Cabinet choices for GK 400RB

faviobarrio · #1 07-17-2010, 10:22 AM

Hello all, this is my first post.

I just bought a GK 400RB head off eBay and I'm looking for cabinets now and was hoping for some advice.

Should I go for one 4x10 at 4 ohms or should I be looking at 2x10 and a 1x12 or 1x15 at 8 ohms each?

If I go the 8 ohm route, can I use the head with just one of the cabinets without negative side effects.

Thanks for your help.

BassmanPaul · #2 07-17-2010, 10:39 AM

I have always found that using a pair of identical cabinets works best. I chose the 2x10 format (Acme) and I stack a pair of them vertically. Other players use a pair of 1x12s or 1x15s. It's really up to you to find the format you prefer and yes you will be fine running a singe cabinet. That said I'd not gig with just one box. As two take up the same floor space I always use a pair.

Paul

faviobarrio · #3 07-17-2010, 11:54 AM

So I guess what I'll probably want to get is a 2x10 and 1x12 at 8 ohms stacked. Tanks for the advice.

Anyone else want to chime in?

shoot-r · #4 07-17-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faviobarrio

Hello all, this is my first post.

I just bought a GK 400RB head off eBay and I'm looking for cabinets now and was hoping for some advice.

I've been using G.K. heads, (a G.K. 800 since 1984, and recently got a G.K. MB2-500), because of G.K.'s ability to "play nice" with just about any cabinet you pair them with.
For 24 years I ran the 800 into a Ampeg SVT 810 and had excellent results.
I'm now running the MB-500 into two, 8 ohm, Avatar Neo 210 cabs used as a vertical 410.
I use one 8 ohm cabinet for rehearsals/small gigs, both cabs when more volume and coverage is needed.
I've nothing but good to say about Avatar bass cabinets.
www.avatarspeakers.com

BassmanPaul · #5 07-17-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faviobarrio

So I guess what I'll probably want to get is a 2x10 and 1x12 at 8 ohms stacked. Tanks for the advice.

Anyone else want to chime in?

Um - that's not what I advised.

Mixing a 2x10 with a single 12 will mean the 2x10 will be more efficient than the 12 and thus louder.

Paul

faviobarrio · #6 07-17-2010, 01:16 PM

Would that be the same if it were a 15 on the bottom?

The idea is to only use the 2x10 regularly and add the 1x12 (or 15) when necessary for playing out.

**B-string** · #7 07-17-2010, 01:21 PM

A 115 comes closer to the surface area of a 210. Two 210s will match better acoustically but not everyone likes the combo better than a 210+115. Your ears are the only judge of what works better for you.

faviobarrio · #8 07-17-2010, 01:24 PM

So one 410 at 4 ohms or two 210's at 8 ohms a piece.

Thanks for the advice guys.

faviobarrio · #9 07-17-2010, 01:25 PM

Or even a 410 at 8 ohms giving me the flexibility to add an additional 410 at 8 ohms.

shoot-r · #10 07-17-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faviobarrio

Or even a 410 at 8 ohms giving me the flexibility to add an additional 410 at 8 ohms.

+1...
The one thing to remember is, depending on which model 400 you have, their rated at I believe 240 watts at 4 ohms.
They drop to 180 watts at 8 ohms.
Depending on the volume of the group or if you have a hard hitting drummer and the type of music your playing, you can use up 180 watts of power pretty quickly.

**B-string** · #11 07-17-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoot-r

+1...
The one thing to remember is, depending on which model 400 you have, their rated at I believe 240 watts at 4 ohms.
They drop to 180 watts at 8 ohms.
Depending on the volume of the group or if you have a hard hitting drummer and the type of music your playing, you can use up 180 watts of power pretty quickly.

If you are with a high stage volume group you better use two 410s. More speaker gets more sound a lot faster than more amp wattage. Even though the 400RB is pretty darn loud for its rated output.

shoot-r · #12 07-17-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

If you are with a high stage volume group you better use two 410s. More speaker gets more sound a lot faster than more amp wattage. Even though the 400RB is pretty darn loud for its rated output.

BIG +1!

garagebassman · #13 07-18-2010, 06:42 AM

If it's an older 400 like mine from the 80's, they seem to be voiced very well to the same era gk cabs.
They're not overpowering 200-400w handling.
I don't have experience with the 210's (they weren't so popular then ?).
But the tweeterless 410B has outstanding growl an top end response (vintage style), and is only 68lbs. Usually go for $120 or so when I see them.
I also have a 115B, same great "open" tone, that was $120 at a local store used.
With two 410s together it's a very "big' sound for a 220W (?) head.
I've also heard many people really liking bag end 15 cabs, bu tnot sure which ones....I thinkthey're even smaller and lighter than the old gh cabs.
Great head though..I also used mine with an svt 810 (when I didn't want to lug the 80lbs head around on the dolly)....sounded very full.

faviobarrio · #14 07-22-2010, 12:26 PM

OK, so I ended buying a Kustom Deep End Series 4x10 @ 8 ohms because I got a used one cheap. It sounds great...but for gigs I'm probably going to want another cabinet. I'm guessing either another 4x10 or maybe a 1x15.

faviobarrio · #15 08-03-2010, 09:30 AM

I ended up finding an older Avatar 1x12 @ 8 ohms for $150. I think my bass rig (as ugly as it is) will serve me fine (assuming I can fight this bad case of GAS) for now until I can afford to get some fine GK Neo cabs.

Stompin Tom · #16 08-03-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garagebassman

If it's an older 400 like mine from the 80's, they seem to be voiced very well to the same era gk cabs.
They're not overpowering 200-400w handling.
I don't have experience with the 210's (they weren't so popular then ?).
But the tweeterless 410B has outstanding growl an top end response (vintage style), and is only 68lbs. Usually go for $120 or so when I see them.
I also have a 115B, same great "open" tone, that was $120 at a local store used.

Is this the hornless 4x10 of which you speak?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GK-GALLIEN-KRUEG...item483baa6a96

garagebassman · #17 08-03-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stompin Tom

Is this the hornless 4x10 of which you speak?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GK-GALLIEN-KRUEG...item483baa6a96

Close. I used to have one of those 410T I believe (400W I think)

These are actually older, with round two round front ports and they have the gk logo in pink and blue...don't have a pic here ....410B.....I think they were made in canada (at least mine were) 85-88

BigOldHarry · #18 08-03-2010, 11:05 AM

I have gigged and gigged and GIGGED with a 400RB and an 8 ohm Epifani 2x10 cab. Sounds great. I've also used it with an old SWR "Triad" cab (15/10/horn) and it also sounded good.

Based on my experience, this amp sounds best with 10"s, and you wouldn't want to go beyond 4x10" - - and that might be pushing it. I have used it with my 4x10 epi, but it sounds a bit... Stressed. The 2x10? No problem. Great little setup and PLENTY loud (not all 2x10's are the same...)

good luck and congrats on joining the beater-but-great amp club!

**nostatic** · #19 08-03-2010, 11:10 AM

"Need" a pair of 4-10 cabs? Geez, how loud are some of you guys playing? Tell the guitar player to turn down...and hey, you kids...get off my lawn!!!

BigOldHarry · #20 08-03-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

"Need" a pair of 4-10 cabs? Geez, how loud are some of you guys playing? Tell the guitar player to turn down...and hey, you kids...get off my lawn!!!

Word.

If you need two 4x10s, then you are either running the wrong brand of cab or you're going to be deaf by the time you're 40 (been there, done that).

Besides, a 400RB isn't gonna drive two 4x10's well. It will sound sad.