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Average Price: $90

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$70

$201+

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Description

Elevate your bass playing with the Hartke Bass Attack, a versatile marvel designed for bassists who demand precision and power. This dynamic pedal is more than just an effects unit; it's a tone-shaping pre-amp with an integrated direct box, crafted to bring out the best in your sound. The Hartke Shape Circuitry, a hallmark feature, offers a unique tonal palette, allowing you to sculpt your sound to perfection. With a robust three-band EQ, seamlessly adjust the Bass, Treble, and Bright controls to match your style and environment. The real magic, however, lies in the Harmonic control, which emulates the warm, driven tones of a tube amp, providing a rich, full-bodied sound that bassists crave.

Constructed with rugged extruded aluminum, the Hartke Bass Attack is built to withstand the rigors of live performances and studio sessions alike. Its dual-button stomp-box design ensures intuitive operation, while the gold-plated XLR direct output offers selectable pre/post and parallel 1/4" in/out for seamless integration into any setup. Whether you’re powering it with a 9-volt battery, 48-volt phantom power, or an optional power supply, this pedal is ready to deliver consistent, high-quality sound.

Key Features:

  • VX tone-shaping pre-amp / direct box
  • Famous Hartke Shape Circuitry
  • 3-band EQ: Bass, Treble, and Bright controls
  • Harmonic control for tube drive emulation
  • Gold-plated XLR direct output with selectable pre/post and parallel 1/4" in/out
  • Rugged extruded aluminum construction
  • Operates on 9-volt battery, 48-volt phantom power, or optional power supply

Owner's manual

Hartke Bass Attack User Manual

Product specs

Brand Hartke
Model Bass Attack
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Bass Effect Pedals, EQ Pedals

FAQs

What are the main features of the Hartke Bass Attack pedal?

The Hartke Bass Attack pedal features a preamp with a Shape circuit for tone sculpting, Harmonics control for adding overtones, and a Mix knob to blend the clean and processed signals, providing versatile tone shaping for bassists.

Can the Hartke Bass Attack be used as a DI box?

Yes, the Hartke Bass Attack functions as a DI box, offering a balanced XLR output for direct connection to a mixing console or audio interface, making it ideal for both live and studio settings.

How does the Harmonics control on the Hartke Bass Attack affect the sound?

The Harmonics control on the Hartke Bass Attack adds overtones, offering a tube-like warmth that can range from subtle warmth to full-on distortion, enhancing the tonal character of your bass.

Is the Hartke Bass Attack pedal suitable for both passive and active basses?

Yes, the Hartke Bass Attack is designed to work well with both passive and active basses, providing flexible tone shaping options regardless of the bass guitar's electronics.

Does the Hartke Bass Attack require a specific power supply?

The Hartke Bass Attack can be powered by a 9V battery or a standard 9V DC power supply, offering convenience and flexibility for different performance environments.

gearwire

gearwire

Hartke VXL Bass Attack Preamp And D.I. Does The Job Of Multiple Pedals, Is Frequently Stepped On (Vi

Video thumbnail for Hartke VXL Bass Attack Preamp And D.I. Does The Job Of Multiple Pedals, Is Frequently Stepped On (Vi by gearwire

Hartke VXL Bass Attack Preamp And D.I. Does The Job Of Multiple Pedals, Is Frequently Stepped On (Vi

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for HARTKE - BASS ATTACK Preamp and EQ test by ANTENNA565

HARTKE - BASS ATTACK Preamp and EQ test

ANTENNA565

ANTENNA565

Video thumbnail for Hartke VXL Bass Attack -  Bass Teste By Thiago Torres by Thiago Torres

Hartke VXL Bass Attack - Bass Teste By Thiago Torres

Thiago Torres

Thiago Torres

Video thumbnail for Hartke Bass Attack - VXL Tone-Shaper Pre Amp Review - G&L by Filipe Andrade

Hartke Bass Attack - VXL Tone-Shaper Pre Amp Review - G&L

Filipe Andrade

Filipe Andrade

Video thumbnail for Hartke VXL Bass Attack - demo with P bass by NtWarlock

Hartke VXL Bass Attack - demo with P bass

NtWarlock

NtWarlock

Video thumbnail for Hartke Bass Attack VXL TONE-SHAPER Preamp by Guim Eloy

Hartke Bass Attack VXL TONE-SHAPER Preamp

Guim Eloy

Guim Eloy

Video thumbnail for Bass preamp pedal Hartke VXL Bass Attack (Demo) by Дмитрий Вдовиченко

Bass preamp pedal Hartke VXL Bass Attack (Demo)

Дмитрий Вдовиченко

Дмитрий Вдовиченко

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hartke Bass Attack.

Features and functionality

  • The 1/4" output jack may produce lower than expected levels, even quieter than the XLR mic level output, contrary to manual claims of line level output.

    Source
  • The Hartke Bass Attack 2 offers extensive tone control, with multiple knobs allowing users to experiment for a thick, full sound that's noticeably absent when turned off.

    Source

User experience

  • Users report persistent hissing from the pedal, which disappears when the pedal is turned off, with no solution found through knob adjustments.

    Source
  • Despite the hissing issue, some users successfully pair the Bass Attack 2 with budget-friendly amps like an 80-watt Kustom for satisfactory sound performance.

    Source
  • Owners of the original version continue to rely on it as a preamp for live performances and as a direct input when recording, highlighting its versatility and reliability.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users familiar with both versions note significant tonal enhancements in the Bass Attack 2, finding it a worthy upgrade from the original model.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Hartke VXL Bass Attack Tone-Shaper Preamp review

guitar.com

The Hartke VXL Bass Attack preamp pedal impresses with its robust feature set, including tone shaping, tube emulation, and a DI output for versatile use. While it might not be the most sophisticated option, it delivers practical EQ adjustments without sacrificing definition, and its overdrive mimics a warm tube snarl effectively. The pedal's size and complex control panel could be daunting for some, but its ability to offer a wide range of tones—from subtle to aggressive—makes it a strong contender for bassists seeking flexibility and punch.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dave Mustaine uses Hartke Bass Attack

Dave Mustaine

Guitarist, Singer

Metallica

...
Verified via reverb.com

This Hartke Bass Attack Tone-Shaper Pre Amp is Owned by Dave Mustaine, frontman for the legendary metal band Megadeth.

Here we have a rugged tone shaping pre-amp from Hartke well loved by Dave and his crew.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hartke Bass Attack, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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knuschberkeks

knuschberkeks

Gear IQ 2461

knuschberkeks

knuschberkeks

Gear IQ 2461

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