Hartke Kickback 12 120 Watt 1x12" Bass Combo Reviews

4.6/5.0 based on 7 customer reviews

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Customer Reviews

AreGee
from PA
November 27, 2010Music Background:
All styles

Outstanding

After owning all the 'best' amps in the world, regardless of cost, this little sucker keeps providing me with the best overall sound and value. I now own 3 of these and take one with me everywhere. From the studio to the gigs, I am never let down. A great monitor configuration, XLR out, headphone out (may be used as tuner out) and infinite EQ options are its best features. The speaker holds up well with a drummer and two guitarists. It will damage your ears before it damages itself - be careful!

Hartke better keep making these. The model has been around for almost 20 years and Larry Hartke himself provides tremendous service if necessary.

Clickityclack
from Fremont, CA USA
August 30, 2007Music Background:
Student

First bass amp I bought and i'm not giving it up

I thought this amp wasnt going to be very good for every style of music but boy was I proved wrong!

This little mother is probably the best combo I have ever played heck it gave me enough lows to knock down a few picture frames without a cabinet.

from
June 15, 2011Music Background:
recording, semi-pro/part time musician

Outstanding

Great sound and value packed in bass combo amp that I can actually lift. It has been used for several outside shows, and has proven very effective for what it does. This little amp also sounds nice when used as a recording amp. Nice features and value altogether make this an outstanding buy.

Jason
from Florida
July 12, 2008Music Background:
Pro

Tremendous Value

This "little" amp comes with a big sound that will fill up small to medium sized gigs. The tonal clarity is astounding thanks to the aluminum cone speaker. The 12inch size is perfect as the 10's don't carry enough lows and the 15's get to wobbly on the low end. And there is plenty of low end goodness with this amp to boot!

Highly recommended!!!

William J Walker
from Bellingham WA
October 27, 2008Music Background:
I keep a day job but am always in a band that goes out and plays

HA1200 keeps on truckin'

I have been using this amp for 9 years playing mostly upright bass and banjo and even electric bass on stage. With the electric bass I used this little amp to power up a 4x10 cabinet. Depending upon your specific needs or applications this may work for you. Be realistic. It's a 12" combo. Sound quality is there but you can't compete with a loud drummer. Bottom line is absolute reliability in my experience. Hasn't failed me yet.Knock on wood every day

Dude Stewart
from Park City, KS
May 10, 2006

The more I use it, the more I wish I'd bought one a long time ago!

This is one amazing little workhorse! Hartke invented the kickback amp, and now every company is copying them. When you play through the original, you'll see why.

It has simple and intuitive tone controls - a "Shape" knob that controls a movable notch filter, then Bass, Mid, and Treble. I had my sound in about 8 seconds.

Onstage, it has a very large presence, even at low volumes. You can hear it almost as well behind it or in back of it as you can in front. Everyone around you hears and feels the bass, which helps keep the band in the pocket.

Small enough to ride to the gig in the front seat of a VW Bug, light enough to carry up a couple of flights of stairs with one hand, versatile enough for just about any gig. In its price range, there's nothing close to it. I wish I'd bought one of these a long time ago!

JONC.
from AKRON, OHIO
May 7, 2006

VERY COOL AMP

I BOUGHT THIS AMP BECAUSE I NEEDED ONE FOR BAND AND HOME PRACTICE. WHAT MADE ME CHOOSE THE HARTKE WAS THAT I WENT TO A BLUES AND JAZZ FEST AND ONE OF THE BASSISTS WAS USING THIS AMP, GOING THROUGH THE BOARD FROM THE AMPS D.I., AND HE HAD THE AMP IN FRONT OF HIM, TILTED BACK, USING IT AS A MONITOR. ANYWAY, THIS LITTLE AMP SOUNDED GREAT THRU THE P.A.
AFTER I GOT THIS, I STARTED GIGGING WITH IT AT SMALLER PLACES. I CAN CARRY ALL OF MY GEAR IN 2 EASY TRIPS, AND THIS AMP FITS IN MY TRUCK OR BACK SEAT. PEOPLE HAVE COME UP TO ME AT SHOWS ASKING ABOUT THE AMP. IF YOU'RE GETTING OLDER, LIKE ME YOUR BACK WILL THANK YOU. THIS IS A GOOD, SOLID, BASIC LITTLE AMP, WITH JUST ENOUGH POWER AND FEATURES. GLAD I BOUGHT IT.