This amp is to be used for either small venues, practice or as a bass monitor. It is perfect for those uses. I bought mine used and have used it at gigs 5 times per month for over three years with no problems. When we need more volume than it can handle--we come out of the Harke and go through another amp - speakers, still being able to use it as a bass monitor.

I don't like the carpet, but it doesn't hurt anything.

I haven't had any problems.

Active musician

Rock

After 35 years in the biz I have played or tried about everything they use in C/W, R&B, Southern Rock, and Gospel. The only reason I gave sound a 9, is my other rig. It's a Hartke 7000 bi/amp running through a custom Tone Hog cab. The lower half is two 375W Black Widows in a bandpass configuration, and the top cab is 2 Scorpion 10's. I cross the amp at 250 and have never lost a volume war with a guitar player. BUT, at 55 and being run over, I can't tote it no more.. 250 lbs. This little guy is awesome. And to all the reviews that gripe about distortion,,,,it's a 120!! Line out,,jeez..

Less is more! Three knobs and a shaper...perfect for an old guy.

Easy?? Look at features..just use your ears.

Got mine used and in great shape.

I got an exceptional value.

I went to the Samson website and downloaded the complete owners manual--free. I know if I need help, they will GitRDun!!

Active Musician

C/W, Old/Southern/Classic Rocks, R&B

dynamic, from my 4 string fretted to my six string frettless with active, response and punch with thick lows and well rounded highs, (not too peircing)

few features, but all useful from direct line out to boards to sound molding by frequency and three part eq. the overall best apeal is the kick back, delivering the sound directly to the player like a monitor rather than relying on any venue to provide the player space or monitoring (volume at sound check almost never being the same as durring performance)

simplicity without piggishness* fewer controls can be as simply manipulated as a dial, turn to the right for more and the left for less, switches to turn on or off either the power or sound field, switches in proximity to control knobs and no breakup or noise while making adjustments

plug and play, i've never had a doubt about this amps ability to perform i can hook up and make noise i've even used it as a sub for my stereo and i've never worried about it failing asthetics like the logos and screen are straight and sturdy the handle is going nowhere and the power cord is removable for transport and a standard size and style for easy replacability for all the accidents quality can't prevent

i would buy bigger hartke if i wanted a better product, there are no knobs on another amp that reproduce the sturdy build, thoughtful design or great sound

i have never had to contact hartke and i like it that way

the design leaves an "i'm not compensating for anything" impression and an "i'm serious about sound and portability" apeal. simple black white and blue scheme keep it handsome, while kickback makes it say "i'm ready, what cha' got?"

bass drum and guitar 7yrs hobbyist

fusion

Intonation is clear and well defined. The power is plenty for small gigs and the tone really cuts through. Plenty adjustable to tune in the sound you want. The SHAPE control does the trick. I wish they would have put some retractable casters on this thing, but it's light enough for a big dude.

shape control

kickback design rules

active musician with a day job

Gosphel, Rock, vintage Blues

this is a double personality animal... with active basses, it rocks! with passive: ARE THEY KIDDING????? my 20 watt Acoustic B20 is louder than this supposed 120 watts in what IS SUPPOSED TO BE a 15 inch speaker, which is really a 12 inch speaker with 1.5 inch webbing, I measured it. My Fender Bassman 60 has a REAL 15", a cone from side to side and not a 12" with thick webbing. the sound is a bit harsh and tinny, not the bottom end I expected. Their "shape" control varies from an irritating high energy noise to an compressed low end sonic palette.

it is sturdy, so far. I wish it had a downward expander to kill noise when there is no signal, a built in multiband compressor, a parametric mid tone control. Two footswitchable channels each with its own tone section would be INCREDIBLE! the most useful feature is the xlr direct out for recording and the PA consoles....

quick learning curve, easy to use, very intuitive with clearly labelled controls.

its built like a small tank, it weighs a bunch, and looks like can handle the road. I got it for small gigs and practices as its MUCH smaller than my '85 fender bassman 60, so its more portable than others. this should last longer than I will....

NO! I prefer that 15" speakers have cones with an outside diameter of 15", not a measured 12. then I think that 120 watts on any passive bass SHOULD BE LOUDER and have more oomph than this puts out.... maybe they need a GAIN KNOB, like some guitar amps.... I used to design amps, perhaps they need HELP?

never had to use them, yet....

engineer, musician, producer, intrument designer

rock, dance

When it actually WORKS it has a great tone and really fills up a small club. It's a great space saver.

A plug in power cord. I would think it would be hard wired if your dealing with all the low frequency vibrations af a combo amp.

The over all product was killer as far, as looks and portability go, Unfortunatly I began to have problems after three months use,The amp began popping and cutting out on me. I traced the problem to the plug in power cord. It seems to make more sense to hard wire the power cord in a combo amp doesn't it?,,I don't know ,, the bottom line is I'm extreamly unhappy with the kickback 15 hartke, It's let me down more than once!!!!

Not much value in a product that craps out during an important gig.

I never had the time to stop and contact them. I imagine they would probably be great.

looks great ,, doesn't work!

active musician

Blues,classic rock.

Great amp, love it, great custom sound. Excellent practice amp, maybe small gig, looks really cool, and dang! it's very well built. Everyone says it looks professional and not like an ice box.

Hobbyist

Jazz / R & B

awesome! perfect sound for classic rock and blues, for me anyway. not too punchy and not too drained. very clean, which i like.

the shape button is pretty cool, i wish it had an fx loop unless i overlooked it.

the less nobs there is the better it is to me. its just a simple man thing.

the one i used was used but it still blew me away! it seemed to me it was pretty well put together so no complaints here!

umm, 275$ for a used 120 watt, id say its worth it!

?

i want it! i bet it will look good with a solid black p bass!