The Philster

[quote name='peted' post='211161' date='Jun 2 2008, 03:37 PM']You can't control the voltage to the pre-amp valve in the Hartke HA3500, the dial is just a 'blend' between the solidstate and valve pre-amps. You'd need to put in an valve which overdrives at very low voltages. I swapped the stock valve in my HA3500 for a Groove Tubes Mullard and it doesn't sound in any way overdriven or gritty. I think you would be best served by putting something like a Sansamp or DHA pedal before the input to get an overdriven sound.[/quote] Fair enough - been trying to buy a Mullard or the Groove Tube equiv (which seems to be out of stock the world over......). I have a Line 6 bass floor pod which I love but it doesn't get so much use since I bought the Hartke as I like the sound of it. I tend to use the Pod in bypass mode a lot and it seems a waste to have it sat there for the occasional overdriven track. Thanks for all your input, Guys! Phil

Hi Folks I have the Hartke 3500 head - love it, great sound and plenty of power for my needs. I've read you can replace the preamp valve with different kinds of valves, all of which have slightly different tonal qualities. So my question - if I switch the valve out for a higher gain version will I be able to get slight overdrive out of the valve channel of this amp? And has anyone tried this? Cheers Phil