Future GK Purchase Advice - GK 700 or 1001 RB-II / NEO 410 or 212

[Da Funky Fish]

I am in the market for a new amp. This will be used in a modern hard rock and roll band with two guitar players and we would most likely be playing small to medium sized venues in and around New York City.

I am a current old school Hartke user and I will keep my old setup if needed for rehersal space etc. I am currently looking for something that sounds good, has power, and is lightweight so I am going to try out some of this GK stuff at Guitar Center.

I have a few questions which hopefully someone here can help me with since I get confused when it comes to ohms etc.

Question 1
Is there any specific route I need to take here if I want use the 1001RB-II with only one of these cabinets?

1001RB-II - 700 watts (4ohms) plus 50 watt horn bi amp system….
Can I run this head while only using one cabinet, whether it be a NEO 410 or a NEO 212?

The GK site has the NEO 410 listed as 4 or 8 ohms at 800 watts and the NEO 212 listed as 4 or 8 ohms at 600 watts. Since the head is rated at 4 ohms I am confused at the 4 or 8 ohm cabinet rating and don’t want to buy the wrong one.

Question 2
Same as the first only with using the 700RB-II. I would rather get the 1001RB-II though to have more headroom etc.

Question 3
Which cab would be ideal for a one cabinet set up? The NEO 410 or the NEO 212? I’ve been reading the 410 is very thunderous and the 212 is also loud but with clarity.

Any advice would be appreciated…Thanks!

[Hopkins]

I would go with 8 ohm cabs because if you want to add another in the future you can. I have a 410 neo paired with a 700rb II. Its a nice cab with plenty of bottom end, I can't speak for the 212 though.

Before I bought my 700rb I was thinking along the same lines as you, wanting the extra head room of the 1001rb. But my fellow TB'ers explained to me that you have to crank the 1001 to some serious volumes before you get that GK growl. I'm glad I chose the 700 over the 1001 in hind sight, Its the loudest 480 watts I've ever heard.

[Da Funky Fish]

You know what, the 700RB-II and 410 sound good to me since yes, can always add a cab if needed. I may still investigate the 212, or perhaps roll like this:

700RB-II
NEO 410
NEO 112 (Optional)

Thanks for the advice and quick reply

[armybass]

I too would go with the 8 ohm. I have been a one cab, 4 ohm only guy for a long time but after many years I see the limitations of a single 4 ohm cab. I don't think you can go wrong with either head. I have had both and recently purchased another 700 and am looking for a used 1001. I am a 10 inch driver guy so I am biased on the 10 vs 12 debate.

[mam1862]

The Neo 410 and the 700rb-ii is a great set up. At one time I had the Neo 410 and then added a Neo 112 on top. Outstanding sound. I then sold the Neo 410 and am currently going with (2) Neo 112's. Sounds good, but I miss the 410/112 setup. I still have the 700rb-ii as it is a very solid and reliable amp.

[Rocker47]

I have the 1001rb-2 and don't think I actually have to crank it to get the "growl". I play it through an ampeg 8/10, but mostly using the top 4/10 only option. It sounds awesome and the headroom is there when I need it, and that has happened a few times. I to would stick with 8 ohm cabs for options later of adding. I've played lots of gigs with my 1001-2 and a single 4/10 8ohm cab. It sounds great and gets the growl. Anyway, you will love whatever one you choose. GK is some of the best gear to have for sound, price and most importantly reliability! Have fun!

[somegeezer]

If I had the 700, I'd go for a single 4ohm 410 or 2 8ohm 212s. For the 1001 I have though, it just makes more sense to use 1 4 ohm 410 or 2 8ohm 410s. You don't have to use both every time or anything. But it's great to be able to add more when you need it, or just have a lot to start with. A single 410 will do you for pretty much any gig. Same as the 1001. Enough power for any gig you'll need without PA.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Da Funky Fish

Question 1
Is there any specific route I need to take here if I want use the 1001RB-II with only one of these cabinets?

1001RB-II - 700 watts (4ohms) plus 50 watt horn bi amp system….
Can I run this head while only using one cabinet, whether it be a NEO 410 or a NEO 212?

The GK site has the NEO 410 listed as 4 or 8 ohms at 800 watts and the NEO 212 listed as 4 or 8 ohms at 600 watts. Since the head is rated at 4 ohms I am confused at the 4 or 8 ohm cabinet rating and don’t want to buy the wrong one.

Slightly simplified, the power ratings on the cabinets are the max power they can handle period and the power ratings on the amps are the max power they're capable of delivering into whichever impedance load.

I.e. the Neo 410 can handle up to 800 watts (regardless of what's delivering that 800 watts); the 1001RB-II can put out 700 watts into a 4 ohm load, but only 480 (IIRC) into an 8 ohm load.

So looking at these combos:
1001RB-II driving an 8 ohm version of the 4x10 can deliver a max of 480W to the cab. A 1001RB-II driving the 4 ohm version can deliver 700W into that cab.

So it looks safe (spec-wise anyway) to use either the 4 or 8 ohm 4x10 with the 1001RB-II. A couple considerations tho:

The amp will put out more power driving the 4 ohm version, but this complicates adding another cab later if you want to. Plugging it in with just another cable, they'll be hooked up in parallel so the resulting impedance will be below 4 ohms, which is outside the allowable impedance range for the 1001RB-II power amp (impedance too low). The other choice is to wire the second cab in series with the original one, but this results in an impedance above 4 ohms which will reduce the max power output of the power amp. That'll work without letting the smoke out of the power amp, but the lower power output might not be what you want.

With the 8 ohm version, the amp doesn't put out its max power, but it's easy to add another (8 ohm) cabinet later if you want. I.e. if you add another 8 ohm 4x10, you have effectively an 8x10 that presents a 4 ohm load to the head. 8x10 + 700W == as much hearing damage as you want.

Question 3
Which cab would be ideal for a one cabinet set up? The NEO 410 or the NEO 212? I’ve been reading the 410 is very thunderous and the 212 is also loud but with clarity.

Any advice would be appreciated…Thanks!

I don't have the neo, but my 1001RB-II drives an SBX Plus 4x10 and it's truly the king of a lower midbass sound. Very clear at extremely high volumes. My cab is the 8 ohm version so the amp has the lower max power output, but there seems to be no end to how loud the thing will get even at that.

No idea how the 2x12 sounds, tho, unfortunately.

LS

[Slowgypsy]

I've played around NYC for several years. GK RB700II plus 2 GK Neo 112's. I have 2 GK Neo 212 cabs but have never needed that kind of firepower in the NYC venues I've played. 112's are more than enough, and loading in and out of NYC venues can be a chore so the smaller cabs help. Just my $.02

[gregwatts2008]

The GK 1001RBII is an awesome amp. I am not a fan of the neo cabs, I either use an SWR Goliath ( 4x10 and 8ohms) or an SWR Goliath SR (6x10 and 4 ohms) and always have all the tone and growl I need plus plenty of head room to boot. My opinion only.

[B-string]

Directly G-K amps and Cab ratings are "RMS" not peak. The amps are Conservative in the ratings as they are capable of higher sustained burst "RMS" power. The cabs as far as I can tell are well rated for "RMS" power input.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

and loading in and out of NYC venues can be a chore so the smaller cabs help.

+1...
With this in mind have you considered GK's micro head the MB-500 or the soon to be released MB-800?
The 500 is very small, 3.8 lbs.,powerful at 500 watts at 4 ohms, 350 watts at 8 ohms and is available at most Guitar Center's for $499.00.

[georgestrings]

FWIW, I have played alot of very loud gigs with a 700rb-II, and have never used most of it's available headroom - let alone ever needed more... With an adequate cab, I don't think there's a gig that the 700rb-II wouldn't cover...


- georgestrings

[Da Funky Fish]

Wow, I did not expect so many responses, thanks everyone!

I gotta get myself to my local guitar center to play through a Neo 410 and try both the 700 and 1001. Then, I guess I'll decide which head to get when considering adding a future cab so I'll most likely definilty go with 8 ohm cabs.

I'll also keep my eye any info/reviews/videos on the Neo 212's too.

[Slowgypsy]

I know the Manhattan GC had both a Neo 410 & 212 last time I was in there. Advice... sure, play both of them. And try out both the 700 & 1001, but just remember... you're in a very small GC room and won't use a fraction of what these rigs are capable of. Most NYC venues are really not that large, and the large ones put you through the house PA as well as your rig... assuming you're allowed to bring it which isn't always the case. Also... make sure you not only play these cabs but lift them up and walk around with them. Think NYC venues walking up and down stairs, through doors, back alleys, etc. Weight matters in NYC.

[impactwrench]

I've got the 700RB-II and play it into a 4 ohm Avatar TB153. At my gig last night I had it turned up to about 12 noon on the volume and woofer knobs, but that was with the -15db limiter on since my bass runs hot. I still had a lot of room to go. If money is no object I think I'd have a pair of mirror image 12/6 cabs from LDS and just use one at practice and small rooms and use 2 at bigger rooms. My TB153 seems lighter than my avatar 210, but it is definitely heavier than it needs to be. so thats why if I had about $1200 to spend on 2 smaller, lighter cabs, Id get 12/6 built. Fits in my car a lot easier that way. I love GK heads but I wasn't all that impressed with MBE cabs. Hopefully the neo are better, but Ive never played one.