Hartke 4.5XL blown tweeter...do I really need it?

[40Hz]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If it is broke - and you don't need it or care - leave it as is as long as not fixing it won't damage something else.

I personally have no use for tweeters the way I play. If there's one in a cab I'm using, I'll dial it all the way down or switch it off.

But that's me. YMMV.

 

[big_fundamental]

Did you try just reconnecting it? Tweeters will make a crappy sizzling sound if sent an overdriven bass signal. Any idea what head the previous owner used and settings?

I would suggest the bypass crossover, or reconnect the tweeter with a switch-off option. Tweeters kind of suck in bass cabinets anyway.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I once had a 4.5XL along with its 115 brother. Fantastic cabinets, both of them. Out of curiosity once, I disconnected my tweeter just to see how it sounded. I never reconnected it, because I found that I could get all the highs I wanted from the 15"/10"s, and the slightly less pronounced highs meant that I could EQ my rig to be even throatier and more aggressive in the high-mids. My answer is don't mess with it, and if you do, make it defeatable.

For what it's worth, I played (at the time) a passive J/MM bolt on bass, mostly fingerstyle with some slapping/popping thrown in now and again just for my enjoyment. I play rock, funk, blues, fusion, that sort of stuff, and I like a punchy, clear, agressive tone but not too crispy and hi-fi. Occasional overdrive and envelope filter and 'always on' (but subtle) compression was used.

 

[Lvjoebass]

You really should make sure the tens are drawing proper homage! Don't want to hurt your head! Back in the day never had horns or in your case 5" speaker. If its dead then you just have over size 4-10? Still a steal at 150$. I don't think they make them any more

 

[csc2048b]

pretty sure one can find used drivers for these too. i would not need a tweeter in a cab, and you think it sounds terrific, so i suggest you not mess with it. only mod i would consider is bypassing the crossover assembly entirely. but again, if you like it as is, don't bother with mods.

i agree. but don't bother with crossover - might ruin a good thing.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

If you really want it fixed, I can contact Larry Hartke and ask him about it. He's very helpful and stands by his products.

 

[CaseyJ]

I have the same cabinet. I had a 10" driver replaced, including labor, at Sweetwater for less than that. Did you contact Hartke customer service to get that price? If not, I highly recommend doing so.

 

[Nev375]

If it were a tweeter, I'd just unhook it.
But it's not a tweeter, it's a 5"driver for upper mids.
I would want it replaced if it were me.

 

[The Regulator]

I would leave it alone. For me tweeters are useless and every cab I've owned that had one I've always kept it off. I've tried experimenting with them and it's just not my thing.

 

[bassliner50]

No.

 

[bolophonic]

If it sounds good right now, I wouldn't mess with it. But I'm not you, so who cares what I think?

 

[Robroy]

That's what I am thinking as well. ($50 ain't bad for a new replacement driver).

I'd like to get some other opinions.

Thanks for your insight, bro!

Based on what you said about your style, it's not necessary.

 

[bass40hz]

If it were a tweeter, I'd just unhook it.
But it's not a tweeter, it's a 5"driver for upper mids.
I would want it replaced if it were me.

^This

 

[Thumpin6string]

Have you checked the "bad" driver to make sure it is the problem? Since you have a GK 1001RB-II you could remove the crossover in the cab and put a Speakon jack in with woofers to 1 a&b and driver to 2 a&b. That way you can use a 4 conductor cable to take advantage of the GK biamping setup. That was what I did to my Carvin cab and it worked great. I actually left my crossover and added a bypass switch. I'd still check to make sure which is bad, the crossover or the driver.

 

[The Chuck]

I disconnected mine. I like it better without the 5.

 

[alfoders]

Have you checked the "bad" driver to make sure it is the problem? Since you have a GK 1001RB-II you could remove the crossover in the cab and put a Speakon jack in with woofers to 1 a&b and driver to 2 a&b. That way you can use a 4 conductor cable to take advantage of the GK biamping setup. That was what I did to my Carvin cab and it worked great. I actually left my crossover and added a bypass switch. I'd still check to make sure which is bad, the crossover or the driver.

I really like this idea and may try to make it work.

 

[Rabidhamster]

Id have disconnected it anyway, so IMO no it would be wasted money. Hartke cabs are zingy enough without that pesky tweeter

 

[DWBass]

I'd fix it just to have it be 100%. I don't like having parts of my gear not working, even if I don't use them.

This. If you don't like treble in your sound, just turn it down at the amp. I prefer all my gear working 100%. And as mentioned above...it's not a tweeter but a mid driver.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I really like this idea and may try to make it work.

If you use the amp in biamp mode, you'll need to engage the bass high cut switch. That way the highs don't go to the woofers, only the high frequency driver. You can then adjust your highs on the front of the amp. I liked this setup on mine.

 

[alfoders]

If you use the amp in biamp mode, you'll need to engage the bass high cut switch. That way the highs don't go to the woofers, only the high frequency driver. You can then adjust your highs on the front of the amp. I liked this setup on mine.

Yup! For $50 I will order the Hartke branded driver from Full Compass, I will disconnect the crossover network, install a Speakon jack and utilize the biamp output from my head. Thanks for the suggestion about using the Hi Cut switch!