Ampeg 610HLF vs. GK Neo 412

[gustobassman]

I currently play through a GK 800RB through the aforementioned 6x10 in the thread title. i've been looking for something a little lighter yet with more ooomph than a 4x10. Anyone here been able to compare the GK Neo 412 to the Ampeg 610 HLF? GC sucks around here and they don't stock the GK NEO 412.

Basically for those who have played both of these cabs, i'm curious to see if it would be a viable option (tone-wise) to ditch the 6x10 for the 4x12. Or, are they two totally different sonic animals? weight-wise it's only about 20lbs difference, but hey.. lemme know!

G

[gazman_res]

ooomph?

The 412 will smash your ampeg into a car windshield, and then take its mother, the 810 , out for a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!

/anchorman

[gustobassman]

ok. cool i get that...

so yes, maybe "oomph" wasn't a great choice of words, but i was trying to be descriptive. if that helps..

[tbirddad]

I play at a club here in town that supplies G&K for the back line. Amp is great, the cab is the neo 412. Sounds awesome. The walls shake. The stage crumbles. Guitarists weep. Unfortunately, the speakers keep blowing. They have three cabs and there are always two of them down. No one plays it that hard since everything is also through the FOH. Too bad since it sounds so good. BTW - G&K keeps saying that it is a factory defect. Every time.

[carbonfold]

+1 with Gazman on this one.

I actually got rid of my Ampeg 610 to get the GK412 Neo. Wow! It is like comparing a pellet gun to a 7mm rifle! Big difference in the bang

Originally Posted by gazman_res

ooomph?

The 412 will smash your ampeg into a car windshield, and then take its mother, the 810 , out for a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!

/anchorman

[gustobassman]

thanks for the info! after more research i should have included this in the first post..

How well does the Neo 412 respond to a five-string? The ampeg seems to be tuned to a lower frequency response than the GK (according to specs). I don't beat on the the B like fieldy or anything, but was just curious if those who used this cab did so with a five-string. I use a passive Am Std. Jazz V for reference if that helps

[carbonfold]

It works great with a 5 string. I currently use a EBMM Sterling 5HH and used to used AmFJD V on it. I run the cab with a Shuttle 9.0 and this thing smokes! The GK412 Neo truely stomps a mud hole on the SVT610. Also, keep in mind I play rock and enjoy the tones that she bulches ( get an idea of my style at CALLING|ALL|WAR-Dallas/Fort Worth ). If you go to my link, that material would be our "dated" sound I would say. We are now going more towards more of a stoner rock edge. This cab does them both well.

Now, if you have the extra cash, I've also heard that the Mesa 412 , Berg 412, and Aggie 412 are top picks. However, expect to dish out a few more $100s over the GK. Doesn't mean the GK isn't as good, just means it's an excellent bag-for-buck "if" you come across the right deal. If I recall, a new GK412 Neo isn't the cheapest priced cab, but you can get good deals on used ones.

But its a "so far so good" with my GK412 Neo. I'm working on completing my first year with her, and not a problem yet. I get nothing but praise because of her & my "little bitty" Shuttle 9.0 <---- (it's a good way to get the sound man to spit beer on the board ).

Originally Posted by gustobassman

thanks for the info! after more research i should have included this in the first post..

How well does the Neo 412 respond to a five-string? The ampeg seems to be tuned to a lower frequency response than the GK (according to specs). I don't beat on the the B like fieldy or anything, but was just curious if those who used this cab did so with a five-string. I use a passive Am Std. Jazz V for reference if that helps

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by tbirddad

I play at a club here in town that supplies G&K for the back line. Amp is great, the cab is the neo 412. Sounds awesome. The walls shake. The stage crumbles. Guitarists weep. Unfortunately, the speakers keep blowing. They have three cabs and there are always two of them down. No one plays it that hard since everything is also through the FOH. Too bad since it sounds so good. BTW - G&K keeps saying that it is a factory defect. Every time.

That really doesn't fare well for GK, now does it?

I'll stick to my Ampeg Heritage gear....

[gustobassman]

Originally Posted by carbonfold

Now, if you have the extra cash, I've also heard that the Mesa 412 , Berg 412, and Aggie 412 are top picks. However, expect to dish out a few more $100s over the GK. Doesn't mean the GK isn't as good, just means it's an excellent bag-for-buck "if" you come across the right deal. If I recall, a new GK412 Neo isn't the cheapest priced cab, but you can get good deals on used ones.

yeah, if i could go Ag or MB, that would be freakin awesome, but like i said before i kinda want to drop a few pounds (the cab, not me... well maybe a couple for me too) and the GK NEO seems to have won the weight category. I saw MF had the Ampeg actually priced at $100 more than the GK.. i guess i'm just gonna have to find someone who doesn't read this site to trade me straight up (i have a padded cover too) ... hahaha

thanks for the info regarding usage with a fiver. i was drawn to the ampeg with that HLF feature in mind (I rarely, if ever use the tweeter) for round, fat tones. but now i'm getting itchy about trying the GK.. Damn you my local GC!

[tbirddad]

Used the G&K again this week - again, lots of rumble, but I am noticing a lack of tone and definition. No blown speakers this week, but the club had a second head ready to go - not sure if they were having problems with the heads, also.

I admit, I LIKE shaking the stage, but I'd like for it to have more clarity.

[Ogge]

About the clairity of the gk neo 412:

I'm pretty in to buying one of those this summer an have realized it would provide me with all the fire power I would ever need. But beside my rock/pop cover band I play alot of funk/fusion/jazz/gospel and therefore need to have a cab with great clairity.

Is this cab "muddy"? Should I go for neo 410 / 810?

I was thinking about pairing it with a 1001 RB2 head (I like clean power).

[Geddyfleaharris]

I have had lots of different GK cabs and have never thought of any of them as muddy or lacking clarity. I ahve a Neo 212 and 410 and they are certainly not muddy.

[PWV]

Originally Posted by gazman_res

ooomph?

The 412 will smash your ampeg into a car windshield, and then take its mother, the 810 , out for a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!

/anchorman

I love that line!

*so much I just stole it for my sig!

[ljazz]

Originally Posted by tbirddad

I play at a club here in town that supplies G&K for the back line. Amp is great, the cab is the neo 412. Sounds awesome. The walls shake. The stage crumbles. Guitarists weep. Unfortunately, the speakers keep blowing. They have three cabs and there are always two of them down. No one plays it that hard since everything is also through the FOH. Too bad since it sounds so good. BTW - G&K keeps saying that it is a factory defect. Every time.

Interesting. I have a "philosophy" with my GK rig, which includes a 112 and a 212. I bring as little cabinet to the gig as I can get away with, and I drive the crap out of it with my 700rbII....... I do this so I can dial up the "growl" without killing my bandmates. I'm coming up on 4 years of doing this, and have yet to blow a speaker.

To the OP, I would actually consider 2 212 cabs instead of the 412. It will give you a bit more versatility..... no one wants to cart around a 100 lb. cab at 3 in the morning after playing a under 200 seat venue.

[Ogge]

Originally Posted by Geddyfleaharris

I have had lots of different GK cabs and have never thought of any of them as muddy or lacking clarity. I ahve a Neo 212 and 410 and they are certainly not muddy.

How is the 410 compared to the 212 (low end/mid punch/clairity etc.)? Which one do you prefer?

[carbonfold]

I jammed on the GK410 Neo, and did not like it by itself. Maybe a 410 & 212 together would sound more complete, but I just didn't dig the response I got from just the GK410 Neo.

Knock on wood, I have yet to blow a speaker in my 412 cab. I've ran it pretty hard this past year and no troubles yet. I can say that now that I have a Bassman 300, it makes me question if I should go with a 810, 215, or double up my 412. That Bassman pushes pretty hard.

Originally Posted by Ogge

How is the 410 compared to the 212 (low end/mid punch/clairity etc.)? Which one do you prefer?

[allexcosta]

Look into the Berg HS410, it'd probably bury any of the cabs you're considering while being more reliable...

[dogofgod]

10s are out, everyone is doing the 12s.

jk