Hartke is a manufacturer of bass amplification and effects systems, founded in 1984 by Larry Hartke, a former acoustic physicist and teacher at Yale University. Hartke's product range includes bass amplifiers, cabinets, combo amps, and bass effects pedals, which are known for their high-quality sound and professional-level features at affordable prices.
Larry Hartke studied acoustic physics and classical violin, and later attended the Yale University School of Music as a bassist and teacher.
In 1984 Larry Hartke founded Hartke Systems, Inc., with the goal of producing bass amplifiers that were both powerful and lightweight.
The company gained popularity in the 1990s, with many popular musicians such as Victor Wooten and Jaco Pastorius using Hartke amps on their tours.
Hartke has been owned by Samson Technologies since 2008.
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A 2x10' combo amp with 500 watts of power, a 3-band EQ, and built-in effects such as chorus, flanger, and octave.
A 4x10' speaker cabinet with 1000 watts of power handling, constructed from high-quality plywood and featuring removable casters for easy transport.
A preamp and DI box for bass guitar, with tube emulation and tone shaping capabilities, as well as a balanced XLR output for connecting directly to a mixing console.
Hartke amps are made in China.
Hartke offers a 2-year limited warranty on all products.
Hartke amps are versatile and can be used for a variety of styles, including metal. Some popular metal bassists who use Hartke amps include Steve DiGiorgio (Testament, Death), Dick Lövgren (Meshuggah), and Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse).
Hartke's aluminum cone speakers provide a bright, punchy tone with plenty of midrange presence, while their paper cone speakers offer a warmer, more vintage-inspired sound with greater low-end response.
While Hartke's effects pedals are marketed for bass guitar, they can also be used with electric guitar, and have been used by guitarists such as Nels Cline (Wilco) and David Torn.