Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Hartke HA5500


phil_the_bassist
 Share

Recommended Posts

Mornin Gals&Gents!

So, I've got the HA5500 with the hybrid Solid State/Valve preamp, and I've never really paid it much attn as I couldn't really notice much of a difference when dialling in the valve section...so I just leave both dials at 1 o'clock and have at it.

Is there any way to swap out the valve with something a bit ballsier (wow, the spellcheck didn't fire off! Ballsier is a REAL WORD!! :) )? I'm not expecting a TE V8 or SVT tone, but if you guys think theres a way to get a bit of tube growl then I'm willing to give it a shot :rolleyes:

Whatcha recon?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that you might have to somehow change the voltage or current going to the valve to get it to distort but I'm not expert! Perhaps there's a valve that is naturally a higher gain which will overdrive without any mods to the amp itself.

I swapped the stock Sovtek which came with my Hartke 3500 out for a Groove Tubes Mullard and can at least tell you that there is no tube growl, but the sound is lovely and clean.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='529470' date='Jul 1 2009, 12:06 PM']EHX valves are gainy and grindy.[/quote]

Really would like to try this out on my 3500, just to see how it affects things. Anyone know what the valve is? A 12AX7?

So a EHX equivalent would be? Can any damage be done when changing preamp valves like this? :)

Thanks and sorry for the hijack :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was about to point you at Brycebites very handy [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42"]Preamp Valve Comparison[/url] thread, which was a sticky at one point. Obviously it's not as useful as it once was, but there's probably still some useful info there before you need to look elsewhere. If I remember rightly he was at the time using a Hartke as his test bed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Musky' post='529916' date='Jul 1 2009, 08:15 PM']I was about to point you at Brycebites very handy [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42"]Preamp Valve Comparison[/url] thread, which was a sticky at one point. Obviously it's not as useful as it once was, but there's probably still some useful info there before you need to look elsewhere. If I remember rightly he was at the time using a Hartke as his test bed.[/quote]

+1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another +1 for Bryceee's Preamp valve thread. Good bit of information that is. Finnbass has the maintained version on it (like said in Bryceee's BC post).

You'll probably want to stick with a 12AX7 (ECC83) for it's gain factor of 100.

Edited by Buzz
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...