Gallien Krueger OR Mesa Cabs

sohamorrohit · #1 01-29-2011, 03:01 AM

I recently bought a GK RB II 700 and I'm not too sure about which cab to get for it. I've narrowed down to the GK RBH 410 and the Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 410. My basic tone is aggressive/growly(is that a word?

) and I play Stingrays and Jazz basses.
I will obviously A/B them out myself but still, I want a general opinion.
Thanks.

sohamorrohit · #2 01-29-2011, 06:01 AM

James_E · #3 01-29-2011, 06:22 AM

I have never played through a GK RBH 410, but I have played through the Mesa PH410 with my friends Titan V12 head and also with my LittleMark 800. The Mesa is a great cab, super solid construction. I had no problem being heard through drummer, guitar player playing orange stack, keyboards, and vocals. I'm about to buy one myself (it's between the berg AE210 and the PH410... go respond in my thread would ya!)

The mesa weighs in at about 96lbs though.

Crabby · #4 01-29-2011, 10:55 AM

I own the Mesa PH410 and its a great cab despite being very heavy. I owned an Eden 410XLT and an Epifani UL-2 410 and I prefer the tone of the Mesa. I owned a GK 412 briefly and it was an amazing cab as well and paired very well with my GK head. I like matching rigs and don't think you could go wrong with a GK cab but I think you might be won over with the Mesa tone, build quality, 5 year warranty and overall quality of their gear.

SoonerMatt · #5 01-29-2011, 10:56 AM

If you want that signature GK growl you'll have to go with the GK cab and use their proprietary Speakon cable.

canadian*eh · #6 01-29-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

If you want that signature GK growl you'll have to go with the GK cab and use their proprietary Speakon cable.

I disagree. I have been running my GK heads through SWR Cabs for about 12 or so years now and I get plenty of Quote "Growl" Trust me. I never run My horn very high on my cabs to begin with so i have no worries about the the Growl being ruined by going through the horn! I am currently running my 1001rb II through a SWR Megoliath 810...and Man she is Plenty Growly for what i do. get nothing but praise for the sound i get...never ever had anyone say it does not sound good!! yes the HMS is nice but not really needed if you ask me!!

cableguy · #7 01-29-2011, 12:39 PM

I've never played the GK cabs but I have played a Mesa PH410 & PH212. While I preferred the tone of the 2x12 the 410 sounded great as well. Mesa makes a great cab that is built solid. Definately play both if possible but I dig the mesa cabs myself.

rockstarbassist · #8 01-29-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

If you want that signature GK growl you'll have to go with the GK cab and use their proprietary Speakon cable.

Just like J.C. who uses only G-K cabs with his 2001RB's...

O wait-

No growl at all.

"Growl" is going to come more from driver size than cabinet manufacturers. If you want that natural growl/snarl you need a 212 or 412 over a 410 which is gonna give more punch.

dogbass · #9 01-29-2011, 12:59 PM

I've owned and played through an RBH115 paired to a 700RB. The RBH cabs are excellent cabs and pair well with the RB heads....obviously. But I also agree with a previous post that SWR Goliath III 4x10 was also a good pairing with the GK head (I ran that as practice rig for years). I saw Etta James and her bass player had that setup. Mesa makes great stuff with signature tone, but it wouldn't be my personal choice to match to the 700RB II. I think Mesa's stuff is more expensive too, if that matters.

joeydavidson · #10 01-29-2011, 04:36 PM

I ran my 1001rbII with a Mesa PH 410 for about a year, that cab does bring out a lot of the amps 'texture/sizzle' (whatever you want to call it)

I got the cab used, I don't think I would buy one new as they are rather expensive where I live. But they are a very solid well made cab.

georgestrings · #11 01-29-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

If you want that signature GK growl you'll have to go with the GK cab and use their proprietary Speakon cable.

You couldn't be more wrong...

- georgestrings

georgestrings · #12 01-29-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

Just like J.C. who uses only G-K cabs with his 2001RB's...

O wait-

No growl at all.

"Growl" is going to come more from driver size than cabinet manufacturers. If you want that natural growl/snarl you need a 212 or 412 over a 410 which is gonna give more punch.

I dunno, dude - I've been able to get plenty of growl with tens loaded cabs by Mesa, SWR, and Ampeg...

- georgestrings

MysticMichael · #13 01-29-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sohamorrohit

I recently bought a GK RB II 700 and I'm not too sure about which cab to get for it. I've narrowed down to the GK RBH 410 and the Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 410. My basic tone is aggressive/growly(is that a word?

) and I play Stingrays and Jazz basses.
I will obviously A/B them out myself but still, I want a general opinion.
Thanks.

Unless you have a compelling reason to get the Mesa cab, why not just get the GK cab instead? It's a sure thing, is much less expensive - and will permit you to generate as much of the GK growl as anything.

Easy.

MM

Zako · #14 01-29-2011, 05:48 PM

after playing and owning mesa cabs, i wouldnt wanna play anything else honestly.

Calaverasgrande · #15 01-29-2011, 08:21 PM

I am kind of confused here by the statement "proprietary speakon cable".
If the inference is that GK makes an amp that puts out a biamped signal through the same cable, well thats not GK, thats Neutrik (the makers of Speakon connectors). They came out with that idea years ago to solve the problem of plugging in biamped PA gear. So it may not be common in bass gear, but its not GK's baby.

I like both GK and Mesa. Though if I had the scratch I would always by Mesa. Their stuff is built like a brick outhouse. Sound fantastic as well.
GK has the edge on weight though.

rolorockbass · #16 01-29-2011, 08:29 PM

Could i throw in a curveball and recommend an Ampeg 410hlf? I have a 700rb through it and it has wonderful punch and growl! Matches up pretty well watt for watt

SoonerMatt · #17 01-29-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadian*eh

I disagree. I have been running my GK heads through SWR Cabs for about 12 or so years now and I get plenty of Quote "Growl" Trust me. I never run My horn very high on my cabs to begin with so i have no worries about the the Growl being ruined by going through the horn! I am currently running my 1001rb II through a SWR Megoliath 810...and Man she is Plenty Growly for what i do. get nothing but praise for the sound i get...never ever had anyone say it does not sound good!! yes the HMS is nice but not really needed if you ask me!!

I made a thread about the exact same thing (running a GK head through an SWR cab) and was told I was not getting the GK "growl" or "the true GK sound" because I wasn't using GK's special/proprietary Speakon cable to get the true biamped sound. And now there are people rapidfiring at how wrong I am yet I was told that I was wrong by my previous assumption and

canadian*eh · #18 01-29-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

I made a thread about the exact same thing (running a GK head through an SWR cab) and was told I was not getting the GK "growl" or "the true GK sound" because I wasn't using GK's special/proprietary Speakon cable to get the true biamped sound. And now there are people rapidfiring at how wrong I am yet I was told that I was wrong by my previous assumption and

Sorry about if i came across hard man...but yeah i know what you mean by having some people tell you one thing just to have others tell you other wise. First of all the GK growl has nothing to do with the bi-amping system. The growl comes from the boost knob that when turned up give a bit of Harmonic distortion aka the Growl... which sound great through speakers but not soo good through the horn... there by using the GK bi-amp you are able to control the level of the horn and the G.I.V.E (Gate Induced Valve Effect) Is not sent to the horn as in a passive crossover like in a normal bass cab! Now like i said be for i have never had any trouble with it due to the fact that i never have my horn on my cabs turned up much and even when i have it has never bother my sound. Now to the thing about the Special "GK Cable is crap too. I bought a 4 Connective None GK cable that was wired the exact same way as the GK one 1+ 1-, 2+ 2- Alot of people say things on here cause they have herd other say them and really have not taken the time to check them out for them selves. Like i said i get plenty of GK Growl through my SWR Cabs and would not trade them any day for a GK Cab...they sound great for me...i dont need a gk cab to get the GK Growl!!Sorry for going a bit long hope what i have said makes sense. there are some out there that will tell me i a wrong and so be it, each to there own...if it works for them, then Great!! I just know what works for me!! and My Ears Like it!!

All The Best Cheers Mate!!~Elliot

jimmyjames77 · #19 01-29-2011, 11:30 PM

Can't comment on the GK cabs but I can say that mesa cabs are top notch. My rig has NEVER sounded better. Can't really go wrong though with a cab that is made for your head though. Tough but I'd go with the mesa.

sohamorrohit · #20 01-30-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Unless you have a compelling reason to get the Mesa cab, why not just get the GK cab instead? It's a sure thing, is much less expensive - and will permit you to generate as much of the GK growl as anything.

Easy.

MM

The Mesa cab IS more expensive than the RBH but not by much ($ 100) and I'm gonna keep my rig to just a half-stack so I figured spending a 100 bucks more for a better cab (if the Mesa indeed is a better cab) wouldn't be so bad.
But by the looks of it here, the GK would be just fine. So right now I'm kinda inclined to go the GK way.
Thanks for your help.