Boomy GK rig?

[Gunnerhea86]

Hey folks, I recently acquired a 1985 model GK 800rb and a GK Neo 412. I am very impressed with the volume of this rig, however the low end on this rig can be a bit overwhelming at times. I've done a lot of research and haven't heard of anyone else experiencing this problem. This is why I'm confused. I am playing it in a small upstairs bedroom. Could it be the acoustics of the room that is causing this?

Could it be my bass causing the Boominess in my rig? My bass is a Warmoth 72 P-bass with a Basslines P-bass pickup at the neck position, a Basslines MM style humbucker at the bridge position, and an Aguilar OBP-2 preamp. It has a Swamp Ash body and a Birdseye Maple graphite reinforced neck.

Any insight into what the problem could be would be greatly appreciated!

[Nedmundo]

Could be a variety of factors, including room acoustics, but IMO the G-K Neo 12 drivers produce heavy lows that can get boomy. I have two Neo112 cabs, and on stage, I often cut the bass EQ on my G-K heads to prevent boominess, regardless of whether I'm playing my G&L SB-2 or a J-bass.

[GrinningMouth88]

I'd say the small upstairs bedroom is your problem, that's a lot of bass. I personally play on a 700rbII and a neo 412 and I couldn't imagine playing in a small upstairs bedroom. That thing is meant for medium to big venue applications. Even though the 800rbII pushes out 300 watts (i think...) as opposed to my 480watts, I'm pretty sure it's the monster cabinet that is causing your woes. It's all about total speaker area.

[craig.p]

Got three thoughts right off the bat.

1. Pop a driver and check to see if the cab is properly lined. There are tons of thread in this forum about how to do it right.

2. Watch your tone settings. Fdeck some months ago was kind enough to post what "flat" is on either the BL600 or the MB200 (can't remember which). In o'clock parlance, it was treble 10, high mid 2, low mid 1, bass 10. So you can see that "flat" on those amps ain't hardly. Could be your 800 is similar.

3. Watch that Aguilar preamp. I'm totally swagging this, and I could be dead wrong, but I think Aguilar likes to bass-boost very low, and it might even be a shelf boost which would make things even worse. Do a little research into how they're doing it in that preamp, and if they actually are doing things that way, then set the bass control flat and rely solely on the GK to give you your bass boost.

[georgestrings]

Yeah, that's not really a "bedroom rig" - get it out in an actual band setting, and see what you think...


- georgestrings

[Gunnerhea86]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Yeah, that's not really a "bedroom rig" - get it out in an actual band setting, and see what you think...


- georgestrings

haha agreed! I got it for $450 used ... it was too good of a deal to pass up. Maybe I'll move it to the basement. Would an Auralex Gramma make a difference?

[will33]

8 watts and an 8" speaker is a bedroom rig......300 watts and a 412 is not.

[Gunnerhea86]

Originally Posted by will33

8 watts and an 8" speaker is a bedroom rig......300 watts and a 412 is not.

I cant afford both a gig rig and a "bedroom" rig (not really interested in one either). I am temporarily out of the gigging scene because my wife and i just had a baby. i was more looking for a solution for the time being, now that my music career is temporarily grounded. I jumped on the 412 because it was an amazing deal and i will definatly be gigging again.

[will33]

It's part too much sound pressure for the room. You have enough in a small enough space there to make "cabin gain".....search that.

Try cutting the bass and/or lowmid knob some.....oh yeah, and the volume too.

[NKUSigEp]

Here's a crazy suggestion...




Turn the bass level down?

[will33]

Oh, and congrats on the young 'un.

[Gunnerhea86]

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

Here's a crazy suggestion...




Turn the bass level down?

Gee ... why didn't i think of that Captain Obvious!!!!

[Gunnerhea86]

Originally Posted by will33

Oh, and congrats on the young 'un.

Thank you kind sir

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Gunnerhea86

I cant afford both a gig rig and a "bedroom" rig (not really interested in one either). I am temporarily out of the gigging scene because my wife and i just had a baby. i was more looking for a solution for the time being, now that my music career is temporarily grounded. I jumped on the 412 because it was an amazing deal and i will definatly be gigging again.

Korg Pandora and a decent set of headphones FTMFW!!!

I bought a used PX4B a few years ago, and a set of Grado SR60s, for around $150, and have found them to be a necessity of playing, and living with others... I can get all the practce I want, with the GF in the next room - and not bother her in the least... plus, it sounds really good...


- georgestrings

[longjourneyhome]

It's the space. 800rb and NEO 412 is a whole lotta rig. Particularly for a small space. I use a 700rb-ii and NEO 212 for this venue. Although there's fabulous PA support, I dont push the 700rb-ii particularly hard.

[craig.p]

I'd like to add that where in the room the cab is located and where you stand can make a huge difference in the tone you hear. For example, I did a couple of informal sessions in a small room recently where the best balance was BEHIND the amp, with the amp set more or less in the center of the room. So, try moving the amp to various places in the room, and try standing in different locations. And don't be surprised if the best sound isn't where you'd first expect it to be.

Not sure I buy the too-big-for-the-room argument. I've gotten very satisfying results in a small living room at very low volume with 500+ watts hitting a pair of Avatar B212 cabs. Plenty of similar examples with big rigs going back through the years. But again, cab placement, and where I stand, are crucial.

[will33]

Originally Posted by craig.p

I'd like to add that where in the room the cab is located and where you stand can make a huge difference in the tone you hear. For example, I did a couple of informal sessions in a small room recently where the best balance was BEHIND the amp, with the amp set more or less in the center of the room. So, try moving the amp to various places in the room, and try standing in different locations. And don't be surprised if the best sound isn't where you'd first expect it to be.

Not sure I buy the too-big-for-the-room argument. I've gotten very satisfying results in a small living room at very low volume with 500+ watts hitting a pair of Avatar B212 cabs. Plenty of similar examples with big rigs going back through the years. But again, cab placement, and where I stand, are crucial.

+1

[Gunnerhea86]

Originally Posted by craig.p

I'd like to add that where in the room the cab is located and where you stand can make a huge difference in the tone you hear. For example, I did a couple of informal sessions in a small room recently where the best balance was BEHIND the amp, with the amp set more or less in the center of the room. So, try moving the amp to various places in the room, and try standing in different locations. And don't be surprised if the best sound isn't where you'd first expect it to be.

Not sure I buy the too-big-for-the-room argument. I've gotten very satisfying results in a small living room at very low volume with 500+ watts hitting a pair of Avatar B212 cabs. Plenty of similar examples with big rigs going back through the years. But again, cab placement, and where I stand, are crucial.

Thanks!I'll give this a try!

[jelwood]

I know where you are coming from. I used to keep my neo 412 and 2000RB in my little college on campus dorm room Ahh I remember the day the chinese kid on the floor above me came down and was complaining about the free foot massages the amp gave him. Sigh.

The 800RB has a low cut switch. Use it.