Hartke KB12 Kickback Settings Resource
Dials, Suggestions, and Tone Tips
Note: These settings are approximate and subject to the rest of your gear, They're meant to be helpful, but not exclusive..
Amp Model: Hartke KB12 Kickback
Amp Type: Bass combo amp
Controls: Gain; Shape switch (enhanced EQ curve); Bass; Mid; Treble; Volume; Active/Passive input switch; XLR DI; Headphone output
Hartke KB12 Kickback Settings Suggestions
Bluesy Clean
Warm and dynamic tone with low gain, allowing touch-sensitive cleans to break up gently with playing intensity. Great for classic blues and soul styles.
- Gain: 3
- Shape Switch: Off
- Bass: 5
- Mid: 6
- Treble: 4
- Volume: 6
- Input Switch: Passive
Modern Pop/Funk Scoop
Punchy lows and sharp highs with a scooped midrange for crisp slap and modern definition, ideal for pop, R&B, or funk bass lines.
- Gain: 5
- Shape Switch: On
- Bass: 7
- Mid: 3
- Treble: 7
- Volume: 7
- Input Switch: Active (if using active bass)
Classic Rock Grind
Midrange-heavy and slightly overdriven tone for that classic 70s and 80s rock growl, great for cutting through guitars while maintaining low-end body.
- Gain: 6
- Shape Switch: Off
- Bass: 6
- Mid: 7
- Treble: 5
- Volume: 5
- Input Switch: Passive
Metal/Heavy Rock Punch
High gain and low-mid boost for aggressive pick attack and massive low-end. Works well in both fingerstyle and pick-based heavy music.
- Gain: 8
- Shape Switch: Off
- Bass: 8
- Mid: 4
- Treble: 7
- Volume: 6
- Input Switch: Active (if using active bass for more output)
Jazz Warmth & Clarity
Balanced and smooth tone with focus on the low-mid range, offering definition with a touch of warmth—ideal for both fingerstyle and upright emulation.
- Gain: 4
- Shape Switch: Off
- Bass: 6
- Mid: 5
- Treble: 4
- Volume: 5
- Input Switch: Passive
Gear Suggestions for the Hartke KB12 Kickback
- Fender Jazz Bass: Classic pairing with the KB12 for warm, punchy low-end and excellent articulation.
- Music Man StingRay: Cuts through the mix with aggressive mids and a tight bottom end—ideal for funk, rock, or slap bass styles.
- Darkglass Microtubes B3K: Adds modern grit and dynamic overdrive that complements the amp’s clear character.
- MXR M80 Bass DI+: Versatile preamp with distortion and tone shaping—perfect for fine-tuning your tone at any venue.
- Boss RC-5 Loop Station: Great for layering bass lines or practicing soloing—KB12’s clarity helps loops sound crisp and defined.
- Ibanez SR500: Active electronics and smooth neck make this bass a versatile, modern match for the KB12’s transparent response.
More Tone Tips and Best Practices
- Store in a dry, temperature-controlled environment to prevent damage.
- Keep vents and fan areas clear for proper cooling and airflow.
- Use a padded cover or case during transport to avoid cabinet and grille damage.
- Set volume below 75% for practice to maintain headroom and tone clarity.
- For live performance, maximize output level according to venue size while avoiding clipping.
- Utilize EQ controls to match room acoustics—cut mids for a scooped tone, boost lows for depth.
- Engage the shape circuit for a quick mid-scoop when switching from fingerstyle to slap.
- Use the DI output to connect directly to a PA system for larger venues.
- Tilt-back design is ideal for personal monitoring on small to medium stages.
- Allow at least 6 inches of space behind the amp for proper ventilation.
- Use high-quality instrument cables to reduce noise and signal degradation.
- Disconnect the power cable when not in use to prevent electrical surges.
More Amp and Tone Settings Resources
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amp Settings
Written by Guitar Chalk on Song Settings
We link to products on Sweetwater and Reverb that help support our site and keep the lights on. If you click through our orange buttons, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you all for your generous support over the years! ~ Bobby and Danielle
Our disclosure↬
LEAVE A COMMENT