Cab strategy for my new GK MB500 head

scottfeldstein · #1 08-02-2011, 10:48 PM

I just bought a GK MB500 head which I anticipate using as my primary amp, but I'm just agonizing over my cab strategy.

The only cab I own right now is the GK 210MBE. Which I might or might not sell when I sell it's mate, the MB210 combo.

The only project I am involved in right now is Loud Band. LB has a big 8x10 cab in their rehearsal space. It can go with me to LB gigs, too. And I anticipate that the MB500 head can drive it adequately. (I'll find out at next rehearsal.)

I anticipate that I'll soon branch out into other musical endeavors, in bands that do not exceed normal rock band volume. For that reason, I want a rig comprised of my own cabs that will work in these other scenarios.

But here's some things to keep in mind:

a) I'm in love with the idea of lightweight cabs, such as GKs MBE line. Even the 4x10 cab only weighs like 50 pounds! This 2x10 one weighs 30.

b) I'm in love with the idea of small, vertically stacking cabs such as the TC Electronic RS 212 and 210 ones.

3) I do like to sound big. My last rig was an 18 and 2x10s, in the same homemade cab. No matter how much I might lust after that growly, midy sound I know I really do want some woof and some balls to my on-stage sound. Speaker farting is unacceptable and so is a thin tone. The cabs have to handle it.

So. Should I get a 4x10 cab and know that I have the option of adding a 1x15 to it later, or even another 4x10 cab? And if I do, should I go for the lightweight MBE (or similar) ones? Or ignore the weight for the sake of a louder cab? (Is it even true that heavier cabs are often louder? Possibly not.)

Or should I buy into the dream that I'm going to get a satisfying volume and tone out of a couple of 2x10 or 2x12 cabs? (Vertical or not.) I want to believe. I really do. But my experience with the GK 2x10 combo with the external 2x10 cab leave me feeling skeptical. If I went this route, I could maybe order me one of those TC RS 2x12 cabs with the option of adding one of the 2x10 ones to it later. Or get another 2x12 just like the first one. OR.. I could go GK for their lighter (and much cheaper cabs) and get a 2x12 to go with my existing 2x10 one. Or hell I could get one of their 15s to go with the 2x10. I don't know.

I know lots of people here like fEARful cabs, but I don't know if I'm ready to drop a grand on a 15/6. And I can't build one myself. No garage, no tools, no time.

seansv · #2 08-02-2011, 10:56 PM

I'd say go for a decently efficient 2x12 with a high rms rating. If you need another cab you could get a second one down the line

scottfeldstein · #3 08-02-2011, 11:00 PM

RMS rating? Like how many watts they're supposed to handle? I'm figuring on getting 8ohm cabs... one by itself would pull 350w from the GK head. Two together would pull the full 500w. Would there be a benefit to getting 8 ohm cabs that are rated to handle more than the 250-350w they're ever likely to get?

scottfeldstein · #4 08-02-2011, 11:10 PM

Hell maybe I should forget these small speakers and get two 1x15 cabs.

Maybe I could order one fEARful and save up for a second one in the future... I could always use it with the 2x10 cab I have if need be in the interim...

Wadge · #5 08-03-2011, 06:59 AM

I would get twoGK Neo 2-12. They are quite light (as heavy as the GK RXB 210) and can take quite a bit of power into them. You can use one for smaller gigs and both for the bigger gigs.

scottfeldstein · #6 08-03-2011, 08:20 AM

That seems like good advice. The Neo line 212s are $550 new, though, and the MBE line is $400. I wonder if there's a big difference...

tombowlus · #7 08-03-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wadge

I would get twoGK Neo 2-12. They are quite light (as heavy as the GK RXB 210) and can take quite a bit of power into them. You can use one for smaller gigs and both for the bigger gigs.

Beat me to it! This is my recommendation as well. The Neo line are slightly larger than the MBE, and they use a different/better tweeter. I think that this gives them both better low end and high end performance relative to the MBE's. Of the Neo line, I've been the most impressed with the 12" equipped models, and two of the Neo212-II's would flat our rawk with the MB500. Heck, just one of them does (even at 8-ohms)!

One comment I will make about that 8x10, for whatever reason, my SVT-810e is one of my least favorite cabs with the MB500. I think other folks have had great success, but it sounded kinda funky in the mids to my ear. I could probably dial in a great tone though, and I didn't try this combo for very long. I only mention this so that if you are disappointed with how it sounds through your 810, you should try the head through other cabs. Hopefully, it will pair up well for you.

scottfeldstein · #8 08-03-2011, 08:41 AM

I'm getting a pretty clear picture here that I should give the Neo 212 a try. I can get one now, use it in conjunction with my 210MBE for a while if needed, and get a second one later on if I love it a lot.

I really appreciate the advice given here, gents. I'm surprised anyone actually took the time to read my lengthy whining in the first place

Additional comments are still welcome...

tombowlus · #9 08-03-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

I'm surprised anyone actually took the time to read my lengthy whining in the first place

Well, to be honest, I wasn't going to read it at first. But then I said to myself, "Dude's raising up a shot glass, and I'm down with that..."

JonnyAngle · #10 08-03-2011, 08:57 AM

I have the MB500 and 2 GK neo 115's. McLovin it!

jeff7bass · #11 08-03-2011, 09:07 AM

Personally I think that adding an additional GK 210MBE and stacking the two vertically (with the MB500 on top) would be enough sound to cover almost any situation.

scottfeldstein · #12 08-03-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Well, to be honest, I wasn't going to read it at first. But then I said to myself, "Dude's raising up a shot glass, and I'm down with that..."

Heh. Me with a mouthful of Mexican tequila.

It sounds like most folks here think the GK Neo line is a good compromise between weight, price and performance. I'm definitely leaning that way now. Get a 2x12, get another, or a 1x15, or whatever to add to it later if I want.

Wes Whitmore · #13 08-03-2011, 12:41 PM

Scott,
You should go listen to it first (whatever cab you want). I had my GK 212neo for a couple days before I turned right around and sold it again. It was loud with gobs of bottom end, but it just wasn't for me. It might be right for you though because it was a well build cab with good drivers and good componenets. It's just something that you are going to have to listen to. Don't trust other people's ears any more than you have to...
Wes

4Mal · #14 08-03-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Hell maybe I should forget these small speakers and get two 1x15 cabs.

Maybe I could order one fEARful and save up for a second one in the future... I could always use it with the 2x10 cab I have if need be in the interim...

I run my mb2-500 normally with just a single f 12.6. I have also run it with the 12.6 and a single f 12 sub. So basically a modular fearful 1212.6. That is more or less equivalent to a 15.6 but at 4 ohms rather than 8 ohms. Adding the sub was overkill for me. Sounded really nice though!

tombowlus · #15 08-03-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

I run my mb2-500 normally with just a single f 12.6. I have also run it with the 12.6 and a single f 12 sub. So basically a modular fearful 1212.6. That is more or less equivalent to a 15.6 but at 4 ohms rather than 8 ohms. Adding the sub was overkill for me. Sounded really nice though!

Good point. The fEARful cabs really do kick @$$. I am amazed at what I can do with just my (8-ohm) 12/6cube/1 and the MB500.

scottfeldstein · #16 08-03-2011, 01:02 PM

Tom, do you use the MB500 quite a bit? It sounds like it.

tombowlus · #17 08-03-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Tom, do you use the MB500 quite a bit? It sounds like it.

I do. It's currently my favorite micro head, though I anticipate the MB800 taking over top honors once it arrives.

audiomitch · #18 08-03-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

That seems like good advice. The Neo line 212s are $550 new, though, and the MBE line is $400. I wonder if there's a big difference...

I had a couple of MBE115s that I sent back. In my case, they didn't handle high volumes very well. The piezo tweeters were breaking up and sounding pretty bad. This was in my experience, maybe not everybodies.

I now own two GK NEO 212s, which have no problem with higher volumes. They have the standard big GK horn, and seem a lot sturdier than the MBEs. But also weigh more. I like them a lot, but try before you buy.

scottfeldstein · #19 08-03-2011, 06:01 PM

Well, my local GC didn't have any in stock (didn't even know they were made!), but I ordered the Neo 212 sight-unseen. I figure I have 30 days to decide if it meets expectations.

So there you have it. Should be here in a few days. If all goes well, I'll soon be evaluating whether to get another one just like it, or branch out into a 1x15 or a 4x10.

**HeavyDuty** · #20 08-03-2011, 08:12 PM

Scott, are you going to be playing out with it? I'm interested in checking the 212 myself for my new MB500, but no one around here carries it to demo. I'd be tempted to drive up and listen to yours!