The Best 212 Bass Cabinet

woodsideh · #1 05-06-2009, 01:20 PM

There is a lot of talk about the 212 NEO's out there. I tried a GB 212 uber yesterday and really liked it. The guy at the store said that I should also look at the Mesa 212 Powerhouse or the Aguilar GS 212. At the same time it seems that the Avatar is extremely popular on this site. This is where the confusion really kicks in. It's almost impossible for me to find dealers of all for a test drive. I have been gigging blues and blues/rock for ever. I am currently using either an Ampeg SVT4 Pro with an SVT 610HLF (my back is killing me) or a GK 700RB with a Henry 8x8. I need to downsize and of course I am on the everlasting quest for better tone. I like an all around full sound with a touch of girgle in it. Which 212 cab would you buy?

Tim1 · #2 05-06-2009, 01:24 PM

Must put in a plug for my second hand fave - SWR Bigfoot 212. I think this may have been the original 212 that started the ball rolling??? Anyway, a great cab with Bag End speakers that can be bought for a song second hand, even over here.

bongomania · #3 05-06-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsideh

There is a lot of talk about the 212 NEO's out there. I tried a GB 212 uber yesterday and really liked it. ...I am currently using either an Ampeg SVT4 Pro with an SVT 610HLF (my back is killing me) or a GK 700RB with a Henry 8x8. I need to downsize and of course I am on the everlasting quest for better tone.

What's your budget? There are some insanely good TecAmp 212's in the TB classifieds right now, but they aren't cheap. Another brand you should look at (with many threads about them here) is Genz Benz, their Neox 212 gets a lot of love. Again, not cheap, but worth it.

bamabass · #4 05-06-2009, 01:30 PM

another one is the Eden 212xlt. It is the best cabinet eden makes. If I can move my 610, I will get another one.

woodsideh · #5 05-06-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

What's your budget? There are some insanely good TecAmp 212's in the TB classifieds right now, but they aren't cheap. Another brand you should look at (with many threads about them here) is Genz Benz, their Neox 212 gets a lot of love. Again, not cheap, but worth it.

I would like to stay under $1000 if at all possible.

bongomania · #6 05-06-2009, 01:35 PM

Well cool, no problem. The used TecAmp's in the classifieds are just under that, and the Genz Neox 212's go for $750 brand new.

woodsideh · #7 05-06-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Well cool, no problem. The used TecAmp's in the classifieds are just under that, and the Genz Neox 212's go for $750 brand new.

What is your opinion of the Avatar B212 cabs?

rpsands · #8 05-06-2009, 02:09 PM

The vertically aligned GB Neox 212T is the best mass manufactured cab imho. Tecamp, I can't speak to.

The 212T also sounds frigging amazing, from a subjective standpoint

It's in a nice big box, vertical, and tall. Really fills a room for a light cab.

bongomania · #9 05-06-2009, 02:09 PM

I haven't used them, but the general reputation of Avatar is they provide a lot of bang per buck. Maybe not "as" nice sounding as the more expensive cabs (depending on subjective tastes) but plenty good enough for rock and roll.

RickenBoogie · #10 05-06-2009, 02:57 PM

The thing is, there's alot of really good 212's these days. One of my favorite's is the Epifani UL212, but then there's also Schroeder, and all those mentioned above. Best case would be to find as many as you can and plug your bass and your amp into each, see what your ears tell you. As to the Avatars, great for the money, but maybe not the "best" available.

richperson · #11 05-06-2009, 02:59 PM

GB NeoX 212 user hear. I haven't really played the others, but really liked the sound of this cab. I also like the vertical form (for stage space and aesthetics).

BigOldHarry · #12 05-06-2009, 03:05 PM

I am running a Aguilar GS212 and am very happy with it. I can see wanting a 2nd cab for bigger venues, but for 99% of what I do, it will work (I just wish I bought an 8ohm cab so I could put my epi 2x10 along with it!)

KsPiNeSh · #13 05-06-2009, 03:27 PM

Another vote for the Genz Benz NEOX-212T. I play high-volume, drop-tuned rock and only one of them more than gets the job done at practice. On top of that, it weighs 50 pounds and fits in the trunk of my wife's Focus... very nice! If I need more volume, well, that's why I own two of them

James Hart · #14 05-06-2009, 03:38 PM

I'm loving my Bag End D12... only cab GAS I ever get is the occasional thoughts of an S12 or an second D12. They usually end as soon as I play again... haven't needed more and it's easy enough to move to not need the single 12" version

scottbass · #15 05-06-2009, 03:41 PM

I love my Schroeder 1212. The one with one front-firing and one angled driver. 4 ohms, and it honestly handles 1000 watts. The one criticism (from a few others, NOT from me) is that these Schroeder's have a definite low mid-range bump. If you want a completely flat, frequency-accurate response curve, this may not be the cab for you. If, on the other hand, you will be using it to gig with any kind of band, you can do no better, IMHO. It finds its own unique place in the mix, allowing you to be easily heard by yourself, your band mates and the audience. I have discovered that when it is oriented appropriately, the angled driver directs plenty of bass towards the drummer, making him happier.

JimmyM · #16 05-06-2009, 03:44 PM

I wish manufacturers wouldn't do diagonal mounting with 212's. That's what turns me off most of them, and that's why I'd go with the GB Neox 212 before any of the diagonal mounted cabs despite never having heard it.

pedro · #17 05-06-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I wish manufacturers wouldn't do diagonal mounting with 212's. That's what turns me off most of them, and that's why I'd go with the GB Neox 212 before any of the diagonal mounted cabs despite never having heard it.

Jimmy how do you think the SVT CL would sound thru one? I tried one out some years ago and liked it alright but was put off by the price.

Dan Knowlton · #18 05-06-2009, 04:02 PM

I'd reccommend the Accugroove Whappo Jr - absolutely amazing!

Dan K.

Kenny Allyn · #19 05-06-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I wish manufacturers wouldn't do diagonal mounting with 212's. That's what turns me off most of them, and that's why I'd go with the GB Neox 212 before any of the diagonal mounted cabs despite never having heard it.

Can you elaborate on that JM ... I did the diagonal for size and because it sounded better than any other config we tried. I have a user that made a switch from the Neox he had, a full time pro too, he is on record as doing it for the sound.

... Is it a looks issue?

rpsands · #20 05-06-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I wish manufacturers wouldn't do diagonal mounting with 212's. That's what turns me off most of them, and that's why I'd go with the GB Neox 212 before any of the diagonal mounted cabs despite never having heard it.

This +10000. It's gimping your dispersion and making it harder to hear, and wider for no particular reason. I'll never order a cab with drivers arrayed diagonally again.