Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal

$89.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (31)

1 Critic Review

6 Reviews

Find out who is using Hartke VXL

1 community setup

10 wishlisted

49 saved

Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 29, 2026.

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4.0 (7)

$89.00 2 available Used

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Average Price: $89

Standard/Professional

$70

$201+

Price Tier

In the Bass Effects Pedals category, Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Unleash the true potential of your bass sound with the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal. This dynamic pedal is more than just a stomp box; it's a versatile tone-shaping preamp and direct box, designed to bring out the best in your performance. Whether you're crafting subtle undertones or bold riffs, the Hartke Bass Attack Pedal offers a comprehensive 3-band EQ with Bass, Treble, and Bright controls, allowing you to fine-tune your sound effortlessly.

The pedal's Harmonic control emulates the warmth and drive of a tube amp, ensuring your bass not only sounds robust but also feels alive. The famous Hartke Shape Circuitry provides a distinctive tonal foundation, perfect for creating a signature sound that stands out in any mix. Constructed with rugged extruded aluminum, this pedal is built to endure the rigors of live performances and studio sessions alike.

To accommodate diverse power needs, the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal can operate on a 9-volt battery, 48-volt phantom power, or an optional power supply. Its gold-plated XLR direct output, with selectable pre/post and parallel 1/4" in/out, ensures pristine signal integrity, making it a reliable companion for both stage and studio.

Key Features:

Versatile tone-shaping preamp and 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

Product specs

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

FAQs

What does the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal do for my bass tone?: The Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal offers a unique combination of preamp and direct box, allowing you to shape your bass tone with a 3-band EQ and add warmth or distortion using its Harmonics control.
Can the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal be used as a DI box?: Yes, the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal functions as a direct injection (DI) box, enabling you to send a balanced signal directly to a mixer or audio interface for recording or live performance.
Is the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal suitable for live performances?: Absolutely, the Hartke VXL is designed for both studio and live use, offering robust tone-shaping capabilities and a DI output for seamless integration into any live setup.
Does the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal require a power supply?: The Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal can be powered by a 9V battery or an external 9V DC power supply, providing flexibility for different performance environments.
How does the Harmonics control on the Hartke VXL Bass Attack Pedal affect my sound?: The Harmonics control on the Hartke VXL allows you to add overtones to your bass signal, ranging from subtle warmth to full-on distortion, enhancing your overall tonal palette.

Videos

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gearwire

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

gearwire

Hartke VXL Bass Attack - Bass Teste By Thiago Torres

Thiago Torres

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

Filipe Andrade

Hartke VXL Bass Attack Review - Part 1 - Sound test

creativemusicians

Hartke VXL Bass Attack - demo with P bass

NtWarlock

Hartke Bass Attack VXL TONE-SHAPER Preamp

Guim Eloy

Fragile Tone's SoundRoom (Hartke VXL Bass Attack Preamp Pedal Test Drive)

Fragile Tone

Bass preamp pedal Hartke VXL Bass Attack (Demo)

Дмитрий Вдовиченко

Reviews

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PROS

Excellent for enhancing tone on solid state amps with no gain control
Versatile sound options from overdrive to distortion and DI capabilities
Provides a tube-like sound, enriching bass tones
Useful for both studio and live performances
Great tool for beginners and experienced players alike
Enhances bass sound for any music style without complications
Allows creative exploration when combined with other pedals

CONS

Noticeable volume increase when used as a distortion pedal

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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The 1/4" output on the Bass Attack 2 is reported to be quieter than expected, even when compared to the XLR output, which provides a clean mic level.
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It's noted that the manual states the 1/4" output should provide a line level signal, but users report significantly lower output levels, indicating possible discrepancies in expected performance.
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The EQ on the Hartke Bass Attack is always active, which may affect usage preferences.
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Some users highlight the Hartke Bass Attack's ability to deliver diverse tones, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a budget-friendly yet functional preamp/DI pedal.
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User experience

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Some owners experience persistent hissing from the pedal that disappears when the pedal is turned off, suggesting potential noise issues with the unit.
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Some users find the distortion feature on the Hartke Bass Attack less appealing, preferring it as a clean pedal.
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Owners express satisfaction with the Hartke VXL as a reliable and versatile pedal, even though it's perceived as not quite matching the sonic qualities of higher-end models like the Tonehammer.
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Comparisons

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The Hartke is perceived as better built than the Behringer, despite both offering value for their price points.
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The Hartke VXL Bass Attack is noted to be a cheaper alternative compared to models like the Tonehammer or SansAmp, yet it still offers a variety of tone options.
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Use cases and applications

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The Hartke VXL Bass Attack is praised for its versatility, with owners noting it handles a wide range of genres, from rock and metal to more diverse styles like ska and funk.
Source

Critic Reviews

Hartke VXL Bass Attack Tone-Shaper Preamp review

guitar.com

Hartke's VXL Bass Attack Pedal is a robust tone-shaping device ideal for bassists seeking versatile sound options. Its combination of a two-band EQ, harmonics control, and tube emulation delivers a wide sonic palette, from subtle warmth to aggressive overdrive. The inclusion of a DI output with a ground/lift switch enhances its utility for both live and studio settings. While its size and complexity might deter some, its ability to balance clean and driven tones makes it a standout. Overall, this pedal serves as a formidable tool for bass players looking to expand their tonal horizons.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 31 Ratings

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upadrian

almost 5 years ago

Good for modeling the sound

I like the versatility of the sound that can be achieved. It has a problem, and that is that if it is used as a distortion pedal, when it is turned on the volume increases considerably.

carlos_guerra

over 7 years ago

The best first bass preamp you can have

I bought this when I was a beginner and it's been such a great tool for me and my band, both in studio and live. I recommend it for those who want an all in one, versatile, not very expensive preamp.

brian_dumont

over 9 years ago

My first pedal

very cool to explore and if you use creativity you can do a lot with your other's pedal in chain. Ingrish sucks

frankco

over 9 years ago

Complete

I love this pedal you get a complete mix, from overdrive to distortion, shape control and mix you will get a clean and overdrive to hold your low end, and a DI to boot, got to love it.

jordan_rousseau

136

over 9 years ago

One of the best pre-amps ever made!

Hartke's bass attack pre-amp sure does add the attack to your bass sound, with its rich sound it can be used for every style of music. Enchancing the bass player's sound without any complications!

fauzanryan

almost 10 years ago

Useful Pre Amp

This Hartke VXL pre amp are pretty useful for me. The sounds make my bass guitar are louder, and it could use for shaping your sound too. Sounds cool!