Gk cab decision, help a budding bassist :)

GrinningMouth88 · #1 06-13-2011, 11:12 AM

Okay so currently I am upgrading my cabs. First off, I currently have a Gk 700rbII head and absolutely love it. My full stack consists of a 410 goldline and a 115 backline. Looking to upgrade my cabs to something better with speakons (i want to stay gk, I see no reason to change a good thing). My 115 backline is being sold off toward a 115 neo, that much I am certain of. My issue right now is the 410. I'm leaning toward an 800w 410mbe simply because it is slightly cheaper than a 410neo. However I would like to dip into the pool of knowledge that is the talkbass forums. Will my 480w 700rbII be able to muscle through the 1200 watts handling between my two cabs(800w 410 and a 400watt 115)? Or is overheating an issue I will run into? I've read from numerous posts here and elsewhere that the 700rbII is a monster that goes way higher than what it's rated at, and you should be very liberal with the quality of the cabs for it. I use a sansamp bass driver pedal if that makes any difference in the advice. Thank you!

GrinningMouth88 · #2 06-13-2011, 12:27 PM

nothing? i just want to to know if a 480 watt amp is going to be able to push 1200 watts worth of speakers. simple question. I know there are GK minions lurking in these forums.

gustobassman · #3 06-13-2011, 12:42 PM

You mentioned Sansamp and blowing speakers... are you running the EQ on the amp itself flat and using the EQ on the Bass Driver? or are you tweaking your EQ on the amp and then bumping it up with the Bass Driver? Also, the output switch on the Bass Driver, is it set for line or instrument? The "line" selection adds about +10db of boost, while "inst" is -10db. If you have it selected for "line", your best bet is to run the amp's EQ flat with your input volume a little lower and adjust EQ/Level on the sansamp. or bypass the EQ altogether and just use the GK's power section. If you are running "inst", then (from my experiences) it's fair enough to tweak your amps EQ too without blowing things up. .

I run a Bass Driver through a GK800RB and a 6x10. I run amp EQ flat, input volume maybe halfway, "line" selected on the bass driver, and output volume maxed on the amp. i use the Level on the bass driver for actual volume (set at about 10 o'clock). no blown speakers this way, and if it's still too hot switch the Sansamp to "inst" and tone it down a bit.

I know this isn't a reference to the cabs you want to buy, but it might help out with the cabs you have.

GrinningMouth88 · #4 06-13-2011, 12:49 PM

well, i should have been more specific. Those 3 blown glx speakers were from about 4 years ago when i didn't really know what I was doing. Haven't had a blown speaker since then. I think the problem was me not using the pad switch on my amp and running an active bass at the time. didn't even have my sansamp back then.

gustobassman · #5 06-13-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrinningMouth88

well, i should have been more specific. Those 3 blown glx speakers were from about 4 years ago when i didn't really know what I was doing. Haven't had a blown speaker since then. I think the problem was me not using the pad switch on my amp and running an active bass at the time. didn't even have my sansamp back then.

gotcha

wave rider · #6 06-13-2011, 12:58 PM

Talkbass "conventional wisdom" is that the 4x10 + 1x15 is bad match in a number of ways. Two of the same cabinet is advised in most cases. As far as overheating, as long as you do not block the top air intake, you should be OK.

=wr=

GrinningMouth88 · #7 06-13-2011, 01:34 PM

Hmm, now that I've done a bit of research i can definitely see the problem. Never really thought about it like that before. Just kind of assumed the 115 would round out my sound. I will say that I do like the way my rig sounds, then again I have never had a matching setup. I feel like I don't want to lose the boominess of the 15, and yet i'm kind of worried that losing a 410 would reduce my tone. Darn, haha i'm at a stalemate. Could a neo212 paired with a neo115 cure this problem? I know there are probably already a ton of threads on this and a ton of people that could argue one way or the other. Truth is, i kind of like my sound i think it works really well with what I'm doing, just want to get better cabs thats all. Again, i have a thirst for learning about the tech side of this stuff so i'm interested in thoughts on this.

GrinningMouth88 · #8 06-13-2011, 02:06 PM

Actually I think I'm just going to go with a neo 412 and be done with it. it weighs as much as my 410 glx anyway. bah-zinga.

chubrocker · #9 06-13-2011, 02:12 PM

IMO, this is the best match. Two 15's have always been too round and 8x10 for me is just not as full at 115+410.

I'm not specifically a believer in matching same brand head and cab, but I am with GK stuff. I've had several GK amps and they have always sounded best with GK cabs. A 4x12 would be a solid cab tho!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wave rider

Talkbass "conventional wisdom" is that the 4x10 + 1x15 is bad match in a number of ways. Two of the same cabinet is advised in most cases. As far as overheating, as long as you do not block the top air intake, you should be OK.

=wr=

Zitch · #10 06-13-2011, 02:16 PM

yup what he said, but let me offer a suggestion go with 2-2x12's instead, the 4x12 has no side handles and can be a bit difficult to move, with 2x12's youd have better portability and have the option of just taking one for smaller venues.

GrinningMouth88 · #11 06-13-2011, 02:23 PM

okay, so toying back around with the 410/115 idea. I can't really find any hard info about what the difference is between a 410mbe and a 410 neo. Both have neodyminium and are rated at 800w. it sounds stupid, but the 410 mbe not having handles on the side and simply a single handle on top is kinda irritating. Dumb design decision if you ask me. but that can't account for the 150 dollar price difference so what gives? are the tweeters better in the neo 410 or something? Oh, and simply getting 2 2x12's is a good idea, only it would be $1100 as opposed to a 4x12 at $900. I think gk's pricing sometimes is hair brained with the thinking behind it. why are they charging me an extra 200 dollars for the same thing? portability? Idk i'm young so right now price is a bigger concern with me.

viper4000 · #12 06-13-2011, 02:24 PM

I used to run an Ampeg 410 and 115 with a 700RBII. I thought it sounded great on stage and in practice and would not listen to anyone that said otherwise. Until a friend sat in on a song on bass, I got to hear from the FOH....needless to say it was weak and had phase issues. I upgraded to a 410HLF, and with proper EQ and horn level, I can get a good punchy tone that has bottom end, both on stage and from the crowd.

You might find you like the 2 X 210 vertical stack a lot of guys are doing now-a-days. Modular, and light.

busapilot911 · #13 06-13-2011, 03:16 PM

I have the same amp and a NEO 410. I cant really imagine a situation where I will need more than that. The 410 has plenty of boom (moves more air than a 15). If anything I would like to tweak some more highs out of it (which I do with the eq).
I play in a fairly loud classic rock/hard rock band and have no issues being heard (or felt). If and when I add another cab, it will be another 410.
I have not had the chance to play a 212 yet, but, I feel that I would lean that way if I was doing it over. (2X212)