through the band's P.A; and have had no real problems. Not powerful enough to do much more than personal practice or intimate soft practicing with the band (providing you have a quiet drummer)

Durability: As I have mentioned I played with it for three years and the only problem I've had is that the input I use has come loose and the sound crackles, but that's easy to fix). If you're nice to your amp, you'll have no problem.

I chose this amp for it's crisp tones and easy to use control panel. However, because there are better amps on the market i would not buy it again if lost or stolen. I would personally have a few more buttons such as distortion and a tone adjustment, but other than that it works fine.

Features: Has a low, mid, and high knobs, a volume knob, and 2 inputs for active and passive electronics. There is a headphone jack as well. It is somewhat powerful for the music i play but i wish it could get a little louder.

Sound: I use my amp with a pilot De Armand bass, and I play funk and some alternative with my amp. It seems to pick up these tones fairly well, but it has trouble with industrial type metal like Nine Inch Nails. It sounds pretty good compared to the other amps i've used and it has a very smooth crisp sound which i feel is very strong for jazzy styles where the bass is prominent. At high volumes it still maintains a crispness and a strong sound at higher frequencies, but on lower ones the booms are very indistinguishable in tone value. It has no distortion effects on it.

Durability: It is very reliable up to a 9/10 on the volume setting, and the fuse has not blown once in the 6 months i have been playing. The tones remain constant and once again it is a very crisp sound. It is pretty strong built, but the mesh netting could be a little stronger.

If you like to practice alone, this amp will get the job done nicely. It doesnt have tremendous volume which is a disappointment, but who really needs it if you're alone?

Features: Volume, Bass, Mid, High knobs. Solid state electronics, line out, headphones, preamp out, amp in, passive and active inputs. Not too powerful, but good for solitary practice.

Sound: I play a Fender Jazz bass out of it, and mainly play funk. The amp is pretty good for my style, but not great. The only time it's been noisy for me is when I sit it next to the computer. It's very clean at high volumes, but there isn't much difference in volume after 7.

Durability: The amp is very durable, but not well suited for live play.

I looked at a Crate and it didn't give the volume I got with the B30. All this amp needs is two inputs. Overall, Small Amp with Huge Power.

Features: Powerful enough to play, with one volume knob and three tone(bass, mid, high).

Sound: It isnt to distorted. Can go from bass boost to less bass with the same volume. I use my Fender Jazz Bass with it and no effects.

Durability: Reliable enough to play live. It's used and hasn't needed to be repaired.

I choose this amp because it was the only thig bigger than a 15w or 20w in my price range and it turned out to be very good

Features: It has volume, high, medium, and bass controls it does have channel switching. i'll tell u this 30w can pump out some huge sounds. and if your like me u like the volume cranked and the bass just as high. it has solid state electronics and i'v never had a problem

Sound: If has great sound quality. it handles my metal and jazz music fine. and i think any other tyle should have no problems. the only time it gets fuzzy is when i'm by the home entertainment system. at high levels it does just fine

Durability: The amp is very reliable i play cranked up almost every weekend and i have had no problems. i have had it for about 1yr