Hartke first revolutionized the world of bass amplification in 1985 with the creation of a unique aluminum cone driver that produced a bass tone with far broader dynamics than had ever been heard before. Since then, we have introduced a complete line of bass gear, and introduced the Hartke sound to a whole new generation of bass players. Our success can be attributed to a long history of inspiring world-class musicians with our innovative bass speaker technology.

In the late 1970s, electronics gurus Larry Hartke and Ron Lorman began tinkering with the first prototype aluminum cone drivers. It wasn’t until 1980 that they released their first products, an aluminum cone, free edge tweeter and a 2-way bookshelf system with an eight-inch aluminum woofer, under the Hartke name.

By 1985, word had spread about the new, faster, clearer bass sound of Jaco’s 810, and Hartke began mass producing its first aluminum cone bass cabinet, a 4×10″ module. By 1989, Hartke had developed a full line of XL cabinets, including the 115XL, 210XL, 410XL, 4.5XL and 810XL, which were used on stages around the world by players such as Jaco, Marcus Miller, Darryl Jones, Jack Bruce, Will Lee and Garry Tallent.

Over the years, we found that some Hartke artists liked to play our aluminum cabinets alongside a traditional paper cone cabinet. They loved the clarity of the aluminum combined with the low end depth they could only get from paper.

Fast forward to 2005. At Madison Square Garden, Jack Bruce reunited with fellow Cream members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker for the first time in nearly 30 years. Jack played through a pair of Hartke’s traditional paper-cone cabinets and a classic 410XL aluminum cabinet. The inspiration for the next revolution in bass speaker technology was staring us in the face from the stage of the world’s most famous arena.